Your equipment choices

S

Sheridan

Joined
Jul 6, 2001
Messages
15
I like reading about equipment choices other members prefer in given situations. What are your choices of firearm and knife for the following scenario, and why?

A day-long hike in an area within a 1 to 2-hour drive from your house. Let's keep the season to now, mid May, so that we all have a common reference point.

When making your choices, please keep the following in mind (and be sure to mention them in your response): the type of terrain you'll be hiking through; the likely threats, if any, that you might face; and the uses to which you are most likely to have to employ your choices.

To ensure that the responses are as useful as possible, let's make the final requirement be that you have to have owned or currently own, or used extensively in the past, the choices that you make; no fantasy selections based on what you've read or imagined.

My selections:

The terrain I would most likely be hiking in consists of mixed hardwood forest, lowlands along small streams, and steep, rocky hills and bluffs. The weather is generally about 65 for daytime highs and about 40 for nightime lows. It's likely to rain this time of year and a brief snow shower, although unlikely, is possible.

My selection for a knife would be my Microtech MA LCC. It has a good belly for slicing string or para cord (for tying back branches for photography), a sharp point for digging out splinters, and a very strong lock. It also fits my hand very well, allowing me to put some muscle into cutting.

My threat analysis reveals the most likely threat would be a rabid animal (racoon, skunk, or coyote) or wild dog. An encounter with a two-legged predator, while possible, is very unlikely.

Since small-game seasons are not open now, my most likely use for a firearm would be for defense against one of the threats mentioned. Consequently, my choice for a firearm would be a revolver chambered in .38 Special; such as a S & W Model 10 I used to own.

There's nothing dramatic or radical about my selections; just basic equipment that would work best for me in my situation. What are your choices?
 
I live in northern new mexico and have done alot of hiking. The terrain is very steep,thick forests-lots of ponderosa pine,going from 7,000 feet to 12,000-13,000 feet. This time of year,depending where you are, one could encounter black bear,mountain lion,maybe a wolf. What I have taken along at times is my ruger sp101,357 mag,the only gun I own. There would not be any human threats; maybe,just maybe if you accidentally ran into a bear cub you better be on the lookout for mama! That is about the only threat you would need to be aware of. As far as a knife,my swiss army,has everything,does everything and a buck 110 auto.
 
The terrain I would most likely be hiking in consists of inner city streets, industrial parks, and strip malls. The weather is usually about 60's in the day and about 40's in the night. It's been raining on and off for the last 2 weeks.
My choices of knife would be,(seeing as I always carry at least three),BM AFCK, this knife has never failed me, it is always easy to get to, the ATS 34 blade holds a nice edge, with the 60/40 blade being a good compromise with a serrated blade for heavy duty cutting, but lots of belly for slashing and cutting, also I've never held a more comfortable knife in a reverse grip. BM 730 with a 154 CM blade, also holds a tremendous edge, is probably the smoothest opening, most solid locking production folder I've ever used, dynamite when used in a hammer or fencing grip, the saber ground spearpoint is a strong piercing weapon. And last but not least, a Rocky Moser CA legal auto, some time all you need is a small blade and this is one tough fun blade.
My threat analysis reveals the most likely threat would be a rabid dog, or a territorial gang member or homeless person. Any encounter with either of these would require quick decisions, and fast actions, for this the knives are readily accessable and easily brought into the battery position, these would be my primary defense and EDC use choices.

There is no hunting in the inner city so my hand gun would be used purely for defense, and that would be a Browning 9mm FN GP35 Automatic Pistol, comfortable not to bad in an Uncle Mikes small of the back ITWB holster plus the 13 shot clip won't leave me short if I need more than 6 shots.

Remember we walk through some of the toughest jungles everday on our way to work and as we work throughout the day, especially in the city.
 
Right now I would take along my new AlMar SERE 2000 (Well it is on its way to G2, but it is mine!). This thing is awesome. It is the smoothest knife I have ever owned and the fit and finish is outstanding.

