Another "What Gun" thread - Hiking Edition

Okay, my girlfriend is interested in getting herself a gun, and has been asking me what would be a good gun for her. She seems to agree that the best course of action is to go to a range, rent several guns, and see what she likes best. She is generally leaning towards a 9mm pistol as a good first gun to have. She did not like the 9mm Glock that I own (had issues with it not ejecting, which could be that it hasn't had enough rounds put through it to soften the spring).

She is interested in a gun that would be effective for home defense, but also a gun that would be effective for defense when backpacking/hiking.

That hiking/backpacking thing is the intriguing scenario. What would be best for that? Rifle, shotgun, or pistol? Pistol has the advantage of being lightest and easiest to carry, but will not be able to stop a large animal (bear or mountain lion around here). Rifle's and shotguns are both good, but won't be the best for carrying a couple days in and out. There is also the question about what is legal to carry with you, particularly out here in Cali.

I'd be interested to hear the wisdom here. As an exclusively North East hiker (plus international trips), I've never seen anyone but real whackjobs carrying on the trail. And I can't even think of many of those.

Does she hike/backpack a lot now, or is this a "what-if" scenario?

I carry the same H&K USP Compact .40 hiking, camping, defending my turf from TBD assailants or to the range.

If you think the germans make good cars and beer - you won't be surprised to find their firearms are "just right" too.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I carry the same H&K USP Compact .40 hiking, camping, defending my turf from TBD assailants or to the range. If you think the germans make good cars and beer - you won't be surprised to find their firearms are "just right" too.

Even if you don't like their cars, beer or food(I don't), you'll probably still like that gun(I do).

peter wrote: I'd be interested to hear the wisdom here. As an exclusively North East hiker (plus international trips), I've never seen anyone but real whackjobs carrying on the trail. And I can't even think of many of those. Does she hike/backpack a lot now, or is this a "what-if" scenario?

The what-if scenario... I'm deep in the mountains. My legs are getting worn out and I need a break. Perhaps I'll plink a little, pass some time. Shoot some beer cans I've collected to throw out for these berkeleying roughneck shiny happy people working the gas wells who seem to think the mountains are a garbage can for them.... or, maybe I need to make a loud noise so my knucklehead BIL can find me or possibly I got myself between a rabid coyote and whatever crazy E36 M3 he was doing before he figured he'd see if I needed some rabies.

I can think of a million more reasons to carry a firearm in the mountains than I can in the city.

10mm can do home defence, put down a bear, or anything in between.

"I got a gun for my girlfriend. Good trade, huh?"

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Sorry, the question was unclear: I meant the "what if" as relates to the hiking, not the gun. Does she actually hike enough now to know that she needs (and wants to carry the weight of) a gun?

And just so we're clear - I've been shooting for years, this isn't a "I hate guns" question.

mrhappy wrote: 10mm can do home defence, put down a bear, or anything in between.

10mm DOES come to mind... it would be very difficult to find full-strength factory loads, though. Even still, no way a 10mm, unless it's placed golden bb lucky, can take down a bear. I'd want to go up against a bear with a high-powered rifle, not a handgun (even a S&W .500).

So with that out of the picture, why don't we look for something a little smaller, a little cheaper to shoot? This immediately comes to mind, though I've had no direct experience with it.

Alternately, Chuck Hawks recommends a .357 or .44 Mag wheel gun, depending on recoil sensitivity.

Osterkraut wrote:

mrhappy wrote: 10mm can do home defence, put down a bear, or anything in between.

10mm DOES come to mind... it would be very difficult to find full-strength factory loads, though. Even still, no way a 10mm, unless it's placed golden bb lucky, can take down a bear. I'd want to go up against a bear with a high-powered rifle, not a handgun (even a S&W .500). So with that out of the picture, why don't we look for something a little smaller, a little cheaper to shoot? This immediately comes to mind, though I've had no direct experience with it. Alternately, Chuck Hawks recommends a .357 or .44 Mag wheel gun, depending on recoil sensitivity.

Never mind that, you're in stupid-ass California. Why even carry a gun there, the state, thanks to it's restrictive gun laws, is pretty much a utopia full of Disney animals, right?

I'd want a .40 or .45 for the bears and hippies she's likely to encounter in the woods.

