Camping?

[woodstockdoug]

Next summer, I plan to hike a chunk of the Appalachian Trail (the section here in NY, where I can carry.)  I'm trying to figure out what gun/guns to carry, for bears, bad guys and varmints.

   

   Weight is critical... I didn't pare my pack and possessions down to 20 pounds so that I could carry a Smith and Wesson 500 (with the optional forklift for once it's loaded.)  I wouldn't carry my Guardian .380 on the trip when my Kel-Tec P.32 weighs a pound less.  But, I don't think I'd carry either of them.

   

   My thinking is that I want something relatively high caliber for bears and BG's, and maybe a little .22 mag mini for varmints.  Or, if I have a bigger gun, do I need the mini?

   

   And what holster do I use for through hike?  Funny, but I don't actually know the law; does my concealed permit REQUIRE me to carry concealed, or can I carry openly?  Because on another message board, there was speculation that if you did surprise a bear, you might not have time to drag out a gun unless it was almost at hand already.  I do know that I hike with two poles, and while that makes hiking easier, it makes grabbing anything else a real trick, since the wrist band of the pole catches on everything.  I think the only draw that would really work for me with a pole on my wrist would be a cross draw; reaching straight down would almost definitely hang up the pole on something.  A holster that I could clip to the front shoulder strap of my pack would probably make the most sense, and could probably be easily concealed under a flap.  Or, I wonder if I could modify the belt strap of my pack to contain a holster?  Hmmmm...

   I'm sure this question has been debated ad nauseum on some of the hiking/camping boards, so I might be able to join a group and check their archives.  But, as always, I want to hear your opinions first, since I have a ton of respect for what I read here.

   Peace

   Woodstock Doug

[dwight_frye]

Doug...as far as i know you can't carry period

   on Park or Govn't property..now i'm not telling

   you not too...that would be your decision...I know

   i do...i really don't care what the so called law

   says...it's just to dangerous from man and beast..

   I know i've talked to park ranger in east and west

   coast states and they all say the samething...They

   tell me it is illegal but they would carry if it

   were up to them...i had one ranger tell me...if

   the public new how many bodies we pull out of here

   no one would come to the parks...so your first

   concern maybe concealibilty!

[woodstockdoug]

I actually learned after I posted about the App Trail ban on guns, but the question is still of interest to me, since I can carry on all State land in NY, just not National Parks.  Most of my camping/hiking is on trails other than the AP.  

   

   I think an addendum to my previous post might be to also ask, not just what weapon/weapons people would bring, but how much ammo?  My assumption is that I would never need any, or if I did fire, it would only be a few rounds or a clip.  So how much extra ammo would you bring, for, say, a 7 day trip?  I wouldn't be hunting... this is strictly a self-defense question.

   Doug

[shooterjb]

Hi Doug,

   

   What kind of guns do you have available besides a Guardian .380 and a Kel-Tec .32? Someone that I use to work with, the only person that I knew that hiked the Appalachian Trail, always carried his off duty S&W Chiefs Special .38 when he was on the Appalalachian Trail because he said that he ran into some weird people when hiking there. A .38 Chiefs Special wouldn't be my choice though. I would be thinking more along the lines of a Glock model 22 in .40 caliber or a Sig 229, also in .40 caliber. Either one of them would be comfortable for all day carry in something like a Ron Graham Gold Star holster.

[mikej]

Hi Doug,

   When I go hiking in northern Arizona I always take my Glock 23 (40S&W). My reasons are that it is so light that it is almost unnoticeable, I carry it strongside on a belt holster, and with it loaded and one spare mag I have 25 rounds ready to go. Since I only do day hikes that seems to me to be enough ammo. I am much more concerned about two legged predators than four legged. Since you didn't state what choices of guns you can pick from I can't tell you what to carry but personally I want something that is reasonably powerful, comfortable to carry and accurate at more than 7 yards. Best of luck and enjoy your hike. Mike

[dwight_frye]

Glock 23(40cal) and usually a hide out small gun!

[dbracin]

I think a fannie pack with a caliber no smaller than .40 and a reload in a pocket carrier and a naa mini(just because).