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Posted: 3/18/2016 7:36:50 AM EDT
[#1]
Every time I hike on the trail I carry a 1911 .45. That being said my only other pistol options would be a .22 or my wife's .38 |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 7:40:07 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
If you had a choice 9mm or 40? No many dangerous animals I guess.. black bear at the biggest. Ammo would be 9mm 127gr Win Ranger SXT or 40S&W 180 lead (Ultramax) Humans are the biggest danger on the AT. I carry a J-frame 38 whenever I'm there. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 7:45:21 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Humans are the biggest danger on the AT. I carry a J-frame 38 whenever I'm there. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
If you had a choice 9mm or 40? No many dangerous animals I guess.. black bear at the biggest. Ammo would be 9mm 127gr Win Ranger SXT or 40S&W 180 lead (Ultramax) Humans are the biggest danger on the AT. I carry a J-frame 38 whenever I'm there. That's a very good point. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 7:57:29 AM EDT
[#4]
Starting to plan a 2 week (or longer) hike. Didn't want to carry my 1911 due to weight (and the fact that I will be mad if it gets messed up). I have a low end polymer 40 that makes a good pack gun.
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Posted: 3/18/2016 8:35:51 AM EDT
[#5]
.357
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Posted: 3/18/2016 7:56:54 PM EDT
[#6]
I carry an XDS45.
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Posted: 3/18/2016 8:25:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Starting to plan a 2 week (or longer) hike. Didn't want to carry my 1911 due to weight (and the fact that I will be mad if it gets messed up). I have a low end polymer 40 that makes a good pack gun. As long as it's reliable and you're competent with it that should be fine. I usually carry a 380 when hiking. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 8:47:50 PM EDT
[#8]
I like to pocket carry when I hike for a few reasons. Concealed is still concealed, doesn't interfere with the belt on my pack, and I don't have to unass the pack and retrieve it from inside.
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Posted: 3/18/2016 8:56:02 PM EDT
[#9]
I can see the trail from my house. Biggest threat will be two legged. Carry the lightest one. You'll curse any extra weight you have to bear.
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Posted: 3/18/2016 9:06:04 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I can see the trail from my house. Biggest threat will be two legged. Carry the lightest one. You'll curse any extra weight you have to bear. That's why I like my 380. I can pocket carry, IWB, but my favorite place to carry it is a little zippered pocket on the cummerbund of my pack. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 9:26:49 PM EDT
[#11]
I also live next door to it, here in the mtns of NC. I see hikers almost daily this time of yr. Yrour rarely that far from someone..somewhere.
Done the first 220 miles of, and most of that more then once. No worries about bears. 2 legged and nearer to some trailheads are where you have to be more on the lookout. Having said that, its relatively safe. For a handgun, I carry a light weight .380..if I do at all. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 10:39:14 PM EDT
[#12]
Well, if it's just 2 leggers, then I'll just stick with the G26.
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Posted: 3/19/2016 12:55:40 PM EDT
[#13]
I carry a 40 (HK P2000SK) when I'm in the woods. I think it is the best compromise of power and portability.
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Posted: 3/19/2016 12:58:10 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
If you had a choice 9mm or 40? No many dangerous animals I guess.. black bear at the biggest. Ammo would be 9mm 127gr Win Ranger SXT or 40S&W 180 lead (Ultramax) .40 Underwood 180 hard-cast for Black Bear. |
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Posted: 3/23/2016 6:22:27 PM EDT
[#15]
I hike all over the AT in Virginia. I typically carry 147 grain ranger 9mms. I've seen over 20 bears in the last three years and I have never once felt threatened. I'm more worried about 2-legged problems.
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Posted: 3/24/2016 9:05:25 PM EDT
[#16]
I section hike the AT each year. I carry my HK2000SK with 147gr Rangers in my Hill People Gear Kit Bag (big enough for a full size, but why carry the extra weight?). As others have said, people are by far your greatest threat.
Love the bag by the way, doesn't interfere with my pack straps, it's on me all the time, and is super convenient for carrying other essentials. Nobody has ever asked any questions about it...some have probably made assumptions, but I couldn't care less. |
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Posted: 3/30/2016 11:25:53 AM EDT
[#17]
I don't mean to derail the discussion, but how do folks that walk the trail for more than 2 weeks handle their food situation? Do they pack a whole month (or more) of food with them, of do they stage pick up points to get supplies?
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Posted: 3/30/2016 2:06:48 PM EDT
[#18]
Pre mailed food/supply packets. Usually at post offices/outdoor shops all along the way.
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Posted: 3/30/2016 3:42:40 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I don't mean to derail the discussion, but how do folks that walk the trail for more than 2 weeks handle their food situation? Do they pack a whole month (or more) of food with them, of do they stage pick up points to get supplies? |
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Posted: 3/31/2016 7:21:22 AM EDT
[#20]
I read a study that the murder and crime rate on the AT is actually quite a bit lower than the rates in small cities, the proverbial "anytown, USA".
