Camping/Hiking Gun in the Rockies suggestions.

[Spartan]

I am taking the family tent camping in the mountains and am looking for suggestions on a handgun appropriate for the task. I have been told by several experienced hikers and campers that I should get a quality 44 magnum. Good deal. However, a number of folks are saying that 44 mag is not necessary and a 357 mag will do. Obviously, a rifle or shotgun is a better choice, but I need something more portable. So what say you: 44 magnum vs 357 magnum? Thanks.

[Dave]

A .357 will handle most of what you will come across up there is if decides it doesn't like you. Most will recommend a .44 just in case what doesn't like you is a bear or some angry bigger game. Usually humans have run ins with a coyote or maybe a big cat and a .357 with a well placed shot will handle those.

[Dingo]

A Taurus Tracker .44 would probably be fine for whatever you'd run into out here. It can't handle the Buffalo Bore grizzly loads, but you won't run into griz out here. It holds 5 shots, is portable and light, and the .44 can be loaded to very respectable levels for mountain cats and black bears. The Ruger Redhawk in a short barreled flavor would be a heftier (and therefore could handle the nastier hardcast loads with ease) choice, but is still easily portable in a chest rig or cowboy-type hip holster.

[Dingo]

In all honesty, I carry my Glock 9mm when camping. The wildlife out here is pretty tame for the most part, and I think it's 100x more likely to run into humans with ill intent than rampaging game.

[brobar]

So many guns and so few dollars. I've got a S&W 629 Backpacker .44 Mag on my wish-list just for those hiking/backpacking/camping occasions.

[DireWolf]

When camping, I usually wear a Glock 17 9mm in a Blackhawk (quick-release) holster, and keep a rifle close-at-hand. The way I figure it, if anything shows up that 18 rounds of 147gr+P JHP's won't handle, at least they'll give me time to get to my .308

[GilpinGuy]

I take a Taurus 445 .44 Special.

[Spartan]

A .357 will handle most of what you will come across up there is if decides it doesn't like you. Most will recommend a .44 just in case what doesn't like you is a bear or some angry bigger game. Usually humans have run ins with a coyote or maybe a big cat and a .357 with a well placed shot will handle those.

I have to ask. What is bigger than a bear? Sasquatch? Maybe that 45-70 Marlin will come with me.....

[GilpinGuy]

I have to ask. What is bigger than a bear? Sasquatch? Maybe that 45-70 Marlin will come with me.....

A pissed off bull elk or moose is nothing to be messed with.....

[Ronin13]

Seeing how this is Colorado- I would think a decent .45 would be sufficient. My adventures into the wild I usually pack my 1911 with two spare mags (if I can't kill something intent on attacking me with 22 JHP .45 rounds they earned their meal). Now, if it were Alaska, I'd recommend a S&W .500 or an IMI Desert Eagle .50... a hand cannon perhaps?