Author Topic: Gun type for hiking/camping (Read 4625 times)

sako · « **on:** March 28, 2009, 07:07:49 PM »

Do you all think differently away from your home? What are some of the preferences for carrying during a hike or camping trip? I live in Utah and camp the Rocky Mtn region north to south. My options are a .357 or a .40 Thought or consideration?

Also, how do most of you carry when on hikes?

Brett · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2009, 02:32:49 AM »

Two legged varmints are more my concern in the areas where I hike so my S&W .38 snuby rides on my hip.

bluecow · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2009, 02:45:57 AM »

357!!!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2009, 02:55:40 AM »

At least a 357 Mag, if not a little bigger.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2009, 03:17:00 AM »

I almost always carry my .357s , I carry my 6" Ruger GP 100 (my favorite) in a cross draw on my left side with two speed loaders right behind it. If not that I am carring my Ruger security six snubbie .357 ridding high on my right hip with the two speed loaders.

BTW I like to wear a wide web belt with suspenders to carry my Knife, small camp axe, holster, and speed loaders maybe even my water bottle, It keeps the wieght from pulling my pants off on long walks. It still allows for carring a pack or if your just on a day hike add a butt pack and a pouch or two and your ready for he trail.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:32:11 AM »

Quote from: sako on March 28, 2009, 07:07:49 PM

My options are a .357 or a .40

Also, how do most of you carry when on hikes?

With those two options, I'd go with the .357, altho I'm sure you will get some replies that will tell you will never be safe in the woods unless you carry a .500mag as minimum.

I like to carry my 6'' 686 in a Bianchi hip holster. Most of the time I forget it's there.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2009, 10:44:19 AM »

Of the two a .357 will undoubtedly hit harder and do more damage per cartridge. It will likely function better if allowed to get dirty or mud choked. If you can't shoot worth a darn the forty will likely have more ammo easily available, but multiple misses are still misses. Dirtbags and Mt. lions are the most likely and most dangerous adversaries but a Blacky with designs on you for lunch isn't totally out of the picture either I s'pose.

S.B. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2009, 03:56:10 AM »

Depends on the location but, nothing smaller than a .357 magnum.
Steve

Hank08 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:45:27 AM »

Sako, I hike the same areas and a .357 in a crossdraw holster attached to my fannypack or sometime a lightweight .44 carried the same way works for me.
H08

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:03:40 AM »

I think odds are greater that you'll encounter a two legged critter with bad intentions than a four legged one. Might even be a pack of um. Unless you're hiking in big bear country, and there's precious little of that in the 48, my choice would be the .40. I'd load it with 175-180 gr hard cast. Those will do whatever needs to be done, maybe as well as the .357. It's easy to pack a couple of extra mags In about the same space as a couple of speed loaders. That's about a 40-45rd ammo load vs 18 for the revolver and two speed loaders. I doubt that anyone ever lost a fight from having too much ammo. Now, if I were hiking in brown bear country, and couldn't carry a rifle, I'd want a big revolver, .44mag minimum.
Happy trails!
Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:17:48 AM »

357 mag. simple to use , powerful enough on critters , best one shot stop % in the business , not ammo sensitve .
carry - strong side most of the time , when speed loaders are carried strong side also as that is the best way to do so .

curtism1234 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:55:58 AM »

While heavier, I prefer single actions for the older look. But a compact lightweight double action might be better for walking.

Unless you live in bear country, you're realistically looking at shooting coons, skunks, opposums, etc that get in to camp. Maybe a snake.

A little light weight 22lr or 22mag revolver is about perfect and doesn't make too much noise/attention if you want to shoot at an empty can or something.

If snakes are the primary concern, then I'd probably step up to a 357 because of the better snake shot.

Bears
With blackbears or cats a 357 would probably be ok. A 41, 44 or a heavy 45lc would be better.
Grizzly bears you better go for a 44 or bigger !

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:24:42 PM »

Both will do the job at hand , which do you feel better carrying ? because a gun in the safe or nightstand does you no good in the woods , and just FYI , I carry a 4" 45LC except when its swimming weather , then its a 5 shot 38 spl with my own loads .

stimpy

oldandslow · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2009, 01:02:58 PM »

Either a Ruger Blackhawk with 4 5/8" barrel in a crossdraw rig or a S&W Mod 19 with 4" barrel in a strong side rig. Both are .357s of course. .357 will handle anything I am going to run across that needs handled.

Chappy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2009, 01:52:47 PM »

I would choose my M&P 360 .357 mag revolver because it is small, light, and easy to carry. It also has plenty of power and I can easily use CCI shot shells for snakes if I desire. I do not own a .40, but do have a full size 45 Auto Kimber I like to carry on my hip at times. If I'm going where I'm likely to meet other people, I have to decide if I'm going to open carry or be more descreet. Open carry might make some of my fellow nature lovers nervous, but it also might make any bad guy think twice about preying on me and my family. Parks are a whole other issue with their rules/laws concerning guns. Life is full of decisions/choices to be made.
Bottom line (for me) is that (where legal and practical) a big bore piece of steel on the hip brings a sense of peace and security. However my M&P 360 stashed in a pocket makes me feel pretty safe also.

