What do you guys think of Open carry vs. Concealed carry when hiking. There are alot of factors to weigh in, for example a BG might leave you alone if he sees you have a gun, or he might wait till you are sleeping to do something. But if you are carrying concealed he might not be afraid to try to rob you in the first place? Some other info though for me it is a choice between a concealed Bersa .380 with no spare mag, a concealed P22 with 2 spare mags(I got my average reload time down to about 4 seconds), A openly carried S&W 66-5 .357 4", or an openly carried Springfield GI 1911 (no spare mags at the moment).
Concealed vs. Open carry while hiking
- Thread starter cracked91
- Start date
nazshooter
New member
I only carry about half the time when out hiking but when I do I OC a Ruger P345. The way I see it, next to being aware of your surroundings the best thing you can do is not look like prey and I think the deterrent factor of OC is pretty high. Besides, if the BG isn't deterred by the fact that you are armed then you're probably going to want the larger caliber.
BTW. I've been noticing a lot more people carrying on the trails here in AZ lately, mostly revolvers.
BTW. I've been noticing a lot more people carrying on the trails here in AZ lately, mostly revolvers.
chris in va
New member
Where does it say that specifically? CC is allowed with permit...
BTW here's something you may have missed. AG wrote VCDL back saying OC is fine in State Parks.
http://www.vcdl.org/pdf/08-043-Cuccinelli.pdf
Last edited:
Stevie-Ray
New member
I always OC'd when hiking before I got my CPL. Now, I generally CC, but sometimes OC. See?
OldMarksman
Staff
I've seen a lot of comments here about the supposed deterrent value of open carry. I'd be interested in the bases of those comments.
A friend of mine who is a former policeman believes that a dangerous killer would simply take you out by surprise just to take your gun.
For me, were I to hike in an area in which I could carry openly, the decision to do so would be based on the choice of gun, and that choice would be driven by the fact that I don't like the idea of not having "enough gun." We have bears, feral pigs, wild dogs, and the worst human criminal element. A bigger gun would be my choice. And that indicates against CC.
A friend of mine who is a former policeman believes that a dangerous killer would simply take you out by surprise just to take your gun.
For me, were I to hike in an area in which I could carry openly, the decision to do so would be based on the choice of gun, and that choice would be driven by the fact that I don't like the idea of not having "enough gun." We have bears, feral pigs, wild dogs, and the worst human criminal element. A bigger gun would be my choice. And that indicates against CC.
Carry concealed, always.
In general you will encounter fewer problems, if no one knows you are carrying a gun (assuming you have the legal right to do so).
In my (limited) experience, park rangers know even less about gun laws than the general public.
The only firearms I open carry in the wilderness are equiped with slings.
As an aside, Scandium, Titanium and Aluminum are a hiker's best friends.
In general you will encounter fewer problems, if no one knows you are carrying a gun (assuming you have the legal right to do so).
In my (limited) experience, park rangers know even less about gun laws than the general public.
The only firearms I open carry in the wilderness are equiped with slings.
As an aside, Scandium, Titanium and Aluminum are a hiker's best friends.
troy_mclure
New member
depends what kinda hiking im doing, and where.
if im just strolling thru the woods no pack, ill cc.
if ive got a pack and oc is legal, ill have a pistol strapped to my pack.
if oc is not legal, i have a quick access Velcro pouch in my pack thats just a bit slower than holster.
if im just strolling thru the woods no pack, ill cc.
if ive got a pack and oc is legal, ill have a pistol strapped to my pack.
if oc is not legal, i have a quick access Velcro pouch in my pack thats just a bit slower than holster.
I have never been accosted while open carrying, therefore, I am assuming it has deterred every thought of it by BG's.
How in the heck would you measure deterrment of an action? However, if you look at military strategy, deterrment by a visible show of possible retalitory force has always been the defensive strategy. The element of surprise has been reserved for offensive strategy.
chris in va
New member
OldMarksman, I've got one for you.
I know a guy in VA that went to deposit his check at a Suntrust bank near Richmond. He knows the tellers and was chatting with one of them when this guy comes in wearing a winter mask. He said the guy looked around nervously, saw his openly carried 1911, wrung his hands a few times and left.
Yeah I live in AZ too and when I go hiking on the rim with my friends I usually just pack my .357 on my waist but loaded the thing weighs in. The P22 I can't even feel wherever it is fully loaded, which is also why lately I have preferred it. There also seems to be an emotional issue with hikers on trails closer to the city, people seeing being carried by someone who does not look 35 or older seem to get uncomfortable (im 21 but I have been open carrying my revolver on the more remote trails since I was 17, here in az anyone 14-17 can carry a weapon as long as it is legal hunting or target shooting, so if anyone asked i was hunting.) But the main concern for me was mentioned above, if the BG sees your gun he might just wait till he can catch you with your guard down
nazshooter
New member
On this and pretty much every other gun forum you'll find people recounting experiences where a BG backed off once the good guy displayed their gun. Beyond that, it just seems like common sense that criminals, just like any other predator prefer easy prey.
Well, that's the classic argument against OC but I've never heard of it actually happening, have you? Seems like a tough way to make a living.
One reason I prefer OC in the woods is that it's generally a lot faster to draw. The one and only time I ever felt threatened the guys never made any overt threats that would have justified me drawing but they were close enough that I probably couldn't have gotten to some zipper pouch on my pack if they'd tried anything. I could however get to a gun right there on my hip.
The Great Mahoo
New member
I generally carry concealed, simply because I find it a bit easier on me. My pack has a gun-pocket on it, so I just keep the gun in there. I carry a .45colt revolver N-Frame with some extra ammo, mostly.
I am in favor of open carry, I have just never done it much. Its just easier, in my oppinion, to have it in a ready-access spot on my pack, rather than bouncing on my hip while carrying gear. I suppose if I carried my smaller, daily CCW while hiking, I might be more inclined to keep it on my person.
I am in favor of open carry, I have just never done it much. Its just easier, in my oppinion, to have it in a ready-access spot on my pack, rather than bouncing on my hip while carrying gear. I suppose if I carried my smaller, daily CCW while hiking, I might be more inclined to keep it on my person.
I'm curious as to what pack you have. I have a Camalbak Demon that has this kind of feature, but am wondering if there are other packs like this.troy_mclure said:
ActivShootr
New member
I can't think of a reason not to.
troy_mclure
New member
great mahoo, i have a demon, and a swiss gear ruck that has a convenient pouch as well.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
I believe that Platt and Matix went to shooting areas in Florida and killed those folks for their cars and gear. So that's at least one case where the presence of guns was not a deterrent as compared to the surprise factor.
Also, the Hmong individual went and killed other armed hunters when he snapped.
Also, the Hmong individual went and killed other armed hunters when he snapped.