Handgun worth the weight?

[kerrdog]

I'm trying to lighten the load.  I've got my day pack stripped down to almost nothing.  I even bought a super light Uncle Mikes holster for my .357 (the leather squeaked) and finally found a good spot to mount the pistol on my pack belt.  Wife say's I'm crazy if I don't take it.  She say's I need at least one gun that 'actually works.' 

But that sucker is heavy.  Is it a 'must-have' item, or a belt-weight? Anybody got a story where they were glad they had a backup handgun?

[TheFewTheProud]

I'd rather have one and not need it, then need it and not have one.

[jrebel]

I'm never in the woods without my sidearm.....

[npaull]

Statistically, it's impossible to argue that it makes sense to carry it at all. So, the decision is going to be an emotional one. Do what makes you feel better.

[CP]

Get a lighter gun.

[Bob33]

The odds of being harmed in Washington by a wild critter are close to 0. Humans, perhaps but I can't recall reading of a hunter being intentionally harmed by another human in Washington.

There are items that would be of far greater survival value than a handgun: satellite phone, well stocked first aid kit, etc.

That said you really don't need to ask for anyone's opinion: if you want to carry and it makes you feel safer, then there's your answer.

[woodman]

Statistically, it's impossible to argue that it makes sense to carry it at all. So, the decision is going to be an emotional one. Do what makes you feel better.

I am not sure what npaull is saying here about making sense to carry one at all. I never go into the woods without a weapon due to experiences I have had. I have killed a very large cougar at 30' and closing straight in on me in the past in self defense. I also have killed a bear that dressed out at 360 pounds 20' from me that came out of the brush just about right on top of me while deer hunting. I have pictures of these animals. I have had to fire a round into the ground to scare a bear that was constantly closing in on me while hiking. The old wave the arms and yell at it did nothing at all to deter it.

I believe that the more you enter the outdoors, the more you up your odds of having one of these encounters. Kind of like buying more raffle tickets. If you buy one ticket you have low odds, buy more tickets and your odds increase. If you ever see me in the outdoors just know that I am packing something, not because of something that I read somewhere, but because of what actually happened to me out there.

[woodman]

The odds of being harmed in Washington by a wild critter are close to 0.


I would say that this statement is not true. I know of people that have had to shoot in self defense, myself included. There is a member on this site that was airlifted to a major hospital in Seattle due to being ripped into shreds by a bear in the woods. He has some pretty major scars on his body to prove it but is very humble about it and really doesn't seem to like to talk about it. Not all animals act the same.

[RadSav]

Are you archery, muzzy or gun hunting?  I carry a pistola occasionally when Bear hunting since often that requires crawling on my belly looking for blood with a potentially wounded animal bayed up at the end of a tunnel of brush.  Even then it is a mental comfort more than it is a physical health advantage.  For 30 some years I was not allowed to have a handgun while bowhunting and I haven't a single scar to show for it.  So I guess only you can answer whether the mental comfort is worth the physical discomfort.  If gun hunting and I was trying to lighten my load the pistol would be the first thing to go.

[Bob33]

The odds of being harmed in Washington by a wild critter are close to 0.

I would say that this statement is not true. I know of people that have had to shoot in self defense, myself included. There is a member on this site that was airlifted to a major hospital in Seattle due to being ripped into shreds by a bear in the woods. He has some pretty major scars on his body to prove it but is very humble about it and really doesn't seem to like to talk about it. Not all animals act the same.

"Close to 0". Yes you could be attacked. You could also be struck by lightning or bit by a snake. The odds are small compared to the odds of being hit by another driver to/from the hunt.

"If you want to carry and it makes you feel safer, then there's your answer."

[woodman]

The odds of being harmed in Washington by a wild critter are close to 0.

I would say that this statement is not true. I know of people that have had to shoot in self defense, myself included. There is a member on this site that was airlifted to a major hospital in Seattle due to being ripped into shreds by a bear in the woods. He has some pretty major scars on his body to prove it but is very humble about it and really doesn't seem to like to talk about it. Not all animals act the same.

"Close to 0". Yes you could be attacked. You could also be struck by lightning or bit by a snake. The odds are small compared to the odds of being hit by another driver to/from the hunt.

"If you want to carry and it makes you feel safer, then there's your answer."

Go hiking in a lightning storm and I bet that your odds of being hit increase. I never have been hit by another driver while heading to any hunt that I have been on. I have been challenged by wild animal while in their environment. I think that if you have not, that would explain your point of view. It happens and I really wonder how many have deterred an attack because they were armed and it was not reported for people to know about. As far as snakes go, why do people wear boots and leg protectants while in snake country?

[snowpack]

There are enough attacks in my opinion to justify taking one.  You rarely hear of attacks that aren't fatal.  Where I go there have been a few bear attacks and some cougar attacks.  Now there are more and more wolves--and they're a bit more aggressive than the other animals.  But humans are still the worst offender in the woods, mostly around the roads though.  I think it is great to have a handgun while traveling the roads and wouldn't want to leave it in the vehicle while unattended.  So many tweekers prowling cars, really don't want to help arm druggies.

[jrebel]

I don't understand everyones reasoning here.....  I also conceal carry durring every day life, knowing that I will likely never have to use it.  However!!!!  if I need it to defend myself, I want it.  If I need it and don't have it....I may be as good as dead.  The same applies for when I am hunting or hiking. 

There are multiple reasons one should carry while in the woods:

1.  Meth Lab
2.  Marijuana Grow
3.  Dirt Bag
4.  Bear, cougar, wolf
5.  Survival after being injured
6.  Signaling after being injured or lost
7.  Gun powder makes great fire starter
8.  Piece of Mind

Please add if I forgot anything...but 8 reasons is enough for me to have mine.  Still will probably never need it, but if I do...I will have it.

[woodman]

I don't understand everyones reasoning here.....  I also conceal carry durring every day life, knowing that I will likely never have to use it.  However!!!!  if I need it to defend myself, I want it.  If I need it and don't have it....I may be as good as dead.  The same applies for when I am hunting or hiking. 

There are multiple reasons one should carry while in the woods:

1.  Meth Lab
2.  Marijuana Grow
3.  Dirt Bag
4.  Bear, cougar, wolf
5.  Survival after being injured
6.  Signaling after being injured or lost
7.  Gun powder makes great fire starter
8.  Piece of Mind

Please add if I forgot anything...but 8 reasons is enough for me to have mine.  Still will probably never need it, but if I do...I will have it.

I think this is very well put. I would be interested in seeing the list of why not too carry.

[BigD]

I don't understand everyones reasoning here.....  I also conceal carry durring every day life, knowing that I will likely never have to use it.  However!!!!  if I need it to defend myself, I want it.  If I need it and don't have it....I may be as good as dead.  The same applies for when I am hunting or hiking. 

There are multiple reasons one should carry while in the woods:

1.  Meth Lab
2.  Marijuana Grow
3.  Dirt Bag
4.  Bear, cougar, wolf
5.  Survival after being injured
6.  Signaling after being injured or lost
7.  Gun powder makes great fire starter
8.  Piece of Mind

Please add if I forgot anything...but 8 reasons is enough for me to have mine.  Still will probably never need it, but if I do...I will have it.

I think this is very well put. I would be interested in seeing the list of why not too carry.

Hunting with a rifle is the only reason I can think of.