gun for backpacking

[Ole WV Coot]

Semi slower to reload? I don't think so. I can push a button, drop the empty mag and reload push down another and fire before the empty hits the ground. In the good ole USA I don't see me going thru a full mag but in a semi controlled situation you don't empty your mag. Fire what you must, if a chance drop the mag before empty and reload. Remember just in case you have a live round in the tube if it's needed. If you empty a mag semis lock the slide open. Drop the empty, reload, hit the slide close, it picks up a round from the new mag and fire. I don't have to drop my pistol down to reload nor get off target, takes a little practice and has to be automatic. I own several wheel guns, a few SA and it took a lot of use to convince myself to change. A quality semi of mine I trust. I can beat a speed loader easily, especially against the average person. I ain't the fastest I've ever shot with but I can change mags and aimed fire before you can drop, dump, reload, raise the revolver and find your front sight. I have carried and practiced with handguns over 50yrs, only have a Win Defender 12ga, Marlin 30-30 for coyotes, and a Ruger 10-22, plus a 50cal front loader, gave everything else to my son years ago. I kinda put myself on automatic and it works for me, guess that's what counts. I use handguns a lot, every type has their use. Just don't "limp wrist" a semi and use the right ammo.

[Stony]

as a person living and working in bear country I agree with the posters advocating
bear (or pepper) spray.
8 ounces af spray can on the belt is much less weight than 7pounds of rifle.

[Alpine_Sapper]

as a person living and working in bear country I agree with the posters advocating
bear (or pepper) spray.
8 ounces af spray can on the belt is much less weight than 7pounds of rifle.

Yeah, but for an additional 6.5 lbs, I get a lot more functionality. So soddy GI, but rifle trump spray every time in my opinion.

[Rick]

Is it against the law to carry both?

[kx250kev]

I love my Ruger GP-100 .357, and I'm very accurate with it, but even if I could load it fast (with practice), it is still too heavy for serious hiking in my opinion. I've looked into the S&W Airweight models, and I know the .38 is very light from holding it. I'd like to hold the .357 Airweight model sometime, but I still think (for my needs) the polymer pistol is a better solution.

[klkak]

Of all the folks who defended themselves from bears. Most of those who use a gun get mauled after shooting the bear. No of them that used Pepperspray are mauled after using it. For a shot to stop a bear it must be instantly fatal (almost impossible on a moving target). All pepperspray has to do is hit them in the face and the attack is over. I have defended myself 3 time with pepperspray once from one side of my ATV with the bear on the other side. She was in full charge. The spray stopped her dead in her tracks and turned her around. She was gone in a flash. Dont forget that most bears only become a threat when they are to close to use a long gun and at that range unless you hit them in the brain or spine a handgun is only going to enrage them more. If you think you are good enough to shoot one dead with the first shot try a little experiment. Have someone throw a softball (which is slightly larger than a bears brain) at you. You draw your handgun or lift your rifle and hit it with the first shot. In my observations most bears are shot during a false charge which wounds them and makes them mad. If they do runaway after being shot now you are obligated to track it down and put it out of its suffering. I've tracked a wounded bear. It's terrorfying. I'm not telling you this stuff to discourage you or start an arguement, only to inform and educate. It's better to know how to avoid bears then thinking you can kill one if you have an encounter.

[crashdive123]

Don't worry about starting an argument (we can do that easily enough). I want to hear the nuts and bolts from those that have "been there, done that, got the T-shirt". Last November I went hiking in the Smokies. Since I haven't dealt with bears, I did quite a bit of research on the what to and not to do's. I had a hand gun, but also opted for the bear spray (which would have been my choice if needed). So klkak, Hopeak and others - keep it up because I believe you guys "got the T-shirt".

[klkak]

Study shows bear spray effective

The Associated Press


Published: April 20th, 2008 02:32 PM
Last Modified: April 20th, 2008 02:41 PM

A study concludes that bear spray works a great majority of the time in warding off bear attacks.

Biologist Tom Smith and others have published a paper of their research in "The Journal of Wildlife Management."

The study says bear spray is effective 98 percent of the time.

The researchers looked at 83 cases where bear spray was used and found that none of the incidents involved any serious injuries. The red-pepper spray causes painfully swollen eyes and nasal passages on its targets.

