Sorry Adam, I stand by my broad generalization and I really don't care. Anyone that feels the need to pack in the backcountry while backpacking needs to see a therapist. As for hunters??? Please don't get me started.....

"provocative post about firearms"

I grew up, years ago, tromping around the country, usually with a firearm. It wasn't uncommon. The fact that a post on a light weight backpacking forum, about a firearm (God forbid), raises so much adverse discussion and contempt, is really kind of sad. Times change

@ jacko- not so, revolvers can be very (very accurate), they can also be inaccurate. it's the responsibility of every hunter to insure the weapon they choose be it archery, handgun, long gun or Atlatl is suitable for the game being hunted, is accurate and capable of swift kills. Often it's not the inherent inaccuracy of a weapon, but the person behind said weapon. Certain weapons simply take more practice (and patience while hunting I might add)- archery and handguns come to mind. I've successfully dispatched dozens and dozens of grouse with a handgun, if the grouse is out my effective range I simply don't shoot. I've also taken a wide variety of big game w/ a handgun; I do take the time to work up proper loads, put the needed practice in at the range and insure that I'm in effective range and have a good shot- but that's responsible hunting, regardless of the weapon.

I might have been fooled, but I didn't take the OP's thread/question as a troll, I will point however I quickly called troll on the .380 thread :)

for those with a real abhorrence of firearms, hunting, sounds like even fishing for some- I could support the suggestion of a lightweight hunting sub forum

my intention with any of my posts is not to offend- simply to answer a question to the best of my ability or share my personal experience on a subject

I think it is also important to be aware that many active members of this site (including the founder) are hunters and fishermen/women and that we take pride in that activity (just like we do with hiking/backpacking)

So, guess Ryan Jordan shouldn't post about guns and hunting on his own site?

I see the OP was right in his suspicion that vitriol would be spewed.
Some people apparently just cannot control themselves.
I'm glad that they don't have guns.

And that is exactly what I meant. No surprise that ,thanks to a few, ALL of us that don't care to carry, can be painted by that same broad brush.
When will we learn....

Edited by Kat_P on 09/22/2011 08:03:57 MDT.

I think Mike hit the nail on the head. If you are going to hunt with it, be highly proficient with that weapon. For me, I am not confident with a pistol so I wouldnt bring one.

I don't know about ultra light .410 but I use a Remington SPR 100 that I bought from Wal-Mart (special order) for I think $90, definately less than $100. It looks like this http://www.armpou.com/images/REMINGTON%20SPR100.JPG It is very light for a rifle, I would venture less than a ruger 10/22. There is also some wood you could shave off, cut the barrell down (it's 28" I think). I can't find it on Remington's website anymore, used to be on there. Now all they show is the youth model/version http://www.remington.com/products/archived/shotguns/single-shot/spr100.aspx.

I really like my .410 for small game hunting. Once I switched from using a .22 rifle to the .410 I don't think I would ever go back. It makes for very clean kills and I like the lack of moving parts/reliability and simplicity of a $90 gun. I also have practiced shooting slugs out of it and could reliably hit a wild pig at 30-40 yards so I carry a couple slugs just in case a one walks by while I'm sitting waiting on a squirrel or something.

I sure hope all the anti-hunters are practicing a 100% vegan lifestyle, no leather seats in their cars, no down in their sleeping bags, no leather shoes, belts, etc.

"I sure hope all the anti-hunters are practicing a 100% vegan lifestyle, no leather seats in their cars, no down in their sleeping bags, no leather shoes, belts, etc."

I sure hope all hunters are practicing a 100 percent native american lifestyle: use every part of the animal (not just the meat), no hanging trophies on walls, no hunting 'just for sport,' etc.

I love gun threads. It never ceases to amaze me how much willful ignorance can accumulate in one thread. Talk about mindless convictions .....

To the OP: The Model 317 is a good little revolver - though considered a bit pricey by some. It's not uncommon for S&W rimfire revolvers to suffer from sticky extraction from time to time, but it's readily fixed by polishing the chambers and experimenting with various brands of ammunition. The one I shot was reasonably accurate and its features should serve you well as a trail/kit gun.

Edited by SloHiker57 on 09/23/2011 20:24:20 MDT.

Actually, I have nothing to say about guns.

But I just got in from a 35 mile bicycle commute to work. A big black coffee and oatmeal with banana slices is really hitting the spot right now.

I saw a man pooping on the sidewalk on Los Angeles St. near 4th. He laid out some newspapers so as to not mess up the sidewalk. That was considerate. I also saw a pack of at least half a dozen rats run across the street. All this a couple blocks away from the Staples Center and $million$ dollar condominiums. What a crazy world. But it was still a beautiful morning in a crazy sort of way...the skyscrapers and lights of downtown disappearing into morning fog. It was almost misty, streets nearly slick and shiny.

