Guns.

[FJ Tex]

i've been considering adding a pack rifle/ pack pistol to my gear and i wanted input from others who hike,camp,expedition etc. with firearms. after my own research i've found two that i'm debating over (other suggestions are welcome) cant decide between walther p22 and the henry AR-7 (U.S. Survival Rifle) thoughts?

[cannondale@juno.com]

a .40 cal compact handgun is the consensus around here... small but will get it done...

[FJ Tex]

a while ago i was thinking the .45 Auto USP. i've been leaning toward the .22LR load though as it is dirt cheap and dosent weigh much and is a great all around survival round. it dosent have a lot of stopping power but carrying a .40 or even a .38 tends to destroy small game. also being that a box of .22LR is so cheap and light i can afford to miss a lot.

[Postee]

I'd suggest a big caliber if it's for protection from humans, or bears/cougars. But a nice .22 semi auto handgun is great for grouse and such.


Postee

[MJPie79]

A revolver is most reliable. .357 will do just about everything well from game hunting to self protection. Smith and Wesson makes a 8-shot revolver and so does Taurus. Ruger also make a good one in a 6-shot.

[Boss73]

MJPie79 previously said:

A revolver is most reliable. .357 will do just about everything well from game hunting to self protection. Smith and Wesson makes a 8-shot revolver and so does Taurus. Ruger also make a good one in a 6-shot.

I was looking at the Tarus for the eight shot.. A friend of mine has a Tarus .44 hand cannon which I love to shoot.That is untill I have to pay for the three boxes of ammo at the range... Good gun though.

[1911]

I used to own an AR-7 and it was neat for what it was - light, packable, and it floats (when broken down and stored in the stock). The rear sight was a joke though, and it was not incredibly accurate. Good enough to shoot squirrels and rabbits at a short distance. I carried it in my backpack for a long time and used it to shoot supper a few times. Can't remember now when or why I traded it off. It fills a very narrow niche - maybe a good choice for canoeing or kayaking, but really it's kind of a novelty toy. A good .22 pistol would be easier to carry and nearly as accurate.

[FJ Tex]

1911 previously said:

I used to own an AR-7 and it was neat for what it was - light, packable, and it floats (when broken down and stored in the stock). The rear sight was a joke though, and it was not incredibly accurate. Good enough to shoot squirrels and rabbits at a short distance. I carried it in my backpack for a long time and used it to shoot supper a few times. Can't remember now when or why I traded it off. It fills a very narrow niche - maybe a good choice for canoeing or kayaking, but really it's kind of a novelty toy. A good .22 pistol would be easier to carry and nearly as accurate.

yeah its taht narrow niche i'm trying to fill. thanks for the input on the AR-7 i've not fired this but i assumed it'd be fairly accurate, i dont know why i just thought it would be. the walther p22 seems to be a very accurate plinker but i hear it can be tempermental with cheap ammo (cheap by .22 standards).

i know revolvers are incredibly reliable and defense against bears and cougars etc. really calls for somthing large. honestly i dont want to lug a Hand cannon because by the end of the day it feels like a real cannon on your back. as far as people are concerned, i seriously doubt and sincerely hope i'm never in a situation where i'd be pointing ANY gun at a person, let alone shooting it. nonetheless if that situation were to occur i dont think anyone wants to get shot with any calibre bullet, frankly a well placed .22 round is a lot more valuble than a wildly inaccurate .50. as stated above ammo gets expensive, with .22LR ammo i can afford to burn a few thousand rounds without burning a hole in my bank acct. .40, .357 even .38 gets pricey comparativly. expensive ammo discourages practice.

[Sprocket3211]

Ruger P22 great choice, and does not add much weight for your pack.

[LEASTBAY]

Taurus Tracker .357