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Posts
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Though it’s certainly different in varying places across the US, wildlife can often pose a threat (though not normally). Mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, all the way to humorous things such as wild turkeys and deer can threaten us on bikes. (I’ve been chased by both of the latter!)
The sadder part is that society isn’t what it once was, and we’ve probably all seen some weird sh*t out there that’s made our nerves stand up, wondering who is in the woods watching us. In the Boston area, I’ve come across a few "camp sites" in the woods that make me want to get the hell outta Dodge!
So… does anyone carry a weapon when they ride? I strap a 4" hunting knife onto my frame, God forbid I ever need to use it, but it makes me feel better to know it’s there, even just as "a deterrent." Anyone else bring anything?
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I carry a multi tool pocket knife in my pack for fixing certain things on my bike and survival. I haven’t had to use it for the latter though, which is a good thing.
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i always carry a pretty decent pocket knife, cell phone, snacks(gu) and water. got chased couple weeks ago by a canadian goose male keeping me from his wife who was on nest. seen some wild "coydogs" half coyotes/dogs, less timid than coyotes. hope i never have to use it though.
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Normally only a knife or two goes with us on our rides for utilitarian purposes.
But with the backcountry in CO, I consider bringing a handgun or rifle, especially if doing an overnight(s) before returning to home. It’s not really that I’m afraid of wild animals, it’s the human variety that I don’t trust.
Plus, if the worst case happens, and we get irreversibly lost, a gun works well as a signalling device, not to mention it’s usefullness in obtaining food when the Clif bars run out. 😏 -
I usually ride with a 4 inch tanto in my pack or clipped to a strap on my camel, army ranger style. Never had to use it. Most critters are more afraid of you. In the forest near my house, I ride with a bell for hunters and the bears.
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You guys scared me into carrying a blade strapped to my camelcrack. Ready to draw at a moments notice!
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I’ve chatted with some dudes out your way that carry a piece when they ride. One or two of them have come across a bear or a Mtn Lion.
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I know a dude who does all his DH trails with a Smith ‘n Wesson and a 12 inch blade (yeah, theres a handle attached to it).
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I’ve run across mountain lions and bears while out riding…I’ve never experienced any agression from them. You have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning than attacked by a wild animal. If you live in CA, read this USA Today article before shooting…$10K fine and 1yr in jail are a possibility.
As far as for protection from other humans I’m not willing to take the risk of being wrongfully found guilty of murder when it was self-defense. I’d rather avoid the escalation of hostility when weapons are involved.
I do, however, carry a nice new sharp blade clipped to my shoulder strap. But I see that for survival in case I’m out solo, get pinned, and need to cut off an appendage 😮
I have thought about using my bike for hunting elk/deer. I think it would be a great way to get back into non-motorized areas deeper than your typical hunter.
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I’ve run across mountain lions and bears while out riding…I’ve never experienced any agression from them. You have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning than attacked by a wild animal. If you live in CA, read this USA Today article before shooting…$10K fine and 1yr in jail are a possibility.
As far as for protection from other humans I’m not willing to take the risk of being wrongfully found guilty of murder when it was self-defense. I’d rather avoid the escalation of hostility when weapons are involved.
I do, however, carry a nice new sharp blade clipped to my shoulder strap. But I see that for survival in case I’m out solo, get pinned, and need to cut off an appendage 😮
I have thought about using my bike for hunting elk/deer. I think it would be a great way to get back into non-motorized areas deeper than your typical hunter.
Ahh, another example of the further pussification of America. Damn! Guy was defending his family from a wild animal and he is going to get charged?
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Guy was defending his family from a wild animal and he is going to get charged?
I can certainly empathize with the guy. After seeing my 5 yr old daughter get shaken to the ground by an attacking dog while we were vacationing in a third world country, I don’t look at dogs the same way I used to. All I could do was keep the rest of the attacking pack away from her until I could get her out of the situation. I have no qualms with killing any animal that attacks me, my family, or my friends.
I doubt that he got charged. I’m sure the fine/jail time were put on the books for poachers and not someone attempting to potentially save a life. It may have caused an uproar in the media and in the community, but DAs and judges usually have a more pragmatic perception of events like this.
Here’s some other articles:
Mtn biker attacked by a grizzly. Used bike for defense. Then friend used pepper spray.
Mtn biker attacked by a mtn lion in another Boulder open space park. Used bike for defense.
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I have thought about using my bike for hunting elk/deer. I think it would be a great way to get back into non-motorized areas deeper than your typical hunter.
