When I was younger, I never thought of camping with a gun. But due to the present climate, I have strongly considered it. What do you think? I'm not as worried about the animals of the 4 legged variety, as I am with the 2 legged ones. What weapons, if any, would you recommend? Any opinions would be appreciated.
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Camping with guns
- Thread starter DavidO
- Start date
There are as many opinions as there are guns I imagine. Car camping or hiking? If you're going to walk a lot, you might consider weight (not counting grizzly/brown bear country).
Are you ready to take someone's life when they fail to comply with your order (you have decided to pull your gun out)? Negotiations are over at that point.
Still think it's a good idea? Carry what you are proficient with. Proficiency takes a lot of practice. Proficiency is more important than caliber, muzzle velocity, etc., etc.
Are you ready to take someone's life when they fail to comply with your order (you have decided to pull your gun out)? Negotiations are over at that point.
Still think it's a good idea? Carry what you are proficient with. Proficiency takes a lot of practice. Proficiency is more important than caliber, muzzle velocity, etc., etc.
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- Feb 16, 2010
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I don't ever carry anything on my person but it definitely feels nice to have a my auto combat 12 gauge there next to my air mattress in my tent at night. I don't keep it loaded (carrying guns with you and/or keeping them loaded strike me as creating more potential problems than they solve), but keep some three inch mag slugs and some lighter 00 buck loads in the side saddle and the stock shell holder for quick access. The lighter loads are in case I need to shoot through the tent (when I can't be sure about my background).
I am usually out camping in very remote areas, and I don't ever find myself doubting my decision to bring it one bit. But even when I was in a more "populated" camping area last spring, we ended up with a ton of critters running around our tent, and, in the morning, had a visit from a mountain lion. I don't ever expect to have to use it, but when you are miles and miles from any help and there is just a thin layer of plastic between you and any two or four legged predators, it is nice to have some piece of mind.
I am usually out camping in very remote areas, and I don't ever find myself doubting my decision to bring it one bit. But even when I was in a more "populated" camping area last spring, we ended up with a ton of critters running around our tent, and, in the morning, had a visit from a mountain lion. I don't ever expect to have to use it, but when you are miles and miles from any help and there is just a thin layer of plastic between you and any two or four legged predators, it is nice to have some piece of mind.
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Lots of options here!
For personal protection from humans only, I like the .40 caliber Glocks (automatics). The model 27 is extremely compact and light! The models 23 is medium framed and 22 is larger framed, if you can deal with larger sizes.
I am constantly in black bear country, and use to live in SE Alaska where very large bears were commonplace! So, my "camping/hiking" guns have to do double duty for protection from both 4 and 2 leged predetors, so here I prefer revolvers over automatics. If I need something very compact and relatively light in black bear country, I like the Ruger SP101 (.357 caliber). The Ruger GP100 (also .357 cal) with a 4" barrel, is a good choice also if you can get along with a larger frame weapon. For larger bears, I pick the compact Ruger Alaskan ("compact" for a big bore revolver) and its big brother the Super Redhawk, in .44, .480 or .454 caliber. http://www.ruger.com/
If you are backpacking or do a lot of hiking, check out Smith and Wessons ultralight scandium/aluminum/titanium revolvers, like the NightGuard series (.357 and .44 cal) for instance. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757773_-1_757767_757751_image
These of course, are backing up a Remington 870 combat shotgun, with a round of buckshot in the chamber and followed by slugs in the magazine....
For personal protection from humans only, I like the .40 caliber Glocks (automatics). The model 27 is extremely compact and light! The models 23 is medium framed and 22 is larger framed, if you can deal with larger sizes.
I am constantly in black bear country, and use to live in SE Alaska where very large bears were commonplace! So, my "camping/hiking" guns have to do double duty for protection from both 4 and 2 leged predetors, so here I prefer revolvers over automatics. If I need something very compact and relatively light in black bear country, I like the Ruger SP101 (.357 caliber). The Ruger GP100 (also .357 cal) with a 4" barrel, is a good choice also if you can get along with a larger frame weapon. For larger bears, I pick the compact Ruger Alaskan ("compact" for a big bore revolver) and its big brother the Super Redhawk, in .44, .480 or .454 caliber. http://www.ruger.com/
If you are backpacking or do a lot of hiking, check out Smith and Wessons ultralight scandium/aluminum/titanium revolvers, like the NightGuard series (.357 and .44 cal) for instance. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757773_-1_757767_757751_image
These of course, are backing up a Remington 870 combat shotgun, with a round of buckshot in the chamber and followed by slugs in the magazine....
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if your going be using at camp site and not doing a lot walking of i would say a pump shotgun of almost any variety would work fine. but if your hiking a tarsus judge that can shoot either 45 colt or 410 shot gun shells would work nicely and believe there is light weight version. you are more like to see the four leg or if your in warmer climates the no leg variety of threats (snakes).
