Self defense pistol worth the weight?

[AllenG]

I decided it wasn't and left it locked in a box in the pickup at the trailhead in Colorado the first elk rifle season. Elk got ran out of the valley the first morning. So, I packed up camp and hiked out towards the trailhead that evening to move in a drainage the elk had gone to. Around 11:30 that night I ran into a mountain lion at about 30 yards. No pistol and an unloaded rifle with my camp on my back I was slow prey. I banged my hiking poles together and I was relieved when the lion walked away. I started carrying after that night. That was my first encounter or at least the first known time that I was ever close to a lion.

 

[TOGIE]

if it's for lions, not worth the weight.

better odds of successful defense with bear spray anyway IMO. which is also not worth the weight for lions.

 

[mtmiller]

better odds of successful defense with bear spray anyway IMO. which is also not worth the weight for lions.

Or put a bullet in the rifle

 

[brymoore]

I wouldn’t bother for black bear, wolves or lions.

Grizzlies and known human issues might be a yes.

 

[TOGIE]

Or put a bullet in the rifle

definitely. my rifle always has some in the hopper. takes 3 seconds get one up for bat.

 

[mtmuley]

Why is a sidearm too heavy for some guys? I like a G20 in a Kenai Gunfighter. Hardly notice it. mtmuley

 

[Blue Steel]

A lot of guys now seem to be recommending 9mm for woods carry, but a lightweight revolver like a scandium S&W with Hornady XTPs or +p hard casts, could work well

 

[noharleyyet]

Why is a sidearm too heavy for some guys? I like a G20 in a Kenai Gunfighter. Hardly notice it. mtmuley

...a P229 .40 in a clip cordura holster for many deer seasons.

 

[JT88]

S&W 29 classic in a Gunfighters Inc. Chest rig Lots of firepower can be worth the weight. Depending on the circumstances

 

[Potsie]

Glock 48 in a Tenicor AIWB holster.

 

[Hem]

Why is a sidearm too heavy for some guys? I like a G20 in a Kenai Gunfighter. Hardly notice it. mtmuley

No binos on your chest?

 

[Elktrack]

No binos on your chest?

I run the kenai “under “ my bino harness. It’s super comfortable and not bulky. Never going back to hip holster when I’m hunting. Can wear the chest rig with backpack or a pack board and actually use the hip belt now

 

[Hem]

I run the kenai “under “ my bino harness. It’s super comfortable and not bulky. Never going back to hip holster when I’m hunting. Can wear the chest rig with backpack or a pack board and actually use the hip belt now

Good to know. Thanks.
Just seems like overload on straps...pack, binos, gun.

 

[Elktrack]

Good to know. Thanks.
Just seems like overload on straps...pack, binos, gun.

I thought the same thing until I tried it. Last thing I wanted to do was add a whole bunch more crap to my bino harness. I swear, some of these setups are like wearing a backpack on your chest. I’m usually packing a model 20 or 21 in mine so it’s not too thick. A revolver would probably be too much for my liking. I’m super tickled with it instead of fighting hip holsters banging on my stock and interfering with hip belts on packs.

 

[TOGIE]

Why is a sidearm too heavy for some guys? I like a G20 in a Kenai Gunfighter. Hardly notice it. mtmuley

Too heavy versus worth the weight and hassle are wildly different questions/calculations

Not many items I imagine needing less than a sidearm, especially outside of grizz country