>>415394>I plan to get into backpacking but I'm looking for a collapsible rifle or handgun to carry with me.You don't mention where you'll be going /out/doors and what your interests are and that plays a part
in the choice of firearms, as camping on Kodiak Island has different requirements then camping in Ohio.
For handguns, I'd recommend a stainless steel S&W or Ruger revolver, caliber and size dependent on
where and what you're doing, with .45LC, .44 or .41 Mag if bears are a concern, .357 Mag/.38Spl for a
general purpose revolver or .22LR if you're looking for a "kit gun".
For longuns the same location/activities requirements apply; a 12 gauge pump-shotgun loaded with
slugs is common for bear defense in Alaska and Canada, with a .45/70 or .444 lever-action rifle being
another good choice.
But if you're doing backpacking or general camping, a .22LR carbine is probably the best choice,
as you're not hunting and you'll presumably only be using it for recreational target shooting with the
possibility of it acting as a survival rifle, making Ruger's 10/22 Take-Down model a perfect choice IMO.
