Black Bears are the most dangerous 4 legged critter possible to confront while hunting/hiking in the woods around here.

Biggest concern is for 2 legged critters. Which are likely to be armed and dangerous during hunting season.

This is my solution: the FastFire3 on it aids in long shoots (I hunt deer with it) and the Crimson Trace laser grips are a great aid for fast up close aiming ...



This Safariland cordura holster rides it high at between 3 & 4 o'clock and tucked in tightly. Light cover garment or even a loose sweatshirt hides it well.



If I carry the .44 on my 1.75" Tactical belt I'll usually carry my 340 Pro Series .357 on the weak side to balance the load, (or in case the critter is on me before I can unload the .44!)

digiroc

I don't spend much time thinking about this subject, but if I was considering going someplace where I thought a bear(or any large four legged predator) attack was relatively likely, I would probably reconsider my plans.

I like Massad Ayoobs perspective... "To be brutally frank, I do not f*** with bears...bears do not f*** with me...this has worked out well for me AND the bears and I see no reason to change the paradigm. "

A quote from another forum that makes a lot of sense...

"Seems every time someone mentions backpacking or heading into any woods for whatever reason the advice handgun wise is always a single action 454 or 44 magnum, or double action 44 mag or 45 colt. The prime reason being bears, cougars, wolves rabid wombats etc... Now of course I'm not saying animals don't attack, they do, but it's very, very rare and not always but often preceded by a great amount of stupidity on the victims part before an attack occurs anyway.

Just some thoughts:

Meth labs are being pushed deeper and deeper into the wilderness by law enforcement. Methamphetamine makes users very paranoid and dangerous. Some big cooks use a number of armed addicts to circle the parameter of the cook for protection....

With the border crackdown since 9-11 marijuana growing patches in our area seem to be increasing. Since the property forfiture laws went into effect growing in national parks or state land seems to be in vouge. Booby trapping the area around grows is still common. When your laying wounded from their little "shotshell" landmines as they come to harvest, calling 911 will likely not be on thier minds.

Anybody think Ted Kazinski (sp?) was the only paranoid schizophrenic hiding out in the woods. Even in my small town there is a rather odd fellow who would head out into the woods with a rifle when "they" were after him. After a 2 month stay at a psychiatric hospital that surely "cured" him he's back out and off his meds again..

Remember Platt and Mattix from the famouse FBI shootout? They got one of their guns and car from a fellow out in the middle of nowhere target shooting. They shot him and left him the swamp for dead.

Could not find the numbers real quick but do a search on "murder and national park" and I bet it makes bear maulings look as common as Rosy O'Donnell for NRA president nominations.

Considering the possible increased range of an encounter, no 911 for a considerable time if trouble occurs, possible multiple attackers in a drug lab sitaution, and in a scenario that "retreat" could actually turn in into nothing more than an extended running gun battle I'll take my G-17 with three highcaps over a 5 shot single action anyday."

This article makes some good points as well.... How to Pick the Right Sidearm for Backup Bear Protection | Outdoor Life

Other than that, if you insist on a light revolver, I would look a 640 coupled with some bear spray as an option. Since an enjoyable hiking experience is the goal, carrying a long gun or heavy magnum revolver would largely spoil it. And I'm assuming this is a "just in case" situation. I've seen a lot of backwoods types say animal attacks are often muzzle contact affairs due to their quickness and stealth. An enclosed hammer revolver would retain operability in such cases. At farther distances with a possibly charging animal, I myself would want more capacity.

In the case of a mauling by either a 4 legged or 2 legged critter the strong hand (right) would instinctively cover my face and head, leaving the weak hand (left) for the .357 640 Pro, using it for contact shots on the attacker.

Contact shooting with your G17 may not work out so well, other than to press check for a round in the chamber.

If I have my druthers it would be an aimed shot, whether laser or red dot with a full power .44 Mag and four follow-ups if that doesn't settle things down.

Of course a 12 ga. slug gun at the ready would be best of all, short of a .308 battle rifle. But we are talking about a walk in the woods here, not an assault on a meth lab.

digiroc

Smith 296 maybe?

What would be a good firearm choice for Great Whites while surfing?

Why would u wanna conceal carry when hiking?
Open carry when hiking isnt frowned upon as far as i know.


