Hiking and other outdoor activities with a concealed handgun

[charlie9280]

My daughter and I just got back from a hike to Gem Lake near Estes Park, Colorado. The hike took us into Rocky Mountain National Park and the views were spectacular.

When hiking in our open space, I always carry a concealed handgun for personal protection (Yes, I have a CCW permit). Currently I carry my M&P 45 (fs) or my 40c, like I did today. Because of wildlife that I might encounter in Colorado's open space and back country, I’m looking for a more powerful handgun for this purpose (sorry, not S&W, but the one I’m looking at competes with S&W model 629 in a 4-inch barrel). Seems the gun I’m looking for does not exist anymore, since it's always out of stock everywhere.

So, do you hike, hunt, fish, camp, etc, and do you carry a handgun for personal protection during these activities? What do you carry and why? Do you have any issues or concerns with local or state laws? Do you feel like you are the only one carrying a weapon when you are out?

I took a picture of the firearms regulation at the trailhead. JeffCo (Jefferson County, CO) open space reg says no OPEN carry.

Looking forward to responses…

 

[RaceBannon]

When in a crowded campground, I'll just carry a Model 36 under my left arm. When out in isolated areas, I carry either a 2" Model 19 or a transistional M&P. I don't think the 19 needs an explanation, but the M&P might. I'm very fond of M&Ps or Model 10s. I think they're just as handy and practical as they ever were and with modern ammo, I think they're plenty formidable for anything I'm likely to run into in Washington state. I never open carry so both are carried in shoulder holsters between a t-shirt and an outer shirt. I would prefer open carry on a belt, but although legally gun-friendly, I think in this area descretion is best. As far as feeling like the only one with a gun, yes I do but with 300,000 permits issued in a state of 6 million, I know I'm not.

 

[mc5aw]

Average hiking ---> Any J, 242, 66 snub, or 686 snub. A bit deeper into the brush ---> 624 snub or 629 4".

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My current favorite for Colorado high country. S&W 629 Deluxe 3". I've never really considered using .44 magnum ammo in this one. Standard load is a .44 special 240-grain SWC.

 

[balin]

my favorite carry gun in the woods is my 329pd. specials or mags depending on what i need!

 

[mudman bob]

Hiking the Mtns. of Northern Az., I carried the Judge. The versatility of shot; either bird, buck, and 45 LC was ok by me.

 

[Rangerpat]

I carry a S&W 329 Nightguard due to it's light weight, short barrel, easy to carry all day long. It's .44 mag power can handle large wild hogs, black bears, snakes, feral dogs, and two-legged vermin if needed.
As balin mentioned, you can load it down to .44 Special if you don't like the heavy recoil of .44 magnum loads. It is a great revolver to carry a lot and shoot a little.

 

[GF]

I hike the Parks a few times a year and lately the "Ti" or scandium revolvers have been the go to carry guns.

A 337-1 3 inch in 38 spl.

Or a 296 in 44 spl.

They're light and that's a consideration for a backpacker with a little age on him ( ) also when I put one in a ditty bag on the front of my ol' Alice pack it's easy to get to and it's hid in plane sight.

The 38 goes when I day hike in my home state and the 44 is for places where the bears might wanna' eat your Snickers bar!

GF

 

[jaykellogg]

I have two guns i would use for hikng. Most of my hikes these days are real short due to recovering from cancer surgery.

The guns I have are a Kel Tec PF-9 (9mm) and a Taurus 44C (.44 mag 5 shot 2½ bbl). I don't belive in open carry for civilians, it upsets too many people.

 

[G.T. Smith]

When it is me and my grand daughter, (3 years old), taking our walks along the 2 mile private lane I usually carry my old M37 just in case I have to scare hell out of a snake. She absolutely loves guns and gunfire. She knows to cover her ears and stand back. When it is just me alone in the deep woods hiking or tromping around I like to take my 4" .357 and a couple of speed loaders. I live way out in the boonies and can carry open or any way that is the most comfortable. Lucky me!
Peace,
Gordon

 

[feralmerril]

To start with at 300 #s and bad knees I aint into hikeing. I do get out a lot on the ATV though. With my bags I can carry any weight and size guns. I am into light weight if I walk any distance at all. Mostly I favor a old M&P 4". Its light, accurate and about the most portable gun I have plus its one of the cheapest. I do have a nice model 36 3" that is even lighter and may start carrying it more.
Your first concern is what you really need in your area. If its just snakes a model 34 .22lr snub is hard to beat. I have one of those too.
If its human a 38 special is okay. Bear, I would go .44 special up. I have a bunch, but my 24-3 is my favorite.

