I might be taking a trip through the Rockies this summer, then might keep heading west to New Mexico, Arizona, whatever we have time for.
I'm trying to decide what handgun to take along as a good, general -purpose weapon (on the trail and in the city).
-I have my Ohio CCW license which has reciprocity with some of the states we'll travel through. I have Florida non-resident permit to cover most states that don't honor the Ohio permit. I know that carrying in national parks is not permitted so I won't be carrying if and when we're in the park system. I'm reluctant to take my family so far from home to isolated areas without the comfort of a CCW. Paranoid? Perhaps, but I prefer to think of it as going prepared.
-I realize that when out west, IF I should encounter an aggressive bear or cougar a smaller CCW handgun (e.g. my 442, Kahr MK9) will likely become bear/cougar poop. I also realize my chance of running into one of these animals in a confrontation is slim if I observe common sense and proper precautions while visiting the habitat of these animals. After all, I survived hikes through Glacier and the Tetons despite my midwestern up-brining.
Given all of the above, here are my current options:
S&W 686+, snubby
Sig 229, 9mm (15 round magazines)
Glock 26
..or a new (fill in the blank)
Thanks!
I'm trying to decide what handgun to take along as a good, general -purpose weapon (on the trail and in the city).
-I have my Ohio CCW license which has reciprocity with some of the states we'll travel through. I have Florida non-resident permit to cover most states that don't honor the Ohio permit. I know that carrying in national parks is not permitted so I won't be carrying if and when we're in the park system. I'm reluctant to take my family so far from home to isolated areas without the comfort of a CCW. Paranoid? Perhaps, but I prefer to think of it as going prepared.
-I realize that when out west, IF I should encounter an aggressive bear or cougar a smaller CCW handgun (e.g. my 442, Kahr MK9) will likely become bear/cougar poop. I also realize my chance of running into one of these animals in a confrontation is slim if I observe common sense and proper precautions while visiting the habitat of these animals. After all, I survived hikes through Glacier and the Tetons despite my midwestern up-brining.
Given all of the above, here are my current options:
S&W 686+, snubby
Sig 229, 9mm (15 round magazines)
Glock 26
..or a new (fill in the blank)
Thanks!