Carry while Backpacking

[Acronym Esq]

Dixie recently hiked the Appalachian Trail, and she has been posting fun stories and information about her experience on youtube. Today she tackled the question of carrying a gun on the AT. I really enjoyed her discussion considering risks (2 & 4 legged) and consequences (weight; legality; accessibility). It was a great video from a smart girl making an interesting decision, so I wanted to share.

Ultimately she opted for the lighter weight knife and pepper spray. My math has lead me to the same answer when I am backpacking. Only a heritic would talk about not carrying a gun on a gun forum? Any other backpackers confronting this issue?

Acronym 12/14/2016 9:09 AM

[The Annoyed Man]

I haven't been able to backpack for a long time now, for the reason that the weakest link in my circumstances is the "back" part of the equation. But I used to backpack a lot when I was a young man - New Mexico's Gilda Wilderness, Colorado Rockies, California Sierras and SoCal's national forests. Back then, I didn't carry a gun at all. Heck, I didn't even own a gun. I carried a BFK (Big Freaking Knife) and a hatchet. But it was a kinder time, and I didn't worry so much about human predators. And I relied on good field craft to not become bear scat.

But I still have a backpack, and I keep it stocked as a go-bag (bug-in, bug-out, get-home bag, whatever you want to call it). One thing you might find in that bag if I was humping through the boonies with it is a S&W Model M&P340 revolver. This is a scandium-framed snubnose in .357 magnum. At 13 oz, plus 4 speedstrip reloads plus a spare 25 round box of ammo, it doesn't add all that much weight to the backpack, and it provides a LOT of punch in a fairly lightweight package. Also bring some expanding rubber ear plugs.......'cause this thing is LOUD.

I have no plans to be on the go on foot without one of my regular sidearms (a Glock 19 or 17), but that tiny little scandium-framed snubbie would be a great choice for someone backpacking recreationally. Also, there are a plethora of various kinds of holsters available from a veritable galaxy of makers to fit J-frame snubbies, so if one wanted to carry this lightweight snubbie on one's person for rapid access instead of stowed in the pack, finding the right solution would be a piece of cake.

Aside from the gun's light weight is its diminutive size, which makes it easy to conceal if one needs to do so, and easy to stow of one doesn't want to carry it on body. Since we are talking purely personal protection here, the lack of a longer barrel (and it's concomitant weight) isn't really a liability. And loaded with the right ammo, it would be adequate for any two-legged predators, as well as being capable of taking any game (or stopping any predators) up to 200-300 lbs if you can get close enough.

I keep mine stoked with Hornady 125 grain Critical Defense in .357 magnum. Hornady claims 1200 fps and 400 ft-lbs at the muzzle from a 2" barrel for this load; 1084 fps/326 ft-lbs at 50 yards, and 1002 fps/279 ft-lbs at 100 yards.

If you decide to go this route, I would definitely buy the .357 version, and not the +P .38 special version. My thinking is that you can still shoot the .38 and .38 +P ammo in the gun if you decide you want to carry that load for EDC, but you still have the option of the more powerful .357 for use in the wilderness. I have fired mine with full house Remington Express 158 grain white tail hunting loads. I don't recommend it as regular fair......the recoil is brutal......but it won't shatter your hand, and I'd shoot that load again if I had to - especially to feed myself or put down a really dangerous large animal. But for most uses, the 125 grain CDs are more than adequate, and they're not that bad to shoot. They sting the hand a little bit, but it isn't really painful, and they'll be more up to the task of wilderness survival than a +P .38 special.

[C-dub]

I backpacked several years ago in the mountains of Colorado. At the time I had Glock .40's and carried my little G27 and two full size spare mags. All loaded with FMJ. I would have rather have had my Henry .44Mag, but it is about 10 pounds and then however much ammo I wanted to take. In addition to the weight, there was no reasonable way to carry the carbine without just carrying it in my hand. That seemed a little unreasonable since we were going to be walking up and down and around mountains for about 50 miles that week. Thankfully, not a shot was fired on the entire trip.

[Soccerdad1995]

I haven't been able to backpack for a long time now, for the reason that the weakest link in my circumstances is the "back" part of the equation. But I used to backpack a lot when I was a young man - New Mexico's Gilda Wilderness, Colorado Rockies, California Sierras and SoCal's national forests. Back then, I didn't carry a gun at all. Heck, I didn't even own a gun. I carried a BFK (Big Freaking Knife) and a hatchet. But it was a kinder time, and I didn't worry so much about human predators. And I relied on good field craft to not become bear scat.

