A good trail gun

I love hiking and backpacking. Its a pastime that I have always loved. Sometimes the places I go there are certain things that can happen. On the trail the chances of needing a firearm are rather rare, but when you need one you really need one.

My personal favorite is my Smith&Wesson Model 19 .357 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel. Depending on where I am the first load is usually a snake-shot load followed up with 180grain Remington Hollowpoints. I like the 180's because on the trails where I frequent the 180 is an all-around load. It will serve if I am the unlucky 1 in a million that is faced with an angry bear or even an unhappy wild boar. Also in the mountains where I like to hike there are a few pot farmers and the big hollowpoint will serve me well if I ever get in a pickle because someone thinks I am gonna narc on their farm. I also carry a few handloaded low-powered rounds with me in case I get in a jam and need to procure some small game. They are loaded with .38 full wadcutter target bullets and travel at about maybe 800fps. Enough to anchor small game but won't tear up too much meat.

Sometimes I have been known to carry a full-powered rifle or even a short barreled shotgun with me. For rifles I really only ever carry my Marlin 336 .30-30. But I am currently working on building a scout-rifle out of an Enfield that I got for a song because it was sporterized. Right now it has the scope mount and a back up peep sight and I am currently waiting on a synthetic stock. It cuts down the weight of the rifle. Granted carrying a rifle is gonna add more weight but a good full powered rifle is a very reassuring thing to have out in the wilds.

I like to carry at least 20 to 30 rounds with me on the trail, usually in some kind of cartridge holder that fits my belt right along side my knife.

When out on the trail a good map and compass are worth twice their weight in gold. When you buy a compass dont be a cheap little bastard, buy a quality compass that will hold up to abuse. I like the Cammenga military issue compass with tritium that glows in the dark. Its worth the money trust me.