Originally Posted by
Sourdough
My view is this: In 40 + years in Alaska, only once was I in need of survival food and in a truly remote area (Upper Noatak River). It is fun to plan for, but almost any firearm will get food in Alaska. Never have I had to use a firearm for signaling. But one time my hunting partner did when lost and suffering very advanced hypothermia on the Robertson Glacier, and I and he communicated via firearm shots, he lived. So I would put both of those as way, way remote needs for the TOOL.
My primary real daily use of a firearm is defense from Humans with covert enterprises in the wilderness, Territorial Moose, but mostly Brown/Grizzly & Black Bears.
The most important requirement is that it make a loud and sharp noise, and that it be deployable in a mega-second. A loud "Blank-Gun" will send humans, moose & Bears on full retreat 90% of the time.
The single most important requirement is that be deployable quickly, so it either needs to be in hand, or with in reach. The problem is we are NOT on patrol, we are working, fetching firewood/water or rope or tool from the shed, hoeing the garden, looking for property lines, etc. So our hands often have other tools or fishing rods in them.
In Alaska there is way to much importance put on the killing power of the firearm, and not enough on comfortable carry of the firearm for 16 + hours per day. This carry method is further complicated by Rain, blowing glacier silt, leaves, seeds, hence my long love of flap holsters.
I am not saying that this is the answer, I own many, many firearms, but the one that is on me the most often is my Stainless steel S&W model 60 3" j-frame, with 200 Gr. hard cast CorBon cartridges. It is not perfect by a long shot. But it is small, (not in the way when working), it does make a painfully loud noise, and if by accident it hit the problem, it will penetrate 30" or more.
Even if packing the .375 H&H Elephant Gun, I'll most likely have the M-60 on me.
Any firearm will work, what matters is deployable, and comfort of carry. As Kevin says, if you can't reach it, it is useless equipment.
Suggested reading my threads on Flap Type Holsters (Yes, Not very Sexy). and the thread on walk-about Guns.
Bookmarks