Camping Handgun

[psustang89]

If there are any campers here, what is your camping handgun of choice? If there are not any campers, what do you think would make a good backpacking gun?

["DoubleAction"]

If carrying on the trail is not prohibited; I would carry a double action 44 magnum revolver with a four inch barrel, preferrably the S&W 29 or 629. It might be heavier than a mid frame but it would provide a wider diameter bullet with enough energy to provide against attacks by various potential threats.

[TBT]

There are better choices, but I just use my carry gun, a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II. I'm still convinved that if I come face to face with a bear that seven rounds tof 45ACP to the face will make him think twice about coming any closer.

I own a camp up in Tionesta PA, on Wolf's Corne road. Pretty secluded and there are a lot of bear in that area. Never had any issues, but I've heard them at night and found tracks in the morning.

There's also a 12 gauge in the cabin ... if needed. ;D

[Fobos]

Wouldn't Les Baer make a good bear gun? ;D

I carry a S&W 629 Classic 5.5" .44 mag when in grizzly bear country. For black bear and other smaller predators, I feel comfortable with the Kimber STII - though my Para 14*45 will soon replace it. (When camping near the car, I take the Mossberg loaded with 00 Buck.)

[TBT]

Stop threatening to replace the Kimber! You're breaking my heart!

And yeah ... Les Baer ... I gotta talk to the wife!

[TMan]

fobos said:

Wouldn't Les Baer make a good bear gun? ;D

;D ;D ;D Fobos, you should get some kind of an award for that one. I'll probably be grinning until I go to bed tonight.

[TA]

It would depend on what part of the country I was camping in. Out here in the east, I would probably carry a 1911. Yes it would be a good black "baer" gun. ;D

If I was out west anywhere near the Rocky Mountain Range, it would be a S&W 629. A big pi$$ed off Grizz that was protecting her cub, would need a .44 to stop her. There are Bison on the range there too.

[5ontarget]

I'll fight the trend slightly. I would consider a .357mag and anything larger if it were available. 44mag, 454 casull, .480ruger would all be adequate. S&W500 would work too, but I wouldn't want to carry that in a loaded pack all day. I'd have to leave half my clothes, and food at home.

[TBT]

ta said:

It would depend on what part of the country I was camping in.

So true.

Around here, black bear and mountain lion are about all you are going to come across.

[MLB]

I'd bet a flare gun would scare the bugger away ;D


... Les Baer... now that's good stuff Fobos.

[TA]

Apparently with this couple, it wouldn't have mattered if they had a RPG. They didn't get a chance to use what they had.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Two people camping along the Hulahula River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge were killed by a grizzly bear, officials said.

Officials discovered the bodies and an unused firearm in a tent Saturday at a campsite near the river. They also shot and killed the animal.

The couple, whose names were not released, was believed to be in their late 50s or early 60s, North Slope Borough police said on Sunday. They were from Anchorage and had been on a recreational rafting trip down the river, Alaska State Troopers said.

The victims were in their tent when the attack occurred, according to Tim DeSpain, spokesman for Alaska State Troopers.

The campsite was clean, with food stored in bear-proof containers.

"The initial scene indicates that it was a predatory act by the bear," DeSpain said.

A rafter had seen the animal at the site and notified authorities.

The couple's injuries were consistent with a bear attack and there were no signs of foul play, said Kelly Alzaharna, a lieutenant with the North Slope Borough Police Department.

There were no other people at the campsite, which was about 12 miles up river from Kaktovik, a community of about 300 on Barter Island and the only village in the refuge.

Officials are not sure when the couple was killed.

[ron]

For black bear and mountain lion out west, I wouldn't carry anything smaller than 357 or 44 mag. That said, I usually carry a 1911 because there are no 357 or 44 in my possession nowadays.

As for grizzlies, they are nothing short of remarkable in their ability to withstand handgun fire, even with Casulls and 50's. A 30-06 is considered a pea shooter when it comes to grizzlies. When I had 2 projects in Alaskan bear country, we were issued 458 Winmag. It was recommended that you wait until the grizzly gets upright on the hind legs, then shoot into the upper middle of the chest to rupture the nerve and blood vessel bundle there. Sorry, I'm not waiting until it's that close. There's a thin line between bravery and stupidity.

Ron

[klmhq]

I've heard you should carry a .38 against a bear. Of course, sometimes you have to carry it really fast...


And remember, when running from a bear (or tiger), you don't have to run fastest. You just have to run faster than the slowest guy.