backpacking ruger

[robodeer]

How bout that? Its the same one I called out.

Honestly, for backpacking, the call for protecting yourself from "two legged predators" is a strange one. Is someone robbing people up in the High Sierra? Or you're just worried about stumbling on a pot farm and protecting yourself from people with much larger firearms with your 6rds of 357?

I figure carrying for bear makes sense-ish. Cougar, sure. Hog, yup. But I'd be interested to see the stats on murder by fellow backpacker.

Most of the people that I've met while backpacking have been nice, friendly people. Occasionally there might be 1-2 guys that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It's a weird contrast. Donno why some of the nuttier types would be out there, but something just didn't seem "right". This was 15 years ago, but I remember one instance where a woman was hiking solo, and then two dudes later on that day that were kind of "off". I remember worrying about her safety more than anything else.

Besides that, mountain lions very rarely and that's about it. I startled a rattlesnake once, but that was my fault.

[mievil]

Yeah, even "Wild" had that story of 2 dudes approaching the woman that she felt unsafe. But, unless there was evidence of actual crimes out backpacking, other than homies eating homies on the trail due to lack of resources, then I am still not sure the reason to carry a gun is because of human threats on the trail.

And I know I may be an outlier here. I totally believe in protecting yourself and things happening at times you least expect. But like the other dude said, we spend $400 to make a 2 pound bag be a 1 pound bag, then add a 1-3 pound firearm to the pack. Strange.

As a supplement to a long gun while hunting, I get it. I just don't get protecting yourself from people while you are moving remotely.

That doesn't change my want to be armed, but that is just that. A want, not a need. Shrug.

[Port Authority]

Federal 180gr A-Frame JHP's for two and four legged hazards ... in a 4in SP101.

Port

[smittty]

And I know I may be an outlier here. I totally believe in protecting yourself and things happening at times you least expect. But like the other dude said, we spend $400 to make a 2 pound bag be a 1 pound bag, then add a 1-3 pound firearm to the pack. Strange.

That doesn't change my want to be armed, but that is just that. A want, not a need. Shrug.

No worries, they'll only carry the gun on one backpacking trip and afterwards post a new topic "looking for lighter backpacking gun"...

I like having my revolver out there but as light as it is there have been times that I questioned myself "why did I bring this thing?".

I bet that very few people that suggested the all-steel revolvers spend much time if any actually backpacking!

[Kurgan]

I own a 2 inch SP101 and a 4 inch GP100. I would carry the SP101. Not for bears, mountain lions, etc. but for the random two legged critter that I may run into. Unless you want to drive tent stakes with it, the GP100 is just to heavy.

As for not being worried about people when out backpacking, I'm not. That's why I carry, whenever I can, wherever I can.

[twotacocombo]

Honestly, for backpacking, the call for protecting yourself from "two legged predators" is a strange one. Is someone robbing people up in the High Sierra?

I've been hiking/backpacking for about 25 years now, and I've run into some straaaange people in my time. The type of people you instantly feel uncomfortable around, and even a quiet dog would bark at. I also see more and more graffiti and vandalism further away from the trail head as time goes on. Anyone who has ever been to the Punchbowl near Ojai will know what I'm talking about.

There's been some violent crimes committed against hikers over the years, for sure. I remember hearing about a few on the Appalachian Trail in the past 5 years or so. It's usually not other hikers committing the crimes, but they do make for easy targets. There's also quite a fear people who just disappear, and the cases aren't labeled as crimes because there's no evidence to prove as such.

All that being said, 2 legged critters are absolutely the biggest threat out there in the wilderness. I certainly take my 10mm with hard cast loads when I'm up in the mountains, but realistically I'm more likely to have to use it to defend against a person than a bear or lion. Down in the lowlands, a 9mm with SD ammo is a more appropriate tool for any threat you'll face...

[SoCalEnthusiast]

Are you allowed to travel with these loaded in backpack?

[P5Ret]

I don't backpack for extended periods any longer (bad knee's) but I do hike quite a bit in some rugged as well as more developed area's. My trail gun of choice is a 6" Smith 586, and it's more two legged critter's I'm concerned with.

Now I know it isn't California, but look at the incidents along the Appalachian Trail. It's gotten so frequent that the park service has put out a warning. How long will it be till the two legged predators in California figure out that tree hugger type's in the forest are easy prey? Not to mention the countless grow operations going on on public lands, that you could accidentally wander into.

[Brujo]

I have an old cop buy back sig 226 that rides in a blackhawk holster on the hip belt of my pack. It moves to my belt for day hikes. 10 round mag limits the weight a little. From years of carrying this pistol while back packing and day hiking I'll offer some observations.

I would not carry a new gun while packing. It will get scratched up and undoubtedly get sand, dirt and grit all over and in it. Not being worried about keeping the gun pretty will greatly limit your stress just sitting down in the field. Due to the above the gun needs to be reliable in dirty situations.

Make sure your holster can move from your pack to your belt. Set up your gear at home and make sure it is comfortable. With my expedition pack I can not where a side arm on my belt because of the hipbelt, shoulder harness in no better because of the chest straps. I carry a knife (which I use infinitely more than the pistol) on a drop leg on my right side. That only leaves the pack or the left side drop leg for pistol. I have found i prefer the right side hip belt.

[floogy]

Yeah, two legged predators are much more dangerous than any bear or cougar. Unless the cougar also happens to have two legs. The distance from civilization and out of range of cell towers means you're totally on your own. That's something that criminals may exploit. There's no locking the doors and calling the police.

That said, my woods gun is a Glock 23. But I do have a GP100 and love it. Though I would like to have an SP101 or that 4" LCR as a pack gun as well. Buy both!

[DoctorLove]

How are you gonna carry a gun when hiking? do you have a ccw?

[mievil]

Wow, hadn't heard about this stuff on the AT. Any links?

[Click Boom]

You can shoot in national forest or blm. that means you can carry your gun to your shooting spot, however far in it may be.

[smittty]

How are you gonna carry a gun when hiking? do you have a ccw?

On my hip belt in a pouch or in my pocket.

Know the area you are going to and make sure you're legal to carry there. Do some research in California Penal Code too so you know something about it because the LE might not.

[robodeer]

Wow, hadn't heard about this stuff on the AT. Any links?

I'm curious to hear about such incidents as well. (Or any incidents while hiking.)