Out west hiking carry / Out east hunting handgun?

[HB]

I think you’re looking for 2 different guns.

I have a 642 I carry while backpacking. I have a 5” 629 for hunting/range.

A 4” 357 or full size 10mm semi could “bridge the gap” but it wouldn’t make for a great hunting handgun. And I still leave my 4” Model 66 at home usually when woods bumming.

I think you will regret bringing a 44 mag unless you stay within a mile of your vehicle. And you’ll regret hunting with something small enough to carry.

 

[DocRock]

44 Mag 5”+ barrel will serve for both.

 

[Anchorite]

44 Mag 5”+ barrel will serve for both.

This.

 

[WisBorn]

Is the "hiking the Western United States" a one time thing or something done regularly? Will the gun be a primary weapon for deer and hogs or just a occasional backup/secondary to a long gun? Both of these would make a significant impact on my personnel decision. IMHO, there is no magical "One gun that does it all". The odds against the need to use a firearm for protection against dangerous game in the lower 48 is very minimal, even for those that live where the dangerous game lives too. With then proper holster and carrying system, even a dedicated hunting revolver can be carried all day without significant loss of dexterity or movement. For a primary hunting handgun, from a long time handgun hunter, the idea of a barrel under 5" seems a tad loose. It wasn't in your options but a 5" 629 would be my first pick if I could only have one to "do it all". But I wouldn't. I'd probably have the 329 loaded with hot .44 specials for the western hikes and a long piped revolver in a caliber that starts with a 4 or larger for a primary deer/hog gun.

The western hiking is hopefully at least every other year. My wife and I have been to Yellowstone twice, but are going to visit more parks while we are there.

Hunting with the handgun will be a once and a while thing. Put a little meat in the freezer with a rifle Then use the handgun.

 

[WisBorn]

What do you mean by "hiking" in the western National Parks?

Walking the trail around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain dodging the Japanese tourists, a light day hike of a few hours in Canyonlands, or a multi-day backpack trip into the boonies of Yellowstone?

My wife and I are day hikers averaging 8-10 miles per day. We will set out on less traveled trails, hike out a few hours turnaround and head back.

 

[WisBorn]

For reference, on my mobile at recent 3-night backpack trip just south of RMNP, I carried a 638 with 5 rounds of BB 158 gr Outdoorsman and a speed strip of the same. On my most recent 5-night backpack trip south of Escalante, UT, I had my 317 snub.

WEIGHT MATTERS!

I normally pocket carry a 442 hiking out east. I also have a 3" 686, snub nose 41 mag.

 

[Charlie98]

View attachment 937306

I frequently carry a Glock 20SF AIWB or a Glock 35 strong side IWB, and a full size 1911 is not difficult to carry concealed.
.

For you it is, man... like, not so much for me. Everyone is different.

In reality, what I meant was anything in the 4-5" range, that's why I put that '~' in front of it... 4" isn't an absolute cutoff, but it depends on the pistol. I have 2 4" N-frames (.41's...) and they are reasonable to carry in a good belt holster. There is no way I could carry one concealed, that is to say 'not noticeable at first glance.'

YMMV.... man.

 

[scaatylobo]

I voted for the G-29 only because you did not list the G-20.

I would only go with the G-29 if at anytime I wanted to CCW.

And even at my height [ or lack of at 5'4" 200 # ] I can and do CCW the G-20.

I like the lighter weight of the Glocks and as most mentioned,it will likely [ HIGHER percentage ] be 2 legged critters that are an issue.

 

[jmr40]

For carrying I really like this chest pack. Hunting is something entirely different and I won't address it.

It opens up a lot of options that would normally be too big and it doesn't look like you're carrying. There are 2 compartments, if anyone asks me about it I unzip the front compartment to show them my hiking supplies and snacks. The gun can stay out of sight in the other compartment and no one knows. I clip my cell phone and GPS to the webbing outside. I used this every day last turkey season to carry a gun plus all of my calls and other gear needed instead of a regular daypack.

