Pistol for Colorado Hiking

[Moonpie]

S&W Model 329

 

[claymore504]

Thanks fot the info everyone! Time if year will be early August. We are really looking forward to this trip for sure.

 

[Charlie]

This! 45 Colt with the hottest loads you can find. The Ruger will shoot them fine. Also, a nice 45 Colt lever action would reach out a little further if you needed it. That would make someone a nice pair to carry!

Two guns, one caliber.

 

[Coyote9]

There have been no confirmed grizzly bear sightings in Colorado since 1979.

There are plenty of black bears though.

Do Grizzly Bears Still Live in Colorado?

The short answer to this question is almost certainly no, there aren't any grizzly bears left in Colorado––almost certainly, that is. The long answer explains why these fearsome animals are missing from Colorado and tells us some hard truths about the impact the state's swelling population is...

www.uncovercolorado.com

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Not true! I saw one on Stotzheimer Creek in 2009 and it was later verified by a Pagosa Springs based Forest Ranger who estimated it at 450 pounds. I moved from WA near the Canada border in 1999 so I was very familiar with grizzly bears vs black bears. People who live in remote areas see a completely different picture of wildlife than some front range city living environmentalist who conducts wildlife surveys from behind a desk and maybe a week in good weather in the field!

 

[Charlie]

When there are no confirmed bear sightings, does that possibly mean the bear won the footrace?

 

[Charlie]

At this point in my life I'd love to go up some real mountains somewhere just for the view!

 

[cycleguy2300]

Not true! I saw one on Stotzheimer Creek in 2009 and it was later verified by a Pagosa Springs based Forest Ranger who estimated it at 450 pounds. I moved from WA near the Canada border in 1999 so I was very familiar with grizzly bears vs black bears. People who live in remote areas see a completely different picture of wildlife than some front range city living environmentalist who conducts wildlife surveys from behind a desk and maybe a week in good weather in the field!

450lbs is within the range of a large black bear, which can get twice that size.

I would expect if a Forest Ranger had confirmed it as a grizzly, it would have been reported as such and that sighting would have made significant news as it would have been major ecological news as there are no confirmed grizzly populations within 300mi of Pagosa Springs despite all the elk and black bear hunters down there.

I'm not saying you didn't see one, I'm just saying at there are atleast photos of bigfoot

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[jordanmills]

Thanks fot the info everyone! Time if year will be early August. We are really looking forward to this trip for sure.

Well hope you have a great time. I'll be up that way, just the other side of Denver, about the same time.

My experience with bears is limited, but from what I've been told, in order of effectiveness/use:
1. Make plenty of noise so you don't surprise them.
2. Bear-rated pepper spray.
3. 44 mag or 454 with hard cast bullets.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Keep an eye out for scat which smells like bear spray, and has bells in it....

 

[deemus]

357 with full power ammo.

This. Either of the 357 revolvers. And I would order a Kenai holster from Ginfighters Inc for the gun you plan to carry to strap it on your chest.

It should be concealed around the masses. But it shouldn’t be an issue in the boonies.

Bears and cougars are in them thar hills.

 

[lightflyer1]

This! 45 Colt with the hottest loads you can find. The Ruger will shoot them fine. Also, a nice 45 Colt lever action would reach out a little further if you needed it. That would make someone a nice pair to carry! View attachment 263771 Two guns, one caliber.

Careful with that. The New Vaqueros don't handle the stout loads the regular old Vaqueros can. From my reading anyway. Not to mention it isn't on his list of owned weapons.

 

[popper]

357 would be enough, factory loads, light weight gun. Check with outfitters for rules! You won't be 'hiking' alone in the forest. Plenty of WATER! Probably someplace between C Springs and Cripple creek. At best might see a cougar track. Most bears are west & north. Doubt you'd even see elk. Moose - nope.

 

[danmccurley]

Glock in 10mm, 15rds

 

[Jotec]

I heard grey wolf have been spotted in the rockys. At least i hear the have been spotted in the wasatch front in Utah. I assume CO as well.

 

[justmax]

Keep an eye out for scat which smells like bear spray, and has bells in it....

A Paul Harvey listener!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

A Paul Harvey listener!

Actually, no....

 

[Dingo]

I carry a Glock 21 that has been upgraded to 460 Rowland.
it is a kit you can buy to swap the barrel and spring. I know it is available for other manufacturers models as well. google 460 Rowland. The ballistics exceed 44mag, and carry almost 3 times more rounds than a wheel gun.

 

[billtool]

Take the .357. Underwood has some bad-a$& 147grn monolithic hard cast bullets. That'll stop almost anything you're likely to encounter on your journey. Guessing that a moose and a Grizzly bear are likely not expected to be in your path.

 

[mongoose]

Take what you shoot best. I’ve hunted and camped in CO quite a bit. The only bears I’ve seen are small blacks around dumpster and I’ve only seen fresh cat track once and heard him scream. The largest threat is two legged vermin. Keep your SA sharp and enjoy the outdoors.

 

[Sam7sf]

Jennings 22