Rifle or pistol for outdoor camping/hiking

[Diabolus]

I had a scare last weekend and I finally decided that I need something in addition to my bear spray that is more lethal.

I am having problems decided between a rifle and a pistol. I think the rifle, if equipped properly on a pack, would be just as fast to get to and it would be much easier to get on target. The pistol is great because it is small and can be easily stored on the belt, but in a panic situation I feel the rifle would still be the better choice. Another benefit of the rifle is that I could use it for hunting.

I have been looking at two lever-action rifles, the Marlin 1895GS and the Browning BLR.

I'll post some lines so you can get a feel of what I am after:

Browning BLR:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=009

Marlin 1895GS:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895GS.aspx

I'm thinking the .300 Win Mag or .30-06 is a good choice in the BLR.


Is there anything else I am not considering that might be a better choice?

[scootergmc]

Bear bells.

[Diabolus]

Bear bells.

Trying to get your post count higher?

[scootergmc]

No, it's high enough. Seriously though, for camping here in CA, you don't really need a bear gun. Bears will leave you alone. Maybe not your food, but you, yes. You have a better chance of being attacked by a mountain lion. A good hiking/camping gun is a regular ol' lightweight .357 revolver.

I have an 1895GS and I can't see the need for it in the woods.

[movie zombie]

both a in .357......

one ammo fits all.

short rifle barrel for ease of use in brush.

movie zombie

[Stormfeather]

you can get yourself a base priced lever action if you are looking for a good bear gun. A marlin 1895gs in 45/70 or 450 Marlin sells for about $550 new, and you can find them on gunbroker for a decent price. Great stopping power, 18" barrel, and a solid action that wont break down on you when you need it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89694152

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89484016

No, it's high enough. Seriously though, for camping here in CA, you don't really need a bear gun. Bears will leave you alone. Maybe not your food, but you, yes. You have a better chance of being attacked by a mountain lion. A good hiking/camping gun is a regular ol' lightweight .357 revolver..

Always a bad choice against a bear. Now this all depends as well on where you are camping at. If you are up in Paradise, there are some nice 350 pounders up there. If you are down the hill a bit where the bears get to be 150 pounds, then yes, I would understand not worrying. But remember, there are some nice sized bears in california easily topping the 500 pound mark, it just depends on where you are.

I have an 1895GS and I can't see the need for it in the woods.

If its in the above mentioned calibers, maybe offer to sell it to him!

[Diabolus]

No, it's high enough. Seriously though, for camping here in CA, you don't really need a bear gun. Bears will leave you alone. Maybe not your food, but you, yes. You have a better chance of being attacked by a mountain lion. A good hiking/camping gun is a regular ol' lightweight .357 revolver.

I have an 1895GS and I can't see the need for it in the woods.

How do you like the 1895GS?

I am doing more remote regions in Canada and some parts of Alaska, so I'd like to keep my costs down and get one rifle that can handle it all. I would prefer a pistol, but carrying around a .500 or .454 is just impractical when I could replace it with a rifle and use it for hunting if needed.

[Diabolus]

you can get yourself a base priced lever action if you are looking for a good bear gun. A marlin 1895gs in 45/70 or 450 Marlin sells for about $550 new, and you can find them on gunbroker for a decent price. Great stopping power, 18" barrel, and a solid action that wont break down on you when you need it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89694152

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=89484016

THe 450 Marlin is looking like a good, affordable choice. Thanks for posting the links.

[Stormfeather]

How do you like the 1895GS?

I am doing more remote regions in Canada and some parts of Alaska, so I'd like to keep my costs down and get one rifle that can handle it all. I would prefer a pistol, but carrying around a .500 or .454 is just impractical when I could replace it with a rifle and use it for hunting if needed.

Ive used my 1895gs up in canada bear hunting and harvested a 400 lb brownie with it. Mine is chambered in 450 Marlin, it took 2 shots, but the second shot and it dropped it flat. And to be honest, im pretty sure I flinched the first shot. I also carry a 500 SW in the 4" barrel as a backup. One trick that ive tried is carrying the 500sw with a NEF handi-rifle chambered in 500sw as well. This way you only have to carry one caliber of ammo, and you can reach out 100 or so yards and get that in the woods shot if you need it.

[scootergmc]

The 1895 .45-70 is great. It's lightweight and quick handling. Everyone's fear of the recoil is overrated. The factory recoil pad does a great job. It's plenty accurate and just plain fun to shoot.

As for pistol vs. rifle, I don't think they'll let you take a handgun into Canada. I'm not too familiar on the rifle aspect. I remember reading threads about driving to Alaska while in possession of a firearm, but I don't think it was here.

[scootergmc]

Always a bad choice against a bear. Now this all depends as well on where you are camping at. If you are up in Paradise, there are some nice 350 pounders up there. If you are down the hill a bit where the bears get to be 150 pounds, then yes, I would understand not worrying. But remember, there are some nice sized bears in california easily topping the 500 pound mark, it just depends on where you are.

When was the last time someone was attacked by a CA bear that wasn't sexually molesting a cub in front of its mother?

[AngelDecoys]

Well, if your hiking with someone slower, bring a bottle of honey..........

When I'm hiking in National Forest, I wear a shoulder rig from Maxpedition loaded with MOLLE attachments. First aid kit, water bottle, fishing gear, etc. You can get a MOLLE pistol holster for it, or there is a pouch in the back.

If that were a concern for me, I'd carry a pistol due to wieght. (Note: I'm not sure of the law, but I've been told that it is legal for one to carry in National Forest - if fishing).

[Scarecrow Repair]

Trying to get your post count higher?

There is no try, there is only do or don't. He did. So did you. So did I.

[scootergmc]

There is no try, there is only do or don't. He did. So did you. So did I.

Unintended consequences.

[Patriot]

Guns aren't an optimal solution to backcountry bear problems, if only because NEEDING one tends to mean you've not only beat the odds, but likely done something wrong along the way. To be honest, in SoCal, if I were to carry a gun in the backcountry, it wouldn't be due to quadrupedal concerns.... Also, there are frequently laws and policies to be aware of based on what sort of area you're in - national forest, park, specific policies, etc.

Bear bells can be obnoxious, but they're not a bad idea. Short of a freak incident or gross stupidity, there are only two ways I'd expect to have problems with bears: surprising them AND being really unlucky or campsite issues AND being really unlucky (with all the <insert derogatory term> running around, it doesn't have to be you, maybe other people left crap at the campsite). I've been backpacking/hiking a few times and stumbled upon bears in fairly close proximity. Can't say whether I surprised them, probably not, since trekking poles and boots tend to crunch on the detritus on trails.

Another thing I'd consider is location and type of activity. Really remote backcountry? Popular trails/hikes? Long-term backpack? Camping & dayhiking? Remote to me means less people (most people you run into are nice, but I wouldn't put it past the occasional enviro-nazi to report you for hunting, fire hazard, whatever just for having a firearm) and more potential severity should TSHTF. Weight probably isn't a major consideration unless you are looking at very strenuous or lightweight backpacking, but bulk might be, and I'd imagine that a 6-8lb longarm on one side of a pack would be awkward after a few dozen miles.

If I was paranoid, the big-bore lever actions suggested so far sound good (caveat: I've not purchased or carried any of them). Frankly, my choice of general backcountry carry gun in SoCal would probably be a .357 revolver followed by a 5.56 rifle. Or, you could get a hefty hiking stick, Cold Steel Bushman, and do a little whittling