If you're one to carry every day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you're actually safer on the AT then you are at your local corner store. I would go with something small and light with reduced capacity but in 9mm/40 but personally I would just carry bear spray which works better on bears and is easier to open carry with a hiking backpack without gettng any extra attention. |
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Posted: 3/31/2016 8:06:57 AM EDT
[#21]
My options include a G26, G19, G17 and G20, I opt for the 19, mostly because it is the smallest lightest pistol I own that I shoot well AND attach a light.
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Posted: 3/31/2016 1:17:36 PM EDT
[#22]
124 grain +p gold dot the same as every other day
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Posted: 3/31/2016 7:35:30 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I read a study that the murder and crime rate on the AT is actually quite a bit lower than the rates in small cities, the proverbial "anytown, USA". If you're one to carry every day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you're actually safer on the AT then you are at your local corner store. I would go with something small and light with reduced capacity but in 9mm/40 but personally I would just carry bear spray which works better on bears and is easier to open carry with a hiking backpack without gettng any extra attention. Unlike a small town, you have nobody to call for help while on the AT. But your overall risk assessment is correct. It's much, much, much safer than walking around Detroit, Baltimore, or LA. |
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Posted: 4/5/2016 1:22:32 PM EDT
[#24]
Shit happens
The murders sent shock waves up and down the Appalachian Trail. The AT, as it is known to hikers, is something of a national shrine, a peaceful pathway through the mountains, where nearly 4 million people a year try to find respite from the cares of civilization. "Molly and Geoff were prepared for bears and snakes and other wildlife," says Geoff's father, Robin, a physical therapist. "They didn't know their worst enemy would be man.
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Posted: 4/13/2016 12:29:29 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You don't need to carry more than 5 or so days of food at any one point with some rare exceptions. People doing thru hikes usually improvise their meals from items that can be picked up locally (lots of pasta sides, canned tuna, peanut butter, etc..). Or, as stated above, they do mail drops to themselves. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I don't mean to derail the discussion, but how do folks that walk the trail for more than 2 weeks handle their food situation? Do they pack a whole month (or more) of food with them, of do they stage pick up points to get supplies? There are several websites that deal with this...how to plan, resupply points, water, shelters...etc... |
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Posted: 4/21/2016 7:02:25 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you're one to carry every day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you're actually safer on the AT then you are at your local corner store. On the trail itself, you're probably safe enough. It's the trailheads, parking lots, stores, etc that you may frequent while resupplying or travelling to and from the trail. I've been "interviewed" by an urban snowflake when returning to my car. He was staked out by my car, and surprised me when I walked up to it. First thing he noticed was the fact that I was open carrying an FNP 45. His first and only words to me were "Is that a Glock?". But you never really know. There have been cases of murders along the AT. They're not unheard of even if they're rare. Black bears I don't worry about. Hogs can be a problem. Az |
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Posted: 4/22/2016 10:35:07 AM EDT
[#28]
"Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain"
The longer you hike the more you regret extra weight, especially on hilly terrain. In my younger days I carried some full sized guns but I quickly switched to lighter weight packing including a smaller gun. My usual carry, if I'm carrying, is a 642 with 158gr swc although I've somewhat switched to an LCP. I carry either in a camera case on my pack belt of a fanny pack. With a patch or two sewn on it, it looks right at home- mine has a couple of Grateful Dead patches sewn on it. The chances of anything on four legs bothering you is remote, the chances of you needed to do anything about them other than yell or clank two pots together is even more rare. You're more likely to be accosted by some hippie types trying to bestow some "trail magic" upon you, usually food and drinks. Occasionally there are some shady bastards that show up around trail heads though. |
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Posted: 4/24/2016 3:03:06 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
On the trail itself, you're probably safe enough. It's the trailheads, parking lots, stores, etc that you may frequent while resupplying or travelling to and from the trail. Az ^^^This. I too feel much safer on the trail, but my wife and I will not set up camp close to the shelters or trail-heads. Anyplace there is easy access to the trail, and especially the shelters", they can attract the much less savory types, and these aren't backpackers. Don't forget, many attempt to hike off their addictions or work through their mental health issues... ROCK6 |
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Posted: 4/24/2016 9:27:35 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ^^^This. I too feel much safer on the trail, but my wife and I will not set up camp close to the shelters or trail-heads. Anyplace there is easy access to the trail, and especially the shelters", they can attract the much less savory types, and these aren't backpackers. Don't forget, many attempt to hike off their addictions or work through their mental health issues... ROCK6 Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: On the trail itself, you're probably safe enough. It's the trailheads, parking lots, stores, etc that you may frequent while resupplying or travelling to and from the trail. Az ^^^This. I too feel much safer on the trail, but my wife and I will not set up camp close to the shelters or trail-heads. Anyplace there is easy access to the trail, and especially the shelters", they can attract the much less savory types, and these aren't backpackers. Don't forget, many attempt to hike off their addictions or work through their mental health issues... ROCK6 |
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Posted: 5/14/2016 2:46:30 PM EDT
[#31]
