Couple summers in Alaska ....... 1st choice is a 12 gauge with slugs...... but reality something you will have on you not resting on a tree 10-20 ft away.
Gun for extended camping in NW states
- Thread starter 1911haulic
- Start date
Montana and neighboring states requires Model 29 .44 Mag
BKLooney
Member
When I'm in the mountains I carry either a Glock 20SF or a Springfield XD-M (can't really say I like one more than the other), both are 10mm loaded with Underwood 150gr. Xtreme (Solid Monolithic) @ 1,425 FPS / ME 676 ft. lbs...
I'm usually either in a SxS or on a 4-wheeler and carry a Mossberg 590A1 loaded with slugs.
I don't plan on coming out the backside of a bear if I have any say in the matter!
I'm usually either in a SxS or on a 4-wheeler and carry a Mossberg 590A1 loaded with slugs.
I don't plan on coming out the backside of a bear if I have any say in the matter!
Fishinfool
Member
I spend a lot of time in the woods here in the North East, kayaking, wildlife photography, etc. PA and Maine mostly. Besides 2 legged threats, moose and black bear might be concerns.
What do I usually carry? Lately, it has been a S&W 2.75 inch model 69 .44 mag with 240 HC FN at about 1000 fps. It carries well on a belt. I also am fond of a Kimber lightweight Officer sized 1911 in .45 acp, loaded with a cast 240 grain flat nose at 900 fps.
I would also second taking a .22 with you for plinking on an extended camp out.
I also like chest / shoulder holsters when carrying anything with some weight to it, or longer barrels.
Larry
What do I usually carry? Lately, it has been a S&W 2.75 inch model 69 .44 mag with 240 HC FN at about 1000 fps. It carries well on a belt. I also am fond of a Kimber lightweight Officer sized 1911 in .45 acp, loaded with a cast 240 grain flat nose at 900 fps.
I would also second taking a .22 with you for plinking on an extended camp out.
I also like chest / shoulder holsters when carrying anything with some weight to it, or longer barrels.
Larry
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You have some good choices, bit I'd most likely go with a 10mm.
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I vote for your 4” 44 in a cross draw. Easy to draw while fishing too.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Over 50 years of camping, fishing, and hunting in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. My most used piece is a Smith & Wesson Model 34 Kit Gun .22LR. Cottontails, snowshoe hares, grouse, ptarmigan, even a couple of trout in shallow streams.
The closest call I ever had with a black bear was resolved by leaving my lunch and walking away. Something about liverwurst, cheddar cheese, onion, and mustard on dark rye bread seemed to hold his attention long enough for me to wander off elsewhere without firing a shot.
Nephew and I were hiking out after a few days fishing one of the high lakes and came across a mama mountain lion, two young cubs, and another relatively small one playing in a meadow. We watched from concealment for quite some time, then the wind shifted and mama must have caught our scent. She made a few noises not unlike a dog barking, all the younger ones took notice, and we watched them head for the tall timber.
We haven't encountered Sasquatch yet, but reports of his existence and activities are usually more toward the great Northwest.
Colorado is about 50% public land, national forests, parks, BLM land, state parks. So far the inner city gangbangers haven't discovered the recreational opportunities so I don't worry too much in the woods.
The closest call I ever had with a black bear was resolved by leaving my lunch and walking away. Something about liverwurst, cheddar cheese, onion, and mustard on dark rye bread seemed to hold his attention long enough for me to wander off elsewhere without firing a shot.
Nephew and I were hiking out after a few days fishing one of the high lakes and came across a mama mountain lion, two young cubs, and another relatively small one playing in a meadow. We watched from concealment for quite some time, then the wind shifted and mama must have caught our scent. She made a few noises not unlike a dog barking, all the younger ones took notice, and we watched them head for the tall timber.
We haven't encountered Sasquatch yet, but reports of his existence and activities are usually more toward the great Northwest.
Colorado is about 50% public land, national forests, parks, BLM land, state parks. So far the inner city gangbangers haven't discovered the recreational opportunities so I don't worry too much in the woods.
Actually, I’ve about decided that the perfect trail gun such as you might want here is a S&W Model 60-4. That’s the 3” stainless J frame 38 Special with adjustable sights and a barrel lug. I load mine with a 148 gr DEWC over 3.5 gr of Bullseye. That gets right at 800 fps in my gun. It’s good for everything you would use a .22 for along with self defense, etc. Probably wouldn’t do much on a griz but that’s not really much of a risk. It would be plenty adequate on a mountain lion or coyote. I recall Terry Murbauch (sp?) wrote an article arguing this years ago and he made good sense. I said above I often carry the 10mm and that’s true if I’m in the Absarokas or other western mountains where the griz are thick. But if I’m in the Big Horns or any of the southern mountains or deserts I go with the 60-4 these days. Hasn’t failed me yet!
I think the 10MM is okay in the lower 48 states. Any of your guns would do just fine. I would lean towards light and powerful.
I like shoulder holsters while camping or hiking. The gun is well protected and won’t snag on anything.
