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.......

 

[Sebago Son]

I Fish Alaska Often.

If you go to the big rivers, Russian, Moose, Kenai the area you can actually access is limited and they are heavily patrolled by Alaska Fish and Game guys armed with .375 H&H rifles. Still, I took my 4" 629 in it's Bianchi M84 holster on every trip and never regretted it.

We saw bears but they gave us a very wide birth. Still just before one of our trips to the Russian in 2003 a fisherman, Dan Bigley was nailed, dragged to the river had his face ripped off and eaten. He was with the first group of a couple dozen guys to cross the river that morning, he survived the attack, but was still in a coma when we left 2 weeks later. You should have seen the ordinance on the river that week....

Dan survived and he related is story later for Discovery Channel: I Was Bitten: Mauled by a Grizzly : Video : Discovery Channel

Thought provoking....

There's usually a glacier at the head of Chickaloon Bay near Girdwood or Portage that's very close to the road and approachable. Not far from the Whittier Tunnel.

You didn't mention anything other than bears, but Alaska has other "problem wildlife".... In Anchorage, Seward, Homer, or Soldatna you may want something a little more concealable.

Have fun.... been a couple of years since I've been back.... need to plan another trip.... My daughter and her husband live there....

If you're going to book Halibut out of Seward, look up "Cracker Jack"... great boat and a very willing to please Captain. Tell him you want to go all the way out to "the mountains"...

Drew

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I think your wife will like the trip as much as you!
Halibut are the best tasting fish from the briney blue but are very similar to winching up a manhole cover as a sport. I was staying the night in a motel in Tok, between Fairbanks and Canada the night before a sheep hunt. As we were preparing to settle in for the night my hunting partner loaded up a Freedom Arms .454 Cassul and slid it under her pillow. I inquired as to why, "Drunk Eskimos"she said. About 330 that morning there we were pointing our single actions at the door (mine a Peacemaker) as all hell broke loose up and down the hall.
Another time my father was salmon on the Situk river and landed a fish. He whacked it on the head, laid it on the beach and returned to the water for another. He looked over his shoulder to see a young brown bear snatch it up and run into the alders. He wished he had his gun! Take your gun, have fun. I bet you stay longer next time.
OZ

 

[DeadAye]

...Besides it will be just 2 days fishing and the rest traveling and seeing the sights and enjoying the nice restaurants.

Wish me luck.......

There's *nice* restaurants?
If you're going to run the sightseeing loop (Anchorage - Fairbanks - Denali - Anchorage) you'll be BLOWN AWAY by the sights! I've taken that loop several times and am still in awe at every turn in the road. Not too many (if any) restaurants along the way though - Some in Fairbanks and North Pole and Talkeetna.

Good luck - You might not want to leave though

 

[zoom6zoom]

Just have your case and a TSA lock.

No, this is wrong. Re-read the TSA regs; YOU must be the only one with a key or combo to the lock. A TSA lock is in violation of this. Have on on your outer suitcase, but on your gun case have a regular lock. It's also not a bad idea to keep a spare lock inside your gun case in the event some idiot cuts the other one off.

 

[BKDinTexas]

I have stayed for a week in Tok, and I can vouch for the fact the local Indians are mean drunks. They really don't seem to like Texans either. Also, Alaska State Troopers were the only law there, and they were very few and far between. My recommendation is to stay out of the bars there... the woods and the bears in them are a lot nicer and safer! :>)

 

[Sprefix]

Absolutely!!

I have lived in Alaska for about 23 years. I have never had to protect myself from a bear, BUT!!!!!, there is no way in H E double-toothpicks I will go into the woods not heeled. My 625 Mtn. gun is my choice with some stout Hardcast loads. I'm just a 45 Colt guy. The .44 will give you a chance at least, and a piece of mind. Also, if things looked real serious and you had to be there, carry it on your chest. If you needed the handgun as a last resort, you don't want to be sitting/laying on it or fending a critter off while trying to pull your piece from where his feet are placed on you(as in cross-draw). JMO, and goodluck fishing. I fish Seward quite a bit. The turn around Rugged Island (on a typical crappy day) will get your attention in anything less than a 54 footer.