You may have seen this already, but... Bear bites Appalachian Trail hiker in Tennessee""The injury is a very rare occurrence,” she said. "In the last 10 years, there’ve only been nine human-bear encounters which led to injury” in the national park that straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. There has been just one bear-related fatality - in 2000 - since the park opened in 1934, Soehn said. There are about 1,600 black bears in the park, which is visited by 10.7 million people annually." I wonder if there are statistics available for human on human attacks in the park? |
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Posted: 5/14/2016 5:34:10 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You may have seen this already, but... Bear bites Appalachian Trail hiker in Tennesseehttp://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennessee-bear-idUSKCN0Y32TR ""The injury is a very rare occurrence,” she said. "In the last 10 years, there’ve only been nine human-bear encounters which led to injury” in the national park that straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. There has been just one bear-related fatality - in 2000 - since the park opened in 1934, Soehn said. There are about 1,600 black bears in the park, which is visited by 10.7 million people annually." I wonder if there are statistics available for human on human attacks in the park? Human bite is quite dangerous. |
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Posted: 5/14/2016 5:35:31 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Human bite is quite dangerous. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
You may have seen this already, but... Bear bites Appalachian Trail hiker in Tennesseehttp://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennessee-bear-idUSKCN0Y32TR ""The injury is a very rare occurrence,” she said. "In the last 10 years, there’ve only been nine human-bear encounters which led to injury” in the national park that straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. There has been just one bear-related fatality - in 2000 - since the park opened in 1934, Soehn said. There are about 1,600 black bears in the park, which is visited by 10.7 million people annually." I wonder if there are statistics available for human on human attacks in the park? Human bite is quite dangerous. rawr |
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Posted: 5/14/2016 8:50:13 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Human bite is quite dangerous. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: You may have seen this already, but... Bear bites Appalachian Trail hiker in Tennesseehttp://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennessee-bear-idUSKCN0Y32TR ""The injury is a very rare occurrence,” she said. "In the last 10 years, there’ve only been nine human-bear encounters which led to injury” in the national park that straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. There has been just one bear-related fatality - in 2000 - since the park opened in 1934, Soehn said. There are about 1,600 black bears in the park, which is visited by 10.7 million people annually." I wonder if there are statistics available for human on human attacks in the park? Human bite is quite dangerous. Ban humans |
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Posted: 5/14/2016 11:26:31 PM EDT
[#35]
There are stats for assaults in the Smokies. You'd have to FOIA and then decipher that mess though. Stuff happens here like anywhere else. It mostly doesn't make any headlines except maybe in Knoxville. Some crazy dude clocked a NOBO thru hiker a couple years ago. The Ridgerunner called the rangers but otherwise everyone at the shelter hung back while the crazy guy mumbled to himself. We had a murder at Smokemont last year. Called out on a homicide last week out on the lake. It turned out to be false alarm though. This summer is shaping up to be nuts. |
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Posted: 6/13/2016 11:24:56 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have two pistols I've used on the AT. My wife and I do a section every year; our next one is 150 miles along the NC/TN border. I typically just pack my CCW, a Kahr CM9 in a smaller HPG Kit Bag...this is my choice for this year, just because of the distance. For other hikes, I actually like the S&W Shield 40 and carry with Double Tap's 200 grain hard cast rounds. My base weight with my HPG Kit Bag and pistol is 16.5 pounds...weight is always an issue and concern, but I've hiked several hundred miles with a Kit Bag and pistol...most likely unnecessary weight, but worth every ounce for my mental comfort  My wife actually packs just her small Kel-Tech P3AT .380. As most have said, the two-legged predators are really the only threat along the trail as long as you don't sleep with peanut butter smeared all over your feet.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ROCK-6/media/Backpacking%20Gear/Backpacking%20Pistols_zpsjnwycrm5.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/Backpacking%20Gear/Backpacking%20Pistols_zpsjnwycrm5.jpg</a> ................ ROCK6 I've been considering a 10mm G29g4 for a pilot survival vest as well as for trail use. My only challenge has been how to mount it to my vest. Same situation for trail use. I've been looking at several large admin panels , like the Condor T&T, and the Countycomm Responder II and mock up a buckle chest harness. I can press out a kydex holster, with one side flat. The flat side is totally covered with hook velcro and the holster would be mounted into the Responder at an angle. Last night someone mentioned the HPG which seems nice as well. My doodle concerning my kydex (or one of those holster insert things):  Gun in velcro holster in pouch by Dan Passaro, on Flickr
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Posted: 6/13/2016 11:30:28 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I section hike the AT each year. I carry my HK2000SK with 147gr Rangers in my Hill People Gear Kit Bag (big enough for a full size, but why carry the extra weight?). As others have said, people are by far your greatest threat. Love the bag by the way, doesn't interfere with my pack straps, it's on me all the time, and is super convenient for carrying other essentials. Nobody has ever asked any questions about it...some have probably made assumptions, but I couldn't care less. No issues with a sternum strap? What else can you put in the HPG? Any inside photos? I haven't seen any online. |
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Posted: 6/13/2016 3:19:03 PM EDT
[#38]
Here's a bit of advice I learned from my friend's experience: get a physical before attempting a big hike. My friend's wife and son were going to spend most of the summer on the trail, and it was cut short when his wife began feeling chest pains. Turns out she had some arterial blockage.
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