Posted: 6/5/2014 2:37:39 PM EDT
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Hey, so I'm new to this forum and fairly new to shooting.
A friend and I have been doing some backpacking recently and it's not uncommon for us to go into bear country. I'd like to buy a firearm of some sort for it, I don't expect to have to use it as we're typically very careful with our food, we make plenty of noise, and one of us usually has bear spray, but it's more for the extra "just in case" peace of mind. The question is this, I'm 19 years old, I live in Utah and what I've heard is that you don't have to be 21 in Utah to own a pistol, you can own one at 18 you just can't get one from an FFL, is that true? It has to be just from another civilian, right? 2nd is there a permit of any kind required to carry a handgun while out backpacking? We're not hunters, we're not planning on killing anything, as I said it's just in case. 3rd assuming I can carry one backpacking, what would you recommend? I could take a rifle, but I'd prefer something smaller and lighter weight than a rifle. Thanks. |
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Welcome to arfcom.
For most of your questions I would recommend you look into your the laws in UT, you might can find someone to point you in the right direction in the "Hometown" section and then going to Utah's forum. As to whether or not I would recommend you having a gun while backpacking, well I have a gun on me anytime I am awake and some of the time when I am asleep, so my answer will be yes. |
Pleased to meet! 
Yeah, for the laws, you'll have to Google that or check with someone you know. As for the weapon, you could build yourself a nice rifle that weighs less than 6 lbs. If that's too big and/or too heavy, you might want a large caliber revolver or semi-auto. I'm partial to my M&P 45.
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Quoted:
Pleased to meet!
Yeah, for the laws, you'll have to Google that or check with someone you know. As for the weapon, you could build yourself a nice rifle that weighs less than 6 lbs. If that's too big and/or too heavy, you might want a large caliber revolver or semi-auto. I'm partial to my M&P 45. Likewise! Unless another Utahn on here knows I may just end up talking to the Sheriff up here. Google hasn't given me a really clear answer thus far. What type of build? And I'd prefer semi-automatic, although a revolver would work too. I've asked a few other people and what I keep hearing for semi-autos is either .45 or 10MM. Thought I'd hop on a couple forums as well though and ask around. Whatever caliber, it needs to be capable of stopping or at the very least, slowing down a bear. |
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Welcome to arfcom. For most of your questions I would recommend you look into your the laws in UT, you might can find someone to point you in the right direction in the "Hometown" section and then going to Utah's forum. As to whether or not I would recommend you having a gun while backpacking, well I have a gun on me anytime I am awake and some of the time when I am asleep, so my answer will be yes. Thanks! I'm also hoping to eventually find some AR-15 advice as I may be buying or building one sometime this year. I already own an AK, but I would like to get either an AR or a SCAR-17 this year. Yeah, we've never run into a bear as of yet. We think we've heard them before, but haven't seen one yet. |
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It is true you only need to be 18 to purchase a pistol from a private party sale, but 21 to transfer one from a FFL. The trick is finding one for sale from somebody that is comfortable selling a handgun to someone under 21.
There are not a lot of bears in Utah, and most of them are small and non-aggressive. For most situations a hi-cap 9mm with good penetrating bullets would be suffecient, but most people say .45-10mm in an auto and .357-44mag in a revolver. You said you had a buddy, what about a .22 pistol? Shoot your buddy in the leg/food then run like crazy while the bear is busy with your buddy? There is no permit required on public land/national forest as long as you open carry. The permit is only required for concealed carry/CCW. You are not by chance in Southern Utah are you? |
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ditto.
in Utah you can keep a loaded firearm in your residence or temporary residence which includes a campsite. while away from your 'temp residence' you'll need to NOT conceal the firearm nor can you have it 'Loaded' (without a CCW) - the definition of a loaded firearm in UT is at least 2 mechanical actions away from discharge. so racking a round in the chamber is one action, a trigger pull is a second action, I think the only bear in UT are black bear, but i'm not a bear expert. if you think you might run into a brown bear, for sure bring a big caliber. i'd be more concerned with mountain lion, getting charged by a moose, or even a b-hole DWR officer. |
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Welcome to arfcom. For most of your questions I would recommend you look into your the laws in UT, you might can find someone to point you in the right direction in the "Hometown" section and then going to Utah's forum. As to whether or not I would recommend you having a gun while backpacking, well I have a gun on me anytime I am awake and some of the time when I am asleep, so my answer will be yes. About sums it up... 
