Going to Alaska in 3 weeks,should I take a handgun

[Superflywimpy]

Going to make a week long trip to the Kenai,do some fishing in Seward. But I want to go check out the glaciers. Some you can walk up and touch. I have never been there,but thinking of packing my 629 44 and a few rounds because of bear concerns. What would you do. I have to get a TSA approved case and TSA locks. Any past Alaska travelers out there with any info?

 

[crofoot629]

I lived and worked out of Valdez for 5 months in 1995 as a white water river guide. I lived 18 miles out of town in a log cabin right on the Lowe River surrounded by mountains and glaciers. We were of course all well armed and shot a lot for fun.

I've traveled a bit while there. Wrangle St Elias National Park and Preserve. The largest National Park in America, 6 ½ times the size of Yellowstone and no one's heard of it. Up the North Slope Haul Road all the way to Dead Horse, the first year it was open to the public. And down the Kenai to Homer and Seward. Among other wanderings and fly in trips.

If it were me I'd take my 629. I've flown with handguns, it's easy. Just have your case and a TSA lock. And tell them at check in you have "an unloaded handgun to declare". Ammo in its original packaging is best. Ammo can go in the same case as your handgun. I always print out TSA rags and have a copy in my case and on my person but never needed them. Some airports put you through more hassle than others. Houston was a pain. But I also fly with an artificial knee and try to take the extra attention in stride.

Emory

 

[Faulkner]

I've made half a dozen trips to Alaska in the Seward, Whittier, College Fjord, Skagway area. I never carried. I came across a few black bears without any issues. I guess it just depends on how far off the beaten path you intend to go.

 

[arjay]

I'd take it or bear spray.Probably won't need them,but you never know.

 

[crofoot629]

I've made half a dozen trips to Alaska in the Seward, Whittier, College Fjord, Skagway area. I never carried. I came across a few black bears without any issues. I guess it just depends on how far off the beaten path you intend to go.

In my experience as soon as you step off the ribbon of blacktop you are off the beaten path, sometimes sooner.

I think it comes down to if you're a gun guy or not. I'm a gun guy and loved swaggering about Alaska with guns. A bunch of young men who are wilderness river guides can't help but swagger. I'm now well into middle age but still a gun guy.

Emory

 

[off road]

I lived in SE Alaska, and had to deal with big costal browns every day. Take the gun by all means, but keep in mind that a .44 is minimalist, at best! My choice would be a Ruger Alaskan .454 (more energy from a short barrel than a .44 has from a long barrel), backing up a Marlin Guide Gun and/or a slug loaded shotgun.

Check it out! http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723

 

[Evil Dog]

I'd much rather tote around a gun that I didn't need than actually need the gun that I left at home.

 

[michael thornton]

it would make me feel better to have that heavy n frame on my side even if you dont need it, i would put it in my elpaso tanker if only for the photos!

 

[Superflywimpy]

Well then I guess it will come along...

I really don't feel like fielding my Marlin 45/70. I'll be with the wife on a fishing trip. I just want to go check out the glaciers and want to have something other than bear spray. I don't care about me but nothing happens to the Mrs. for any reason. I'm going to take my own ammo,some 250 gr hp I made up with aluminum gc's backed with some blue dot ,clocked at 1350 fps. I want to just snap some pic's of the great sceanery up there ,but at the same time be ready for the animals 2 or 4 legged.

 

[oldman45]

Never been to Alaska for sightseeing, fishing or such. Carried a hunting rifle there when I went hunting.

Went to a bar though my last night in AK and sure wished I had left the rifle at home and brought a handgun. Those drunks in AK are far meaner than the Cajuns in LA. I could have handled one at a time but they go three at a time when pouncing on a stranger.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Going thru Canada?

