What do you take when you go backpacking?

[amd6547]

My primary concern is two legged predators. I used to carry a 38 snub, but I have now settled on a Tokarev pistol. It is flat, compact, mil-spec tough, and 100% reliable. Weight is reasonable. It can reach out to 100yds. Plenty of penetration with FMJ, and good JHP's are available. Finally, it is fairly cheap, so I don't feel bad about subjecting it to trail abuse.

 

[highorder]

My primary concern is two legged predators.

Me too. I carry a Sig P6 loaded with Gold-Dots.

 

[Drgong]

Nagant....seriously.... or my model 15.

Though If I get a .44 spl I might switch over to that.

 

[TheBookGuy]

Would it be safe to assume this all goes for Mountain Lions as well?

 

[Drgong]

Mountian Lions are in some ways more nasty then Bears.

 

[snorky18]

50 BMG in a pocket holster

generally a S&W 442 38SP, if anything.

My primary concern is two legged predators.

My concern for the two legged species greatly diminishes as I get further from trail heads and civilization in general. I know there's always the possibility of running into bad people even in the middle of of the forest, but it's a lot less likely than said possibility happening in the urban area where I live. Staying away from areas that can be easily accessed by vehicles can help keep you out of much of the trouble. I try to never camp within mile or so of roads and trail heads.

I don't want to threadjack, but if you don't mind, post how you carry your backpacking gun as well as what gun, ie holster type and location.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

as stated my primary concern is 2 legged varmints. I have an AR7, spare full mag and a slide top box of 50 SuperX.

 

[alde]

I just carry my daily gun, a S&W 642 loaded with 135 grain Gold Dots. I just use my every day Mika pocket holster and carry one speed strip in my other pocket. When fishing and not hicking any distance I will take my 3" 629 in a Simply Rugged pancake holster. Gotta watch out for the big cats and crack heads. Not too worried about bears even thow they are fairley commen around these parts.

 

[HB]

wow some heavy guns here...is no one worried about weight?

Yep, so no gun. I rarely see anybody on the trail. If its just a day hike, it will be .22. I'm thinking about buying a CZ-82 or one of those PA-63's.
Missouri has pot growers and tons of meth labs, but the labs are moving to the cities more and more. Way easier to cook in a crappy house than 6 miles into Mark Twain National Forrest. You would have to be one very dedicated criminal to rob somebody with no money 10 miles down a trail. Cars get broken into but I can't stop that.

HB

 

[dirt_j00]

I carry either of these two depending on temperature, length of hike, etc.

Taurus 85 Concealed Hammer - 13.5 oz

or

Taurus .44 Mag Ultralite - 28.3 oz

Will probably pack my recently acquired SA XDsc 9mm on the next one though.

 

[Bill B.]

As of late the hikes have been long and weight is a big factor .............so a S&W 649 + a reload!

 

[WNC Seabee]

Backpacking/Fishing....3" SP101. I use a Safepacker because it blends in with the fishing/BP gear so the hippie crunchy types won't freak out too bad.

 

[amd6547]

I AM one of those "hippie crunchy(?)" types, with my Tokarev...
On the trail, I use a North Face internal frame pack which came with a triangular side pocket on the side right over the waistbelt...if you were not familiar with the pack, you wouldn't know it was there, and it is accessable with the pack on. The pistol fits perfectly. Around camp, I just use a clip-on IWB Uncle Mikes holster.
It is very true that the most danger one might face is at trailheads and anyplace that can be walked to easily while carrying a 12-pack of beer. Many of my trips have me crossing jeep trails, however, and these are also danger areas.

 

[tguil]

Usually a S&W Model 36 snubby in an Uncle Mike's belt holster. It tucks in close and with black Pachmayr compact grips, it's hardly noticeable. Sometimes I carry it in a "camera bag". I do my hiking in open carry states. My back packing days are over but day hikes can be just as "intreresting". My Ruger Speed Six was just a bit too heavy and I never used .357 mags anyhow. Two legged critters and "cats" are my main concerns.

 

[MCgunner]

I've carried a plethora of .357s and a .45 Colt blackhawk over the years. I don't do much hiking, let alone back packing anymore, but my current favorite hiking gun is a Taurus 66 4" .357 magnum, extremely accurate light weight medium frame gun.

 

[Tamlin]

Ruger GP100 4" in SS. I don't mind the heft.

 

[bang_bang]

For camping and such, my Dan Wesson .357 comes along. It usually comes deer hunting also.

Either way, I almost always have a rifle with me. Lately it's been the AR...have been known to camp with a SKS too.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

6" GP-100 with heavy 180 gr. since I might see a grizzly, but lets hope never

 

[jmr40]

Glock 20

 

[6x6pinz]

If it is truly a backpacking trip, meaning overnight at least, I almost always carry my AR7 and a box of mags. If we are talking a day trip it would be my Walther ppk/s or sig p230sl. Day trips you seem to find more people than the longer overnight or weekend outings

 

[Reid73]

Well, a backpack (filled with food and drink, spare socks, and rain gear). A hat. Map and compass. A Leatherman 'Sideclip'. A Leki trekking pole (I prefer one pole rather than two). And of course, a small tent and sleeping bag if it is a multi-day hike.

A handgun ... why?

Every time he comes up, he's got no knife, he's got no jacket, he's got no pants, he's got no boots. All he's got is that stupid gun he carries around like John Wayne.

 

[CJ]

+1 on the Kel-Tec p11 at this time. 12+1 rounds in that compact and light of a package is a fantastic tradeoff. I'm looking into an SP-101 for the future since the .357 seems more ideal for many of these situations, but when it comes back to weight, there's probably a good chance that I'll still end up with the P11.

 

[ChCx2744]

Glock 20 SF loaded with 230gr dt hardcasts and remington 870 loaded with 3" express magnum slugs. I don't like animals that walk on 4 legs, have sharp teet/claws and like the taste of my fingers and toes.

 

[HB]

Not trying to be rude, but MY definition of backpacking is parking your car, putting on a pack containing every item you will use, walking a trail or planned route for several miles, then sleeping. Wake up, repeat.
Earlier this summer, i went on a two night backpacking trip with a friend. I brought food, a stove, a tarp, a sleeping bad, and 8 liters of water because there was no water source on the trail. Thats 20 lbs of water alone!!!

There is no way I could have handled carrying a long gun of any sort comfortably. Call me a wimp. I also didn't bring a handgun. I wouldn't have minded adding a squirrel to my diet but carrying a pistol added unnecessary bulk and weight. I might bring one next time provided we can find a stream or source of water.

Pretty much, i don't believe those who are carrying shotguns and rifles are actually "backpacking". Camping, bring anything and everything because there is a bigger risk. Backpacking, i can't see carrying anything over a small .38.

HB

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Ruger GP100 .357, Reasonably light, stainless so it won't rust (as easily) in rough conditions, and I just like the way if feels and shoots.