When heading out into the wild for some hiking, it’s important to pack some security just in case wild animals look to interrupt your outdoor fun. It can be confusing attempting to choose a good gun for hiking but that’s why Guns.com is here. We’ve pulled a selection of handguns from our Vault to help make that decision a little easier.
The Smith & Wesson Shield is a concealed carry staple. Chambered in 9mm, this single stack polymer pistol packs neatly into a holster for ultimate concealment on the trails. Featuring a magazine capacity of 7+1 with the standard magazine and 8+1 extended magazine, the Shield marries a stainless-steel slide with polymer frame topping it with a matte black finish.
The G20 boasts that familiar Glock profile, a plus for current Glock owners looking for a little more oomph to their favorite polymer pistol. Taking a step up in caliber, the Glock 20 runs 10mm ammunition through its Austrian build. The 10mm bump means a little more oomph with heavier bullets perfect for tackling animals you might encounter on the trails.
The Ruger GP100 is a giant leap in terms of size. Measuring 9.50-inches in overall length with a 4.20-inch barrel, the revolver weighs in at 40-ounces. It’s a heftier choice for hikers but that weight lends itself to better recoil management. The GP100 comes chambered in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum, though both rounds are easily managed due to that heavier frame. Granted the versatility of multiple chamberings, hikers also have that option of choosing a caliber more suited to the animals in their area. For me, I tended to opt for the .38 Special.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the venerable Taurus Judge in a list of hiking guns. A fan favorite, the Taurus Raging Judge Ultralight packs quite the punch chambering both .410 shotshell and .45 Long Colt. Don’t let the “Ultralight” moniker fool you, this is one meaty gun. For someone petite like me, it was a struggle at times to keep it on target and prep that heavier trigger. Measuring 10.2-inches in length with a weight at 41.4-ounces, this handgun doesn’t mess around.
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