Unless there has been a HUGE policy change in Canada, don't travel anywhere w/a handgun in that beautiful country. I didn't read every word of this thread; however, most rifles are OK......pistols/revolvers/handguns? no. I'd check w/the Canadian Consulate just to be sure. Flying from lower 48 to AK w/guns is one thing; traveling around in Canada w/a handgun is another. my .02 cents....hope you have a GOOD trip. gr

 

[frbeall]

It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

 

[perrazi]

at all times remember the boy scout motto-"be prepared"

 

[DeadAye]

I really don't feel like fielding my Marlin 45/70. I'll be with the wife on a fishing trip. I just want to go check out the glaciers and want to have something other than bear spray. I don't care about me but nothing happens to the Mrs. for any reason. I'm going to take my own ammo,some 250 gr hp I made up with aluminum gc's backed with some blue dot ,clocked at 1350 fps. I want to just snap some pic's of the great sceanery up there ,but at the same time be ready for the animals 2 or 4 legged.

Why hollow points?
On a bear you want PENETRATION.

BTW - Alaska is THE hardest place to leave that I've ever been.... I Love Alaska

P.S. The moose are what's most likely to attack and kill you

 

[venomballistics]

Why hollow points?
On a bear you want PENETRATION.

BTW - Alaska is THE hardest place to leave that I've ever been.... I Love Alaska

P.S. The moose are what's most likely to attack and kill you

get yourself a box of Federal cast core for up in those parts.
300 grains of deep penetrating pain is the moose missile you will need if you need it.

 

[off road]

When I lived in Alaska, I started out with a 6" M29, but quickly switched to a 4". The extra 2" of barrel just made the gun a bit more clumsy and slower to get on target! I chose speed over a little bit of extra velocity. Plus, I neglected to replace those ancient stupid huge "Goncalo Alves" wooden target grips, that were about as far from being ergonomic as one could ever get.

These were backing up a Marlin .444, but of a truth one is way better off with a sidearm than a long gun. The sidearm will be with you always, when the long gun is propped up against a tree....out of reach. Neither the Marlin or the M29 were stainless, and moisture was a huge huge issue in rain soaked Southeast AK!

Good read on the .44 vs bears (JJHack posts): http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2911043/m/21810798?r=43810798#43810798

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

When I lived in Alaska, I started out with a 6" M29, but quickly switched to a 4". The extra 2" of barrel just made the gun a bit more clumsy and slower to get on target! I chose speed over a little bit of extra velocity. Plus, I neglected to replace those ancient stupid huge "Goncalo Alves" wooden target grips, that were about as far from being ergonomic as one could ever get.

These were backing up a Marlin .444, but of a truth one is way better off with a sidearm than a long gun. The sidearm will be with you always, when the long gun is propped up against a tree....out of reach. Neither the Marlin or the M29 were stainless, and moisture was a huge huge issue in rain soaked Southeast AK!

Good read on the .44 vs bears (JJHack posts): Model 29 Mountain - Topic

Great info on black bears. Thanks for linking this.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I grew up fishing and hunting Alaska.

You probably won't need it in Seward unless you plan on taking a hike.

As for the Kenai area, my dad has been fishing that area for close to 40 years. He carries a 12 ga with slugs and a 44 mag on the hip. Bears are notoriously bad there.

 

[trmungle]

Alaska

Take your 44. It will be very comforting. A 250+gr. non hollowpoint at 1200+fps will penatrate very well.

 

[Superflywimpy]

On second thought I think I'll spring for some....

XTP 300 grainers instead of the hollow points. Ill be heading to sportsmans warehouse to pick up on a vanguard aluminum lockable case. They seem very well built. And the TSA locks can be had on ebay. Yeah I'm really looking foward to the fishing, I have heard and seen videos of big halibut which is my favorite fish. Now that the kids are grown and gone,I just turned 50 and now it's time to have some fun time for me now. The wife is going along as she didn't want to be left behind. As she put it,"I'm taking one for the team" because I said If your goin,your fishin. Airfare,hotel, is way to expensive not to have you fish and bring back another box of class 1 fish. Besides it will be just 2 days fishing and the rest traveling and seeing the sights and enjoying the nice restaurants. Thanks to all of you guys and gals with all your input. Yours truley Superfly. Wish me luck.......