The family and I are taking a week trip through Michigan next month. Most of it will be driving, but we plan on spending a couple of days doing some mild/moderate hiking in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. We aren't hardcore hikers. We won't be bringing any backpacks beyond what will hold a snack of a lunch and some water bottles. Strictly 4-8 miles of walking and taking in nature.
Now I hate "Bear Threads". I dont plan on needing to stop a 10' tall Kodiak hopped up on meth after eating a tweaker it found in the woods
Here's my question, what would be the best sidearm to take for personal protection of my family in this setting? I know nothing about the wildlife nor the potential two-legged threats, so I'm wondering if I go with Six fast moving but slow shooting and hard-hitting or 15 fast and numerous or Five sorta hard hitting and faster to fire?
Here's what I have to work with:
Michigan honors my Indiana permit as long as I am a resident of the state of Indiana (which I am), so I'm good regarding day to day stuff. Honestly, until we get to the Forest, I think I'll feel fine with the .380 in my pocket.
The guns in question that I am thinking about carrying on my hikes are one of the three in my brace:
5.5" Ruger Blackhawk in .357. Obviously built like a tank and full power .357 is about as much of a pussycat as you can make it out such a chuck of steel. The cons: slow to fire being single action and it's a heavy cuss to lug around. Still, worth it if someone more knowing than myself thinks its more prudent.
SIG p320 full size in 9mm. I carry this gun with a compact frame housing a full size slide. So it carries 15+1. Its certainly lighter than the Blackhawk with over twice fire power. I'd probably stuff it full of premium Buffalo Bore ammo. Cons on this one is that its not going to hit as hard as the Blackhawk and it's still a full size gun to haul around.
Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 acp. I would much rather pack around a 22 oz short revolver over a full size gun. The .45 offers a pretty big thump if giving up ballistics to a longer barrel. It's faster to fire than the Blackhawk. Cons being that it's a snub nose and only holds 5 rounds. Would be a more comfy to carry though.
Finally, I open to suggestions as to what else others may suggest. You are all a bunch of enablers, and I am weak to suggestion if it means a new gun I've considered a .45 colt, .40, .44 special or 10mm. I'm not really considering a .44 magnum at this time, but I'm open if a compelling case is made. I'd like to keep it a compact and easy to carry gun if possible, but if y'all thing bigger us better, I'm ok with that too.
Thanks in advance
Now I hate "Bear Threads". I dont plan on needing to stop a 10' tall Kodiak hopped up on meth after eating a tweaker it found in the woods
Here's my question, what would be the best sidearm to take for personal protection of my family in this setting? I know nothing about the wildlife nor the potential two-legged threats, so I'm wondering if I go with Six fast moving but slow shooting and hard-hitting or 15 fast and numerous or Five sorta hard hitting and faster to fire?
Here's what I have to work with:
Michigan honors my Indiana permit as long as I am a resident of the state of Indiana (which I am), so I'm good regarding day to day stuff. Honestly, until we get to the Forest, I think I'll feel fine with the .380 in my pocket.
The guns in question that I am thinking about carrying on my hikes are one of the three in my brace:
5.5" Ruger Blackhawk in .357. Obviously built like a tank and full power .357 is about as much of a pussycat as you can make it out such a chuck of steel. The cons: slow to fire being single action and it's a heavy cuss to lug around. Still, worth it if someone more knowing than myself thinks its more prudent.
SIG p320 full size in 9mm. I carry this gun with a compact frame housing a full size slide. So it carries 15+1. Its certainly lighter than the Blackhawk with over twice fire power. I'd probably stuff it full of premium Buffalo Bore ammo. Cons on this one is that its not going to hit as hard as the Blackhawk and it's still a full size gun to haul around.
Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 acp. I would much rather pack around a 22 oz short revolver over a full size gun. The .45 offers a pretty big thump if giving up ballistics to a longer barrel. It's faster to fire than the Blackhawk. Cons being that it's a snub nose and only holds 5 rounds. Would be a more comfy to carry though.
Finally, I open to suggestions as to what else others may suggest. You are all a bunch of enablers, and I am weak to suggestion if it means a new gun I've considered a .45 colt, .40, .44 special or 10mm. I'm not really considering a .44 magnum at this time, but I'm open if a compelling case is made. I'd like to keep it a compact and easy to carry gun if possible, but if y'all thing bigger us better, I'm ok with that too.
Thanks in advance