Southern Shooter

I need wisdom from experienced mountain people:

I am from the low lands of Louisiana and Mississippi where a .357 Magnum handgun can protect you from about anything while in the backwoods.

But, my kids and I are beginning to spend more time in the mountains of Utah and Colorado. Long hikes or backcountry runs. Being a dad I worry about protecting them. What my two boys and I have are Ruger Super Blackhawks .44 Magnums with the 7 1/2" barrels. I know that these are not hand-cannons, but I thought about packing these along. We love them and shoot them fairly well.

Should I leave the single-actions home and get double-action revolvers?

Should I go up a caliber?

What do ya'll say? I am open to input.

Thanks

Colorado Luckydog

I've been hunting in the mountains of Colorado for the last 17 years. I also spent another 2 1/2 years stationed at Fort Carson. The only thing I have ever needed protection from was the weather. Bad weather, bad decisions or lack of preparation, will get you a lot faster than wild animals. That being said, a 44 mag will stop any creature that we have here in Colorado. A 44 mag WON'T stop you from getting lost or freezing to death.

longknife12

True words!
Dan

mac266

My friend from Colorado has a valid point; however, being a paranoid type I always carry anyway. I'm more worried about two-legged critters than four-legged ones -- the human race seems to be the only one imbued with true evil.

BUT, when in the mountains I carry a .44 magnum. It will work against two-legged and four-legged critters. A .357 will be fine against anything in Colorado, though (some folks hunt black bear with them).

Southern Shooter

Yes, I learned some time back that the mountains can create their own weather separate from the surounding lower land areas. So far, I have done well being cautious and perhaps overly planning in terms of the elements.

And, being lost is not something I want to have happen. Good topo maps and long time experience with a compass help there. So far, so good.

And, I agree. The two-legged creatures worry me most. I have spent the last 20 years working in the Psychology Department of a Federal prison. The things I have learned would add to your paranoia.

Anyway, thanks for the info. More please.

charlie brown

I agree with CC - the mountains will kill you quicker than the critters in them will.

Heck, the other day, I turned the dogs loose on a lion track from my 4 wheeler and about 3 miles from my truck. I started hiking, and was halfway up the mountain when I realized my gun (any gun) was in the truck! And I was intentionally going after a lion!!

They are more scared of us then we of them.

Later,

Marcial

Silver_Wolf

Very true words. Only four leg critter I am weary of in Colorado is a female bear with cubs. I carry a Glock 40 in the field, works good against two legged critters and would probably work against a bear. Not the ideal bear round, but I have 15 shots if needed.

Colorado Cajun

44Mag is a good mountain gun. I'm from Lafourche Parish and live in Colorado now. I carry a 40S&W and feel that it is all the gun I need for protection in the mountains. As mentioned before, the elements are more then likely to be a bigger threath then anything you will need a gun for.