I think the hiking scenario is more of a "what-if". She really doesn't hike that much, but wants to hike more. The worst we've seen on our hikes are probably boy scouts and squirrels. She's now saying she's more interested in it from a home-defense scenario.

This is probably precipitated from me getting ready to leave for 6-months. So she's lacking a guy around to feel secure, and more importantly just needs extra hobbies to keep her busy. I'm pretty sure scenarios listed (hiking or home defense) are just excuses because she'd like a gun, primarily as another hobby to keep her busy.

peter wrote: I've never seen anyone but real whackjobs carrying on the trail. And I can't even think of many of those.

This doesn't surprise me....a buddy of mine just finished the AT and he didn't carry a gun....he even sent his knife home part way through the trip because he didn't want the extra weight.

I think it depends on your faith in humanity...I don't trust like that, and would want to be armed in that situation. IMO any woman doing a lot of solo hiking should have a gun

JoeyM wrote: I think it depends on your faith in humanity...I don't trust like that, and would want to be armed in that situation. IMO any woman doing a lot of solo hiking should have a gun

That's a good point if she decides to solo hike. We have other good friends who hike though, so that is unlikely. Does make sense that there is more concern from people than animals though.

Tifosi2k2 wrote:

Salanis wrote: She did not like the 9mm Glock that I own (had issues with it not ejecting, which could be that it hasn't had enough rounds put through it to soften the spring).

Just a thought: how long has she been shooting? Ejection problems on semi-autos can also be attributed to "limp wristing"....... If that is the problem, you might want to look a revolvers.

Yeah, that looked like the issue. I had no problems with it ejecting. I kept telling her it was because she wasn't gripping it tightly enough to control muzzle flip. It was an almost brand new gun. She also had no problems controlling a 1911. Probably a bit of both things going on that if either one was fixed, she'd have been fine.

Remington 870 12 gauge for home defense. Every Bubba understands the sound of a shell being racked. You also dont have to be a good shot to hit something down the hall.
Ruger or Keltech .380 will be a good carry weapon.
Just like shoes, there's a gun for every situation.

I carry a .357 revolver when go gallavating through the woods. It's more for whackjob hunters than critters though.

I just picked up a Ruger Sp101 in .357 for hiking/ working in the woods. As always I would recommend the .38/.357 for versitility and power. What ever you decide on for hiking, make sure it is small and light enough to actually make it into the bag. Previously I only had larger frame handguns and almost never ended up taking one because I didn't want to haul it around.

10mm

The last thread on this topic mentioned the Taurus Judge. It will shoot a .45 slug or a .410 shotgun shell, so it can pack a punch or reduce the need to aim in close-quarters. A revolver is pretty goof-proof as well, for reliability. I may pick on up to keep by the bedside myself.

^ Yes on the Judge.

fastmiata wrote: Remington 870 12 gauge for home defense. Every Bubba understands the sound of a shell being racked.

That's not why I bought mine, but it will totally work in that scenario.

Is she going to have it in a holster? It won't do much good in a pack on her back...

pinchvalve wrote: The last thread on this topic mentioned the Taurus Judge. It will shoot a .45 slug or a .410 shotgun shell, so it can pack a punch or reduce the need to aim in close-quarters. A revolver is pretty goof-proof as well, for reliability. I may pick on up to keep by the bedside myself.

How's recoil on that gun for a female sized person?

Most women I know are more comfortable with something like a .357 shooting .38 shells. Then they move up to the full .357 loads once they're comfortable with the light recoil of the heavy gun shooting .38 caliber bullets.

For hiking...I don't think much will work in that case. Anything light enough for her pack in wouldn't do much against large predators. Take into account how large predators move fast and I'm thinking bear spray is the better bet.

If she wants a home defense option you can't go wrong with a shotgun assuming she's comfortable with the shoulder cannon's recoil. She'll also have to be comfortable with the aftermath and potential of shooting someone. The book is a bit dated from a legal point of view now but Massod Ayoob's Book - In The Gravest Extreme is a great read on actually using a gun for self defense and killing someone in the process. If she's willing to read it I'd get her the book and then talk about buying the gun.

For hiking get the lightest .357 magnum or .44 magnum, titanium/scandium revolver. The recoil will be fierce, but so is ursus horribilis when you are his intended supper. The Smith and Wesson 329PD is what I would carry hiking.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765591_-1_757770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y