[QUOTE
If you are backpacking or do a lot of hiking, check out Smith and Wessons ultralight scandium/aluminum/titanium revolvers, like the NightGuard series (.357 and .44 cal) for instance.
[/QUOTE]
if you are not use to shooting, these guns will hurt your hand possibly make u bleed form the hammer diging into you hand! i have shot them and honesty i had much rather shoot a 4in s&w 500 magnum. no joke they however are good back packing options
[QUOTE
If you are backpacking or do a lot of hiking, check out Smith and Wessons ultralight scandium/aluminum/titanium revolvers, like the NightGuard series (.357 and .44 cal) for instance.
[/QUOTE]
if you are not use to shooting, these guns will hurt your hand possibly make u bleed form the hammer diging into you hand! i have shot them and honesty i had much rather shoot a 4in s&w 500 magnum. no joke they however are good back packing options
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i CCW daily around town and even at home. i don't see why i'd decide to not carry when out in the boonies.
now, you don't tell us where you live or plan on camping. some jurisdictions are more restrictive when it comes to carrying a gun, either openly or concealed. if you decide to carry some place where "they" won't approve, know the possible consequences in advance. perhaps choose someplace else to camp (or live) but it's one of those things that's best to have before you need it because you won't be able to call a "time out" so you can go get it. when the time comes.
be safe. have a good holster and belt and know how to handle a gun.
now, i don't like "regular" campsites... i prefer to camp way off the beaten track, so the odds are slim that i'm going to run into anyone, but out there, if i did run into someone who had malicious intent... i'm all on my own. i've never had any problems while camping... but i'm prepared for things that might happen. just because it's the sensible thing to do.
now, you don't tell us where you live or plan on camping. some jurisdictions are more restrictive when it comes to carrying a gun, either openly or concealed. if you decide to carry some place where "they" won't approve, know the possible consequences in advance. perhaps choose someplace else to camp (or live) but it's one of those things that's best to have before you need it because you won't be able to call a "time out" so you can go get it. when the time comes.
be safe. have a good holster and belt and know how to handle a gun.
now, i don't like "regular" campsites... i prefer to camp way off the beaten track, so the odds are slim that i'm going to run into anyone, but out there, if i did run into someone who had malicious intent... i'm all on my own. i've never had any problems while camping... but i'm prepared for things that might happen. just because it's the sensible thing to do.
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For more years than I like to think about, I have carried a small S&W model 63, stainless 4 inch .22 revolver on the trail, and when camping.
In the past few years, I have started taking a Browning HP, or a Beretta 9000S, a .45 Commander or a .44 S&W Mountain gun instead.
When I car camp, there will be a couple of hand guns, as well as something on the order of an M4 AR, or 870 Remington. Or both.
Maybe I am getting paranoid, or maybe getting older, and realizing my physical limitation, makes me more inclined to ratchet up the personal protection.
In the past few years, I have started taking a Browning HP, or a Beretta 9000S, a .45 Commander or a .44 S&W Mountain gun instead.
When I car camp, there will be a couple of hand guns, as well as something on the order of an M4 AR, or 870 Remington. Or both.
Maybe I am getting paranoid, or maybe getting older, and realizing my physical limitation, makes me more inclined to ratchet up the personal protection.
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- Feb 8, 2004
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This is always a personal decision. My advice is if you plan to carry in the outdoors, get your carry concealed permit. I carry whenever I can when "off-duty" and when camping/backpacking. It needs to become as much as a habit as possible and not something pulled out when you "think" you'll need it. I carry mine in comfortable holster and typically forget about it as it's concealed well.
I don't think firearms are necessary, but again, that's a personal choice and you need to make some personal changes if you plan to carry. There are a few places in the lower-48 where a firearm would be advisable for dangerous critters (Mt. Lions, brown bear, etc), but in reality those threats are very low, my guess is lower than being assaulted by a two-legged critter.
With that said, a compact revolver or reliable auto (my preference is a Glock 23 in .40S&W) are good choices. I like the revolver (usually a Charter Arms .44SPL Pug or 3" S&W 686, 7-shot .357), as you can load a round or two up front with snake shot. Snakes are probably my biggest threat down here in GA and even those have been vary rare recently; even with that, I've only had a couple of encounters where the snake actually was aggressive (spring time cotton mouth mating season, about the only time I've noticed them aggressive).
If your fear isn't four-legged predators, than I would only advise that if you're not comfortable carrying concealed in public, you won't be comfortable carrying during recreational outings.