Stay away from shooting if you dont need to if you are in the parks. That is for BLM and national or state forrests in secluded areas away from the trails. I also own a .32 H&R mag in a ruger single six. That has a lot going for it as a trail gun too. Accurate, flat shooting and light. Also power wise its not much behind a .38 special.

 

[charlie9280]

I've enjoyed reading all the responses and viewing the pictures. Lots of diversity and good reasons for all. One common theme seems to be weight, and I agree. My hikes range from 3-4 miles up to 8 miles. Sometimes short hikes become long because wrong turns are more common than I want to admit. We did Mt. Evans (14,264 ft) a few weeks ago instead of Mt. Bierstadt because the GPS lady gave us the wrong freeway exit.

We typically see a lot of deer, elk, and rams. We've seen mountain lion tracks. And people are always friendly. But nevertheless I always want to be able to protect myself and learn how others do the same.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

 

[Frizzman]

I was hiking in the mountains of W.Va a few weeks ago and encountered a Black Bear sow and her yearling cub at fairly close range, perhaps 20-25 yds. I was carrying my 337 in a small pouch. I didn't feel too well armed with that when dealing with a large Black Bear but it worked out ok and was better than throwing rocks if needed I guess. Normally, I carry a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt loaded with my 250 gr LSWC at around 900 fps handloads. But it was hot and the trail was rocky and steep so I went for small and light. In my part of the world, its the human predators and ferral dogs that present the biggest threats. I used to have a 396 Mountain Lite that I stupidly traded. I recently got a 296 and may be carrying that...I wouldn't feel too badly armed with a good .40 with some heavier bullets...180gr types...in most environments though and in an isolated area dealing with multiple dogs or people, the larger amount of rounds available could be important...

 

[427mach1]

I was hiking in the mountains of W.Va a few weeks ago and encountered a Black Bear sow and her yearling cub at fairly close range, perhaps 20-25 yds....but it worked out ok ....

And now, for the rest of the story???

 

[yang]

Yes, I did conceal when I was out. I only had my G23. If I'm out in the woods and COULD afford a bigger weapon, I'd go with at least a .44MAG.

Or...bring a friend.. carry a .25ACP. In an encounter, put one shot into the friends knee. You don't have to outrun the bear now.

 

[charlie9280]

That's too funny!!

 

[Frizzman]

The "rest of the story" was that I slowly backed away and went back down the trail. I let momma bear and her kid have the area. I like bears and wouldn't want either of us to get hurt...particularly me!

 

[shortdog]

I enjoy backpacking here in Wyoming. The two guns I carry most are a 329 Night Guard in grizzly country and a 360SC 3" elsewhere, both in Tommy's Gun fanny packs. The TG fanny packs keep them clean & protected, out of sight, yet easily accessible plus you can carry things like sunblock, snacks, bug repellent, lighter, extra ammo, etc. in the front compartments where you can get to them without removing your backpack. Horse packing where weight isn't as much of an issue I carry a 4" 500 mag. in grizzly areas.

 

[Raising Cain]

I carry my LCP .380, or my Shield .40 when hiking, camping, biking, ect...100% of the time.
Reason: On one hike with my wife & childern, we were approached by a very aggressive German Sheppard that was not happy with us at all.
I drew, & determined that I needed to fire one shot into the ground off to the right side of the dog.
I had no intention of out rightly harming the dog unless it was absolutely a last resort.
Thank goodness it never got to that level.
The dog turned and ran. My wife told me later that she was glad I had a firearm with me.

 

[Yiogo]

Yes, I do when hiking and biking. Yiogo