Regards, Chappy

sako · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:07:47 PM »

Thanks thus far for all your inputs.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2009, 09:10:01 PM »

A light and handy 357 Magnum would be a good pick for the trail. I have a 3 1/16 inch Ruger SP 101 that is light and still strong enough for any 180 grain hard cast load I care to run in it. The Buffalo Bore 180 grain cast load really hits hard even in the 3 inch Ruger. This is the gun I go for when I still want some power but want something easy on the hip and easy to holster under a loose shirt or jacket. One thing about the 357 Magnum is besides all of the SD loads on the market you also have a very good selection of hunting loads that would be good picks for animal protection. If you do pick the 40 I would suggest loading it with a non expanding flat point bullet. In my Glock I have found that the Speer 180 grain Lawman TMJ is a good field load. Double Tap loads a 200 grain FMJ that would be a good pick as well.

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:13:04 AM »

Ak.Hiker, one more point about the .357 magnum is the large amount of noise it emits when fired. Too much for my ears. This and the lowly .22 magnums hurt my ears like no others. Doesn't take too many rounds from either of these for my ears to ring for some time. I'd opt for a .45 Colt or something more user(hearing) friendly. Most other calibers can be had in a small easy to carry package.
My $.02?
Steve

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:25:54 PM »

Good point S.B. I have a 22 Magnum as well. The 357 and 22 Magnum are loud that is for sure. In my case the SP 101 is lighter than any other revolver I own other than my S&W 317. As far as light weight big bore revolvers go check out the L frame Night Guard by S&W in 44 Special.

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:38:23 AM »

I pretty much stopped camping in tents 35 or more years ago and with my shortness of breath issues hiking even to the 100 yard line on my range requires some rest stops to huff and puff. But back in the days when I could and did do such things I kinda fell in love with a J-frame S&W for my hikes. I first picked up one of the S&W 60 3" with adjustable sights when it first came out in .38 Special and then traded it for the same in .357 Magnum when S&W began making them so chambered.

Today mine wears a set of CTC laser grips which I can use to shoot even more accurately than with the irons. It's compact and while not really a light weight isn't all that heavy either so long as you have a wide belt to hold it up. I have never so far found a better choice over all for a hiking/camping handgun.

The Taurus Total Ti 4" .357 Magnum I once had was a good one (kinda unusual for Taurus in my experience) and I do regret letting it go. It was lighter than my S&W 60 and held 7 rounds vs 5 for the S&W but was a bit more bulky. It too made an excellent hiking gun.

dbriannelson · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:21:26 PM »

Kit guns were made just for that. The S&W Model 34 in .22 LR is perfect for carrying around all day. A second choice with a bit more power, but less inherent accuracy is a Model 351 in .22 WMR.

Back when I was routinely in bear and cougar country I carried my old Ruger Bearcat, because it seemed appropriately named.

I like big bores too, but figure they're more appropriate for shooting people or plonking about at the range. Twenty-twos are made for backpacking, hiking, camping and fishing.

-Don

Smokem · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2009, 05:15:38 PM »

When I go hiking, camping, or fishing carry my S&W model 66 with 150-180 grainers. They will hand any critter two legged or four.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2009, 03:50:07 PM »

Take Bears out of the picture and .22 to .38 are just great.

If you bring in the Bears revolver in .41 or .44, single or double action, nothing less.

tguil · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2009, 04:33:54 PM »

S&W Model 36 with .38 +P's or a .357 Ruger Speed Six. Been thinkin' about a high capacity poly 9mm.

Tom

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:15:47 PM »

Interesting thought about carrying a .22 as a field gun. Years ago I read a book written by a retired Fish and Wildlife Trooper in Alaska. He talked about taking a .22 handgun with him when out in the field. It worked for him. He also talked about how much better the .357 Magnum was at putting down injured moose than his old .38 Special.

williamlayton · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:40:08 AM »

Back in the days when coal was a new source of energy, and I camped, I carried a shotgun on a sling. Hut-hut-2-3-4 style.
Not easy but it worked.
Blessings

walks with gun · « **Reply #26 on:** May 07, 2009, 10:01:42 AM »

Whatever seems most pleasing to thr eye, when your legs are weak and your feet hurt you might as well have a shooter to admire.

gofish · « **Reply #27 on:** May 07, 2009, 10:18:56 AM »

If in bear country a s&w model 29 clasic, 5"barel, on right hip. Most other camping/fishing trips a seecamp in an IWB holester.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #28 on:** May 07, 2009, 02:45:13 PM »

It's interesting that I didn't see anyone ask you WHICH .357 and WHICH .40 with regard to barrel length, size and weight, as well as how well you shoot each of them, and how quickly you can deploy each of them. Those would be more important considerations to me than the differences in "stopping power" between the 2.
After all, you are presumably looking for something for necessary self defense, not a primary hunting gun.

stubshaft · « **Reply #29 on:** May 07, 2009, 08:40:03 PM »

4" mdl 66 357mag. OR 4 5/8" Bhawk 45LC.