But I still have a backpack, and I keep it stocked as a go-bag (bug-in, bug-out, get-home bag, whatever you want to call it). One thing you might find in that bag if I was humping through the boonies with it is a S&W Model M&P340 revolver. This is a scandium-framed snubnose in .357 magnum. At 13 oz, plus 4 speedstrip reloads plus a spare 25 round box of ammo, it doesn't add all that much weight to the backpack, and it provides a LOT of punch in a fairly lightweight package. Also bring some expanding rubber ear plugs.......'cause this thing is LOUD.

I have no plans to be on the go on foot without one of my regular sidearms (a Glock 19 or 17), but that tiny little scandium-framed snubbie would be a great choice for someone backpacking recreationally. Also, there are a plethora of various kinds of holsters available from a veritable galaxy of makers to fit J-frame snubbies, so if one wanted to carry this lightweight snubbie on one's person for rapid access instead of stowed in the pack, finding the right solution would be a piece of cake.

Aside from the gun's light weight is its diminutive size, which makes it easy to conceal if one needs to do so, and easy to stow of one doesn't want to carry it on body. Since we are talking purely personal protection here, the lack of a longer barrel (and it's concomitant weight) isn't really a liability. And loaded with the right ammo, it would be adequate for any two-legged predators, as well as being capable of taking any game (or stopping any predators) up to 200-300 lbs if you can get close enough.

I keep mine stoked with Hornady 125 grain Critical Defense in .357 magnum. Hornady claims 1200 fps and 400 ft-lbs at the muzzle from a 2" barrel for this load; 1084 fps/326 ft-lbs at 50 yards, and 1002 fps/279 ft-lbs at 100 yards.

If you decide to go this route, I would definitely buy the .357 version, and not the +P .38 special version. My thinking is that you can still shoot the .38 and .38 +P ammo in the gun if you decide you want to carry that load for EDC, but you still have the option of the more powerful .357 for use in the wilderness. I have fired mine with full house Remington Express 158 grain white tail hunting loads. I don't recommend it as regular fair......the recoil is brutal......but it won't shatter your hand, and I'd shoot that load again if I had to - especially to feed myself or put down a really dangerous large animal. But for most uses, the 125 grain CDs are more than adequate, and they're not that bad to shoot. They sting the hand a little bit, but it isn't really painful, and they'll be more up to the task of wilderness survival than a +P .38 special.

I can second the recommendation of the S&W. Mine is a 360PD which I believe is the same model except with an exposed hammer. I use it as a BUG in either a pocket or ankle holster. On my ankle, I literally don't even know it is there. It is the only gun that has not been uncomfortable with that method of carry. The only downsides are inherent in it's design. It is a J frame revolver, so accuracy at anything other than breathing distance isn't great, and it is extremely light, so shooting 357 magnums through it will do a number on your wrist / hand. Sure you can practice with 38's but that may not be a great idea if you plan to carry the 357's.

I actually keep a Ruger SP101 and a box of ammo in my BOB. I can stand a little more weight in that bag vs on my ankle. It is more accurate with less recoil than the smaller S&W, and it is built like a tank, so less need to worry about the last time I have cleaned it.

[The Annoyed Man]

I can second the recommendation of the S&W. Mine is a 360PD which I believe is the same model except with an exposed hammer. I use it as a BUG in either a pocket or ankle holster. On my ankle, I literally don't even know it is there. It is the only gun that has not been uncomfortable with that method of carry. The only downsides are inherent in it's design. It is a J frame revolver, so accuracy at anything other than breathing distance isn't great, and it is extremely light, so shooting 357 magnums through it will do a number on your wrist / hand. Sure you can practice with 38's but that may not be a great idea if you plan to carry the 357's.

I actually keep a Ruger SP101 and a box of ammo in my BOB. I can stand a little more weight in that bag vs on my ankle. It is more accurate with less recoil than the smaller S&W, and it is built like a tank, so less need to worry about the last time I have cleaned it.

My story of shooting full-house .357 through my M&P: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... 16#p490416. I would do it again to ward off starvation, but for 2-legged predators, that much horsepower is not required, and neither is the pain it produces.

[troglodyte]

Several years ago a few of us backpacked in southeast AZ. ONE OF US CARRIED BEAR SPRAY WHILE I CARRIED MY .41. While walking down a road that crossed the trail way had to pass a few houses. One house has two very large and veriy aggressive rotties. We had both the spray and pistol ready in the event the dogs chose to jump the low fence. They didn't but I was glad we had both options. I didn't like the odds of just pepper spray against two large dogs.

