>>2673105Self defense. I didn't wind up using it during my trip for hunting (although I got within a stones throw of a lot of animals I could have if I wasn't already laden with food from towns). With practice you can accurately hit things (with a slug mind you) at about twenty yards. The stock would have upped the distance.
It was very nice to have for the bear incident (I just scared him off with a warning shot. He's fine.), the numerous hobo incidents (the sound of a racking firearm discourages people who you see sneaking towards your camp), and the many times coyotes were circling my fire in the dead of night. I will always bring this on campus f I'm here on in, but admittedly, I'll stick with a handgun for my longer excursions for ease of maintenance, and to save weight.
