<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: colt100

If you are carrying a handgun on the machine, why not take a rifle or shotgun? There are stock rifle cases and a rifle/shotgun is going to be way more effective on anything you need to shoot then a handgun.

Not trying to start a war but this would be the way I would go if not concealed on my person.</end quote></div>

Some people like to hunt with handguns.

 

I know people hunt with them but he said "protection from the elements" that I took to mean personal protection from like snakes, bears, thugs, ect. All of them would be better served by being dispatched with a shotgun/rifle if the need would so arise.

 

I have a Colt Python 357. I have it in a case in the front compartment. No permit, the Local laws say I can carrie any way i want as long as it is out of arms reach.

 

I carry a S&W .38 special in the air weight version. It is very light and compact. I carry it concealed under shirt or in the small of my back. Sometimes even just in my pocket. I have a concealed weapons permit. Sometimes I carry my .45 but just for a change do I do that. It's big and heavy.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: colt100

I know people hunt with them but he said "protection from the elements" that I took to mean personal protection from like snakes, bears, thugs, ect. All of them would be better served by being dispatched with a shotgun/rifle if the need would so arise.</end quote></div>

"Elements" refers to snow/wind/rain/dirt/etc., lol...

Rifles & shotguns take up a lot of space if you're not hunting.

I would prefer to just keep it in a holster on me, but he obviously doesn't want that.

 

I probably didn't make myself real clear.
I'd like my handgun protected from the elements (rain/snow/etc) and can carry concealed if necessary, but prefer not.

I recently had a run-in on a trail with a rather large moose, it feared me not.
I came around a sharp turn and found myself staring at its knee caps.
Startled the crap out of me. I back up quickly / vry quickly and stopped.
Then the moose took several steps toward me, not away as I would have expected.
Had I been carrying my 45 I'd have put a shot into the ground and expected perhaps the moose might have quickly left the scene.
I'd be vry had pressed to shoot the moose or any other animal, just not my thing.
Don't give a hoot what other's do & enjoy and don't pass any judgment on them.

Also it's now been made clear that Bear frequent the area I ride, I'd blow them away if confronted the way the moose confronted me & loose no sleep.

Maybe that's a little more clear.
Thanks for all the input,
scupper

 

Scupper, I typically I always have some sort of handgun with me when riding. The type and size of handgun determines how I carry it. For the bigger handguns, some with scopes, I use a shoulder holster which is under my coat if the weather is bad. For the smaller handguns I carry them either strong side or crossdraw which again is under a coat in bad weather. These carry methods allow me to just pop the snap on the coat for quick access if the firearm is needed. I should mention also that I layer my clothes which means I have a light coat underneath the heavier outer coat. The shoulder holster would be carried between the two coates and the grip of the smaller firearm would be outside the inner coat so that all I need to move is the outer coat to get to the gun.

In all the years I have been riding I have never had a problem but while walking I have had three occassions I had to draw the firearm and two of those I had to take the animals down. One of those even required my second gun to finish the job but then brown bears are pretty tough and it takes them a while to figure out they died.

Edited. The holsters I use are specific to the firearms I use which are Freedom Arms revolvers. You could look at their web site to see the holsters then see if you could find another brand that fit whatever type of firearm you are carrying. On the shoulder holster I don't like them upright, instead I want them horizonal with the grip sitting out front for easy access. That way my right hand grabs the grip while my left hand pops the holster retention strap to free the gun.

 

I sometimes zip tie my 45auto uncle mike holster to the handlebars next to my odometer/speedometer. I have a rubber flap over the top to help protect it some but no matter what I do it is not 100% protected. Even when I carry it concealed under my coat in a shoulder holster. It is more protected but if I get hot sweat can get on it which can be worse than rain.

If I was shooting a bear in self defense I would prefer a 12ga shotgun with slugs but if I had to use a pistol I would not use anything smaller than a 44. Plus, it is not a good idea to shoot to scare an animal (my personal opinion) if you need to shoot, KILL IT! Last bear I shot with the pistol got all 10 in the clip. It moved about 10ft and was dead. I know know what 10rds from a 45auto can do at close range (it was about 18ft or so when I started shooting).

I have always thought I was fairly safe here in Alaska but a girl was recently mauled pretty badly by a bear on a park trail near Anchorage and she was on a bicycle and moving fast. So I am now not sure how safe I am on an a ATV. In the lower 48 I know some guys that have had cougars trail follow them.

So concealed is good but however you carry it, learn how to draw and shoot it safely from where you intend to carry it.

Swampy

 

Reb2/swampyjunior/Others
Really appreciate all the info.
I've pretty much decided on a shoulder holster and as the wx cools it'll surly be under my jacket/coat.

I've a couple of questions abt your comments.

Why not fire a shot or two into the ground to get a bear to leave??

What would you use for rounds, agn from a 45 if you needed to kill a
bear, and a 45 is ALL you carry.

I'm well aware that a 45 is NOT an ideal bear killing weapon.

Very interested in your replies,
tnx
scupper

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: scupper

Reb2/swampyjunior/Others




Why not fire a shot or two into the ground to get a bear to leave??



What would you use for rounds, agn from a 45 if you needed to kill a

bear, and a 45 is ALL you carry.



I'm well aware that a 45 is NOT an ideal bear killing weapon.



Very interested in your replies,

tnx

scupper</end quote></div>

Why not fire warning shots? Because if you're to the point you need to employ your weapon you may very well need every single one of those rounds especially if you're using a .45.

My experience killing bears is limited but I would THINK that you would want full metal jacketed bullets with a .45 since expanding types wouldn't give you the penetration needed on a bear. If I was personally facing down charging grizzly with my Glock I'd want a magazine or four filled with full power 230 grain full metal jacket.