Trail gun

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Holgersen

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I've been thinking about getting a little gun for when I go hiking. I've probably got some pistols that would work, but I don't want to worry about messing them up.

I've mostly been thinking of one of the NAA mini revolvers, like the Earl or the Black widow.

Weight is a big issue because I don't want to carry more than I have to. I already have a SAA .22 mag, but it weighs more than 2 pounds. I'm not willing to carry that much extra weight.

What do you guys think of the NAA mini revolvers and do you have any other suggestions?
 
Trail gun for what? Protection (from people), plinking, shooting small furry things, shooting medium or large size furry things...
 
I'm not willing to carry that much extra weight.

What do you guys think of the NAA mini revolvers and do you have any other suggestions?
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It depends what you want/need the gun to do for you.

As far as weight, even the NAA weighs too much if it's incapable of performing the task you're carrying it for.
 
Looks like you're in the market for a kit gun. I have fond memories of Dad & I plinking with his little Jennings .22 during campouts. It was a tiny thing, just big enough to have fun with. I remember it would start to jam after a few dozen rounds & would need cleaning. During one beach hike he found another one just like it in the bilge of a beached boat, and it was still shootable; the finish (zinc?) saved the metal in the gun from the electrolysis that would have destroyed most guns in salt water.

I think Jennings changed ownership to Jimenez. If they haven't changed much then I'd only seriously consider one if I was going to be in a boat a lot.

North American Arms, which you've mentioned, is another possibility. I've shot one of their smallest models, and it was hard to hit anything with it. I'm sure the longer versions are much easier to aim.

Ruger's Bearcat is packable. Smith & Wesson makes an airweight j-frame in .22, and if I had to guess I'd say it probably weighs under a pound. Charter Arms used to make a .22 derringer. The only other little gun in .22 I can think of is Beretta's model 21.

There are plenty out there; just decide what kind of platform you want and go from there.
 
A Ruger LCP .380 with Crimson trace laser, and loaded with max pressure deep penetrating Buffalo Bore hard cast flat nose lead ammo would be extremely tough to beat for a pocket sized trail defense weapon if light weight is your primary consideration.

Short of a bear, you should be able to kill anything that will try to kill you with that setup.
 
Nobody knows what, exactly, he wants or needs the gun for, yet the recommendations come rolling in...........odd.........
 
I understand the need to keep the weight as light as possible, but you still need something capable of doing the job. There are many choices that may work for you. I carry a Glock 19 if there is zero possibility of black bears where I'm hiking. A Glock 20 if bears are in the area.

If you prefer revolvers there is nothing wrong with one of the small 357's like a Ruger SP-101.
 
Try a Tokarev, you can get a TT-33 for less than $200, about another $100 for 1280 rounds, cheap and fast, more than enough for most critters encountered in North America.
 
I need a tool to fix my house...which would be the best for me?


As a couple of guys have said...we have no idea of his conditions, location, skill level, intent or possible uses.
 
Actually, we do have an idea about some of that, as he outlined some of his parameters in his OP. It was based on those parameters that i suggested a ruger LCP. ;)

He said NAA mini revolver, so that tells me light duty trail plinker, or last ditch defensive weapon against nothing bigger than a person. He stressed weight and size were key factors. Probably price is as well, if he's like most of us.

Sounds to me like a .380 LCP would be a pretty good choice, based on his parameters.

It is also possible, based on his naming a revolver that he prefers revolvers, in which case a J frame is a heck of a lot more gun than a NAA mini revolver, and also a pretty good choice, though not as small or light as an LCP. If the OP is more plinking than defensive minded, a Ruger Single Six with a short barrel would be a great choice if it's not too weighty for him.

I personally carry a Ruger LCP .380 when walking the miles of nature trails in my city. Mine is carried exclusively for defense though, primarily from 2 legged critters, but also possibly from dogs as well.
 
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I personally carry a Ruger LCP .380 when walking the miles of nature trails in my city. Mine is carried exclusively for defense though, primarily from 2 legged critters, but also possibly from dogs as well.
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You have defined your parameters. The OP only mentioned he doesn't want a heavy gun.
 
