Good gun for the Desert
- Thread starter Rat Robb
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mljdeckard
Member
I don't need to read about it. I've actually done it.
I carry a full-size, all steel 1911 for backpacking. And concealed carry. And open carry. And out in the woods as a hunting backup. I am always the one yelling at people who whine about having to adjust their habits and wardrobe to match their carry gun, when you're in the desert you don't have to conceal. A Beretta doesn't weigh that much. Just the opinion I am entitled to.
I carry a full-size, all steel 1911 for backpacking. And concealed carry. And open carry. And out in the woods as a hunting backup. I am always the one yelling at people who whine about having to adjust their habits and wardrobe to match their carry gun, when you're in the desert you don't have to conceal. A Beretta doesn't weigh that much. Just the opinion I am entitled to.
Thanks for all the suggesetions and advice.
For those who asked where I'm going, the answer is is I dont know. Flying into Vegas and from there it's where ever the rental car takes us, I'm going with a friend of mine who could map the southwest on a cocktail napkin.
I wasn't looking to buy a gun but kudos to a few of you for trying ;-)
Can't wait for the trip, it's in early April.
-Robb
For those who asked where I'm going, the answer is is I dont know. Flying into Vegas and from there it's where ever the rental car takes us, I'm going with a friend of mine who could map the southwest on a cocktail napkin.
I wasn't looking to buy a gun but kudos to a few of you for trying ;-)
Can't wait for the trip, it's in early April.
-Robb
KBintheSLC
Member
Generally, yes you can just go around. However, sometimes your terrain does not permit that. Sometimes those critters can be found in the most inconvenient of places. I like snakes, and will usually try to just move them with a long stick. But this is not always possible. As for scorpions and spiders... my boot will generally do the dirty deed on them.
LeonCarr
Member
Don't forget the Gila Monsters
T. Bracker
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- Aug 31, 2004
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- 155
Of those you mentioned, the .357 would be my choice. Actually a .22 would probably be just fine, good for varmints and snakes and light ammo for a backpack trip.
SweetKnuckles
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Glock.
Many more rounds on hand.
Quicker to reload.
And by the way, they make snake rounds in 9mm.
Easily found at Bass Pro and the like.
Now to address the OT stuff:
Re: Snake avoidance training - some dogs have such a high prey drive they take more sessions than others, but with yearly re-checks it can work.
Vaccination may keep your dog from dying, but it won't help with all the pain and tissue damage that occurs along with the bite.
Pic of my dog after a Diamondback bite...I assure you vaccination would not have prevented the heartache and money expenditures associated with this. (This is not surgical...this was a week or so after the bite when the dead tissue fell off)
Slideshow of said event:
Many more rounds on hand.
Quicker to reload.
And by the way, they make snake rounds in 9mm.
Easily found at Bass Pro and the like.Now to address the OT stuff:
armedbear said:
Re: Snake avoidance training - some dogs have such a high prey drive they take more sessions than others, but with yearly re-checks it can work.
Vaccination may keep your dog from dying, but it won't help with all the pain and tissue damage that occurs along with the bite.
Pic of my dog after a Diamondback bite...I assure you vaccination would not have prevented the heartache and money expenditures associated with this. (This is not surgical...this was a week or so after the bite when the dead tissue fell off)
Slideshow of said event:
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lloveless
Member
RCModel,
Was that old prospector Abe Reed?
Leanwolf,
Let's go anyway!
ll
Was that old prospector Abe Reed?
Leanwolf,
Let's go anyway!
ll
NMGonzo
Member
Glock is fine for that.
Sounds like a grand adventure. I lived in Los Angeles for nearly 36 years and spent some time out in the Mojave Desert, and other desert and mountain locations. I've run into some really strange people at times.
You never know what, or whom, you'll encounter out there. It can be very interesting!
L.W.
doubleh
Member
It may be a little difficult to walk around a rattlesnake at times but you can always just back up and find another path. I've been prowling the bushes all my life and I have killed some rattlesnakes but I cannot remember one time that is was necessary to kill one. I haven't killed one for many, many years now. The snake is probably more frightened of you than you are of him. I'm not sure that is true, considering the way I've seen some people act when they see a snake, any kind of snake The fact remains, if you will leave the snake alone, he will leave you alone.
All my bush prowling was done carrying a .22 revolver when I wasn't wagging a shotgun while bird hunting and I never felt under gunned. If I was worried about 2 legged varmints I would carry my S&W mod. 19 and feel perfectly comfortable.
The fact remains, if you will leave the snake alone, he will leave you alone.All my bush prowling was done carrying a .22 revolver when I wasn't wagging a shotgun while bird hunting and I never felt under gunned. If I was worried about 2 legged varmints I would carry my S&W mod. 19 and feel perfectly comfortable.
rswartsell
Member
I have killed a few venomous snakes, and when I did I thought it wise to do so. This is in different country (Appalachians), but I think the issues are the same. Most of those killed were copperheads in dry spells that come down from the ridges into the valley floor where people live for water. Copperheads don't have a rattle to warn people and Appalachian children and dogs can easily get crossways of them when they are bold enough to traverse inhabited areas (unusual granted, they are normally very shy of people).
I also killed a timber rattler that was intently making it's way to the crawl space under my grandfathers house. I got off a riding mower to do it, someone said that the drone of the mower might have actually attracted it. I say B.S.