I like shoulder holsters while camping or hiking. The gun is well protected and won’t snag on anything.
I missed the 357 rifle. That would be an excellent pair assuming you want to carry the rifle everywhere you go.
I've lived in WA and OR my entire life and have spent a lot of time in the wild. I feel fine carrying a 4" 38spl loaded with Underwood Hardcast Keith. I've seen signs of a bear, but never seen a bear. You might see a cougar, but if you do, the cougar saw you a long time ago and so far has decided you are more an object of curiousity than prey. Just stay away from it and go about your business.
BoulderTroll
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Yeah, but WA and OR have no browns. I've done a lot of camping and backpacking in black bear country too, but browns are a different beast. I personally would not want to rely on a 38 as a means of defense if I were packing in grizzly country, like the OP is planning to do.
DR505
US Veteran
Idaho resident here...Idaho is a Constitutional Carry state so you are allowed to CCW here without a permit, even if you are from another state. If you assume everyone you meet is carrying, you will not be far off.
I spend a lot of time in the Idaho back country. Out of the calibers you listed I often carry a 4" .44 magnum (629-4) and a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. My other choice is a 10mm 1911 with full-load 210 grain ammo. It offers .357 ballistics in my favorite type of handgun.
The critters I am most concerned with aren't bears, but rather Moose! My next door neighbor walked out of her house and surprised Bullwinkle and his two girlfriends drinking from her pond. He chased her around her car for what must have seemed an eternity, but in reality was about a minute before they ran into the woods. I think my neighbor aged 10 years in that 60 seconds.
On my property I have seen black bears, mountain lions, bobcat, feral cats, turkeys, whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, free range cattle, and coyote.
I spend a lot of time in the Idaho back country. Out of the calibers you listed I often carry a 4" .44 magnum (629-4) and a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. My other choice is a 10mm 1911 with full-load 210 grain ammo. It offers .357 ballistics in my favorite type of handgun.
The critters I am most concerned with aren't bears, but rather Moose! My next door neighbor walked out of her house and surprised Bullwinkle and his two girlfriends drinking from her pond. He chased her around her car for what must have seemed an eternity, but in reality was about a minute before they ran into the woods. I think my neighbor aged 10 years in that 60 seconds.
On my property I have seen black bears, mountain lions, bobcat, feral cats, turkeys, whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, free range cattle, and coyote.
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Gunhohulk
Member
I’ll try not to tell too many people but I think Idaho is my favorite state I’ve had the pleasure of visiting.
Echo40
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If it were me, then I would probably just carry the 10mm 1911 cocked, locked and loaded with FMJs in a chest holster without worry.
There's no longer any reasonable doubt left that 10mm is adequate for defense against everything in North America, even if you're packing watered down loads, so I don't see much of a reason to lug around something, bigger, heavier, and with lower capacity.
Honestly, people have put waaay too much thought into this, (myself included) but it's simple. Everything made of flesh and blood is capable of being put down with a handgun, even the largest of bears have been dropped by the smallest of rounds, and likewise the smallest of critters have managed to survive hits from the largest of rounds, so it all comes down to shot placement in the end.
Granted, I am by no means suggesting that anyone ought to carry a .25 ACP when going out into the woods, but at the same time, once you start getting into the realms of reliable duty cartridges, diminishing returns begin to creep up in a hurry, then the next thing you know everyone starts going overboard suggesting you carry a .308 Rifle or a 12 Gauge Shotgun into the woods when it started out as a question of what Handgun should be carried just incase you encounter a bear, not what to bring on an Alaskan Bear Hunt.
There's no longer any reasonable doubt left that 10mm is adequate for defense against everything in North America, even if you're packing watered down loads, so I don't see much of a reason to lug around something, bigger, heavier, and with lower capacity.
Honestly, people have put waaay too much thought into this, (myself included) but it's simple. Everything made of flesh and blood is capable of being put down with a handgun, even the largest of bears have been dropped by the smallest of rounds, and likewise the smallest of critters have managed to survive hits from the largest of rounds, so it all comes down to shot placement in the end.
Granted, I am by no means suggesting that anyone ought to carry a .25 ACP when going out into the woods, but at the same time, once you start getting into the realms of reliable duty cartridges, diminishing returns begin to creep up in a hurry, then the next thing you know everyone starts going overboard suggesting you carry a .308 Rifle or a 12 Gauge Shotgun into the woods when it started out as a question of what Handgun should be carried just incase you encounter a bear, not what to bring on an Alaskan Bear Hunt.
DR505
US Veteran
You must be thinking of IOWA. That is the place everyone should relocate to! Idaho is just awful, and we are currently full.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
I live in those low mountains just west of the WA/ID border, and typically woods carry a 627 5" loaded with 180gr Buffalo Bore hard casts. Though, over the last few months, I acquired a rare 627-PC and sold off my plain jane 627-5, so I've been rethinking this and am searching for a current production 1911 in 10mm.
Just carry the 10mm.
Just carry the 10mm.
Lets get serious...enough of the guns. You bringing fly rods or spinning rods? Hope the answer is fly rods!