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Groo here
For a 357 , start with a 3in.
The round starts to get going at that length.
5 shot frames are thin and hide easily but to shoot well require
the grip to fit. I use Packmayr thin Decelerators [ not the compac]
A 3in 6 shot would be next.
A thought , an S&W 325 is light , but large.
easy to hold, and with moon clips for 45acp, fast to reload.
The gun can shoot 185gr target loads up to 45 super or hot 45AR.

Well. you've gotten many replies. To simplify, I would agree with 2 responders - A model 640 is sufficiently heavy to allow controlled 357 mag shooting. I can do it without discomfort and I'm sure I'm older than you. Otherwise I'd take my Model 13 3 inch. Now, these are hard to find today, but any 3 inch K frame would do as well.

I'm in the woods almost every morning at sunrise to give Moses some off-leash exercise. I've primarily used my .357 8 Shot w/2.625"barrel (37 oz.), and this year I've enjoyed adding a 5" Model 327 Eight Shot as an option (41 oz. w/optic and rail).

Either way, for woods I will not carry a J Frame airweight for which there is too dramatic a compromise in recoil, and the extra capacity of 8 in the 627 and 327 are nice. My outdoor ammo is moon clip loaded 600 ft. lbs Federal Premium Barnes in the 5", and 400 ft. lbs. Buffalo Bore Short Barrel for the snub.

Exactly. Here in Alabama open carry is legal, but there are still calls to LE because people are uncomfortable with the guy in Starbucks with his Glock and two reloads (when carrying open, they also seem to gravitate towards a visible tactical fixed knife, black boots, green pants and black shirt, it's uncanny). And I understand the customers' nerves. Heck, I find myself compulsively tracking any open carry person the whole time I'm in a store unless it's the old timer with his J frame. In the woods less of an issue, and as Dave noted, during hunting season no one cares.

This morning's 'super moon' from the iPhone.

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It is in Georgia. While completely legal you become "that guy with a gun". A lot people assume you are either making an in your face political statement or are up to no good and treat you accordingly. These people are in the minority but I see no reason to make others uncomfortable, even if they have no reason to be. Since the biggest threat here would be criminals all the usual arguments in favor of CC still apply while hiking.

This is less true during hunting season and I get the impression that in states where grizzlies are a real threat open carry is common enough that nobody pays much attention to it. But around here the cons of open carry outweigh the pluses, at least for me. I am less concerned about printing while hiking though.

When I go camping/fishing in Arizona I take a 3-inch Model 13-2 in a shoulder rig and a 640-1 in my pocket or fishing kit bag. Brown trout don't attack very often and there are few if any bears, weed farmers, or meth labs where I go; it's mostly elk, mule deer, turkey, hunters, and casual hikers/tourists. If I felt the need for more power then I'd take a 629 .44 Magnum or a 625 .45 Colt Mountain Gun. More than likely I'd take an HK USP 45 and 12-rd mags loaded with +P or .45 Super.

Gone fishin'. Model 13-2 3" and 640-1, both .357 Magnum:


Need more gun? 629-2 .44 Magnum Mountain Revolver:

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Charter bulldog with hand loads in N. AZ



Pretty much goes everywhere with me nowadays

Above pictured are my sub compact 45acp pistols ..
Glock 30S , Taurus PT145 & Springfield XDS45
Any would make a fine choice..
I have Ruger 357 mag revolvers GP100 & Security Six both with 4 inch barrels & a Charter 44 spl
Other good choices ..
For the Mtns of TN

An addendum to my response (post#40)...

Although I like to pack light, today I put the light weight handguns and long guns away and carried my 629 Mountain Gun into the woods. I want the extra horsepower of the 44 Magnum when handgun hunting deer (category 3).

No shots today, but I did find a fresh scrape and rub. The ground was still wet from the buck marking it! I will be back to that area this week.

The knife is a Camillus USAF Pilot's Survival knife which I took with me. The edge on this knife is honed and stropped to a shine and will shave hair! The picture was taken on my hunting seat somewhere in the woods of central Arkanasia.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

First of all: Welcome to the forum! Whatever your question, you've come to the right place.

