Need Recs for backpack CCW sidearm

[Blackhawkdc]

Hey all, I'm doing my research on what to purchase for a sidearm. My uses would be mainly protection while backpacking and canoe tripping in the BWCA of MN. I need something that is lightweight as I'll already have 40-50 pounds of gear strapped to my back. I also need something that'll stop a bear in a bad situation. Now being Minnesota, we really only deal with black bears. I'm currently leaning towards a snub nosed revolver in either .38 special or .357 mag. I am also open to a semi-auto and open to suggestions there. Now, the biggest issue for me, money. I'm on a very tight budget, but need to figure something out for solo trips especially.

Any Thoughts?

Thanks!
Seth

 

[Archer1945]

Forget anything smaller than a 454, 460 or 500 in a snubbie if you want to be able to stop a bear immediately, anything smaller looses too much power. Your best bet would be a small semi-auto in 40 S&W or 45 acp with the loads designed for shot barrel guns. A black bear may not seem much of a threat because of their small size but most bears tend to be hard to bring down with one shot unless it is placed exactly in the right spot. Even a small pistol will give you more shots and probably harder hitting ones than any snubbie revolver in any caliber short of the big magnums.

 

[Ed Ames]

IMO you are on the right track with a .357 revolver.

Black bear aren't the same beasties as grizzleys.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Fine choice. Get a stainless model and remember even that is "stain-less" not "rustproof" so have appropriate protectant along.
Make sure it's up to full-house .357 Magnum loads and have reloads. Learn WHERE to shoot a bear or having anything short of a howitzer won't matter. Beyond that do a search, this topic has been covered a LOT of times!

The bottom line though is to learn how to behave in Bear country and follow those guidelines and you'll be fine.

Be Safe
Ze

 

[ChristopherG]

Not to discourage you from asking questions--but if you use the search function (searching thread titles for 'bear' or 'bears') you will find that an absolutely ridiculous amount of discussion has already taken place on this subject. Some of it makes for fun reading, and could help you make your decision.

For my money, you're probably on the right track--with a steel 5-shot .357 revolver. I'd take a 3" barrel, given my 'druthers.

 

[rklessdriver]

.357 Mag at the minimum IMO. .38 aint going to get it. Also 4" barrel at a minimum.

We have a lot of black bears here in Eastern NC and althou they are only in 150-300lb range (max), I personally hunt them with a .44 Mag minimum. I have a few friends who have shot them .357 Mags and from the terminal results I've seen... I wouldn't want my life depending on one. Even with 180gr bullets they are slow to go down. My Super Blackhawk and my Dan Wesson put them down almost instantly. I've used 300gr hard cast and 240gr Horaday XTP's, both rounds have worked fine. A buddy uses the old 240gr SJHP Remington (green box) out of his Super Redhawk with good results as well.

If you have the cash outlay one of those ultra light S&W .44Mags (329PD) with a 4" barrel would pack pretty light and have the stopping power you need. I wouldn't want to shoot it at the range alot with full house .44 Mags but I'd be glad I had it should a bear attack.
Will

 

[MCgunner]

4" stainless K frame would be just the ticket in .357. Also, I rather like the little SP101 with 3" barrel, only 28 ounces. Taurus Trackers are light and accurate in 4". An old Ruger Security Six or M66 Smith and Wesson would be great. Lots of choices in light .357s. Get into .44 mag and you're 40 ounces and up even with the mountain gun.

My own choice is a superbly accurate M66 Nickeled Taurus. I'd rather have stainless, but the gun is so friggin' accurate, it's the choice. Nickel is pretty rust resistant and I carry in a nylon flap holster t protect it. In the past, I've used a Security Six (wonderfully light and plenty strong), a M971 Rossi (only a tad over 30 ounces for a 4" full lugged gun. I rather liked that one for it's weight, even lighter than the security six. I had a blued M19, but didn't tote it, much because I had the security six at the same time and it was stainless. I've carried my 6.5" Blackhawk and my 4 5/8" .45 colt blackhawk on day long hikes and the 40 ounces they weigh gets a little heavy even if you ain't carrying a full overnight load on the pack. That little Rossi really rode light. I know they're "cheap" guns, but it was pretty accurate and in stainless and never wore out through probably 10K rounds, some of which were pretty hot loads. Good little outdoor gun. My Taurus is more accurate, though, so I don't miss the Rossi a whole lot for hiking.