Something like this also makes the heavier magnum revolvers easier to deal with. And you can use it along with a regular pack if you are backpacking or just need more gear than you can fit in here.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1



But my preference is a semi-auto. I carried a G20 camping in Yellowstone twice and slept as well at night with it as I would have with the 44 mag I left at home. I've also carried both the G20 and G29 hiking in Smoky Mt NP numerous times.

I added a G29 a few years ago and like it a lot better. I don't give up any accuracy compared to the G20 and have the option of using 10 or 15 round magazines depending on the situation. In the chest pack I carry 15 round mags with a mag sleeve. On my belt, 10 round mags.

Compared to a revolver the mag capacity is a huge advantage and 10mm gives up nothing to 357 and darn little to 44 mag when fired from 4" or shorter barrels. The ability to attach a light is another big plus for pistols when camping overnight.



But I'm coming around to the hotter 45 ACP loads. I've not actually carried it yet, but if someone has a 45 ACP and uses something like these 255 gr HC loads from Buffalo Bore or Double Tap I think you'd be pretty well protected. I still like 10mm better. But if someone has something like this and doesn't want to invest in another gun I think you'd be fine. This is a M&P Compact with full size 10 round magazines. But many 45's would work if they shoot these hotter loads. Some won't.

 

[WisBorn]

For carrying I really like this chest pack. Hunting is something entirely different and I won't address it.

It opens up a lot of options that would normally be too big and it doesn't look like you're carrying. There are 2 compartments, if anyone asks me about it I unzip the front compartment to show them my hiking supplies and snacks. The gun can stay out of sight in the other compartment and no one knows. I clip my cell phone and GPS to the webbing outside. I used this every day last turkey season to carry a gun plus all of my calls and other gear needed instead of a regular daypack.

Something like this also makes the heavier magnum revolvers easier to deal with. And you can use it along with a regular pack if you are backpacking or just need more gear than you can fit in here.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1

View attachment 937351

But my preference is a semi-auto. I carried a G20 camping in Yellowstone twice and slept as well at night with it as I would have with the 44 mag I left at home. I've also carried both the G20 and G29 hiking in Smoky Mt NP numerous times.

I added a G29 a few years ago and like it a lot better. I don't give up any accuracy compared to the G20 and have the option of using 10 or 15 round magazines depending on the situation. In the chest pack I carry 15 round mags with a mag sleeve. On my belt, 10 round mags.

Compared to a revolver the mag capacity is a huge advantage and 10mm gives up nothing to 357 and darn little to 44 mag when fired from 4" or shorter barrels. The ability to attach a light is another big plus for pistols when camping overnight.

View attachment 937353

But I'm coming around to the hotter 45 ACP loads. I've not actually carried it yet, but if someone has a 45 ACP and uses something like these 255 gr HC loads from Buffalo Bore or Double Tap I think you'd be pretty well protected. I still like 10mm better. But if someone has something like this and doesn't want to invest in another gun I think you'd be fine. This is a M&P Compact with full size 10 round magazines. But many 45's would work if they shoot these hotter loads. Some won't.

View attachment 937354

I like the pack! Thanks, I need to look a little closer at them. Can you use yours with and without a backpack?

 

[DocRock]

Mag capacity is moot if you’re addressing wildlife, unless you imagine an armed wolverine threat. If you have to shoot a bear or mountain lion you won’t get six shots. If you need more that that hunting, you ought not be hunting with a handgun.

If one imagines one will be involved in a gunfight hiking in the West, mag capacity may well matter...

For carrying I really like this chest pack. Hunting is something entirely different and I won't address it.

It opens up a lot of options that would normally be too big and it doesn't look like you're carrying. There are 2 compartments, if anyone asks me about it I unzip the front compartment to show them my hiking supplies and snacks. The gun can stay out of sight in the other compartment and no one knows. I clip my cell phone and GPS to the webbing outside. I used this every day last turkey season to carry a gun plus all of my calls and other gear needed instead of a regular daypack.