I’ve entertained that idea as well, especially since I just recently got an SLR-95m (A Bulgarian license-made AK-47)
I don’t think I’d be out shooting for anything larger than a deer. If I was down in Florida, I’d definitely use my bike for hunting wild pig.
A converted bicycle kiddie-trailer would work excellently for hauling a kill out of the woods. -
I carry a wrist rocket slingshot almost always and a 380 Automatic when too far away from civilization. Both are for use against people.
I carry a small cowbell on my bike for animals. As a result, I never see any. -
I carry a wrist rocket slingshot almost always.
That reminds me…… A wrist rocket would be useful with a certain apple tree that always had good fruit just out of reach, but the lower fruit was always picked over by those pesky hippies…. 😏
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I don’t carry any type of weapon but I have been scared plenty of times. My husband and I came across a grissly bear just south of Yellowstone once, but luckily the bear took off. I ride alone a lot and have considered carrying pepper spray???? But I have heard that pepper spray can just make bears and mtn lions more angry.
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I would think that pepper spray would be hard to spray while flailing around trying to fend off a bear/mountain lion. You don’t have to be as accurate when swinging a blade
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Good point, Vanboy. I’m not knife-wielding savvy, so I guess I will just continue to hope for the best.
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I’m not savvy at the moment, but when a dangerous animal comes near me ready to attack. the learning curve dissapears!
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But I have heard that pepper spray can just make bears and mtn lions more angry.
And forget trying to use it on Mike Tyson. It just turns him on. 😆
Interesting responses on this thread — I guess there are many different perceptions of safety! It also seems like the bigger threat is other people…
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[quote:rv2nkvdd] But I have heard that pepper spray can just make bears and mtn lions more angry.
And forget trying to use it on Mike Tyson. It just turns him on. 😆
[/quote:rv2nkvdd]
And you might as well give up the notion of using pepper spray on Chuck Norris. He’ll just roundhouse kick the pepper spray and turn it into Glade. 😃
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No lie came within foot of a mountain lion,it was behind a bush right next to the trail, on the snoqualime valley trail. Never been back on it and don’t plan to either. I allways carry an easy open knife. I have a multi-tool in my pack for repairs.
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What part of the body does a multi tool repair?
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What part of the body does a multi tool repair?
The multi-tool works good on nuts!
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For safety I too carry a quick open blade, I have pepperspray but after going through the training and having to get sprayed with it myself, I would just as soon leave it at home, if you’re flailing around fighting an animal off you and happen to get a chance to open and spray the attacking animal (or human) you can bet your life on this fact, you will get it also. Now that your vision is impaired try getting back off the trails without the wipes to clean that oil based eye irritant off, don’t see that as a viable option, I’d stick to the knife in the pack. Another thing to think about with a firearm is that if you wreak there’s a chance it will go off on impact and that in itself could cause a little harm to yourself. Again, not something I would want to take a chance on.
These are just my personal thoughts, maybe they help, maybe they don’t but it’ll make you think.
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the safties on handguns are pretty safe as far as dropping it with a few exceptions, of course. I just worry about the Law. Is that considered a concieled weapon?
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Having spent years in the woods hiking, biking, and hunting… I’ve seen enough that I think it’s a good idea to have at least a pocket knife. I usually carry cell phone, flash light, 4" pocket knife, and tools when I ride alone in the woods. I’ve never run into any trouble yet, but I almost crashed this weekend about 5 miles back in the woods when a rabbit ran in front of my tire and I almost hit a deer earlier this year, but I often ride fast and after sundown, so I know it’s just a matter of time before I hit something.
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the safties on handguns are pretty safe as far as dropping it with a few exceptions, of course. I just worry about the Law. Is that considered a concieled weapon?
A handgun is considered concealed if it’s… well….. concealed.
You [i:1aeyo9oz]could[/i:1aeyo9oz] carry a pistol with an external holster, but it’d still need to be registered with the authorities. I’ve seen some lycra & cotton form-fitting shirts with a sewn-on pouch/holster that is supposed to be worn under a jacket, but it could be worn alone, I suppose.
For the amount of trouble, it’d be advisable to just go ahead and get a concealed weapons permit.
It’d alleviate any questions a ranger/police would have if you get stopped on the trail while packing heat. Even if you didn’t have a CWP and the pistol was completely visible, it’d still be better to have the CWP, just in case.
IMHO, in this age it’s a prudent thing to have one, regardless of the activity.
[i:1aeyo9oz]HOWEVER[/i:1aeyo9oz]……. It’s vital that you have the right mindset when carrying. I’ve hear a LOT of people say that they carried a concealed firearm because they "just want to scare away an attacker.", and then never had any formal training with their chosen weapon.