 

[MillCreek]

As a backpacker, hiker, snowshoer and XC skier in the Pacific NW for 38 years, my backcountry carry of choice is a short-barrel stainless .357, typically loaded with something in the 150-180 grain range. For compactness sake, in recent years, my carry has been a Ruger SP-101.

 

[Erik]

"Any Thoughts?"

Yes, the .357 is an adequate minimum, assuming proper ammunition and a prudent choice of revolvers to shoot it from. Larger options are arguably more prudent... to a point. The stoutest hand cannons are not necessary for what you are describing.

In your shoes I'd opt for a 4" Redhawk or perhaps a 3-4" N frame in .45 LC or .44 magnum. But that's me. Let us know what you decide on.

 

[Furncliff]

http://www.buffalobore.com/

For serious ammo.

 

[wnycollector]

I agree with the other posters that a 4" used stainless Ruger Six (security, speed or police) or S&W K frame (model 65 or 66) will do the trick.

here are two nice examples for less than $300.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/91122302...Revolver/S_W_65_4_Sts_357_HB_4_in_VG_1992.htm

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94613379

FYI my personal backpack/hiking/canoeing sidearm is a SS 2.75" Ruger Security Six loaded with S&B 158gr SP's or double tap 180gr WFNGC hard casts.

 

[19-3Ben]

My suggestion is to get a Ruger Gp100 with a 3" bbl, and get some of these to load.

 

[Brian Williams]

S&W K frame,
Ruger six series
Ruger SP-101

 

[DFW1911]

Good suggestions so far. I'd also consider the S&W 327PD with a 4 inch barrel. It's a .357/.38, holds 8 rounds, and is light (23 ounces) - good for backpacking (pic attached).

Recoil may be a bit tough in .357: you'll want to test fire one if you can.
I have a 329PD in .44 that's been an exceptional carry gun in the back woods.

I would also recommend a Ruger GP100 4 inch or Ruger SP101 3 inch.

Have fun!

Take Care,
DFW1911

 

[glockman19]

.357 Mag at the minimum IMO. .38 aint going to get it. Also 4" barrel at a minimum.

I agree on both but I carry a S&W 629 5" and a Marlin 1894SS in .44mag when seriously camping/packing in the back country. If I'm at a local campground in a more populated area I'd at very leaset take a .357 in a 4" barrel.

 

[MCgunner]

Another good choice, M60 Smith. They've made 'em with 5" barrel and adjustable sights. Not sure what's available now, but that would make a mean back packers companion IMHO, very light and easy to shoot and 5" barrel for added velocity.

http://www.smithwessonhandguns.com/item/45818_Smith__Wesson_Model_60_R.aspx

 

[markmc753]

Backpacking gun: Weight is a serious issue: General backcountry use I carry a 360pd (12oz) ... if in Griz country... a Taurus 444 ultralite (27oz)

 

[woad_yurt]

Just curious:
What about a TT33 or CZ 52? That 7.62X25 goes through Kevlar helmets so it should go through a black bear's bones.

 

[10-Ring]

In a pack gun...2 choices. In a semi auto, a Glock 30. In a wheelgun, a SP101

 

[trickyasafox]

I think the Mod tacked this one perfect-

An SP101 is about tops for what your saying.

A midsized 40 / 10mm would also do well by you.

 

[Mainsail]

 

[psyopspec]

.357 should be fine. Honestly, most black bear in that region will only attack if you come between them and their young, and remember, you don't have to be faster than the bear, just faster than your buddy.

Personally I prefer automatics, so I would go with a Glock 20 in a thigh rig.

 

[Samuel Adams]

The guys I talked to while in Alaska several years ago recommended a 12 guage shotgun loaded with slugs in case a bear came close while they were out fishing.

 

[DWARREN123]

Ruger, 4", stainless in 44 mag or GLOCK 20 in 10mm.

 

[MCgunner]

A black bear does not require a shotgun. It ain't no brownie. Alaska is not in the lower 48 and things that relate here, don't relate up there.