Smith spent years working in Alaska as a bear biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey.

He is now a professor of wildlife science at Brigham Young University.

In the report, Smith noted the risk for injury is greater with firearms, the other main means of self-protection. Wounded bears sometimes turn on people.

Johnny McCoy, a Baptist minister and former North Pole mayor, had his ear ripped off in 2001 by a grizzly bear that attacked moose-hunting partner Gary Corle. Corle shot at the bear with his rifle, but missed. The bear then turned on McCoy, who needed surgery to reattach his ear and close large gashes in his forehead, arms and hands.

Bear spray has been used in Alaska for more than two decades. No similar attacks against those using spray in self-defense have been reported.

"Bear spray represents an effective alternative to lethal force," the researchers wrote.

But bear spray also has its limits. Smith notes there have been problems with the spray in the wind, although its biggest drawback may be the one-shot limit.

Smith reported that in "7 percent of bear spray incidents, wind was reported to have interfered with spray accuracy, although it reached bears in every case

[klkak]

Thanks Crashdive. I just found the previous artical.

[trax]

If you think you are good enough to shoot one dead with the first shot try a little experiment. Have someone throw a softball (which is slightly larger than a bears brain) at you. You draw your handgun or lift your rifle and hit it with the first shot. It's better to know how to avoid bears then thinking you can kill one if you have an encounter.

And of course, if the little experiment fails...which I'm betting it will, you're going to have to find someone else to throw the second softball aren't you? Good comparison though klkak.

[Rick]

I was thinking the same thing. Just didn't want to say it. I read that and thought, "Hey, I ain't throwing that ball."

[Alpine_Sapper]

I'd rather have a couple bullets in reserve than shoot your load once and have the wind carry it away. What are you gonna do then? Crap you pants? Besides, I humbly suggest this: The only reason that it was effective 98% of the time, and there were "No similar attacks against those using spray in self-defense have been reported." is because after they maced the p!ssed off bear and made it even madder the bear decided to have a nice lunch. Capsaicin flavored even.



Seriously though, the above was all in good fun. My point to Stony was that the if it's either or, I'm gonna go for the rifle.

I agree with Rick. Carry both. That way when the spray is ineffective because of the wind you still have a real world alternative.

Or god forbid the bear is charging you the same direction as the wind. Then you're getting maced and then mauled by the bear. D@mn, shoulda had the gun.

[trax]

Hey Alpine? Throw this softball at me......

[Alpine_Sapper]

Hey Alpine? Throw this softball at me......

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how about one of these instead?

[klkak]

And of course, if the little experiment fails...which I'm betting it will, you're going to have to find someone else to throw the second softball aren't you? Good comparison though klkak.

LMAO

[trax]

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how about one of these instead?

OK, follow these instructions:

1. Clutch big round part, depressing small side handle
2. Pull ring
3. Release grip on small side handle
4. Maintain firm grip on big round part, throw ring.

[Rick]

Where's that John Wayne spirit? Pull that ring with your teeth.

[crashdive123]

What???? Again?????

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[klkak]

You guys are real comedians. I've been charged 4 times. The first time my 12guage blackmagic slug hit the bear in the forehead but did not hit the brain. My hunting friend hit him with a 250gr. Nos. par. from a 338 win mag. in the shoulder. The bear turned toword my friend. Then I hit him again in the ear with another slug which did hit the brain. The bear plowed right over my friend and died about 10 ft past him. This bear had already been shot in the shoulder by another person an hour earlier with a 338 win mag. I had the 870 up to my shoulder in the ready position when the bear charged. If my friend had not also hit him and made him turn I'm sure he would have gotten me. The whole thing happened in the amount of time it took me to cycle the action on the 870. This all happened with the bear no more then 10ft from either of us. The other 3 times I used pepper spray. "No fuss no muss" and I didnt have to prove to the Troopers that it was a justified "DLP" Defence of life or property. The point I'm trying to make is. Chances are you wont have a chance to take an aimed shot. Even if you hit the head you proably wont hit the brain. You are beter off educating yourself about bears and avoiding them.

(We have a saying up here about buying a handgun for bear protection. "File the front sight off, That way it dont hurt so bad when the bear takes it from you and shoves it up you butt".)

[Rick]

Outstanding!!! LMAO!! (to Crashes post).