My little family wants to start doing little day hikes up in the central part of the western Sierra mountains... for context, it *could* include Yosemite but would predominantly be north of that along CA-108 and maybe 395. Eventually we might expand to include 1-3 night backpacking trips.

We did a very light weight excursion to a couple of small lakes that have forest service roads nearby. But not directly accessing the lake. On this little journey I believe I found evidence of bear (fairly certain) and mountain lion (far less certain). I’ll post pictures later tonight when I can figure out a host.

The point: it makes me think a firearm is prudent. In the full size realm I have a Beretta 92, P220 Match Elite, and a department issued G22. None of those seem like great choices.

I’m thinking a Glock 20 seems the best tool given my location. Any other options to weigh it against?

I just recently sold my G20 and agree its combination of capacity, reliability and power make it a first class hikers gun.
I have decided to carry my Ruger BlackHawks as I feel they will equally meet my needs with a slight edge in reliability.

In my opinion, there are better choices but there are also trade-offs. I think that a 44 magnum is a much better choice, but you you lose a lot of rounds compared to the G20. That being said, when I was looking and made my choice, I picked up a G29. A little smaller package, and you can still use the G20 mags.

I have a S&W 44 Magnum, but I switched to the G20 for the 16 rounds vs 6. I carry it backpacking in bear country.

As I understand it the biggest dangerous animals I may face in my part of the world is probably the mountain lion and black bear. I don’t think there are any other generally dangerous animals in this part of the world. While bigger is always better (referring to caliber) it does seem capacity beats size when comparing 10mm to 44mag. I could see that being different if I were to be in grizzly country, but that’s not in the cards.

I've looked at the G20 too -- that is a lot of firepower. One drawback might be that it is pretty large (and might get in the way when carried while hiking) but that size is what gives it capacity.

Whether or not you intend to carry it concealed or can carry it in the open might influence how well it would work.

Mt. Lions are truly scary - silent stalkers - but fortunately attacks by them are rare. I usually think of feral dogs and feral people as the greatest threats. Here in the eastern USA, I'm pretty content with 9 rounds of 9mm in a light (25 ounce) single stack that I can carry concealed with my permit - plus one extra mag.

Ammo selection is important too. I am thinking more and more about carrying Lehigh Defense solid copper rounds or Buffalo Bore hard cast bullets with the little 9mm when hiking out in the woods (rather than the usually good Gold Dots or HSTs). Added: Underwood uses the Lehigh Defense solid copper bullets, as does Black Hills. It is important to note these bullets come in several calibers and two shapes: the Extreme Penetrator, which favors depth over width of the wound channel; and the Extreme Defender, which is designed to open up a large wound channel but does not go as deeply. Both are claimed to be barrier insensitive. The Extreme Penetrator would seem to be designed more for the woods and mountains.

The old rule - the gun you have with you is a lot better than any gun you left at home - pertains. You can probably start out with any substantial caliber handgun and work out what is easiest to carry (with at least one reload).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RoverSig,

Get the g20 or g40 and some buffalo bore loads and you are pretty set for 2 legged and 4 legged varmints.

The discoveries the triggered this thought process.



This is a close-up of the trail seen below. The trail seemed to be (to my untrained and inexperienced eye) mostly horse and mule, which makes sense given a pack station that was pretty close by. But there was also tracks that look like a large dog. Upon looking online, I see mountain lion and dog are pretty similar with the claw marks being a main difference. I didn’t not those at the time but they may have been there. I figure it’s not really good news if a lion was following the same path as the pack train?



I believe this is likely from a bear?

Greetings from Manteca. Don’t know how much I can help as I don’t own a 10mm, and don’t do much hiking, but I’ve always considered a revolver as my choice for a trail gun. If I was in the market I’d look at a 3” Ruger LCRx in .357 stuffed with Underwood ammo. Out of curiosity, were you up by Kennedy Meadows? Love that place.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
As I understand it the biggest dangerous animals I may face in my part of the world is probably the mountain lion and black bear. I don’t think there are any other generally dangerous animals in this part of the world.

You mean other than the illegals guarding the marajuana patches throughout the forest? The most dangerous animals you'll encounter in the forest don't have four legs.

I can assure you that there are bear where you're headed, and a number of big cats. The bear, not so much a worry. The cats you'll rarely, if ever see, but they will see you. You won't face off with a cat. They pick you, not the other way around.

Don't get stopped on a trail out of compliance, in California.

Go with a Glock 20, I’m very happy with mine.
I had a G29 but it was too easy to limp wrist and I can still conceal the G20, it still prints a little but it’s not like it’s my edc. But for when I’m in the woods it’s easy enough and I feel very well armed with 15+1 of Underwood ammo+ a reload. Which is something you won’t be doing in a fight with a revolver.
And some will say you’ll only get a couple shots and that may be true but 16 is still better than 5 or 6 any day

Weight can be an issue out hiking, unless it’s a ‘high probability’ area I wouldn’t over compensate for bears. Most self respecting black bear will exit before you ever see them.

I like a higher round count too. A mid-weight 40 with 12+1 rounds or so is plenty. Yes there is potential, but just because there are bear tracks in the woods(CA) no undue cause for alarm.

Personally--I would go with 44 magnum.
To carry the gun in a holster--this is what I would recommend.

https://gunfightersinc.com/kenai-chest-holster/

Okay, I'll turn it around since this is The Sig forum!

Sig 220 and if you have to have 10MM:

For what it's worth I think you would be well served with a 44mag and a couple speed loaders. 6 round of 44mag should stop anything you come across with maybe the exception of animals wearing armor . Besides revolvers seldom fail to shoot, eject or jam. Practice with your gun and shoot with speed as animals move amazing fast. You are not going to have time to get in your range stance and adjust your grip. Get it out, up and front sight on your target. As mentioned before you are more likely to be confronted by two legged threats then four but you need to be prepared for the four legged one too.

The only draw back to the G20 is weight. Loaded, it will weight almost 3 lbs. I'm an avid backpacker and to me, 3 lbs is a lot of added weight.

If you are in griz country, then a high capacity 10mm is a good choice if loaded with hard cast bullets. If you only had to worry about black bear, coyote and cougar like I do in the Smokey Mountains, bear spray and 9mm loaded with Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman is fine.

I tried to use a SW 29 in 44 mag. I could not hit accurately for my tastes with the big beast. I went to a G20 and never looked back. I can put 4 rounds quickly in a target before I put one .44 mag. Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman are the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by Hatchee:
If you are in griz country, then a high capacity 10mm is a good choice if loaded with hard cast bullets. If you only had to worry about black bear, coyote and cougar like I do in the Smokey Mountains, bear spray and 9mm loaded with Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman is fine.

I agree. If you don't have to worry about griz then a high cap nine with the right ammo is probably a better choice...not too mention a lot cheaper in the ammo department. In the areas where I hunt and fish in northern Michigan we have a pretty healthy black bear population. However, my biggest concern is probably feral dogs.

Does anything beat glock 20?
Yes, Smith & Wesson model 29 N frame 44 mag. and 2 speed loaders.
We live in the Rockies with bears and cougars. My hiking gun is the S&&W 44 mag. I used to carry a Beretta 92G-SD 9mm semi handgun but realized that I was going to make some bear awful irritated if I shot him. The 44 mag will stop him.

Some gun is better than no gun.

Obviously do your due diligence and try to maximize power / effects on target, while maintaining accuracy and utility.

10MM Glocks are good, 44 mag revolvers are good, etc etc - assuming you can use them effectively.