WheelGun
Regular Member
imported post
I have been OC'ing on hiking trails for many years. Mostly in New England, Pennsylvania, and, yes, New York (the Catskills).
I prefer to hike during such times that we do not run into many other hikers (I live near the trails, so I can adjust my schedule accordingly).
I hike with my family (wife and three teenagers) and even though I prefer camo clothing (often my old, beat-up uniforms with the name-tapes removed) and military hydration/backpacks, being with my family tends to tone down the 'tough guy' image considerably.
Overall, I do not feel I present a particularly threatening image to other hikers (no offense to those that do), and I have not gotten much in the way of 'feedback' (negative comments) about OC'ing.
Perhaps it's also that I carry a small revolver (S&W J-frame), which few notice at all.
I have not had many comments from other hikers, but I have done a lot of reading on the subject. There seems to be a consensus among writers on the topic (and groups that promote hiking and trail maintenance) that 'the trail' is a place where firearms may or may not be legal, but are culturally out of place.
I realize that the most serious potential menaces of the northern Appalachians (a Black Bear separated from her cubs, a heavily guarded Crystal Meth Lab hidden in an abandoned trailer) are out of the league of a 5 shot .38.
However, I still prefer the knowledge and comfort that I can assist myself, my family or an innocent stranger/victim with a sidearm if any of the more typical criminal incidents may occur while on the trail.
Such criminal incidents are not in anyway guaranteed NOT to happen simply because the scenery is spectacular.
My questions are:
Do any OCDO members have any opinion on carry while hiking?
Should I take into consideration that many other hikers I am sharing the trail with are downstate-N.Y. or N.J. "Granola heads" (far-left liberal weekend trekkers)??
Should I assist in not creating a 'gun culture' on the trail by conceal carrying?
Or am I doing my fellow hikers a favor my making the trail a less inviting place for bad guys to stalk unarmed outdoors-people?
Comments please.
Edited to add: I carry a J-frame with rosewood grips on my hip in a neat little Blackhawk nylon trail holster with one speed loader in a leather holder, on a 1 3/4 inch wide 5.11 tactical rigger's belt (with the internal stiffener for sidearm carry).
I have been OC'ing on hiking trails for many years. Mostly in New England, Pennsylvania, and, yes, New York (the Catskills).
I prefer to hike during such times that we do not run into many other hikers (I live near the trails, so I can adjust my schedule accordingly).
I hike with my family (wife and three teenagers) and even though I prefer camo clothing (often my old, beat-up uniforms with the name-tapes removed) and military hydration/backpacks, being with my family tends to tone down the 'tough guy' image considerably.
Overall, I do not feel I present a particularly threatening image to other hikers (no offense to those that do), and I have not gotten much in the way of 'feedback' (negative comments) about OC'ing.
Perhaps it's also that I carry a small revolver (S&W J-frame), which few notice at all.
I have not had many comments from other hikers, but I have done a lot of reading on the subject. There seems to be a consensus among writers on the topic (and groups that promote hiking and trail maintenance) that 'the trail' is a place where firearms may or may not be legal, but are culturally out of place.
I realize that the most serious potential menaces of the northern Appalachians (a Black Bear separated from her cubs, a heavily guarded Crystal Meth Lab hidden in an abandoned trailer) are out of the league of a 5 shot .38.
However, I still prefer the knowledge and comfort that I can assist myself, my family or an innocent stranger/victim with a sidearm if any of the more typical criminal incidents may occur while on the trail.
Such criminal incidents are not in anyway guaranteed NOT to happen simply because the scenery is spectacular.
My questions are:
Do any OCDO members have any opinion on carry while hiking?
Should I take into consideration that many other hikers I am sharing the trail with are downstate-N.Y. or N.J. "Granola heads" (far-left liberal weekend trekkers)??
Should I assist in not creating a 'gun culture' on the trail by conceal carrying?
Or am I doing my fellow hikers a favor my making the trail a less inviting place for bad guys to stalk unarmed outdoors-people?
Comments please.
Edited to add: I carry a J-frame with rosewood grips on my hip in a neat little Blackhawk nylon trail holster with one speed loader in a leather holder, on a 1 3/4 inch wide 5.11 tactical rigger's belt (with the internal stiffener for sidearm carry).
