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I live in NJ so bringing a gun outdoors with me, especially if I'm camping within state boundaries, is sort of iffy.
I used to bring a Tisas 1911, but the thing was bulky and heavy as all hell. Also, the 1911 platform is falling out of favor for me because it's a pain in the ass to disassemble or clean if some dirt gets in there and jams it up.
SO, I'm trading that gun in for some cash towards a short barreled 44 magnum revolver that'll go into one of the pockets of my pack while I'm hiking. In my opinion - short barreled revolvers are great for backpacking. You don't need all the inner workings of a spring magazine, it's easier to get the dirt out of, and they're mostly reliable. Also, a 44 magnum is going to cover pretty much anything nature or mankind can throw at you.
To those who say "leave the guns at home", a firearm isn't something we bring with us expecting to use. It's something we bring with us for peace of mind. It's a tool to add to the pack. Chances of using it? Slim. Chances of using that bear spray? Your emergency GPS beacon? Your signalling mirror/flares/whistle/whatever else? Also slim. But they are survival tools. And just having them at your disposal can increase your morale and confidence in certain situations, like those 2spooky4me nights in a tent in bear country.
Pic related it's the revoler I'm looking at getting (Taurus Tracker 44)
