Camping gun suggestion

[rideordie]

Smith 340 PD loaded with .357. If you're setting up camp and weight isn't an option .12 gauge too.

[chrisw]

I'm in the exact same boat

11 onces vs 38 onces (unloaded)

Yeah, same here. LCR .38. Same reasons. And a loaded speed strip takes up little space and weighs basically nothing.

[smittty]

LCRx3 38 sp

The size of the gun is a fear based decision, the more you're afraid the bigger the gun.

[ABR]

[sigstroker]

Mossberg Shockwave. Handles snakes, bars, mountain lions, and arseholes.

[mps9]

For the longest time I only had my 4" Taurus .357 when I went in the back country for offroading and camping. I felt fairly confident it would take care of just about anything minus a grizzly bear. But unfortunately it wasn't on my hip when hiking because of no CCW, and that's what makes all the difference.

Today, I just carry a bear spray on me when hiking, I feel it's prob the best option for just about all 4 legged predators.

[smittty]

There's a huge difference between "car camping gun" and what's acceptable for a "backpacking" gun where you're counting ounces especially for the trail network in the high sierras.

Anything can be a car camping gun but there aren't many options for a sub 16 oz gun that you'd be happy to carry while genuinely backpacking. They are two very different topics!

[Duck Killer]

Glock 19 with light for backpacking. Unless you are going somewhere with large bears you don’t need any more.

[Sutcliffe]

[DoNotReply]

I typically bring my 329pd for camping and backpacking. It saves on ammo because you will never want to practice with it more than six rounds of full magnum loads.

[Bull Elk]

S&W Model 60 .357 W/a 3 inch barrel. What more do you need?

[johnnyh75]

12 gauge buck shot or slugs that's all need

[dougtoni]

S&W 686 with a 2 1\2 barrel, sporting 180g lead slugs. deep penetration is the key to stopping a treat

[monkeyfish]

I edc a G19, I forget it's there. So backpacking with it is really no big deal as the weight is normal to me.
Carrying it in an exterior pouch would be another thing. I carry underwood penetrators in the outdoors. I haven't ever used them but in theory they'd be a good choice.