Woods Gun

[Danimal]

Deleted

[Colorado Osprey]

22 with 100 round box of ammo. Since the chances of being attacked by any animal is so low in Colorado protection, except maybe from a rabid raccoon, it should almost not even be a consideration.
Colorado's small black bears are usually only problem is you haven't prepared your camp/clothing/cooking to keep bears away. A small can of OC (pepper spray) does wonders to drive them off.

Food to keep up your spirits while lost will be the primary use of a gun. Food to sustain you is not needed either unless you are lost for almost 2 weeks. Water is probably a better thing to pack rather than a gun... but I carry both.

Now to mix things up. Should you carry something bigger to protect yourself from big varmints? You know the kind you hear about of the news that are just crazy? There once was a FBI investigation that showed that 90% of hunting accidents where people were shot while hunting were not accidents at all. It's not the bears you should worry about.

[ray1970]

I too struggled with the same thing. I have taken everything from 44 mag handguns to rimfire rifles and handguns and everything in between.

While a long arm makes the most sense to me (maybe a lever action in 357 mag?) my current go-to piece is my Springfield XD in 45 ACP.

Why the 45 ACP?

My main fear of predators is of the two-legged variety. At up-close distances I don't feel undergunned with the 45. If I had to take small game I could probably manage to do so as well. I don't fear an attack from a mountain lion or a black bear but if push came to shove having 14 rounds of 45 caliber, 230 grain ammunition available does provide me with a sense of comfort. Finally, the pistol packs and carries easier than any rifle.

Others may disagree with me, but you did ask for opinions, right?

[osok-308]

Why not go with a shotgun? I mean you can have those different loads, anything from birdshot to buckshot and slugs? I mean, You can go pretty light on the shot for smaller animals, slugs can take deer if need be, and I would feel comfortable against a mountain lion with slugs (comfortable is probably the wrong word) There are also combo rifle/shotguns, able to take some birds, but still have a caliber like .30-30. Just my $.02.

[Sawin]

In the forest or in the city, it doesn't change my choice. I grab my EDC rig. 16rds of 9mm plus an extra mag.

I agree with Osprey about Colorado's wildlife. The predators here are not out hunting people... they run away before you know they're around 9+ times out of 10. Curiousity is what makes their presence known most of the time. Bears smell your camp food and come'a'lookin. Shoot one in to the ground if you must...but don't shoot the bear just because he's nosing around the camp site. If you're being attacked, then of course, I'm just saying try to scare them off first. A .22lr will make a loud enough noise to send them running too, so if you're thinking you might need to hunt small game and will need a lot of shots, carry a .22lr. You should be all set.

[meatman]

How about a full size .45 ACP with a .22LR slide conversion? I have the EAA Witness with the slide conversion and it would give you the best of both worlds.

[Great-Kazoo]

How about a full size .45 ACP with a .22LR slide conversion? I have the EAA Witness with the slide conversion and it would give you the best of both worlds.

To much shit to not only carry but keep track of. 1 gun that you feel comfortable with, i like a .357/38 lever action, might even consider the mare's leg in .357 or 44 mag. Although if i was "lost" in the woods, i'd pull a bullet then start small signal fire.
As far as food & water you would be surprised how long you could go if necessary without either. Test yourself one weekend and see how long you could go without either. I'm not saying you're out cutting the grass, doing wind sprints etc, just kick back and see what you can do. I've done 5, the 5th being real tough, 3-4 days no problem.

[cofi]

I've done 5, the 5th being real tough, 3-4 days no problem.

wow 5 days with no food and water jim your a beast!

what about an ar with a .22 conversion that way you have power to kill big stuff and the lil .22 for little stuff

[Great-Kazoo]

wow 5 days with no food and water jim your a beast!

what about an ar with a .22 conversion that way you have power to kill big stuff and the lil .22 for little stuff

Yeah it was a very interesting experience.

[jgang]

Test yourself one weekend and see how long you could go without either. I'm not saying you're out cutting the grass, doing wind sprints etc, just kick back and see what you can do. I've done 5, the 5th being real tough, 3-4 days no problem.

Man, talk about not having anything better to do. LOL!