Second, a 686 isn't really all that heavy, especially not if you carry it in a proper leather holster and wear a good gun belt. You need a handgun foremost for protection even in worst-case scenarios in the backwoods and it should also be concealed as a personal preference. I understand this line of reasoning completely, as I considered the same question a couple years ago except for hiking in Florida, where open carry is legal only for hunting and fishing (but I doubt many people – especially people who don't carry – know you can open carry while fishing).

I, too, settled on 357 magnum, because I realized that none of the common semi-auto calibers would suffice in the most likely scenario of an ornery feral pig or even the less likely scenario of black bear or panther. Plus, shot shells work better in revolvers and there are plenty of venomous snakes in the flatwoods and swamps near where I live. I have meanwhile had to draw my revolver and discovered just how fast a 4" barrel can clear leather in the process, but fortunately did not have to pull the trigger. Trust me: When the time comes, you don't want to wish you had brought a little more gun for the sake of a few ounces.

I settled on a 4" model 66-2 for field duty, but I would have been just as happy with a 686, even with a 3" barrel. But no snubs for me – at least not for the backwoods. Snubs, J-frames, and semi-autos are well-suited for urban concealed carry, but no so much off pavement IMO. My m66 weighs 2 lbs 6.1 oz with four hot 180gr hardcast flatpoint bullets and two shotshells... and I barely notice the weight carried in a stiff leather holster and belt (both by R. Grizzle). I decided on a 4" K-frame because I consider it to be the best compromise between weight and barrel length, the former to reduce recoil and get back on target quicker and the latter to support higher velocity and improve accuracy when I have to aim in a hurry.

If I lived in Colorado, I'd consider that an absolute minimum carry option, though I'd more likely carry a 44 magnum, even if I opted to load it with 44 specials some of the time. Personally, I like my 5" model 629-3, but lots of people here on the forum are very enthusiastic about their L-frame model 69s. If it were me trying to shave weight but still carry a "big stick", that would be very near the top of my list... right behind an older mountain gun in either 44 mag or 45 colt.

357 mag/38 spl will suffice against small to medium sized animals and in particular against humans, but it is not an ideal caliber for brown bear or angry elk/moose. However, if you practice enough to be very confident with it and carry 180 or 200 grain hardcast bullets, it will probably suffice even against grizzlies. Load up for your worst-case scenario. If you encounter an ornery cougar, you won't have time to reload and the "overkill" is acceptable. If you load your revolver for cougar and encounter an angry bear, you will regret it possibly for the rest of your short life. At any rate, I would prefer to carry very hot 158 grain hardcast at a minimum out West and would advise against J-frames in that scenario except maybe as a backup gun.

You want a light gun to load up with powerful ammo for hiking, but I would rethink my priorities if I were you. A little more gun will go a long way to ensuring your security and peace of mind, especially the longer the trail gets and the further it leads you from city streets.

I wouldn't think that Georgia would be like that, surprising honestly.
Im from VT so CC or OC is welcome just about anywhere, never gotten a weird look.
I just moved to upstate NY though and i know for a fact OC is frowned upon here, considered a misdemeanor for "menacing" if caught OC'ing I believe.
So CC is all we can do hear...


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A lot of people in Georgia came from somewhere else and often bring their attitudes about guns with them. The population of the Atlanta area has more than doubled in the 25 years I have lived here. If it was just native Georgians on the trails I am sure OC would not be an issue.

Well, to me, there is no such thing as "overkill", I carry a S&W Alaskan Backpacker 44mag, it is VERY light, and when I am around town I have it loaded with 44pls, if I'm in the woods where I expect to encounter mostly the 2 legged type of varmint, I load it with 44mag and 44spls with the 2 44spls up first followed by 2 44mags. then 1 spl and 1 mag. I will be honest, shooting this revolver with 44mags is not pleasant, but it is accurate and if you need it, it's there. This S&W is a scandium frame large frame, VERY light!!! So you can carry it all day and not even know it's there. If I am going into the woods and I expect to encounter the 4 legged kind of varmint....the kind with teeth and claws (I hunt black bear and mountain lion) I normally carry either my Ruger Alaskan 44mag with all mags! Or my S&W Stealth hunter in a chest rig...I don't want to have to wait for the animal to be within 25yds to have a prayer of hitting it!! I can hit a 6" plate at 100yds 100% of the time with the stealth hunter, so even if nervous and adrenalin pumping I should be able to hit something coming at me at 50yds or 10 yds! Practice with whatever you choose is probably the best thing you could do to ensure you can take out whatever you think you might run into!

