Well, I originally was looking for a 629 but could find none anywhere for a variety of reasons (cost/configuration etc.) So, don't flame me, I went the Ruger route. Picked up an Alaskan 2.5 inch SRH in 44 Mag and couldn't resist a Toklat version 5 inch SRH in .454 Casull. I post this knowing this site is tolerant is of various makes and was curious to know what your favorite defensive hiking/hunting/fishing gun is. Not a primary weapon, a "just in case the SHTF" carry. Grizz is everywhere

Nothing wrong with a Ruger for that need....

I'd probably carry this 629 2.5" everywhere in the lower 49.

No Grizz down here.

I consider the M69, L frame 44 mag, as the best "Big Critter" guns for the lower 49. It's lighter than the N frames, and has a 4" barrel to get the most out of the ammo.

But I don't have one. (There is one in a LGS calling to me, though).

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You don't mention what kind of 'hiking' you will be doing.

I had a Ruger Alaskan in 44 mag that I bought for hiking. I was doing long day-hikes and multiple night backpacking trips, over steep terrain, and many of them off the trail system. We have remote lakes out here that were seeded with trout many years ago, and many of them can only be accessed by navigating the forest without the aid of a trail. For hikes like that I was often leaving the mighty Ruger home - it was way too heavy. I ended up with a Glock 20SF with ten rounds in the 15 round magazine, carried in a Bianchi M12 flap holster on the pack's hip belt.

Light is right. But dang I loves me some Ruger hand cannon.

That is exactly the model I was in search of, could find it nowhere locally, but I am still on the lookout for one. Beautiful gun!

I go mostly long day hikes using all available daylight so the little extra weight isn't really a factor especially when using the 2.5 inch carried in the Alaskan Guide rig (Double Diamond Leather), you hardly know its there...I am in PA and hope to do some canyon/mountain hiking in AZ where I understand I can ship my revolvers to with recip CC permit from PA (have to do more checking on that though). May do a multi day hike there time permitting.

I carry a 1911 in 45 acp with 200 gr hard cast swc at about 1,000 fps.

Plenty for anything here in Colorado, pleasant to carry, quick into action and the gun I shoot most.

The hand cannons are over large, heavy and slow.

I chose the M&P 45 with the 4" barrel for right now. Gives me 10 rounds of 255 gr. Hard Cast FN (925 fps/M.E. 484 ft. lbs.) per magazine. That should be enough for two- and four legged critters where I live.



Sure would be nice to have a .454 though...

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Jorge

Cal44 There are grizzly bear in Idaho, Montana & Wyoming mostly in and
around Yellowstone Park, but they are gradually migrating from there in
all directions. Populations are growing. People have been killed by grizzly bear in the park and at least 2 of the 3 states mentioned above. My choice for grizzly repellant would be 12 Ga. pump with heavy slugs. I know it's difficult to fish with a long gun over your shoulder. If I had to
rely on a sidearm I would want something I could shoot very accurately
and fast with heavy hard cast projectiles. Or another tactic is to take
someone with you who runs slower than you do.

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In Omnia Paratus

Like Mainsail,on long high treks,the gun gets left behind.I have carried a 629 or an anaconda in grizzly country,but it's gonna take an incredibly lucky shot if an attack happens.I do carry a 1911 for fishing in certain areas where I've had trouble with moose.Some of them are fairly placid,some aren't.

Not trying to derail the thread (I usually carry a double stack .45, but that's only because I don't have anything bigger), but why would you ship your guns? Why not fly with them? It's really easy to check firearms.

Jeff Cooper once said: For grizzly/brown bear the .357 should be sufficient as you 'll be shooting him in the mouth.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

I'm in Pa. and OK with a 3" model 66.... though will admit to taking a Ruger 77/357 carbine for day hikes at the cabin........ w/ 158 soft points.... there have been comparisons to a 30-30 out of a 16 inch barrel.

A nice point about Pa. is Coyotes are almost always in season.......so with my licence in my wallet......I'm good to go as there are a lot of Coyotes in the ridges behind the cabin....no orange required

I spent 2 summers in Alaska in the 70s..... the locals gun of choice, out on a homestead, was an 18" Mossburg 500..... w/ stock.... the pistol grip version is a joke........

To be honest, I have not looked into either method yet, just assumed it would be easier to ship. Now, the only thing that worries me about flying with them is the following scenario. You board the plane fine, but then due to weather complications your plane is diverted to another airport, in another state! What happens if you new destination state is not one of the gun loving states. What would happen if they diverted you to the Republic of NJ (Newark Airport). What happens to your gun then? What happens to you???

That is a realistic worry, and I remember hearing about that exact problem a few years ago. I feel like a law was put in place to correct this problem, but I don't remember. I also think that, assuming you don't have to leave the airport, all would be fine. Either the airline will transfer your bag (meaning it was never back in your possession), or you will have to claim it at baggage claim and then re-check it for your new flight. I do know, that as long as you follow the directions (TSA and airline) that checking is no big deal. It's a little daunting the first time, but after that - no problemo. Maybe usconcealedcarry.com , Handgunlaw.us or Concealed Nation – Promoting Responsible and Legal Concealed Carry might be helpful?