ROCK6
I don't think firearms are necessary, but again, that's a personal choice and you need to make some personal changes if you plan to carry. There are a few places in the lower-48 where a firearm would be advisable for dangerous critters (Mt. Lions, brown bear, etc), but in reality those threats are very low, my guess is lower than being assaulted by a two-legged critter.
With that said, a compact revolver or reliable auto (my preference is a Glock 23 in .40S&W) are good choices. I like the revolver (usually a Charter Arms .44SPL Pug or 3" S&W 686, 7-shot .357), as you can load a round or two up front with snake shot. Snakes are probably my biggest threat down here in GA and even those have been vary rare recently; even with that, I've only had a couple of encounters where the snake actually was aggressive (spring time cotton mouth mating season, about the only time I've noticed them aggressive).
If your fear isn't four-legged predators, than I would only advise that if you're not comfortable carrying concealed in public, you won't be comfortable carrying during recreational outings.
ROCK6
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- May 12, 2010
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- 35
I'm from Florida, got my ccw license, I take my Sig P220 with me everywhere. I took it camping recently,no problems repelling the guy that wanted to come try to get in our tent with us. I will probably never see that fool again! For 2 legged animals, a lot of them don't like to see a barrel pointed at them so just about anything bigger than a 380 would probably do the trick, but like Bernoulli said if it is out negotiations are over.
if you are only worried about small game and people a .380 is fine. with todays rounds the 380's are getting better. however 9mm's are cheaper go figure
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I hope you just chose the wrong words here or were having trouble expressing yourself.
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I often carry a self defense gun into the woods. I was attacked and robbed by three men once . I was hit about the head and stomach several times. I was a teenager at the time and able to escape . I easily outran them and watched from a distance as they took everthing of value from my automobile. Its quite traumatic to be assaulted like that. Hard telling how bad I would have been beaten if I could not run fast.
thats pretty scary.. where were you at and what were you doing?
I was cornered in the back of a brand new WalMart several falls ago - by an older gang-banger. I was in the sporting goods/camping section - my wife saw a younger one nearing me on the next aisle and hollered at me. I put my right hand in my pocket - grabbed the grip of my S&W 642, an Airweight hammerless 5 shot .38 snubby I had only carried on occasion before then - 24/7 now. He was 3 ft from me - with nasty breath - the other one stopped 5 ft away. The older one looked me in my eyes as I clenched my teeth, making my most menacing look - no easy trick for this fat old guy - but it worked - he looked at his young apprentice - nodded - and they left - at a high rate of speed. The store manager promised he'd have the police review the video - that camera wasn't operational, of course. He apologized - and said it was fine for licensed folk to carry in his store. Well, since then - I carry when I mow the yard, shop, go to church, and, yep, it's on me on vacation - where legal.
The .38 is all I need... I can avoid the legless snakes in the grass. For serious predators here in the south, I also can carry - at least in my cargo pants - a 296 - an AirLite Ti 5-shot .44 Special - looks like the 642 on steroids. As mentioned earlier, a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog wouldn't be a bad choice. I keep the first shot as a 240gr LSWC, with 200gr Speer Gold Dots to follow. I feel fine stomping through the woods so protected nowadays - if legal, of course. Alabama's CCL reciprocates with many states. It isn't as safe in the woods as it was when I was a child. Then, at least in Alabama, you might run into a still... and get a sample. Nowadays - it might be a meth lab - and nobody would likely find your remains.
Stainz
The .38 is all I need... I can avoid the legless snakes in the grass. For serious predators here in the south, I also can carry - at least in my cargo pants - a 296 - an AirLite Ti 5-shot .44 Special - looks like the 642 on steroids. As mentioned earlier, a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog wouldn't be a bad choice. I keep the first shot as a 240gr LSWC, with 200gr Speer Gold Dots to follow. I feel fine stomping through the woods so protected nowadays - if legal, of course. Alabama's CCL reciprocates with many states. It isn't as safe in the woods as it was when I was a child. Then, at least in Alabama, you might run into a still... and get a sample. Nowadays - it might be a meth lab - and nobody would likely find your remains.
Stainz
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One summer night , I was drinking beer with some friends at a rock quarry.They had left to get some more beer , I stayed behind and was attending to the fire when the three men arrived in their car. I thought it was my comrades returning. I was squatted at the fire not paying much attention when one of them said "What are you doing?" I stood up , then they pounced on me.
dang... glad you were ok and ran like the wind blows
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Consider a stout walking staff - it'll already be in your hand if you're walking on the trail and doesn't require much practice to be effective with it.
I carry 24/7, in the woods I carry either my .357 or .44 mag. Have several different set ups. But one think I firmly believe if you are going to have the gun on you or close by it better be loaded and ready to go. A bad guy or a wild critter isn't going to wait for you to load it or even put on in the chamber.