That double is a piece of artwork, very nice

Ardent wrote:... I’m an outfitter on the coastal Alaskan border in BC. Personally, I carry a long slide Glock 10mm. ....

I had the idea that handguns were pretty much forbidden in Canada except for law enforcement.
??
BTW I like that double rifle also-- what make is it?

Best tool for the outfitting I did, no protrusions to snag, two shots for sure, and that’s all you’ll have time for in a close range charge. Plenty of effectiveness too.

This all said, and I like to play guns as much as the next guy, but in a decade in the big bears every day of my “work week” during bear season only once or twice did I need a gun for safety. And in those cases I was pursuing the bears and hunting them, not a situation you’re likely to get into as a casual user of the bush.

By far the most important safety equipment are a space blanket, communications devices, food, knife, lighter. All of which combined weigh what the handgun does, and I’d happily go sleep in the grizzly / browns in the river without the gun if I had to give up the rest.

But... there’s something special about a good gun, and a wild place, I’ve felt that since I was a boy too.

hotrod180 wrote:

Ardent wrote:... I’m an outfitter on the coastal Alaskan border in BC. Personally, I carry a long slide Glock 10mm. ....

I had the idea that handguns were pretty much forbidden in Canada except for law enforcement.
??
BTW I like that double rifle also-- what make is it?

Indeed! Common misconception, handguns in Canada are common and readily available at any gun store, but carrying them is uncommon. Carry requires a permit, and is common for bush pilots / outfitters / trappers / prospectors etc, and is common in those professions.

There is a much different culture around most guns in Canada, they’re work tools and aren’t a day to day item unless you work in the bush. For recreational use, you can’t just tuck a handgun in your bag to be clear.

The double is a Merkel 140AE, .375. Great pilot gun as it breaks in half in 5 seconds to two short pieces.

Iron74 wrote:I picked up a FN-57 a little bit back. It might be my new favorite pistol of the bunch. Light weight, super accurate, and with not much more kick than a .22, follow up shots are right on target. It might not be a one shoot bear stopper, but I bet I have a better chance of getting lead in the bear than the guy with the .357. For a small round it's amazing how powerful it is, super fast round.
definitely not cheap to shoot.

Been curious about those for years. How readily available is 5.7mm, current climate notwithstanding?

I have a FNX-9 that I like. Would definitely buy their other models.

hotrod180 wrote:

Ardent wrote:... I’m an outfitter on the coastal Alaskan border in BC. Personally, I carry a long slide Glock 10mm. ....

I had the idea that handguns were pretty much forbidden in Canada except for law enforcement.
??
BTW I like that double rifle also-- what make is it?

There are conditions under which a handgun can be carried in the field. Geologist working on the Barrens is one I believe and also with "demonstrated need" working out on the tundra north of 60 as I recall, but its been a few years since I was up there.

Mapleflt wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:

Ardent wrote:... I’m an outfitter on the coastal Alaskan border in BC. Personally, I carry a long slide Glock 10mm. ....

I had the idea that handguns were pretty much forbidden in Canada except for law enforcement.
??
BTW I like that double rifle also-- what make is it?

There are conditions under which a handgun can be carried in the field. Geologist working on the Barrens is one I believe and also with "demonstrated need" working out on the tundra north of 60 as I recall, but its been a few years since I was up there.

Indeed, a quarter of the entire North American Grizzly population calls British Columbia home and ATC / authorization to carry is common here in remote area work. Minimum chambering is 10mm/.357 in B.C.

dogpilot wrote:.357

Why, well you can shoot both .38 and .357 in it ...Flares, shot shells and so on. Naturally, you would be shooting a revolver ...
If your hunting in a survival situation, a .357 will make a smear of a squirrel. A .38 or a shot shell .38 will leave you a meal ...

Buy one of those wallet sized Lee Loaders, or a bigger blue one, use .357 brass and you can have hypersonic 125 gr scorchers over 2400 or 750 fpm 148 gr wadcttters over Bullseye. (A friend carries 148 grain SOFT lead WCs as a defense load in a 13 oz Titanium S and W.) Lee even makes tiny 85 grain WCs that would fit right in between shot shell and full size WCs.)

In the OP it was stated "one gun." So you if you want a handgun you WANT a SA/DA revolver. It's easier for a friend or family member that is unfamiliar with firearms to use. They have fewer ammo issues and are more accurate than semi-autos, especially those with a floating barrel.

Personally, I prefer a camp carbine (the ones that break into two pieces). In .38/.357 Winchester made 'em. I have a nice one. Henry made 'em, a guy in Montana hand makes really pretty SS ones. Perfect to load up and put into your survival kit.

Jackie

Now, about 2 years after the last post on this thread, has anyone seen (and maybe acquired) any new or new-to-you pistols and/or production ammo to carry in the woods for those unlikely (but possible) Defense of Life and Property shots you might have to make when you stumble upon a grizzly's closely guarded elk, deer, moose, or cow carcass?

Oh-six-Lima wrote:Personally, I prefer a camp carbine (the ones that break into two pieces). In .38/.357 Winchester made 'em. I have a nice one. Henry made 'em, a guy in Montana hand makes really pretty SS ones. Perfect to load up and put into your survival kit.

Jackie

I ascribe to the theory that stuff on my person when flying over the back country is "survival gear", while stuff in the back seat or cargo space is "camping gear". How do we reconcile carrying a carbine or any weapon with a long barrel as survival gear on our person? Wouldn't a long gun of any dimensions fall into the 'maybe I can grab my camping gear from the back of the plane' should I have to execute a undesired crash landing at a less than ideal location?