I recommend the S&W 357 mag of your choice. The 4" Model 686 is popular or the lighter 5 shot model 60.

I have been carrying my 386pd for a number of years during the warmer weather, and don't even notice it. During the cooler months I like to have my 329pd on me . But I am thinking of trading over to a Glock 10mm. Because of the increased magazine capacity.

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balin
NRA Life Member

For concealed carry, my back up is a 640 .357 Pro Series. With proper Hogue grips covering the backstrap, recoil isn't bad.

I love my 1006s -- and 1086s.

But a Glock 10mm would also do.

I believe in COMPLETE concealment -- but fast access. I can produce the 640 in about 3/4 of a second or a little more -- fairly consistenly.

Although a little heavy for backpacking, my 3" 629 often got the nod if I want more than my Chief Special; however, I just added a 329PD to the stable, ad hoc.

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Hiking in Blackbear country my ruger police service six in 357 mag with a 2 3/4" barrel is perfect with my 140gr JHP BULLETS.

My woods walking piece is my S&W 325 Night Guard. Loaded with Buffalo Bore 45 Auto Rim 255gr hardcast lead along with two additional speedloaders.
I'm more concerned with a nasty moose than black bear encounter. But always aware of a physco or doper lurking around.

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AKA- Da Plummah
CANCER SUCKS!

What about a Governor? Its lighter than a lot of the revolvers you metioned due to the alloy frame and is very versatile in terms of what you can shoot through it. I have one coming tomorrow and part of my decision was based on camping/hiking in mind.

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Smith all the things

My carry gun while hiking is my 3" Model 60-15

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Here is my Smith And Wesson Performance Center 629 Hunter with a ported 7.5" barrel. On top is an Aimpoint H1. Recoil is not bad.

Below it is my Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5" 454 Casull. It has a scope on top. I'm not a fan of scopes and I'll be replacing it with a Red Dot once I install my Weigand Rail for it. Recoil is not bad at all, either. I was using very hot loads for it going 1900 fps.

For either, I have Bandolier holsters. It's not a quick draw, but they can kill any animal in North America.


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Well,, my first choice would be my 586, which I can carry all day and not notice. I'm 77, and kinda sedentary in the winter. It weighs 42 ozs. unloaded! add at least another 6 ozs. for loaded.

Right now, I'm looking for another gun, and my choices are: 66 2 3/4", or 686 3," GP 100 4", or the S&W 60 3". In any of them, I would carry +P .38s, Probably Speer Gold dot 135 gr., or 158 Gr., for deeper (theoretical) penetration. The most likely scenario would be feral dogs, or some flavor of 2-legged varmint, with Cougars and/or Bears a distant happenstance.

That calls to mind the question; "Will I be safe If I carry a torch through the Jungle?"

The answer is, of course, "It is how fast you carry the torch!"
Sorry, couldn't resist!

I cant speak to 357 performance. But when i did heavy research into what 380 to carry, the speer gold dot rounds failed to live up to what was advertised. Just saying

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Smith all the things

My first revolver I bought years ago was the same Ruger 454. I love that gun! Wish now that I never had traded it off.

I'm another fan of the 640 Pro, every day, all day.

Last weekend four guys -- four miles from here -- saw four wolves (spill-overs from the Yellowstone experiment).

Made me seriously consider pulling out my 4" 500 in its Simply Rugged Sourdough at 10 o'clock as more than a "summer" carry.

What you wear depends on where you are. Gotta' pick the right tool for the job.

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I live in the VA mountains on the far side of nowhere. No grisly bears, but plenty of black. I used an effective 110 set up to keep them off the porch. My do it all gun is a Taurus Titanium 2.5 barrel in .44special. It is rated for +P, but my hands are not (I'm 82). Practice is with sissy loads. In snake season it is loaded with a shot load in the first cylinder. It cut a copperhead in two last summer. Only 5 rounds, but all the weight I can handle.

My EDC gun is a 3" Model 64 (concealed.)