Something like this also makes the heavier magnum revolvers easier to deal with. And you can use it along with a regular pack if you are backpacking or just need more gear than you can fit in here.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1

View attachment 937351

But my preference is a semi-auto. I carried a G20 camping in Yellowstone twice and slept as well at night with it as I would have with the 44 mag I left at home. I've also carried both the G20 and G29 hiking in Smoky Mt NP numerous times.

I added a G29 a few years ago and like it a lot better. I don't give up any accuracy compared to the G20 and have the option of using 10 or 15 round magazines depending on the situation. In the chest pack I carry 15 round mags with a mag sleeve. On my belt, 10 round mags.

Compared to a revolver the mag capacity is a huge advantage and 10mm gives up nothing to 357 and darn little to 44 mag when fired from 4" or shorter barrels. The ability to attach a light is another big plus for pistols when camping overnight.

View attachment 937353

But I'm coming around to the hotter 45 ACP loads. I've not actually carried it yet, but if someone has a 45 ACP and uses something like these 255 gr HC loads from Buffalo Bore or Double Tap I think you'd be pretty well protected. I still like 10mm better. But if someone has something like this and doesn't want to invest in another gun I think you'd be fine. This is a M&P Compact with full size 10 round magazines. But many 45's would work if they shoot these hotter loads. Some won't.

View attachment 937354

 

[JTQ]

Mag capacity is moot if you’re addressing wildlife, .

Pack of wolves?

"The Grey" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1601913/

 

[WrongHanded]

Pack of wolves?

"The Grey" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1601913/

Very entertaining movie, that couldn't be further from reality. High capacity firearms are a definite plus for CGI wolves. Real wolves rarely attack people in any serious way. Maybe just a bite, and they're usually gone.

 

[Brian Williams]

I built this for east hunting and hiking, it is a S&W 65 round butt 3" that I had a 4" mod 64 standard pencil barrel. I also had a target trigger and hammer that dropped right in and works so smoothly. I think it now has Hogue rubber grips.

 

[bannockburn]

My brother had a Redhawk .44 Magnum when he lived in Alaska mostly for having something along when he went hiking. I tried the gun after he got back and I liked it as it handled nicely and had a great balance to it (with the 5.5" barrel). If I didn't need it for hunting but more for self-defense from various woodland creatures, then I would probably opt for a Glock in 10mm. (most likely a G29SF).

 

[Anchorite]

I normally pocket carry a 442 hiking out east. I also have a 3" 686, snub nose 41 mag.

While certainly not comparable to the western woods, I’ve done parts of the Appalachian trail over the years with a 442 or Detective Special in my pocket. We just don’t have as many critters East of the Mississippi with fangs and teeth that made me want more cubic inches.

 

[Anchorite]

For carrying I really like this chest pack. Hunting is something entirely different and I won't address it.


But I'm coming around to the hotter 45 ACP loads. I've not actually carried it yet, but if someone has a 45 ACP and uses something like these 255 gr HC loads from Buffalo Bore or Double Tap I think you'd be pretty well protected. I still like 10mm better. But if someone has something like this and doesn't want to invest in another gun I think you'd be fine. This is a M&P Compact with full size 10 round magazines. But many 45's would work if they shoot these hotter loads. Some won't.

View attachment 937354

I like your thought process. Although a wheel gun nut at heart, if I transitioned (evolved?) to an auto for backwoods jaunts, it would be my G30 setup to spit 45 Super loads.

 

[scaatylobo]

For carrying I really like this chest pack. Hunting is something entirely different and I won't address it.

It opens up a lot of options that would normally be too big and it doesn't look like you're carrying. There are 2 compartments, if anyone asks me about it I unzip the front compartment to show them my hiking supplies and snacks. The gun can stay out of sight in the other compartment and no one knows. I clip my cell phone and GPS to the webbing outside. I used this every day last turkey season to carry a gun plus all of my calls and other gear needed instead of a regular daypack.

