I'm going bowhunting for elk way out in the Colorado backcountry this fall. We'll be backpacking in half a day through some really rugged terrain and hunting for several days. This will be my first trip in bear/lion country. I wanted to get everyones opinion on the best sidearm to carry, if I chose to do so. Just wanted to get some opinions on handguns that you may recommend, especially to those who've been there done that. I don't want to buy a new one, just want your opinion based on what I currently have available. I also want to take into consideration weight for carrying all day, ammunition capacity, comfortable size and any other factors you may shed some light on. Don't plan on hunting with it, just defensive purposes.

Ruger SP101 .38/.357 w/4" barrel
Springfield XD .40 sub compact
Beretta 92 9mm
Springfield 1911 .45 (original GI model)

What would you choose? Or would you just buy a can of bear spray and leave the pistol in camp?

Personally, I'd carry the 1911.

The 357 just in case your in a sleeping bag and need to fire it

I would take a friend along to video the hunt that I could outrun.

Either the .357 or the .45 are going to be fine. I'd probably do the .357 to eliminate the mechanical requirement of chambering a round, but either are better than the other 2 options.

Is it legal to carry a firearm while bowhunting?

The way I understand it, in CO it is. Not in TX.

I'm curious as to the reason you'd need a .357 to shoot through a sleeping bag?

When packing in weight is a factor. I would choose the 357 or 40 , whichever is lighter. My brother guides in Colorado and he and the other guides carry leightweight. 38 and. 357's. Of course the guy they are guiding is typically carrying a rifle.

X2

.357

Do they make portable flame throwers?

Best option, in my opinion.

Yes , they do.

The fabric of the bag could jam up the semi auto if you're shooting from inside the bag. So you'll get one shot off, but maybe not 2. A revolver is more likely to not get tangled up. Concealed hammer revolver would be 100% reliable in that situation.

1911 with an extra magazine.

This a guided hunt? If the guide recommends it (as in specifically says "bring a side arm"), I'd carry the .357. If he says you don't need it (as he likely will) leave it at home. You'll end up hating it by the end of the first hike, and no one will carry your sidearm for you. You're more likely to get struck by lightening on this hunt than mauled by bears or mountain lions. Are you wearing insulated boots and dragging a ground-strap wherever you go, too? The only guides I know that actually recommend sidearms are in Alaska. If you just wanna' go packin', suit yourself. Of course, you could always use this as an excuse to buy a 4" .44Mag, or even better, a .460S&W (then you can carry .460, .45, and .454 ammo), either of which would be ideal.

22 or 22 mag, an can of spray, For when the starved cat takes you on, Just happens so quick that prayer time runs out. Best thing is lightning rod carried by your buddy, thats no joke. its spooky, Carbon arrows make a loud humming, time to dump an dive.

I agree with this! I took a .44 with me and after the first day I never looked at it again. Way too heavy, pain in the azz, not needed and unless you are a stud your going to be huffin & puffin as it is. Get a can of Bear spray if you think your really going to be in their country. A mountain lion will kill you before you even know your dead. One more thing, unless your going by horseback twenty miles in then be prepared to see all kinds of wildlife, the human kind that is.

I actually had a bear make a false charge on me during a Colorado Elk bowhunt 3 or 4 years ago that stopped just a few feet above me on the side of the mountain. Yes it scared the crap out of me, but I stood my ground. Which is what your supposed to do. But we are talking Black Bears. I still would feel no need to carry a sidearm while hunting in Colorado. At least not because of bears.

I like the way Slow Drifter thinks....I'm always looking for excuses to by another gun!!!

I carry a S&W .41 when out and about in NM and AZ and hunting here in TX. I'd vote the .357 with the heaviest bullet you can find. JSP or Hardcast. I hear Buffalo Bore makes some good stuff. They have a 180gr Heavy .357 that looks promising.

I've been on the wrong end of an unhappy black bear a couple of times. Luckily I persuaded them to leave me alone. A long gun is better but a sidearm you can always have with you. No harm having it and I don't notice the weight.

Bear spray is great and works well if:
You actually hit the bear
You don't spray into the wind
You don't have asthma

I'm not knocking it but it is no more magical than is a gun when a bear is after you. Both have their uses. Best to avoid the bruins and have good camp discipline with your food.

And please feel free to use my vote for buying a new .4x gun.

All good advice. Thanks. If we draw the tag we want, the pistol will be a non issue because we'll be rifle hunting. But our backup plan is a bow hunt- no guide, just me and one other buddy. Last year he was pretty much forced to kill a black bear with his bow at about ten feet(he really didn't want to, but 10 feet was a little close for comfort). He accidentally walked up on him eating a kill. Had he had a firearm, he said he would've been able to at least fire a few warning shots. Not that I'm paranoid, but a hunting compound is not something I want to try and fend off critters with, even if the chances of an encounter are low.

I have hunted Colorado several times and I always carry my S&W Mountain Gun 44 mag with 4" barrel. I also have a 1911 45. That would be my choice of what is on your list.

If go inside 7-11 in kremlin look for skid marks on floor. Dam bears recognize snacks, an ASK for handout. Hard parts stopping before you hit back wall

JJ: Love to read your posts