Which Gun to Take Camping - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which Gun to Take Camping

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:26:20 AM EDT

Morning, I have a question for those of you who might spend time camping in State Forrest and parks or just outdoors in wilderness areas. I live in Minnesota and I'm planning a trip up to the BWCA. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is a 1,090,000-acre wilderness area in the Superior National Forest in northeastern part of the US state. There are all kinds of wild-life in the BWCA, bear, wolf and other animals that can ruin a well planned trip.

My question is, since weapons are allowed in the park, I'm trying to decied which side arm to take? I've already decided to bring my SOCOM 16 because I'm pretty confident the 7.62x51 (.308) is robust enough to handle any issue I might have, but I'm stuck on either my GP100 .357 Magnum [preferred] with 4-5 speed loaders or FN FNX .45 as a side arm with a spare mag or two. While I really don't expect to have any problems, I don't want to be without.

Suggestions... recommendations?

Thanks.

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:38:02 AM EDT

[#1]

For bears and such, I'd take the GP100 with some Buffalo Bore ammo.

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:45:51 AM EDT

[#2]

.357 with the most powder and biggest chunk of solid lead that will fit in the cylinder.

Myself, I carry a Glock 20, 10mm, loaded with 230-grain hardcast slugs.

If I ever take my dream trip to Alaska, it'll be my 500 mag stuffed with 700-grain loads.

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:47:50 AM EDT

[#3]

GP100 for 4 legs

Ar15 for 2 legs edit: say socom 16. you are gtg

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:50:52 AM EDT

[#4]

GP100 fo sho

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:54:51 AM EDT

[#5]

Another vote for the GP100

Posted: 7/24/2020 10:57:09 AM EDT

[#6]

The .357 is my favorite, I think it compliments the SOCOM16, and I see that Buffalo Bore also carries heavy cartridges in .308. Thanks.

Posted: 7/24/2020 11:00:23 AM EDT

[#7]

I decided against an AR, function over looks.

Posted: 7/30/2020 8:22:52 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
For bears and such, I'd take the GP100 with some Buffalo Bore ammo.

View Quote

I usually take my Security Six, since it's much lighter than my 6" GP100

Posted: 7/30/2020 8:38:49 AM EDT

[#9]

Whichever won’t leave your hip is the one to bring. Both will serve you well with proper choice in ammunition

Posted: 7/31/2020 5:55:08 PM EDT

[#10]

Take the revolver with a full cylinder and 2 speed loaders. Get a decent holster that carry's comfortably and be done with it.

Personally I would ditch the SOCOM that is just weight and bulk that you aren't really going to need.
The possibility that you run into something that can't be dealt with using 6 rounds of heavy 357 magnum is almost zero.

Posted: 8/5/2020 9:03:19 AM EDT

[#11]

Are you planning on venturing into Canada? Might need a different rifle if so. Been decades since I canoed that AO and only carried a knife. Couldn't carry a firearm with the Boy Scouts at the time. Also I could carry your sidearm in a shoulder holster. Belt rigs were continuously banging on the canoe. I used to canoe with either a Smith M13 3" or CA Bulldog 3" around the US.

CD

Posted: 8/14/2020 12:43:03 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Whichever won’t leave your hip is the one to bring. Both will serve you well with proper choice in ammunition

View Quote

Bingo, I wouldnt feel under gunned with either choice. Take a look at the Hill People Gear kit bag. I've gotten away from revolvers in favor of guns I'm more practiced and confident with, what do you shoot better?

ETA: A great write up on handguns v bears

Posted: 8/29/2020 6:48:21 PM EDT

[#13]

I bought this to be a woods gun and to share ammo with my combo gun.

S&W M65

Posted: 8/30/2020 10:50:38 AM EDT

[#14]

Handgun for the two legged critters and bear spray for the others.

Posted: 8/30/2020 9:02:14 PM EDT

[#15]

Either would do just fine with proper ammo.

Posted: 8/30/2020 9:17:30 PM EDT

[#16]

I have never felt "uncomfortable" in the backwoods with my .357. Ever.

ETA: Model 28

Posted: 8/30/2020 9:29:03 PM EDT

[#17]

This but should have bought a ,44 mag or 454 or 500 if bears bother you.

Hang food, keep camp clean no issues

Posted: 9/7/2020 9:47:46 PM EDT

[#18]

I tend to bring whatever carry gun I'm using, a takedown 12ga and sometimes a 22lr.
Longguns mainly sit in the trunk unless we go out for some shootin.

Posted: 9/7/2020 9:53:53 PM EDT

[#19]

BWCA is my favorite place in the world.

I carry a snubby sp101 when I go. Just be careful not to drop that sucker in the water. Have a good retention holster and carry it the whole time.

Be careful and don’t forget the hang your food high up in the trees.

You will hear wolves at night and that is so awesome to hear.

Enjoy your time. When are you going?

Posted: 10/30/2020 5:35:30 AM EDT

[#20]

I like to pair a G20 10mm and a .22 rifle. Sometimes I flip it and take a centerfire rifle and a .22 pistol. In your shoes I would take the GP100

Posted: 10/30/2020 10:27:47 AM EDT

[#21]

I’d bring a semi-auto 308 and my
Glock 20 with underwood hard cast. They make hardcast for your .45, FYI.

Posted: 10/30/2020 4:00:26 PM EDT

[#22]

GP-100. If you are looking for a reason to buy a new pistol, then get a Glock 20 gen 4 and some Underwood or Buffalo Bore ammo.

Posted: 10/31/2020 5:25:05 AM EDT

[#23]

More bears killed in self defense with 9mn than any other caliber, yearly. I'm also not a revolver fan, I'd take the FN.

Posted: 11/2/2020 8:04:53 AM EDT

[#24]

You didn't ask for a holster recommendation, but any handgun carried in that environment needs to be immediately accessible, not stuffed down at the bottom of a backpack.

If it were me, that would mean carrying it in a center-chest holster, not on the hip. It's the most effective way to tote a handgun around in the boonies, whether revolver or autoloader.

There are a number of options out there for this type of holster. In kydex, a lot of folks like the Kenai CCH.

Posted: 11/2/2020 10:22:21 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
You didn't ask for a holster recommendation, but any handgun carried in that environment needs to be immediately accessible, not stuffed down at the bottom of a backpack.

If it were me, that would mean carrying it in a center-chest holster, not on the hip. It's the most effective way to tote a handgun around in the boonies, whether revolver or autoloader.

There are a number of options out there for this type of holster. In kydex, a lot of folks like the Kenai CCH.

View Quote

I initially was going to go with this, for my S&W M65, 3" barrel.

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/guides-choice-chest-holster

But decided to go with this and the drop extension.

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/alaska-hunter-hip-holster

For the chest I want a bino case.

Posted: 11/2/2020 5:09:03 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
I initially was going to go with this, for my S&W M65, 3" barrel.
https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/guides-choice-chest-holster
But decided to go with this and the drop extension.
https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/alaska-hunter-hip-holster
For the chest I want a bino case.

View Quote

You're right ... I went with a Kenai, but the leather Diamond-D CCH has an excellent rep and a large customer base, especially in 'bear country.'

IIRC, Galco offers a leather CCH called the "Great Alaskan" for autoloaders and N-Frame wheelies.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which Gun to Take Camping

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