Ideal field gun for National Park carry?

[79ipa]

hmmm

That depends on the national park. You don't need a 460 s and w in a national park in pennsylvania. On the flip side you do need that 500 in alaska. Depends on the park.


460 or 500 in big bear country. 1911 in some parks. kahr pm-9 or j frame in in some .

 

[pharmer]

I couldn't imagine how much less enjoyable a hike would be with this on my hip.

. Except for "big bear" country, a j or k frame will do nicely. Joe

 

[MSgt G]

Could be wrong but my understanding is that you can now carry concealed if you can legally do so in that state. Nothing about open carry has become legal. Since CCW is just that, "concealed", most folks will never know the difference. I just hope that those who carry concealed keep it that way and don't go around flashing their guns and screw it up for the rest of us.

You carry by following the laws of that particular state. Before the previous, short-lived, law was revolked, you could only carry concealed. Now you can carry either way as long as that's permissable in the state in which the park is located. Here in Georgia we can do either. And like you Capt Steve, I hope others don't mess it up for the rest of us. Let's all carry responsibly.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Just a heads-up. Tuff Strips is making "Speed Strips" in all popular large calibers. Google them...$8.49 a pair, comes in black or orange. I ordered .44 and .41 sizes.

 

[Hook686]

If you are happy with it, who cares what anyone else thinks ? For same purpose I have chosen the S&W 329PD.

 

[jkc]

You carry by following the laws of that particular state. Before the previous, short-lived, law was revolked, you could only carry concealed. Now you can carry either way as long as that's permissable in the state in which the park is located. Here in Georgia we can do either. And like you Capt Steve, I hope others don't mess it up for the rest of us. Let's all carry responsibly.

That's right, according to an Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument LEO I spoke with last week --- whatever is legal in the state is legal in whatever state(s) [watch this --- there may be more than one state jurisdiction in a park] the park is in. That's our most dangerous "park", much of the backcountry closed because of danger from smugglers.

 

[NE450No2]

My No1 choice for field carry is a 4" S&W Mountain Revolver in 44 Mag.

I have also carried some form of 1911 in 45 ACP, but in bear country I prefer the 44 Mag...

However the 45 Colt S&W with a 240/250gr at @1000fps, will serve you well.

Carry several speed loaders with extra ammo...

 

[bubbajoe45]

Depends on which national park. If there is a reasonable possibility that bears live there, I would rather be carrying something that throws .43 caliber 240gr hollowpoints about as fast as the factories load them. I realize that bear medicine is a slightly controversial subject, but right now I believe that that is the best bet. I do own three guns that would work just fine with that ammo, but only one is stainless, and for me that is fairly important. In addition, it has a 3" barrel, so it is pretty easy to conceal, and is double-Magnaported and has a set of Fishpaw grips that help greatly to keep recovery time reasonable.

Whoo-hoo! Bear thread!!! I feel pretty good about having a .44 with me whether in a park or just the regular old Nat'l Forest; I've carried both mags and Specials. Around these parts, cougars and wolves are far more prevalent than griz; black bears usually run the other way, but a .44 Spl will handle them if neccessary. You guys are correct - humanoids are probably the more likely threat. I have both 3" and 4" .44s depending on the location, time of year (dress), duration, etc. I prefer blued, but use stainless and hard chrome especially when fishing.

 

[tallpaul]

while I have plethora of smith n ruger revolvers in suitable calibers I find myself wanting a Glock 20 for woods protection duties.

I'd imagine any of my 357/44 revolvers would be fine though. I even carry 9mm and .45 occasionally in the rural woods around here and think I'd be fine.

 

[forsyth793]

I can tell you from experience there is no rifle that feels big enough if you see a brown or a grizzly bear. If I am poking along in the woods my model 60-10 is packable enough.............

 

[cowboy117]

S&W 640-1,125 gr.HP's,Simply Rugged holster,two speed strips,4 in each.

 

[faraim]

Over the years I've known two serious woods ramblers. The first covered most of northern Michigan with a Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine over his shoulder and a Kit Gun on his belt. The second spent his spare time exploring the rivers in central Alaska fly fishing with a Glock 17 loaded with smg ammunition. He was convinced he could get 3 to 4 shots off in the time most could squeeze off one from their .44. I've never hiked anywhere near bear threats, and most of my camping has been on Boy Scout reservations. When walking the dog in urban areas a lightweight Bodyguard stays with me.

 

[florida1098]

Glock 29 loaded with Double Tap or Buffalo Bore is my first choice.

 

[Stainz]

John Taffin called the .45 Colt 625MG 'a perfect pack'in pistol' - I agreed. Years ago, I bought my '02 new variant an older sibling - which I fitted with Dymondwood Combats and a belt holster. Great for open carry.