If you have an un-scheduled lay over like in New York for example,
whatever you do don't take possession of your luggage. Have the
airline transfer it to you flight. People have got into big trouble in NY
just for a layover when they claimed their luggage with guns inside.

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In Omnia Paratus

I agree with Bam-Bam, I spent the summer of 2010 living in a spike camp on the Stampede Trail west of Healy. I carried a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug loaded with Speer 200 grain HP in a Sourdough Pancake but ALWAYS had a Mossberg 500 Mariner within arms reach. Talked to AK FWS & NPS from Denali a couple times a week (they would stop by for coffee during their back country ATV patrols) and they all concurred with the Mossberg. The whole summer I had way more problems with Mama Moose than Bears .....

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Retired & Livin' my DREAM :)

I lucked into a SS Astra Terminator. 2-3/4" barrel, a tad lighter than a 3" S&W N-frame due to having a 1/2" less barrel and a K-sized grip on the N-sized frame.

For $350 I couldn't pass it up. It may not last 100 years like a S&W, but it ought to easily last the rest of my years!

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My normal carry gun, 2.5" 19. Now we have no bears around here either.

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K & N S&W revolvers

In NM we have black bears and mountain lions. A 44 magnum is plenty for them. I have a 4 inch 629-4 that is my standard field gun. But I might also opt for my 24 or 624 with Buffalo Bore Heavy 44 Special loads.

This isn't a BEAR thread, is it?

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

if I was hiking or fishing with a friend, all I'd need is a .22. See bear, shoot friend in knee, run away.
Seriously, as fast as a brownie is, you hand cannon guys will never get off a second shot. It's an 11-87 full of TruBall rifled slugs for me.

I like heavy hittin handguns as well as the next guy...
And always carry one when in the back country.

But, for up close encounters with big critters, I want something more.....
Penetration, deep bone breaking penetration.
Ya just got to break em down to stop em.

Don't want a bear bleedin out over my dead carcass, for lack of enough gun.

Havin dealt with a few bruin, make mine short & heavy loaded, like a 45-70 er better.

* On a side note,
I've got an old Winchester 71 that's fixin to become a 450 Alaskan carbine.


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I agree with you.

I have a Winchester 70 in 375 H&H and figure that would be a good choice if going to Alaska bear areas -- if I was going around in a vehicle or staying at a back country cabin or something.

But, if I'm backpacking, especially on a week plus backpacking trip, I'm not going to carry that very large heavy gun (or any long gun) with a heavy frame backpack. Every oz counts when packing for a long trek.

So for me, I figure I'd carry some kind of revolver at best when packing.

I've reading all the statements, which I believe, that bears move fast and it's hard to get off more than one shot.

So, if I were going North to big bear country with a backpack, I'd bring that 44 mag I posted a picture of earlier -- but first I'd practice so I could get off several aimed shots rapidly. Probably use a moderate SWC load -- the heaviest load I could fire rapidly and accurately.

In other words, I'd go multiple rapid hits with the biggest 44 mag cartridge I can master.

(These are just the opinions, FWIW, of a guy who has never faced a big bear, but has backpacked a lot -- some in Alaska).

You ain't dragging an 11-87 up here.



Opinions will be all over the map, because the terrain is different all over the map, and because people have very different ideas of what 'hiking' is. To some it's a leisurely stroll through the meadow, to others it's summits and major elevation gains & losses.

I can only make suggestions based on the kind of hiking I do:
We have thousands of hikers, climbers, scramblers, and backpackers out here. I would estimate that 97% are completely unarmed other than a small knife. There are very few deaths given the huge numbers that are crawling all over the terrain here. A heavy gun displaces the weight of gear that has a far greater potential to save your life. Falls and hypothermia are the biggest threats, way above animals and humans that would do you harm.

There are other considerations as well. How will you carry a heavy gun; leather gun belt? Belts and shoulder straps underneath a heavy pack will cause hot-spots and agony after a few miles. A properly fitted pack will ride just slightly higher than your pant's belt, so if you have even the smallest bit of fat around your middle those two belts will find it and pinch the squeal out of you.

The best advice is to determine the kind of hiking you plan to do and listen to the people that have a similar definition of the term. If one feels the need for a combat loadout because they believe that once they depart the pavement every living creature is going to try to kill them; they are unlikely to enjoy themselves and won't return anyway.

LOL I'm enjoying this thread.....................

have to agree with Mainsail........but I do find comfort in my 3" 66 or 3" 60-10..... when I'm bumming around in "Penn's Woods".

The only time I've been truly scared .... at about age 10/11 a pack of 6 or 8 feral dogs were chasing deer (I froze and they were focused) and all I had was a 4" knife.......and a mile from anywhere or anybody................

today even with black bear and Coyotes I more concerned with encounters with 2 legged varmints than four.

Hey, I carry a G20SF with ten rounds, so I do make the sacrifice to be armed. The last bear attack out here that I remember happened in a residential neighborhood to a man walking his dog. So if you're comfortable without a shotgun when you're in town, then you should be equally comfortable out in the no-cell-reception parts. I've talked to hikers that have happened upon a mom and cubs and all the four-leggers beat feet to get way from the humans.