As far as a pistol goes, I would take nothing because I do not own a gun. However I plan on getting a Ruger Mark II in Oct. I would take thay with magazines loaded alternating bullets and shotshells. At this time of year in MO, you do not have to deal with a lot of "dangerous" game. Worst is probably a bobcat/Mtn lion. These can be scared off generally by various methods. The pistol would be a last ditch defense against such predators. It would be ideal for snakes however.
 
1-2 hour drive huh? Well, I live in Houston and a 1-2 hour drive could leave me 5 miles from home. You see, Houston's road system? is in its usual state of chaos. Using the word system in connection with Houstons collection of roads is really being generous!

However, if I were to drive to the boonies of the Texas Hilll Country near Austin, I would probably bring a mini-Glock and my SERE 2000. I should not encounter any hazards in the hill country, but one never knows. My wife and I were once on a canoe trip down the Rifle Rife in Michigan and had a real life Deliverance experience. Therefore, I would certainly prepare for the worst.
 
My primary selections would be either my BM Griptilian or NimCub, a SAK Pioneer or Rucksack, and a Glock M26 or M19. My primary hiking / hunting / day use area poses several potential threats, including; rabid animals, feral dogs, a few timber rattlers, an occassional bear and in one area, satanist cult activity. Nice mix, huh? Figure in potential tornadoes during spring and summer, the occassional deluge of rain, or blizzards in winter. The area of which I speak is hillcountry just north of the northern PA mountains - typical woodland forests and swamps at around 1,000' elevation. Gotta love NY's diversity.

I do not count on a knife as a weapon, I'm not a knife fighter. That's why I carry the Glocks. The knife may serve as an emergency backup, but I even doubt that. Big sticks are aplenty, and I do use a hiking staff. The knives are relegated to tool use.

The knives were selected through reading reviews here and at other forums. They've worked very well for me. The Glocks were selected through 24+ years as a firearms instructor - caliber selection due to the same reason - my wrists are shot and the 9mm recoils like a whisper. Proper ammo selection and proper practice is the key to sucess with a small caliber. Accuracy is final.

Mike
 
My hike would be in the Adirondacks (surprise surprise). To tell you the truth, I’ve never come across a single hostile animal. I’ve heard feral dogs and the occasional bear or moose in seen though. So my threat assessment is pretty close to zero. I’ll handle the less than likely attacking animal with pepper spray and my stout hiking stick. Call me a risk taker, but I don’t carry a firearm when hiking.

My knife choices for such a small hike would be a SAK and my Marbles Fieldcraft. They handle pretty everything I’d have to do. They may not be the ultimate tools, but I like to travel light. Emergency shelter building isn’t too much of an issue, as there is a TON of standing dead and spruce in the Adirondacks. Shelters are a piece of cake.
 
Hey I like this...

My hike, if I'm limited to 2 hours from here, would be the dry terrain of the Mendocino Mountains or the coast ranges. Worst predator might be a mountain lion or rattle snake, but I don't carry a fire arm, so I've got to be wary of snakes and hope to frighten away lions. I do, for this very reason, often carry a 6' "snake" which is a kind of bullwhip for those of you who do not know whips. Can make a lot of noise and will scare off most things if they are not rabid.

What knife? Probably a fixed blade. Anything from my Dozier K-1 with a 3.25" blade to one of my 4" or 5" utility/camp knives. Could be any of 6 or 7 different knives if they are fixed... If its going to be a folder, its going to be my large Sebenza...
 
Well, two hours drive will put me either in NYC or Boston! I do walk the trails sometime around the Connecticut area, especially the State parks along the I-95 shore line arae. I will carry my large Sebanza and either my CQD or MT Socom. All knives are carry in a sheath so it is easy assessable. My firearm choice for a hike will definitely be revolver, semi-auto has the fire-power but you don't need it in the woods. My favorite trail gun is the SW .22 mag, it's stainless and hold 6 rounds of 22 magnum, good for any small animal! My other pocket most likely will have a SW light weight 38 in the pocket holster just in case I run into someone that I dealt with as a LEO!
The hiking staff is going to help me to deter the snake and keep good balance while crossing streams. I make them myself out of hickory and they work great!
 
my usual firearm/knife combo is a Springfield M6 Scout and several various knives, which vary depending on whim and fancy...
 