It's not that heavy.

I have actually have thought about that. But since I don't surf I don't care.

Model 13 pops into mind. Not at every sporting goods store but relatively cheap when you find them on the used market. I like the idea of fixed sight revolvers for everything but shooting paper. I like the 1911 idea too, real 1911..

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Go West young man..

640 Smith in .357. Weighs about 23 oz dry. Or a hammerless SP101, which comes in at 25 oz dry. To balance out your load, try carrying one on each hip.

When I was transferred to Arizona (a hiking paradise) in 1973, I purchased a new Model 60 that was my constant companion.
Southern Arizona was a bit dangerous even back then:

Cost me a big $123.00. Seemed plenty steep for a 2LT under 2.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Smith 3" model 60 and the Ruger SP 101 3" and both in 357. Depending on what you are hiking or the carry weight and topography the Model 60 is a super trail gun loaded with 158 357 for the trail or 38's at the range or personal carry. The Ruger is a true 357 and loaded with 158 or heavier may suit your preference. Either one will do. The Model 60 is ACCURATE BY FAR. You can hike with it and not feel the weight.

Personally I would carry my Kahr PM45 over my4 inch 629 in the mountains. If I carry my 629 in the woods it is in Diamond D guide rig. It is just to much for me to carry on a waist belt holster.
You can get some stout +P 45s from Buffalo Bore. The Kahr shoots relatively easy for a very light 45.

357 in a small gun is TOO much for me. Think about a 3" J-frame with BB hard cast 148 WC. Its a lot of a round in a small, light gun. I use a 3" Ladysmith model 60.

You can easily carry a 4" inch barrel handgun in specially designed gear that includes concealed carry waistpacks, courier packs, or chest packs. Try renting a variety of handguns to find the one you shoot best; then, figure out the best system to keep it easily accessible when carrying a day pack of food, water, and other necessities. I never found open carry holsters to be the best solution for my needs, but to each his own.

Don't do much hiking anymore but it would have to be one of my lightweight .4x Night Guards, just to feel secure.

PS: Just converted the M357 to red ramp front sight & white outline adjustable rear sight, like the M325, finally. (Never saw much sense in having a front only night sight.) Added some Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips too.

.

Night Guards: 396-357-329-325


.

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Waiting for the break of day

Backpacking & hiking through the woods is about the only place I'm not shy open carrying a firearm. I've found that wheelguns don't generally elicit the same response or questions from folks I randomly encounter on the trail as do pistols. I actually carry a second revolver, a 22 caliber just for snakes.

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"Non sibi, sed patriae"

386. There are a few different versions in the 2.5-3" barrel range. Forget the XL Hunter unless you actually plan to hunt with it. The barrel will get in the way.

Or join me in lobbying S&W to do another run of 327PDs. It's frankly a whole lot better option outside AK than the 329PD.

I'm a big fan of K frame Smiths and in 357 magnum I would consider a model 13 with a 3"-4" barrel about perfect I would even give the new model 66-8 a look also. I have model 13's , 66-8 and a 617 all K frames all in 4" barrel configuration and I am never without one when hunting,fishing,or hiking. The K frame fits me and is a excellent revolver . I can load 357 magnum from hot to mild target loads and this caliber will take care of anything in my neck of the woods.

Unless in wolf or grizzly country, I carry a CZ P-07 for the two-legged varmints. Hits where I point it, dead nutz reliable, and 9mm is plenty enough for any bad guys wanting to take advantage of a lone hiker far from help.

Another vote for the S&W Model 60-10 or 60-15 3". With the Pachmayer Compact grips it takes the bite out of shooting it.

Mine is my main backpacking, fishing and boating handgun when I want to keep things out of sight. I find it no more unpleasant to shoot than the 3" 65 I have.

Was shooting both guns this past Saturday with both .38s and .357s an have no problem controlling the gun.

For carry I have used:
DeSantis Speed Scabbard
REMORA IWB holster
BagMaster Vertical Carry Pouch

A friend uses a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake that can be used IWB and OTB. I just ordered a Hill People Gear Runners Kit Bag to use with a Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack...

And I agree with you...I always keep my gun concealed except while hunting...



Hides nicely in a Medium Pouch...



Bob