Protection on the AT

[One Half]

Any one of S&W airweights would be good as for carrying weight.

But seriously, anyone who carries whilie hiking, where and how do you carry? I carry daily OWB at 3 o'clock. Obviously this would not work with a pack on.

[rockerZ71]

Any one of S&W airweights would be good as for carrying weight.

But seriously, anyone who carries whilie hiking, where and how do you carry? I carry daily OWB at 3 o'clock. Obviously this would not work with a pack on.

On my old external frame pack the waist strap was basically a piece of seatbelt material with a bit of padding around part of it, so I could just clip my OWB holster to that. Haven't figured it out with my new pack yet, so far I've just put my gun in the pack which doesn't do a whole lot of good. Think I might be able to rig something up that will be functional and look good using the holster that they ship (or used to) with the XDs.

The judge is a great suggestion I think, as is the aa12 if youd like to blast a couple hundred squirrels for dinner and don't feel like aiming.

[Capt Nat]

This isn't meant to be sarcastic, I'm glad a lot of you guys are packing. I'm not and won't and I've always felt uncomfortable about the "no weapons" environment. If everyone on the trail was armed to the teeth, I would enjoy the benefit of all that protection from the 2 legged predators as well as aggresive animals. I can barely make it up a hill with my basic gear, I wouldn't even add a bullet to my load, and I'm not an ultra-lighter...

[xokie]

That said, I like the Ruger LCR which weighs 13 oz, fits in my hip belt pocket and wasn't all that pricey.

[Incahiker]

A bulldog pug 44 special is just the ticket. Cheap, light, and fires a massive bullet that will take care of anything on the trail.

[Alligator]

This is the Straight Forward forum. The question is what you carry or not. The thread is not a question about your reasoning for or against carrying protection.

Please try to remember the SF forums has stricter rules and hence the light background color for threads started here.

[flemdawg1]

I have 2 hiking poles and a pocket knife, plus my brain. Nothing else required.

[mrcoffeect]

I carry a six foot long one inch diameter hickory hiking staff, anyone or anything gives me a hard time, I'll put knots on their head faster than they can rub them.

[Winds]

Maybe available this summer. Titanium frame, not sure of weight. 2-45 ACP rounds in the barrels plus 2 spare in the grip. A Derringer I could hike with.

Available now. Aluminum model lighter at 12 ounces.
http://heizerfirearms.com/

[moytoy]

I've never hiked anywhere that I felt the need for armed protection but if I do I would carry the Kel-Tec P-3AT. Just over 8 oz without ammo.

[waywardfool]

I've never hiked anywhere that I felt the need for armed protection but if I do I would carry the Kel-Tec P-3AT. Just over 8 oz without ammo.

Until you put a few hundred rounds thru one. Thats one I learned not to trust.

Wheelguns for me in the wild.

[coach lou]

I only bring my wits with me.

[Theosus]

Two hiking poles and my gerber bear grylls camp knife. I thought briefly about a ruger revolver (so I wouldnt be throwing evidence casually about the trail when the shells eject) but changed my mind and just went with the knife.

[camperjames64]

Thank you for answers to my concerns.

[flemdawg1]

I know bear attacks aren't very common but there are reports of bears in Georgia. Also I have read of a few cases of hikers being robbed.What kinda protection if any do you caring while trekking the AT?

Your common sense and a condom.

[Wise Old Owl]

Until you put a few hundred rounds thru one. Thats one I learned not to trust.

Wheelguns for me in the wild.

I keep thinking that because Kel Tec of Florida is a little known nubie to the years of other companies, that one claims about quality coming from the other manufactures. The other companies are putting forth the "occasionally jams" to dissuade the buyer. So I have to ask, have you personally put a 100 rounds thru this little gun?

[Sassafras Lass]

If I weren't worried about the insane gun laws and high $$$ penalties for carrying where you're not supposed to through - what, 14 states? - I'd be buying and taking a Ruger LC9. Just shy of 1 lb. before ammo.

[Hoofit]

A mere handful of bear attacks compared to the tens of thousands of hikers who've travelled the A.T.
The need to carry a weapon is so small as to be insignificant...
At some stage you have to ask yourself,'Is this your lucky day Punk ??!!!"

The real threat, sad to say, is from your fellow humans, probably not the hikers but the bums from the edge of towns within a couple of miles of the trail...pepper or bear spray would probably see them off for long enough to get away though carrying a knife may be a a wise idea if you're frail or female - not to sound prejudice but sadly they are more of a target. Some self defense knowledge could also be a wise investment.

All this talk about guns on the trail, illegal and unnecessary......

[adamkrz]

I had one - sent it back twice due to constant jams,Problem persisted - Traded for a Ruger380, Anyway I know of many other shooters who had no problems with their Kel tec - I just had a bad one..

UOTE=Wise Old Owl;1285554]I keep thinking that because Kel Tec of Florida is a little known nubie to the years of other companies, that one claims about quality coming from the other manufactures. The other companies are putting forth the "occasionally jams" to dissuade the buyer. So I have to ask, have you personally put a 100 rounds thru this little gun?[/QUOTE]

[Lone Wolf]

A mere handful of bear attacks compared to the tens of thousands of hikers who've travelled the A.T.
The need to carry a weapon is so small as to be insignificant...
At some stage you have to ask yourself,'Is this your lucky day Punk ??!!!"

The real threat, sad to say, is from your fellow humans, probably not the hikers but the bums from the edge of towns within a couple of miles of the trail...pepper or bear spray would probably see them off for long enough to get away though carrying a knife may be a a wise idea if you're frail or female - not to sound prejudice but sadly they are more of a target. Some self defense knowledge could also be a wise investment.

All this talk about guns on the trail, illegal and unnecessary......

too bad Meredith wasn't carrying...