I have a CCL - reciprocates with other states in the SE. A CCW just makes more sense in some instances. I carry a 296 in most SE states' woods now - substitute the first two 200gr Gold Dots with 240gr LSWCs, probably a bit better for 4-legged dangers, leaving three more GD's for 'other' critters. Carried in a Mika pocket holster, it is more sheeple friendly. A good pocket knife is also important.

Stainz

 

[woodsltc]

These kind of threads make me uneasy..........I'm not so much concerned about what most of the folks on this forum will do, but about the yahoos out there that may act like a bunch of mall-ninjas and Rambos in the Natl' Parks. We have a new law that makes it OK to carry in the parks.............I just hope that folks will act responsibly and respectful...no reason to be conspicuous.

In Tennessee we can open carry or carry concealed "if" you have a carry permit. I spend a lot of time in the back country of the Smoky's Nat'l Park and the surrounding Nat'l Forest land....I intend to legally carry but not in a way where it will draw attention to myself. Truthfully, the new law just makes legal what many in the back country have been doing all along.

Don

 

[arizonaguide]

confused: The wife and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon this year and I wonder --- Does a handgun have to be concealed? Or can it be carried open???
I think that I understand the park rules follow the state laws and AZ requires CC (unlike here in TN). Is this correct????

I do know that we in Arizona are allowed (even encouraged) to Open Carry, but I'm not sure if the National Park carry is different. I'll have to verify that before my next trip.

ONE reason to carry a weapon in the National Parks these days is not just for wild animal defense...but because many of our National Park areas have been taken over by Illegal Drug Growers. Not only do they stand ARMED guard against "normal" tourists stumbling upon their crop, but booby trap the surrounding area as well, to my understanding.
I have heard the horror stories out of California.


My choice: 3" Jframe in .357. (carried concealed with a CCW permit).

 

[arizonaguide]

...that being said... Bearspray, Bearspray Bearspray!~!

The second spent his spare time exploring the rivers in central Alaska fly fishing with a Glock 17 loaded with smg ammunition. He was convinced he could get 3 to 4 shots off in the time most could squeeze off one from their .44. I've never hiked anywhere near bear threats, and most of my camping has been on Boy Scout reservations. When walking the dog in urban areas a lightweight Bodyguard stays with me.

Let me give folks an idea of how much time (and skill required) you REALLY have to draw and fire...in many cases (for the untrained/trained alike) it's often BETTER to have bearspray.
YouTube - Bear Attack Easton Bowhunting TV
You may have about THIS MUCH time (one shot, maybe two), and any medium power or less handgun may not do it against bear.

Take a look at this video, and try to imagine a stop with a Glock 17 with 9mm. Especially if you tried those Defensive Hollowpoints that are probably in it right now (no real penetration on a bear). Always carry a HEAVY PENETRATING ROUND (.357 or better) for big wildlife. (Hardcast). And SHOT PLACEMENT is also critical.

Can YOU draw, fire, and accurately hit a bouncing basketball on the hood of a 57 Buick coming at you (or your wife/kids from 50'away) at 40mph? Do you practice THIS on a regular basis?
If NOT, then bearspray MAY be a better choice.

YOU CAN come across this same scenario (as in the video) just walking on any trail in many of the National Parks, or on the outskirts of just about any town in the USA. Don't think you have to be in remote Alaska to find a Bear with Cubs.
Or a Couger. Or semi-wild dogs. (or even "normal" house dogs just being jerks...which is the animal that kills the MOST Americans each year).

I carry bear spray along with my pistol, (and carry a 12ga w/slugs) when possible...and will (attempt to) reach for the spray first in such an event. The folks in the video were LUCKY in SO MANY WAYS.

 

[crofoot629]

I'd like to get a 460 Rowland conversion for a 1911.

The 460 Rowland is roughly .44 Mag ballistics from a 4" revolver with regular factory loads.
With the Clark conversion and comp, recoil is reported to be relatively soft. Load it up with a 10 round mag, and 11 rounds of 44 mag in a 1911 would work for me in grizzly country.

Around here, I guess I'll stick with the .40 cal Glocks and 45 acp 1911's I already own.

Emory

 

[duckloads]

A M625-9 MG in .45 Colt can be found on me at the times you listed. In my neck of the woods rattlesnakes are the my biggest threat, so I carry a couple of rounds of CCI shot.

 

[Combat_Diver]

faraim,

You reminded me that the only times I've seen bears is while unarmed (folding knife only) and on BSA ranches (Philmont and Charles L. Sommer Canoe Base) First at Philmont in NM had a black bear at about 15 feet right after hanging the bear bag. Last time was while canoeing in MN/Canada, had pulled into a spot looking for a campsite and came face to face with a blackie. He hightailed it back into the underbrush and we back out onto the lake! My choice of a backwoods gun is my Smith M58, well at least until I find either a M357PD or M357NG. (41aholic here)

CD