NAA mini revolvers are neeto toys but frankly thats about it.

Based on weight concerns I'll have to throw my support behind a Ruger LCP (or KelTec P3AT).

Frankly I think people overestimate the issue of weight ... with a proper concealment holster you can carry a compact .38/.375mag/9mm/.40/.45 with as much ease as a pocket gun like an LCP or a mini-revolver.
 
Here in Idaho, since wolves were introduced, I won't carry anything less than a 357 mag. I carry a 3" Ruger SP 101.
 
Frankly I think people overestimate the issue of weight ... with a proper concealment holster you can carry a compact .38/.375mag/9mm/.40/.45 with as much ease as a pocket gun like an LCP or a mini-revolver.
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Hikers don't like packing more than they have to. In the ultralight circles it's a badge of honor to keep your kit weight under the Jones's.
The Ruger LCP is 9.4 oz unloaded; the Kel-Tec p3at is 8.3 oz unloaded, 11.1 oz loaded. .380 will be enough for two-legged predators and small game at close range.

For bigger predators or bear encounters, you're going to want a .357 or more. A S&W scandium 340PD weighs in at 12oz unloaded. That's gonna be a bear to shoot with full house loads and they aren't cheap, but that'll keep your weight way down without sacrificing power.
 
Best trail gun

A 1911 in 46 Rowland is a pretty good trail gun where I hike........
 
If not worried about 2 legged or Predatory 4 legged.

This is for just fun plinking and taking small game.

I will always have a warm spot in my heart for the AR-7 explorer. I grew up on one as my first semi-automatic after learning on the bolt action .22.

It's accurate, it's fairly light, It breaks down into it's own stock, and it floats.

Just remember to pack a few extra mags, and use high velocity ammo in the rifle, they tend to need the extra kick to cycle properly.

The newest model of it (I grew up on an Armalite built one) is made by Henry, and they have added a rail for a Scope, and ditched the stupid paint job and lettering on it.

Defensive, any of the handguns above. It may be about weight, but a handgun is supposed to be comforting first, Comfortable second.

Edit
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm

Just checked budsgunshop, their last selling price on the one with the rail (out of stock atm) was $202
 
Hiking is about exercise as well as enjoying the great out doors. If the extra 2lbs of your 22 magnum pistol is too much weight you are truly out of shape. The 22 magnum is the minimum I would carry on a hike.
 
I think the LCP is a great gun, I own two. It would certainly fill the bill for minimal self protection. If you are in snake country you might want something with better sights. A good light weight J-frame like the Smith Taurus etc. might be a little better choice.
 
You will not find me in the forest with anything smaller then .45 ACP or .357 magnum. I'm not so worried about four legged fury things as I am about two legged non-fury things.
 
I am looking for a new trail gun also. I had an SP101 but have parted with it. I am going with a Glock 29 sf for a while. It still might be bigger than what you are looking for but quick changing mags with 10-15 rounds of 230 grain 10mm sounds good to me.
 
I think the LCP is a great gun, I own two. It would certainly fill the bill for minimal self protection. If you are in snake country you might want something with better sights. A good light weight J-frame like the Smith Taurus etc. might be a little better choice.
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I put a crimson trace laserguard on mine. As elmer fudd would say, it's "wery accuwate."

With 100gr+P hard cast flat nose lead buffalo bore .380 ammo an LCP is a heck of a lot more trail defense against both man and critter than most people would initially think. That round has over 20"+ penetration in gel, and will leave a nice .35 cal wound tract that does a lot of bleeding, due to the bullet shape. I am sure this round would be adequately effective against coyote, wolf, bobcat, cougar, or the most likely 4 legged target in my area (and perhaps the most dangerous of those i just named)- a big city stray pitbull.

Here's a pic of my LCP:

91d17c2a.jpg

And typical accuracy at 25feet with the laser and Fed Hydrashok ammo (I yanked the last shot in the mag into the 9 ring. That's shooter error. When i do my part i can keep all 8rds in the pistol in the 10 ring at that distance):

488f274e.jpg

This setup offers a couple magnitudes of more real world useful defense than an NAA mini revolver, IMO. Ruger really got this pistol right, i really love mine.
 
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