Which Camping Gun to Buy?

[joel1316]

I never really go camping out in the middle of nowhere and I don't expect to be hassled by some weed growers while camping. Just found this to be a cool reason to buy another gun.
I'd appreciate any suggestions, this is my gun criteria:
- Can either be a pistol or rifle
- Be able to stop a bear attack
- Can be used for light plinking possibly
- Take on targets up to about 50 - 100 yards
- 5 to 10 rounds and can easily be reloaded
- Being compact and light would be helpful
- Cannot be expensive as it will be handled roughly during storage, use and transportation. But it will be cleaned and mantained properly.
- A weapon light would be a plus, but not really on my list of needs/wants.
- Open Sights, avoiding any use of optics that can shift its zero.

I've been thinking that a Mossberg / Remington pump shotgun would be great using shot, 00 or slugs. This is top on my list. But I've also been thinking of a lever action shooting 30-30? For a pistol, I was thinking a revolver shooting 357, 38 special and snake shot would be great! But the revolver would be tough at ranges beyond 25 yards (for me).
Watcha guys suggest?

[GTKrockeTT]

it's going to be tough to meet all the criteria listed. but, the pump with slugs would be a reasonable option against bears, as well as all around protection. though, it would be a pain to have to lug around.

my personal choice would be a lever action in .357/.38, and a revolver in the same caliber. obviously, this wouldn't be the best choice against bears, but you can't have everything...

[chris]

i would suggest a S&W model 629 with 6.5 inch barrel in .44. i own this pistol and it is quite accurate and will take down just about anyone and change their minds very quickly ifd someone wants to mess with you.

stainless model is the one i have. good luck in your search.

[PistolKidd]

yea..pistol vs bear is not a great option.. I'd probably forego the 'bear' criteria and stick with everything else if you were gonna go handgun..

If you do the rifle..shotgun sounds great for waht you want..

[VeryCoolCat]

Anything in general for camping.... I would reccomend something semi-automatic. For one, bears... its rare when that first shot kills. Two people, if your going to get robbed.... if you miss that first shot or theres two people... good luck.

I'd recommend a revolver.... they are more reliable in less hospital situations than any good semi auto.

Maybe a pistol caliber carbine. Lightweight, Semi. Maybe a Lever Action Gun. You get the added accuracy of having a rifle, and you get the pistol caliber for dispatching of people, plus its magnum so a few shots would either discourage the bear or kill it.

[SemiAutoSam]

I carry a paraord 45 with the 14 round mag. and if that doesn't get the bears a model 1 ruger in 458 win mag.

[joel1316]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I do understand that I will not be able to find a gun that fits all of my criterias, but if I can get close, I'll be real happy.
A S&W revolver would be good, but the price range is pretty high to buy new. I'm thinking a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or another lever action that chambers the 357 magnum. Shotgun is still in the running too, I just think it's too bulky?

[jmlivingston]

If your thinking of staying in the pistol-calibers in a lever-action, rather than the .30-30 why not the .44 Magnum? And of course, if you're really concerned about bear step it up to the .45-70? I'm currently dreaming about that .45-70 myself, but need a good deer rifle first....

John

[joel1316]

If I were to go pistol caliber, I store more 357 mag more than I do 44 mag. No other real reason. 45/70 is way too much, plus I'd be out of luck if I miss whatever I was shooting at with the first shot, LOL. (I'm assuming that most if not all 45/70's are single shots).

[SemiAutoSam]

The Henry rifle is a "repeating" rifle in a lever action style and its chambered in 45/70 and alot of other calibers as well I suspect.

[jmlivingston]

Marlin has a lever-action that chambers the .45-70, I think it carries 4 rounds plus 1 in the chamber. That's the gun I've been dreaming of.

John

[jmlivingston]

Whoops.... ignore this space.

[C.G.]

If you don't mind 5.56 round then the SU-16 is a good camping rifle, light, semi-auto, uses AR-15 mags and it is compact because it folds.

[joel1316]

I've thought about the SU-16, but I wanted a little bit more "oomph" than a 223. Plus, if I'm seen in the "woods" I wanted something that makes me look more of a camper/hiker. Rather than a commando, LOL.

[50 Freak]

The new 500 Smith and Wesson with a 4 inch barrel.

Perfect for bears and other nasties.