Something like this also makes the heavier magnum revolvers easier to deal with. And you can use it along with a regular pack if you are backpacking or just need more gear than you can fit in here.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1

View attachment 937351

But my preference is a semi-auto. I carried a G20 camping in Yellowstone twice and slept as well at night with it as I would have with the 44 mag I left at home. I've also carried both the G20 and G29 hiking in Smoky Mt NP numerous times.

I added a G29 a few years ago and like it a lot better. I don't give up any accuracy compared to the G20 and have the option of using 10 or 15 round magazines depending on the situation. In the chest pack I carry 15 round mags with a mag sleeve. On my belt, 10 round mags.

Compared to a revolver the mag capacity is a huge advantage and 10mm gives up nothing to 357 and darn little to 44 mag when fired from 4" or shorter barrels. The ability to attach a light is another big plus for pistols when camping overnight.

View attachment 937353

But I'm coming around to the hotter 45 ACP loads. I've not actually carried it yet, but if someone has a 45 ACP and uses something like these 255 gr HC loads from Buffalo Bore or Double Tap I think you'd be pretty well protected. I still like 10mm better. But if someone has something like this and doesn't want to invest in another gun I think you'd be fine. This is a M&P Compact with full size 10 round magazines. But many 45's would work if they shoot these hotter loads. Some won't.

View attachment 937354

Thank you for that chest carry idea,it will be looked at HARD !.

I just got ,and fired off a few hundred rounds of Super Vel 185 JHP + P--- they are advertised at over 1100 FPS.

I have never shot that hot a load from the 2 Glock 30's that I have.

I do believe they would be MORE than sufficient for most anything short of brown or polar bear , and then they would do a decent job if its 'danger close' and that is all you have.

I do warn y'all that ,yes I am older and the recoil is more noticed than when I was a young man ---- BUT these + P 185 's were actually painful to shoot [ I fired up just over 100 rounds through both guns,including a few hundred ball rounds ].

They are not a 10MM, but they are VERY,VERY close.

 

[murf]

@jmr40 and @Mainsail, what ammo are you guys running?

murf

 

[Meeks36]

Might want to consider a 41 mag.

 

[xxToranachxx]

I'm torn between 44 mag revolver 6" barrel and the XDM 10mm, but favor the 44 mag by a hair. Many people want more power and go 454 casull but because of the recoil factor my accuracy flounders a little with the 454 whereas the 44 is most accurate for me when I shoot it. So ultimately I want to hit what I am shooting at and not miss with a more powerful handgun especially if it is a bear.

My friend, look into what Springfield armory has been doing in the gun industry/community before even considering a Springfield. If you're still sold on it buy used so your not giving that company your money. A quick Google search on why people are turning their backs on Springfield will yield many results.

 

[MaxP]

I chose the Super Blackhawk in .454, because it can be loaded from mouse fart to Big Five levels, giving you lots of flexibility. It only weighs 3-lbs, and if that’s too much, I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[ms6852]

My friend, look into what Springfield armory has been doing in the gun industry/community before even considering a Springfield. If you're still sold on it buy used so your not giving that company your money. A quick Google search on why people are turning their backs on Springfield will yield many results.

I'm not one of those people. I just recently bought the TRP long slide in 10mm. I'm a 1911 type of guy and all of mine are Springfield.

 

[CDW4ME]

To elaborate on concealment of a full size 1911 - which come in 10mm.
Loose untucked shirt and shorts (summer attire), 1911 is easily concealed.


As I said before, for me, a Glock 20SF is concealable AIWB. (Not pictured)

All these 1911's are 10mm: Ruger, Ruger, Kimber, Colt
The Ruger came with black sights, I "enhanced" them to 3 dot.
I shot a deer with the Delta Elite and a Hornady 155 XTP

 

[xxToranachxx]

I'm not one of those people. I just recently bought the TRP long slide in 10mm. I'm a 1911 type of guy and all of mine are Springfield.
View attachment 937535

No worries brother just thought I'd add that. Also that's freakin sweet looking 10mm!! I hope it shoots as well as it looks.