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Backpacking pistol

G

Glenn

Joined
Jan 13, 1999
Messages
91
I would be interested in hearing about choices for a backpacking pistol. I would prefer something lightweight, rugged, and dirt friendly. It would be carried IWB as I do not use a hip belt. I am not looking for bear stopping power or to use it as a survival tool. I am intrested in deterring the 2 legged kind of vermin. So far it looks like the Kel-Tec P-32 fits the bill.

Regards,
Glenn
 
I'd prefer a 9mm at least, a .40 even better for the 2-legged type. I don't have any experience with the Kel-Tec pistols though.
 
I like my stainless Ruger MKII.10 super accurate .22s can do a lot in the woods. I don't think any "packable" pistol is dependable bear deterant though. If bear are a real concern get a carbine in .308 or 30-30. Ive read that a .44mag has only 1/2 the stopping power of a "little" 30-30. The best bear medicine is staying alert and making enough noise that they hear you before you see them.
 
Steve,
What do you recommend as a lightweight 9mm or .40 cal?

was4u
You are right about the bears. Avoidance is best, which is what I practice. The pistol is NOT for bear deterrent. Sorry for the confusion.

Regards,
Glenn
 
Wow, Glenn - that can open up a can of worms. I've never carried IWB, but I think I'd want a pistol with a single-stack magazine to minimize the bulk. Beyond that there are lots of options - single action or double action, safety or decock, Safe Action (Glock)? The best advice I could think of is to study different manufacturers' websites and decide which pistols have the features that are important to you. Then find them at the gun shops and gun shows and handle them - the one to pick feels natural in the hand and points well, and all the buttons and levers can be reached without changing your grip. I can recommend the Ruger P85 as a starting point.

Good luck!
 
if people protection is your main goal then your kel tec should fit the bill. I'd recomend a Ruger p95 9mm or P97 .45 if you'd like something "bigger". I have a P97 & aP85.I prefer the thinner P95/9mm over the thicker P85 though.
 
Try a .357 Magnum. This round will do admirably on people and is also used by Park Rangers on Black Bear. The Ruger GP100 Stainless with a 4 inch barrel would be my choice.
(Stay away from Smith & Wesson because they sold out our rights)

A more lightweight choice would be one of the Titanium Tauruses.
 
I HAVE to put in my $.02 here. I know that that 6.5 oz. Kel-tec is a light load to pack. I thought of getting one for my wife to carry as a back-up to what I usually carry. In a PagerPal holster it would DISAPPEAR! Not to mention that they are reasonably priced!

However, there is a flip side to that. With the light weight goes a loss of striking power. I never venture in the woods with less than a 38+P or 9mm, EVER! A 38+p or 357 in an AIRWEIGHT Taurus (notice I didn't say SMITH) would do you just as much good. Better would be a Glock 30 (wide frame) or 36 (single stack) in 45ACP or a 29 in 10mm. This gives you significant striking power in a small package, easily concealable. A Glock 27 in 40 caliber would be a good weapon as well, and is even more concealable.

If two legged critters is all you are worried about, then maybe you can bet your life on the 32, but you never know...

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney

[This message has been edited by J. J. Magnum (edited 07-12-2000).]
 
Glenn

I never went into the woods with any thing bigger than a Colt Woodsman .22 or a 7/8's scale Colt single action .22.

Now I usually carry a Browning Highpower or more. I do have two keltec p32's. Makes a nice "gun for when you don't have a gun" kinda carry.
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Dwight

It's a fine line between "a hobby" and "mental illness".
 
If you are looking for something in the .40 or .45 range, then you can't go wrong with a HK USP .40 or .45 in either Full Size or Compact. Eats all kind of dirt without any sort of problem - Tim Lau says he's fired 5000 rounds through his without cleaning it at all. Plus it can be lefty, righty, or both, in your choice of trigger versions, with or without safety / decocker.

My question is - if you are backpacking, why are you going to carry IWB? Most IWB holsters put the firearm behind the kidney or right next to the hip - which is directly under most backpacks, especially those with kidney pads.

You would probably be much better off with a standard belt holster, especially something that has a flap or level II security so that the pistol won't fall out while running about.

Just my 2 cents...
Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
IMHO, a .38 snub noise is all you need.

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RICK - Left Handers Unite
 
Thanks for all the input. I should have mentioned that I am a severe ounce weenie when it comes to backpacking. Once you get to the 25-29 oz range, there are a great many choices. I am looking for something in the sub 16oz category.

Spark,
Very good point. I made my pack and it has no hipbelt or kidney pads. However, after your observation, it would probably take a pounding due to the pack bouncing. I can't imagine that IWB is comfortable in the front. I would prefer a belt holster, but it must be completely concealed from certain hiking partners.

Perhaps it is time to conside a fanny pack type arrangement with additional survial gear in case I have to ditch the pack. Back to the drawing board.

Thanks again,

Glenn
 
I would probably go with the GLOCK 30. It is lightweight,compact,reliable, and it is chambered for Ol'Reliable .45 ACP.
 
If you want small and "semi-light", a Kahr MK40 would make a good choice.

Mine is the stainless steel Elite, which has a shorter double action trigger pull than the standard.

Another option you might look at is a snub-nose Taurus M85 All-Titanium. The barrel is ported, it's fairly light, and it's a 5-shot .38 Special, which is an adequate man-stopper.
 
I am a licensed guide and have camped and backpacked in NYS for over thirty years. Although I have a ccw permit, my advice is-- leave the gun at home, you don't need it. You don't need to worry about the weight or others having access to it while you swim or sleep. If you do carry, keep it accessible in your pack. Wearing it or carrying IWB is very awkward if you have a full pack on.
 
Glenn, I think the Taurus Titanium .38 snubby is about 10 oz. That fits under your 16 oz rule.
 
Keith , I've lived in a house for 41 years and it has never caught fire, I guess I don't need those smoke detectors.
 
If you go the .22 route then the Ruger MKII is a good choice. A .22LR well placed will shut most things up.
Otherwise take the pistol you are used to and can shoot straight. (Hit something at a reasonable range.) You either need a gun and the weight is immaterial or you don't need one at all.

If you use the report noise for attention/locator then take plenty of ammunition.
 
Spark hit the nail right on the head with this one. The H&K USP series is unstopable. These guns will take more dirt, abuse and extreme environments then anyone should even be able to dish out. Do some article reading, narrow down your selection, then handle them to make your final choice. It does not matter how good a gun is, if it is not comfortable to YOU. Most importantly, if you have not already, get some training with your gun. A little training goes a long way, a lot of training, even longer
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Take care.

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"
 
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