The last animal caused death out here (again, working from memory) was in the National Park. The big goats out there have been conditioned to see hikers as a source of salt because the hikers pee just off the tails. One goat got impatient and blocked the trail out, so one of the hikers tried to shoo him away. The goat responded by goring him in the crotch likely hitting his femoral artery. The goat then stood over him and the other hikers in the group couldn't get to him. They threw rocks at the goat to drive it off, but by then it was too late.

So yes, I carry a gun and a ham radio when I hike. And all the other stuff. I used to be taller.

Well, there's big critter ... and then there's big, angry & hungry critter.
S.F. cops tell how they killed raging zoo tiger - SFGate

Personally, I used to always consider one of my .357 Magnum's to be relatively decent medium-bore medicine for up to maybe a small bear, but often decided to add a layer of comfort above "medium-bore" and carried a .44 Magnum or a stoutly handloaded .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk for backwoods jaunts. I remember having a .41 Magnum along sometime back then, too.

Nowadays, seeing as how the mountains where I might hike aren't likely to present any really big critters, I'd be comfortable carrying my SP101DAO or one of my .40's (or a J-frame .38 Spl for day hikes in the less remote areas).

Regarding the linked news article, when I used to take our kids to that zoo I sometimes asked myself what might be the chances for one of the big cats to escape and go shopping among the visitors. As a young cop and father back then, I usually carried one of my 4" .357 Magnums, just in case.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

LOL.... these "Bear" threads make me ROFLMAO......there are 3 paths to take..........

1) you take a .22 and a hiking partner you can shoot in the knee .....or just out run.

2) you take a handgun in the .40-50 caliber range...and a lot of prayers... cus that big a____ handgun will just slow you down ..... and maybe your hiking partner will be the faster runner.......

3) or you take something that might be effective when the Bear SHTF...but the odds of your needing it are "1 in a Million X Pi"..........and it's heavy so you just leave it at home....... or leaning against a tree.....20 ft away......

Me..... I just go on my walks in "Penn's Woods" and if I see scat that smells like pepper and has little bells in it......... I do a 180 and head back to the cabin ........to enjoy my good luck...... a fire...... and 2 fingers...... OK.... 4 fingers of single malt!!!!!!

some of you guys might be surprised at the places you can carry an 11-87, and for how long you can carry it. I don't get out in the big bear woods, so a G-20 full of Buffalo Bore solids is insurance enough.

[QUOTE=Mainsail;139037318]You don't mention what kind of 'hiking' you will be doing.
I ended up with a Glock 20SF with ten rounds in the 15 round magazine, carried in a Bianchi M12 flap holster on the pack's hip belt. [ QUOTE]
Why would you only carry 10 rds in a 15 rd mag? Do you also not carry a spare? Just curious. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Weight, as small as it is, adds up. No spare magazine, I don't see a need for the extra rounds.

Just curious.... what was loaded in the Mossberg , slugs, buckshot ?
Norm

Just Bearly

My carry gun in black bear country is a S&W 29-2 .44 magnum. My carry gun for brown bear and moose country is a Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull.

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U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

It seems foolish to carry a partially full mag, but to carry only one mag seems reckless. I weighed a SW Sigma mag 15 rds, 165 ranger- 12 oz, I realize that going to 15 200 gr rds would add ~ .514286 oz. But having had the experience of a mag plate cracking, and spilling its contents on the floor of the truck,therefore, I will never only have 1 mag for a magazine fired firearm. I live in an area that contains black bears, wolves, cougar, ( bears and wolves have been in the backyard, no cougar tracks), I have never been threatened by any. I have carried a Sigma 40F, & 40C for a little more than 20 yrs, only one mag, one time has the above occurred, due to my location, on my way to a gun show 300 miles from home, becoming unarmed would not have been comforting. You could always pack an "empty" mag, and leave something else out. I do not know if your "hikes" are a day long only, but the country in the photos is beautiful, and I did not notice any gun shops. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

6 1/2 inch 29 is heavy and cumbersome to carry. But in the proper location would be worth the inconvenience. For some strange reason I prefer the 625-7, .45 colt. Carries easily, draws easily and with a variety of loads can dispatch any local expected threat. My preferred arm when in the woods, accurate, and will stop a rouge pimp Cadillac ...

arjay your mention of moose brought back an old memory. Many years
ago I was working up in Island Park, Idaho. After work it was just a
short walk for a little fishing in the Snake River. I crossed the river on a
railroad trestle. When it started getting dark, I started back. There on
the side of the river I needed to get back to, at the end of the trestle,
stood a big male moose in the middle of the tracks. I tried to scare him
by yelling. They don't scare. I threw rocks. Didn't have any effect.
Finally I got lucky. He just went crashing down through the timber.
I don't remember why I had to go across the river to fish, but I do
remember the moose. I don't remember catching any fish either.

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In Omnia Paratus

First defense is pepper spray. Then a Ruger SBH by Reeder:



Here in eastern Washington, we have the possibility of running into a grizz (slim but possible)