Backpacker Getting to Know New Friends

Koda · Jul 12, 2025

If your 9mm is rated for +P you can use Underwood Ammos hardcast hunting load...

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dangerranger60 · Jul 12, 2025

I have spent the better part of 60 years outdoors. in all that time I have only been threatened by other drunk or druggie people. Wildlife generally want nothing to do with me. Find the gun that you shoot well and having it on you at all times does not crimp your style. if you are spending time with dangerous game animals, carry a long gun.
one of my favorite hiking guns was an 8 shot 22 revolver. it carried plenty of ammo, and was light weight. It was cheap enough to shoot that I practiced often.
My current carry is a 12 oz 38 revolver. it takes some practice to shoot well. but if you can shoot a small revolver well it makes shooting a larger gun so much easier. Good Luck DR

echo1 · Jul 12, 2025

^ What he said...60+ years as a Kali packer, seen more cats than big racoons. If you don't have a pistol now and haven't spent much time on one, get a .22 for starters (you can't have too many guns), then upgrade to train on a centerfire of your liking. PAX

fredball · Jul 13, 2025

Welcome Aboard :s0101:

Andy54Hawken · Jul 13, 2025

Welcome to the forum !

in regards to carrying while backpacking / camping...
Something to consider here is what you are wanting to defend yourself against.
A common recommendation against a attack from a person is some sort of hollow point.
Which is sound advice.
However...for defense against a heavy bodied animal like a bear...you will want something that penetrates deeper than most hollow point bullets.

Just where are you going....and how you conduct yourself is also important to consider.
Keeping a clean camp...paying attention to your surroundings and making enough noise to show that you coming up the trail...
Goes a long way to keeping yourself safe from most critters.

To be honest I have camped and hiked in a lot of wilderness areas...to include grizzly bear country...
Many times unarmed...and have lived to tell the tale.
All by doing the above ....I don't overly worry about it.

Again...just me...and I am not saying that one needs to do as I do.
Andy

64MercurysRule · Jul 13, 2025

Hand to hand combat is most certainly an option ..........

View: https://youtu.be/QYn1chaCqp8?si=i4kABIGJM2V-aObU

Xaevian · Jul 13, 2025

Welcome!

monks · Jul 14, 2025

jacintashouse said:
Suggestions for something that is easy for me to carry and be just a deterrent?

Welcome to the forum and that's a great question that's been hashed to death on forums forever. I would suggest against a gun as a deterrent for four legged predators, but they work great for the two legged kind. You should carry bear spray when hiking regardless of anything else. It's your best non lethal defense. Now, I think you should have a gun too and that depends on you and what you shoot well. 10mm is very popular. I own a 10, but I pack a 45acp because an expert told me that 45+p is a better stopper than 10. I've been packing an xds 45 for a number of years because it's very light, ultra compact, has enough capacity and I shoot it well. I would not suggest that for you. It's a hard gun to control and I shoot A LOT. There are better options for you out there. I would start by seeking the opinion of an expert and I'd value his opinion over anyone that is going to post on a forum, so I will point you in that direction. These are in depth videos that will give you a good start in your search and although they are long, they're worth it. This guy knows what he's talking about, he has made it his business.