Who carries??

[goldenhtr]

I would like to get a pistol to carry while archery hunting and riding my MC in the woods in the summer/scouting.
What caliber and how do you carry? For whatever reason I was thinking .40-.45.  or should I look at the 9mm?

[Scheindogg]

Honestly if you’re getting it mainly for woods carry I wouldn’t get anything less than a 10mm.
10mm is the only capable woods load in a semi auto IMHO.
Most wheel guns (.357, 44mag etc are also great for it.
I carry my Glock 20 in a drop leg holster in the woods

[goldenhtr]

Great info , thanks I will look at the 10mm guns.

[jrebel]

40 or 45 will be sufficient......with that said I carry 454 casual in a gunfighters Inc kenai chest holster most of the time.  For simple day trip hikes I will also carry a .357 / .40 /.45.....depending on my mood.  Most the time I'm hiking I am more worried about two legged predators. 

[superdown]

I carry a Smith & Wesson model 69 five shot 44 mag in a leather chest holster.It's nice to carry because you get 44 mag power in a 357 size package.

[Duckslayer89]

I bought a 40 when I bought my glock. Mainly for ammo availability but I hardly shoot it so looking back I would have went 10mm for sure for the extra power

[goldenhtr]

So when archery hunting do you guys carry on your hip or chest? I was thinking hip if hunting and chest if on the MC.

[Miles]

I carry a Sig P320 in 9mm.   With good ammo it should be more than enough to get you out of a hairy situation.  Lots of information out there about 9mm and their performance with some of the newer ammo. Plus ammo is cheap for plinking rounds. 

I always carry on my right hip, even while on the atv.  When driving, it’s loaded and in the console.  I love Colorado, no permit needed for loaded carry in your vehicle.

[jrebel]

So when archery hunting do you guys carry on your hip or chest?

When archery hunting I carry a Ruger lcr 357 on my hip.  Light weight and small so it doesn't get in the way.  Depending on my pack it can be attached to the hip belt.  This is a pain sometimes because when you take your pack off the gun goes with it. 

[ghosthunter]

Think long and hard.

I know a dozen guys,me included who thought they needed to carry a big caliber gun while hunting for self defense and every one of them gave up the big guns for something smaller and lighter.

The best self defense gun is the one you will carry every time. And comfort over all else determines it at least around this state.

You have little to zero chance of ever needing it.

Yet I carry every day. I am never without at least one gun on me.
My favorites now are two Bond Hand Cannons in .410 / 45 Long colt. In a double shoulder rig.
Or my LCP 380.
I own bigger guns but in the end they are just too big and heavy.

I carry while hunting because I fell once off a ledge. My long gun was gone. But a handgun will in most cases stay with you.

Choose comfort first ,caliber 2 nd

[KFhunter]

I pack a G20 when I'm going in pretty deep archery or scouting.  It's heavy, Ghost does have a point there but I won't pack a 2 shot derringer either (no offense Ghost)
Nor one of those goofy Judges either, I hate those things.

Nothing wrong with a .40 S&W in your favorite flavor either.  This is Washington, if you were archery hunting AK or MT I'd suggest the biggest thing you can carry and use very well, but here a .40 S&W is fine. 

[j_h_nimrod]

 

Think long and hard.

I know a dozen guys,me included who thought they needed to carry a big caliber gun while hunting for self defense and every one of them gave up the big guns for something smaller and lighter.

The best self defense gun is the one you will carry every time. And comfort over all else determines it at least around this state.

You have little to zero chance of ever needing it.

Yet I carry every day. I am never without at least one gun on me.
My favorites now are two Bond Hand Cannons in .410 / 45 Long colt. In a double shoulder rig.
Or my LCP 380.
I own bigger guns but in the end they are just too big and heavy.

I carry while hunting because I fell once off a ledge. My long gun was gone. But a handgun will in most cases stay with you.

Choose comfort first ,caliber 2 nd

When I was in brown bear country I opted for the biggest, baddest thing I could get (snubbing .500 S&W), it was compact and light enough to carry easily enough while working. Here It would be massive overkill and entirely unnecessary.  Down here I pretty much stick with my Sig 938 with an ISWB at the small of my back or a holster clipped to my pack waist belt. If I am scouting in bear country or feel like I want a little more I grab my .44 S&W 329 NG in a Gunfighters Inc. chest holster, 6-.300gr hard cast lead slugs in an easy to carry  light framed pistol should do the trick. I probably carry the 938 over 90% of the time and have not felt under gunned.

[syoungs]

I'm replacing my 44 with a glock 20, love the 10mm's versatility. I have large hands, and the size of the pistol doesn't scare me, and running a large gun in a chest rig is what I'm used to.

If your not used to packing a large pistol around it may not be for you, only you could answer that!

I wouldn't hesitate to carry my 9mm either, I fear a confrontation with a 2 legged creature more then a 4.

[BLDtraLR]

Might want to look at the S&W sheild 45.  Light , compact easy to carry and one of the most accurate guns i've shot. My buddy also swears by his.

[NorseNW]

Think long and hard.

I know a dozen guys,me included who thought they needed to carry a big caliber gun while hunting for self defense and every one of them gave up the big guns for something smaller and lighter.

The best self defense gun is the one you will carry every time. And comfort over all else determines it at least around this state.

You have little to zero chance of ever needing it.

Yet I carry every day. I am never without at least one gun on me.
My favorites now are two Bond Hand Cannons in .410 / 45 Long colt. In a double shoulder rig.
Or my LCP 380.
I own bigger guns but in the end they are just too big and heavy.

I carry while hunting because I fell once off a ledge. My long gun was gone. But a handgun will in most cases stay with you.

Choose comfort first ,caliber 2 nd

I'm with ghost on this one.  I will add to his the best self defense gun is the one you will carry every time - the best self defense gun is also the one you can shoot quickly and hit accurately.  I'm a huge fan of the .40 round.  I've done a lot of defensive handgun ballistic research (reading and personal testing).  I love the .40 - I can't shoot it for CRAP!  I can run a 9mm much much faster and more accurate.  That's where I hang my hat.  If the "heavy hitter" shooters can run their guns my hat is off to them.  If I can get 5 rounds in you accurately before you pick up yours sights for the follow up shots.  I'll take that.  My 2 cents