Forrest |
| Welcome. You might get more specific Utah based answers in the Utah Hometown Forum. |
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ditto. in Utah you can keep a loaded firearm in your residence or temporary residence which includes a campsite. while away from your 'temp residence' you'll need to NOT conceal the firearm nor can you have it 'Loaded' (without a CCW) - the definition of a loaded firearm in UT is at least 2 mechanical actions away from discharge. so racking a round in the chamber is one action, a trigger pull is a second action, I think the only bear in UT are black bear, but i'm not a bear expert. if you think you might run into a brown bear, for sure bring a big caliber. i'd be more concerned with mountain lion, getting charged by a moose, or even a b-hole DWR officer. lol at the last part. As I said we've yet to see a bear, and I'm not sure how common brown bears are up here. I'm unsure as to what caliber I'd bring, I've heard everything from 10MM to .44 mag to .50 AE...I'd prefer bringing a semi-automatic, but a revolver could work as well. Thanks for the law info, that basically confirms what I thought it was. |
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One guy carries the handgun and the other carries the 870 loads with 12ga slugs ?
I'd be tempted to carry both, but that may be because I already have an 870 set up for home defense which, I think, would be perfect for bear medicine. Extended magazine. 6 position stock. 18" barrel. Sling TLR-1 ETA: beat by jetpig... But those who have actually backpacked out west may not like our shotty options due to the weight. |
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In a semi-auto the only thing I can think of to fit the bill is a 10mm Glock.
In a revolver, either a S&W or Ruger stainless in 44 mag or bigger. In either case there is going to be substantial recoil. If you are betting your life on it, you will need a good bit of practice to control it and get good hits consistently. |
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Likewise! Unless another Utahn on here knows I may just end up talking to the Sheriff up here. Google hasn't given me a really clear answer thus far. What type of build? And I'd prefer semi-automatic, although a revolver would work too. I've asked a few other people and what I keep hearing for semi-autos is either .45 or 10MM. Thought I'd hop on a couple forums as well though and ask around. Whatever caliber, it needs to be capable of stopping or at the very least, slowing down a bear. Quoted:
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Pleased to meet!
Yeah, for the laws, you'll have to Google that or check with someone you know. As for the weapon, you could build yourself a nice rifle that weighs less than 6 lbs. If that's too big and/or too heavy, you might want a large caliber revolver or semi-auto. I'm partial to my M&P 45. Likewise! Unless another Utahn on here knows I may just end up talking to the Sheriff up here. Google hasn't given me a really clear answer thus far. What type of build? And I'd prefer semi-automatic, although a revolver would work too. I've asked a few other people and what I keep hearing for semi-autos is either .45 or 10MM. Thought I'd hop on a couple forums as well though and ask around. Whatever caliber, it needs to be capable of stopping or at the very least, slowing down a bear. I would no go this route. Law Enforcement is not always fully versed in the laws. Consult your state statutes for the most accurate and updated information, and keep a copy in your backpack. |
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Those are pretty expensive though, aren't they? I looked a few of 'em up and for that cost I could just about get a Desert Eagle lol. So far it's looking like either 10MM or .44 magnum. Quoted:
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.44 Auto Mag. Those are pretty expensive though, aren't they? I looked a few of 'em up and for that cost I could just about get a Desert Eagle lol. So far it's looking like either 10MM or .44 magnum. They are expensive, huge, and particular on ammo. Limited holster options. Glock 20, colt delta elite, S&W 629' and ruler red hawk should be your choices. Don't over complicate things. All are very good guns. Go watch those Alaskan reality shows. Most of the people who are not playing backwoods mountain man dress-up all the time opt for the Glock 20 or the smith :44mag |
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For grizzly Bear 44 mag minimum, not going to be a lot of semi autos I would carry in Utah, if you were talking black bear 10 mm would probably be a good choice. For ARs check out the AR-15 section For grizzlies I'd probably take a rifle of some type or, as suggested above, a 12 gauge with slugs. There are sometimes grizzly sightings here, but they're few and far between. A friend offered to take his semi-automatic .308, a big ol' M1A...but I don't think anyone would want to carry a 10 pound battle rifle several miles through the mountains. |
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They are expensive, huge, and particular on ammo. Limited holster options. Glock 20, colt delta elite, S&W 629' and ruler red hawk should be your choices. Don't over complicate things. All are very good guns. Go watch those Alaskan reality shows. Most of the people who are not playing backwoods mountain man dress-up all the time opt for the Glock 20 or the smith :44mag Quoted:
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.44 Auto Mag. Those are pretty expensive though, aren't they? I looked a few of 'em up and for that cost I could just about get a Desert Eagle lol. So far it's looking like either 10MM or .44 magnum. They are expensive, huge, and particular on ammo. Limited holster options. Glock 20, colt delta elite, S&W 629' and ruler red hawk should be your choices. Don't over complicate things. All are very good guns. Go watch those Alaskan reality shows. Most of the people who are not playing backwoods mountain man dress-up all the time opt for the Glock 20 or the smith :44mag 10MM seems to be the favored choice currently and the glock 20 seems to be the most reasonably priced. I'd really have to get some range time on it though as my past experiences with Glock have been less than positive. I have trouble hitting anything with a Glock...I've done fine with the other pistols I've shot (1911s and Beretta 92FSs) but I have trouble hitting things with Glocks lol. |