As the title says, I'm looking for a lightweight pistol to carry with me when backpacking in areas where animal attacks are at least somewhat of a concern. Frankly, I hope to spend the bulk of my time deep enough in the woods that I'm far more concerned with four-legged predators than the two-legged variety.
My main requirements are:
- Light weight (when I backpack, my base pack weight is 15-20 pounds)
- Ability to stop a mountain lion
- ease of use, including a not-too-ridiculous recoil, so my fiance can fire it
- reasonable cost. Again, I'm no gun nut, so I am not going for super high end fancy stuff here.
Right now, my thinking runs along the lines of compact semiauto .45's. They seem like a decent mix of weight and power for the woods.
The question I first must ask is just what is your and your fiance' life worth?
It's a Cruel question but this is what you are talking about, your lives. If you were to stumble upon a whizzed off lion or mama bear with her cubs they may very well see you as a threat (or meal) and attack. What will be your best chance of saving your lives? A big gun and knowing how to use it!!!
I am a hunter in remote areas and my back-up hand gun is a 454 casull and yes it is a handfull but if I need it I am in a desperate situation and recoil is a non-issue.
I recommend you two buy at least a 44 magnum. My wife is 60+ and can handle the 44 mag. For practice you can use lower power 44 Special.
But you must be very comfortable with your choice; If it's the 45 go for it, it is a powerful handgun and well placed shots will stop most anything.