. . . so we're talking temperate forest, rain forest and/or alpine terrain. Most likely, I will face no threat. If I do, the most likely threats (in order) would be (1) accidental injury, (2) the weather (sunburn/snow blindness/hypothermia), (3) another person, (4) another person's dog or (5) a wild animal (although I perceive this threat to be so vanishingly small as to be not threat at all).

In this scenario, I typically carry a Victorinox Outrider and some other common sense emergency gear (basically the 10 Essentials). If I were to carry a firearm it would be a 9mm Glock for threats 3, 4 and 5. I don't carry because I avoid more popular trailheads and get away from the trailhead quickly as to obtain solitude. This has the added benefit of minimizing threats 3 and 4.

P.S. I might add a Fallkniven F1 to this mix, but I don't feel I need a large fixed-blade for shelter/fire building as the Outrider has a saw and I always carry a poncho, 100' of utility cord and 6 titanium tent stakes when hiking.

P.P.S. My experience with bears has been similar to joeshredd's (post below). I've never seen any cats, but on one hike last year we saw lots of big cat tracks and I must admit I was glad my buddy had his Taurus Total Titanium Tracker.
 
The Cascades or the Olympics: so high alpine or temperate rainforest are the rule, and besides two-legged critters, the most I'll encounter are mtn. lions (seen two), black bear (some taller than me,) and raccoon. I carry a 6' rattan staff, a Chris Reeve Aviator in an inverted Tim Wegner kydex sheath strapped to my shoulder strap, a Swiss Army knife... and a Glock 27 somewhere about my body. The Aviator has all I need in an immediately deployable package for general camp, self-defense use; the SAK is great for cuttin' cheese and removing splinters... and the G-27 will survive the humid conditions and take care of any serious threat accept the bear. For them, I make a lot of noise and keep my eyes open - I've encountered 7 medium sized blacks and seen sign for at least one taller'n me... but they aren't real problems until blue-berry season in late fall.
 
For me (Dismal Swamp in one direction, foothills in the other) it would be a fixed blade (Livesay Air Assault, Grohmann hunter, K-bar, etc.) and a folder- Spyderco Wegner or similar and my Swisstool. Add a hiking staff, some line (paracord, etc.), proper clothing & enough water. In/around the swamp I'd have at least a .20 ga handy- cottonmouth country.
 
Knife wise I would likely have a SAK and Sebenza and either Busse Basic #7 or the Natural Outlaw. Longer, further colder I would have a Leatherman Supertool, Sebenza and either the Basic #7 or the Battle Mistress.

When food prep, slicing and more civilized camp chores are anticipated, or if I would have an axe handy, I may switch to a CRK Project 2, Mountainer II or Sable.
 
My day hikes are usually completed in about 6-8 days because I hike with my four dogs up and down rough ridges (mixed cedar and hardwoods) for an hour or two every day--rain, snow, or shine. I typically have a Kimber Ultra Carry, BM 710, La Griffe, Gore-Tex trail shoes or rubber boots, and appropriate clothing. There are many wonderful coyotes, foxes, turkey, and deer on our trails; all of whom give me and my leashed team of canines a wide berth. A rabid dog was found in this area last year, so it pays to remain alert. However, nearly every mini-day trip is extremely peaceful and refreshing. Controlling a 140 lb. Rottie and his three pals can be a bit of a challenge if they decide to have a close encounter of the wild kind. That's when I have fleeting thoughts about getting too old to walk four dogs on leashes through rough country. Then, I remember that up until last year, I walked five dogs this way every day. Four is a piece of cake.
 
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