[Glockster]

It was an interesting video but I think she needed to do more research on the whole reciprocity issue.

I haven't been on the AT for awhile but it is on my list for near future. When I last hiked I and my fellow two hikers were charged by a bear, but turns out that was mostly about her protecting cubs that we had no idea had gone up a tree nearby the shelter. Wild hogs are another whole issue and frankly those things scared me because they are fast and don't stop. I'm not so sure that any handgun I could have carried would have helped all that much given their speed and that you're not likely hiking with your gun already in your hand.

Outside of the AT I do hike a lot. I am a trail ranger with the US Forest Service (volunteer) and I will generally carry with me as much as practical in any of the National Forests in Texas. The USFS knows that I carry, which is discouraged as a volunteer, but they also know that in our National Forests there are reasons to be armed as they have had a couple of murders and several things involving the drug cartel. When I hike and carry I prefer to use a Maxpedition concealed carry case to go with their shoulder sling, which provides me ease of carry and is relatively easy to quickly access. My gun of choice does depend upon where I am and what I am worrying about encountering, but find that my Bond 3.25 barrel loaded with Hornady Triple threat .410 can meet a lot of needs. Other than that I would have my HK 40.

[AJSully421]

I always carry... the only decision that is to be made is which pistol do I carry, and in what kind of holster.

Last two hikes that I have been on, I brought my G21 in a Safariland retention holster. My backpack strap was able to go between the belt mount and the holster body and it was no problem to carry it with a spare mag in a Blackhawk mag carrier on the other side.

.45 ACP is plenty for everything except for grizzly bears, and I would even take my chances with that too.

[twomillenium]

Enjoyable video, she seemed to research the gun laws very well and realized there definitely were legal challenges and decisions an AT hiker would have to make. I have a backpack and if I were hiking any distance, it would probably something serious has happened and local laws would not be high on my list of concerns. Those who hike for enjoyment do need to research their options if they want to remain legal. What is legal on one trail may not be legal on another or the laws may change on one trail depending on your location in that trail.

[twomillenium]

Enjoyable video, she seemed to research the gun laws very well and realized that there definitely were legal challenges and decisions an AT hiker would have to make. I have a backpack and if I were hiking any distance, it would probably something serious has happened and local laws would not be high on my list of concerns. Those who hike for enjoyment do need to research their options if they want to remain legal. What is legal on one trail may not be legal on another or the laws may change on one trail depending on your location in that trail.

[twomillenium]

Enjoyable video, she seemed to research the gun laws very well and realized that there were definite legal challenges and decisions an AT hiker would have to make. I have a backpack and if I were hiking any distance, it would probably something serious has happened and local laws would not be high on my list of concerns. Those who hike for enjoyment do need to research their options if they want to remain legal. What is legal on one trail may not be legal on another or the laws may change on one trail depending on your location in that trail.

[rm9792]

recently camped for a week by Ouray, Co. Was told to bring a bear gun as they are frequent visitors. I bought a Glock 21 with full power loads. Not too heavy and had enough firepower. Did encounter several bears but all were around 6' tall when they stood up and a can of dog halt proved enough to scare them away. They were in the campsites every night. Wife carried a 9mm but she was always with me.

[Lynyrd]

My kind of backpacking involves a pack saddle that fits on the back of a mule. My horse carries the rifle in a scabbard. I carry the .45 on my belt. And the mule usually gets to carry extra ammo.

[WTR]

I have always carried a 1911 for 2 legged sermon. Bear spray and a dog for bears( never had to pull a weapon on a bear). I had a man pull a .357 mag on me one afternoon, he ended up getting run over by a saddle horse and a pack horse.

[rdcrags]

recently camped for a week by Ouray, Co. Was told to bring a bear gun as they are frequent visitors. I bought a Glock 21 with full power loads. Not too heavy and had enough firepower. Did encounter several bears but all were around 6' tall when they stood up and a can of dog halt proved enough to scare them away. They were in the campsites every night. Wife carried a 9mm but she was always with me.

WOW!
I don't camp, but hike in Summit county wilderness areas every summer every day for 2-3 months, mostly for 3 hours, but sometimes 9 hours. Always OC a 9mm, not in my pack. Never have had to draw it out there in 12 years now. Only bear I personally have seen was at my townhouse window. Looked at me and continued on to try to open the bear proof dumpster. See many moose and deer. Was attacked by a rabbit, but that's another story.