In THEIR environment leave them alone and they will return the favor. I agree with this. Should they venture into yours, then I agree with Darwin.
I also killed a timber rattler that was intently making it's way to the crawl space under my grandfathers house. I got off a riding mower to do it, someone said that the drone of the mower might have actually attracted it. I say B.S.
In THEIR environment leave them alone and they will return the favor. I agree with this. Should they venture into yours, then I agree with Darwin.
essayons21
Member
While a revolver is the best type of gun for hiking around in the desert due to versatility, you DO NOT want to take your 686. The weight of that 6" barrelled behemoth is sure to be a pain in the ass after walking a few miles. Take the Glock, no need to dirty up a nice gun like a Sig.
Get some snakeshot and try it in your Glock. CCI's snakeshot cycles fine in my 4" 1911, but I have heard it doesn't work in some guns. If it doesn't cycle, I would stick to standard HP defensive loads. Hitting a snake from a few yards isn't too hard, even with a single slug. Your primary threat is the 2-legged variety.
Get some snakeshot and try it in your Glock. CCI's snakeshot cycles fine in my 4" 1911, but I have heard it doesn't work in some guns. If it doesn't cycle, I would stick to standard HP defensive loads. Hitting a snake from a few yards isn't too hard, even with a single slug. Your primary threat is the 2-legged variety.
denfoote
Member
My tramping in the desert gun is the Smith M28 loaded with Buffalo Bore 180gr Heavy .357 ammo.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
This load will pretty much handle everything from no legs (yes Virginia you occasionally DO have to shoot a rattle snake) to four legs!!
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
This load will pretty much handle everything from no legs (yes Virginia you occasionally DO have to shoot a rattle snake) to four legs!!
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Beat Trash
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 40
To the OP,
Your trip sounds like it could be interesting and alot of fun. In your situation, my main concern would be protection against two legged threats.
With that thought in mind, I'd take which ever gun you own that you can shoot the best under stress.
Your Glock 17 would be my choice.
Your trip sounds like it could be interesting and alot of fun. In your situation, my main concern would be protection against two legged threats.
With that thought in mind, I'd take which ever gun you own that you can shoot the best under stress.
Your Glock 17 would be my choice.
sheepdog
Member
No experience in the desert...
...but lots of experience with snakes...the two-legged kind...keeping weight down, but realizing both venomous snakes and (more likely) criminal-minded element or numbers of immigrants might be encountered...I personally would carry my .45 with one snake shot in the tube and a few more in my pocket...and several magazines of hollow points...MUCH more likely to have human troubles than wildlife...but that would take care of either...help would likely be a looooong ways off if any...I wouldn't take a dog unless he had leather booties on and PLENTY of water(more weight)....if I were going to do what you're planning, I'd disregard the weight and carry a rifle, too...
...have fun, be safe...tell us all about it when you come back...
...but lots of experience with snakes...the two-legged kind...keeping weight down, but realizing both venomous snakes and (more likely) criminal-minded element or numbers of immigrants might be encountered...I personally would carry my .45 with one snake shot in the tube and a few more in my pocket...and several magazines of hollow points...MUCH more likely to have human troubles than wildlife...but that would take care of either...help would likely be a looooong ways off if any...I wouldn't take a dog unless he had leather booties on and PLENTY of water(more weight)....if I were going to do what you're planning, I'd disregard the weight and carry a rifle, too...
...have fun, be safe...tell us all about it when you come back...
Another desert rat here backing up the comments about snakes, leave 'em alone. You need to worry about hydration and people. Spring in the four corners is unpredictable, I've been snowed on in the morning and down to shorts in the afternoon of the same day. Honestly in spring, flash floods are a bigger concern than what gun you have.
p.s. I was out in the boonies last weekend and saw the biggest coyote I've ever seen. It had a black and tan coat, I think it was a hybrid. I surprised it coming around a blind corner on a road, from a standstill it jumped a 6 foot fence and I lost it in an arroyo.
p.s. I was out in the boonies last weekend and saw the biggest coyote I've ever seen. It had a black and tan coat, I think it was a hybrid. I surprised it coming around a blind corner on a road, from a standstill it jumped a 6 foot fence and I lost it in an arroyo.
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sheepdog
Member
...I read an article on another forum recently about wolves/coyotes breeding...surprised me...might be what you have there...
AStone
Member
The following is very sage advice. Anyone walking in desert - and especially in the canyons - should listen to Supernaut.
As a full fledged Desert Rat, I suggest the G17. That is my firearm of choice when I am out in the boonies. Light, durable and super reliable with 18 rds in the gun (same as a cylinder full plus 2 speedloaders in .357). Add in a couple of spare mags and you have over 50 rounds ready to go.
I have encountered some 2 legged predators when I am out in the bush. Nothing of note thankfully. No big predators out here, except some mountain lions and 9mm is plenty big enough for them. As for snakes, I am of the opinion that if you see one, you can avoid it and if you are already on top of it, you will get bit before you have a chance to draw anyway.
I have encountered some 2 legged predators when I am out in the bush. Nothing of note thankfully. No big predators out here, except some mountain lions and 9mm is plenty big enough for them. As for snakes, I am of the opinion that if you see one, you can avoid it and if you are already on top of it, you will get bit before you have a chance to draw anyway.
colorado_handgunner
Member
As far as the cell phone......pift! It will not work in the wilderness without cell towers. Carry it for the drive, but take a good two way radio. Stay safe and have fun.
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