Now I've got to go sweep the floor of the ceramics studio.

Cheers, happy shooting folks.

Oh, and to get this back on topic, I think it would be pretty badAss if I could develop deadly accuracy throwing rocks.

Craig said:I think it would be pretty badAss if I could develop deadly accuracy throwing rocks.

Their was way to much football on TV last Sunday so I slapped in Jeremiah Johnson dvd. I see Jeremiah is held back by his new flathead tribal wife given to him when he was going to shoot a Grouse with his gun. She pick up a rock and wham she hit's it first try with a rock. Pretty amazing to hit a bird with a rock.
The closest I have come to that is to kill a quail for dinner that night with a wrist rocket when I was teenager.
With my BSA pellet rifle it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Terry

Edited by socal-nomad on 09/22/2011 09:36:59 MDT.

I think Forest was quoting his mother so I guess that goes to show that what we learn about life, religon,guns ,hunting, fishing and animal rights can be passed down and influenced by others. I have nothin against hunting and guns but I dont like a lot of hunters and gun owners. I have nothing against animal rights but I do not like a lot of animal rights activists. I have developed more of an intolerance for any one who feels their point of veiw is the only one. By the way what would take more courage displaying your large balls or small balls to everyone. I dont like it when people punch below the belt. And funny as it is where I kinda sway to the rather not see guns on the trail side, I just found myself siding more with the other side than than the side I might have been on had that person presented their veiw in a kinder and civel manner. I have set a new standard for myself to try to stay out of lynch mobs and speak my own mind so I hope I didnt blow it to bad right now. I think that the person who started this thread and all who are commenting ABOUT the topic have every right to do so and I am sorry to post off topic. I hope that all who cant seem to avoid just staying out of a conversation they dont like take this up with BPL and get a new forum heading started for guns and hunting otherwise a gun is just a piece of gear to maybe protect yourself or get dinner.If its legal and they are are interested in backpacking light and are following the ground rules stated then they have the right to talk.

@ D W: i dont work for/belong to the NRA. i am new to this site, but lurked for a year(fwiw)..

@Mike M, david tom, adam and matt thanks for the good on-topic advice, and for coming to my defense a couple times

@ the ALL CAPS crew: though you have an interesting way of saying it, i do agree hunting, firearms could benefit from being on a sub forum. but only if really could cut down on the of-topic, demeaning or generally childish stuff. this is something the mods should take a look at.

Why not put hunting/ firearm / self defense discussions in with the fishing topics?

Rename it the kill or be killed by things forum.

Of course the catch and release folks might squawk (or gurgle).


(Note, this post is an attempt at humor.)

Edited by oware on 09/22/2011 16:43:14 MDT.

Ultralight Revolver= digital copy of The Beatles' 1966 album?

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/fishing.html

http://www.calwild.org/resources/facts_64wa.html

I hike a lot in more than just the Parks and you will find hunting in many of the Forests and Wilderness Areas.

What many of you keep ignoring is that he is in Alaska. He is on a combo hunting/hiking trip. I doubt you will be there to worry about it.

BPL posts reviews of guns. Remember this:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/pak_rifle_review.html

Ryan's use is no different than what the OP plans. (It is really good to state your reasons/use right away next time. Not that it will stop all of it. ;-)

I don't have a problem with hikers that carry. I know a lot of them and they have never killed anybody or their dogs. I am much more scared of drunk hunters blasting away at movement in the trees. Last year in the San Gabriel Mountains of CA (on the PCT) we were inundated by deer hunters cruising the forest roads (which unfortunately are very close to the trail). Did not see any of those No Hunting signs that day...

@david
This was way better than the response I wasn't going to put anyway.
"I sure hope all the anti-hunters are practicing a 100% vegan lifestyle, no leather seats in their cars, no down in their sleeping bags, no leather shoes, belts, etc."

I sure hope all hunters are practicing a 100 percent native american lifestyle: use every part of the animal (not just the meat), no hanging trophies on walls, no hunting 'just for sport,' etc.

And just because you don't pay republican dues doesn't make you less republican. NRA is more of a way to say you believe in that system. I don't donate to peta but agree with about everything they stand for but I wouldn't be embarrassed to be associated with them.

I'm with Jenn; stereotypes are a real timesaver.

@ raymond: thanks for the comment and that i am in AK, where the differences between here and PCT/AT are numerous. i agree i should have described my exact situation better from the start. that might have cut down on all the noise. but even after a clarification, i got some inflammatory responses that showed people didnt read my clarifications, so oh well.

oh and i was so curious about your link to the Pack Rifle review i bought a subscription, and after reading it, looks like that one is on the top of the list for now. single shot i like how the weighty pull of the bolt negates the need for a safety..

really reminds me of a breakaway 22 cal of my great-great grandfathers, only with the UL treatment. would think it is much more versatile than a pistol

now onto all the other reviews i neglected!!