Handgun for Backpacking

[fmunk]

Hi everyone, first post on this forum.

I'm looking for ideas/discussions about a good handgun for backpacking...

My 2 cents: not in this state. As you've stated, black bears aren't much of a threat as long as you don't invite them with easy access to food. That leaves the other two threats, mountain lions and humans. If a big cat is after you, chances are it's already too late to draw and fire by the time you realize it. As for humans, this state is not high on the self-defense defense, so you're kind of opening a can of legal worms should you defend yourself in a place where you are not suppose to carry.

Carry a strong bear spray (easier to explain if you are stopped), a gps locator and always let friends and family know where you are headed (so they can find your half-eaten carcass).

Ultimately, it's your choice, of corse.


/written with a bit of sarcasm.

[piranha]

If bear is what you worry about, you need to first define what kind of bear. For example, I think it would hard to press to find a light weight hand gun that will take down a grissly bear. On the other hand, for the smaller bears in California, you may have a chance.

This is a good point. Most of the bears I run into are black bears. I've never seen a grizzly anywhere in CA, and elsewhere, everytime I see a grizzly it's because I sought it out (for photography purposes). I don't think grizzlies will be much of a realistic problem, since anytime I'm in grizzly territory, I'm usually in a car.

You say an LCR .357 is dreadfully expensive. ($500 at Turners).

$500 isn't too bad. I think I'm expecting the usual $500-600 budget for a handgun. But I've seen the 360PD with a $900+ sticker on it.

I like the 10mm and possibly the .357 Sig suggestion. The Glock 29 seems to weight roughly 32 ounces loaded, and the Glock 33 seems to be 26 ounces.

As for weight, well, I don't have a firm target, but 'less is better'. Let's just say that I carefully trim my backpacking loadout to roughly 20-25 lbs... and slapping an extra 32 ounces everything is a big deal

I liked that the 360PD was just ~12 ounces unloaded (I think) but everybody who has shot one seems to think the recoil is insane.

[21SF]

Air weight .357, recoil is for female consideration ONLY in my book.

[Vin63]

...I've hiked enough that bear encounters aren't exactly surprising anymore. I've never felt scared, and every single time I've seen a bear, we both just continued about our business. However, I'm also fully cognizant of the fact that if the bear decided to do something, I'd most likely be totally at its mercy.

Secondly, there's also the idea that, while backpacking, you're likely several hours, if not days, from any sort of police protection, so your safety is really in your own hands. If I encountered any unsavory individuals, I'd rather not defend myself with my dining spork.

That said, I've thought about getting a Ruger LCR in .357 Mag, or an S&W 360PD. Both of those are also dreadfully expensive revolvers. I've also considered a semi-auto with a usual pistol round, but that might make the bear encounter worse if push came to shove.

Any ideas?

First off...welcome! I'm as big of a firearms advocate as anyone, but if it is a bear that I'm concerned about...I'm carrying bear spray. For the more dangerous two-legged predators, the handguns you mentioned would be good choices. I used to bring my 4-inch Colt Trooper MkIII .357 with me camping/hiking.

[FR]

Smith & Wesson 360MP 13.3oz

[em9sredbeam]

How about a Ruger Alaskan in 454 casull? You can also shoot 45 colt out of it. Just tossing it out there. Maybe a little too pricey.

[IVC]

Smith & Wesson 360MP 13.3oz

Nice Nill-s. Also, if you swap steel cylinder for titanium, you get the 360PD and lose two ounces. Recoil is not too bad if hold it properly and don't fight it. Just watch where you put your thumbs.

[Justintoxicated]

and here I thought it was illegal to carry and gun and shoot a bear in CA. I thought you were supposed to make loud nosies and hope it does not eat you.

[Lead Waster]

The Sierra club says to carry bear spray and cow bells when going into bear country. You know when your in bear country when the bear crap smells spicy and has cow bells in it.

+1 for the Laughs!

[Lead Waster]

My 2 cents: not in this state. As you've stated, black bears aren't much of a threat as long as you don't invite them with easy access to food. That leaves the other two threats, mountain lions and humans. If a big cat is after you, chances are it's already too late to draw and fire by the time you realize it. As for humans, this state is not high on the self-defense defense, so you're kind of opening a can of legal worms should you defend yourself in a place where you are not suppose to carry.

Carry a strong bear spray (easier to explain if you are stopped), a gps locator and always let friends and family know where you are headed (so they can find your half-eaten carcass).

Ultimately, it's your choice, of corse.


/written with a bit of sarcasm.

I'd say the bear spray, if it works on a bear, probably works on humans and mountain lions.

This is where unloaded open carry would have been useful, except some activists screwed it up for us. If you could have carried UOC with a mag in the pocket that would have been great. However, I think you can still do that with long guns, so a shotgun? Mossberg 500s with plastic furniture are actually pretty light. 2 legged predators won't know if it's loaded or not, and you can sneak a shell in there when they are still confused. Mountain lion ... bash it with the stock and try to load if you can.

Maybe "carry a big stick" is a good option. A big "Gandalf" style walking stick.

[sigstroker]

and here I thought it was illegal to carry and gun and shoot a bear in CA. I thought you were supposed to make loud nosies and hope it does not eat you.

If a bear's running at me I'm gonna blast it and worry about paying the fine later.

[Cheezle56]

I dont think anybody has sugguested this, but an AK pistol or a "Mare's Leg"? They're way more compact than a rifle, and way more accurate and way more powerful than a traditional pistol. I've shot an AK pistol and with a sling tensioned, it's surprising how accurate they can be. I think a 30-30 mare's leg would be an excellent trail gun.

[Cheezle56]

Not to mention a mares leg is much more intimidation to two legged threats than a pistol.

[Chefantone]

I'm fond of my Taurus Trakker 4" in .357 mag. Not too heavy, you get 7 rounds, and should be able to come up with one for <$500.

I just got this in .44 mag for this exact purpose. Haven't taken it out yet and am taking her out for the first time tomorrow.

[Pupulepeter]

Glock 23 - light, loud and versatile. Make sure to pick the proper ammo.