…….This will get a person killed in an armed confrontation…….If someone is going to carry a firearm for self-defense, it’s imperative that they dispense with any notion of deterrence. It doesn’t work with an armed assailant who’s already on the attack. Nor will the deterrent idea work with an animal who doesn’t recognize what a pistol is!
Too many people have been shot with their own firearms to ignore the importance of proper physical and mental training.Modern handgun safeties (semiautos & revolvers) are extremely effective as mechanical devices. It’d take a serious amount of effort & abuse to get one to fire…. and then it wouldn’t be accidental. Double & Single-action revolvers are the safest pistols around. With the safety on and the hammer down, it’s almost impossible to accidentally fire the weapon. Smith & Wesson even makes a hammerless double-action .357 revolver that’d further eliminate the chance of the hammer being accidentally drawn back and released.
A knife is a vital piece of equipment to have every day. The problem with them as self-defense weapons is that without proper, regular training, knives tend to be more of a danger to the wielder than a human attacker. I’d be much more inclined to pull a blade if being attacked by an animal, but depending on the animal, it being stabbed/cut might just piss it off more.
But they’re great for everything else under the sun. -
Smith & Wesson makes a nice light 357 mag. for you gram counters out there http://tinyurl.com/yt4vjd
Wow, I had no idea that this website was this politically incorrect. There still may be hope for the U.S.A. yet! -
Hey, I wonder if I can put that Smith & Wesson on my gear "wish list" ???
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Politically incorrect? 😼 Ha!
I was thinking about this little shooter….
[u:3b3a7jjo].410 Pistol[/u:3b3a7jjo]
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I’ve been pondering over the question of “to pack or not to packâ€
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I don’t know if it is true or not, but I have heard a couple places that your odds of getting out unscathed are better if you use pepper spray. The problem, as I read it, with a gun is you have to be a really good shot in an intense situation or you may end up just pissing the bear off and making things worse for yourself. With decent pepper spray you have a good chance of hitting the snout and eyes which will likely frighten and disorient the critter, improving your odds of being able to get away. That’s what I heard, anyway.
Plus, you won’t get the weird looks from people when they realize you are
packing iron. (Side note: in Sweden spray is considered a weapon — you must dispose of it when entering the country.) -
With bears & firearms, it really depends on the caliber & skill of the shooter. And generally, the larger the firearm, the better.
With bears & handguns (or even rifles), the bear’s skull is so thick, that an aimed head shot can actually glance off the sloped skull! Certain types of ammunition can reduce this, but the best shot to take on a bruin is a heart/lung shot. There are numerous hunting websites and publications that can show the target area.
For dedicated bear-hunting with pistols, nothing less than a .357 Mag will do, and that’s pushing it with an angry brown or grizz. Preferred calibers are the .454 Casul or .50 cal with a scoped long-barrel pistol. Far too heavy for casual carry!
But…. in a bear encounter, a good .45ACP will still have a good chance of bringing it down, or at least stopping it cold. I’ve heard too many stories of campers/hikers using pepperspray/mace on a bear, with the result being only an enraged & half-blinded bear!
And as posted earlier by Nbouse, the chances are very good you’ll get a healthy dose of spray as well, especially at the close range required to effectively use a pepperspray. -
Carrying a weapon sounds like a good idea. A knife would be good I think for humans. I think most animals would leave you alone. As long as youre not out in the woods trying to play tricks on bigfoot you should be ok.
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Again, this is my warning to anyone considering carrying a weapon for self-defense against human attackers…..
Unless you really know what you’re doing, a knife can be turned on you easier than a firearm. By the same token, a pistol can just as easily be taken and turned against the defender.
It’s first a matter of commitment; then second, practice & skill. Strength comes into play heavily too, if you’re using a blade for self-defense. Then there’s about a countless number of blade-fighting techniques, each for a specific style of knife/dagger. -
I bring an AK47 assault rifle. No, just kidding. I don’t currently bring anything other than the essential water/food. But I’ve considered it on those new & "unknown" trails that lead you out miles and miles from the car.
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I bring an AK47 assault rifle. No, just kidding.
Funny, I’ve thought about bringing my AK next time we head into the backcountry. It’s an SLR-95, with a sporter stock, and slung it lies pretty flat. I’ve even thought about rigging up a bike-scabbard for the rifle, and fastening it to my bike frame.
The reason being, we’ve run across many game animals while out in the mountains, and it’d be sweet to score some fresh game for the evening campfire.And oh yeah, I highly doubt anything that felt like being aggressive would walk away from several rounds of 7.62 hollowpoint. And even the most tweaked-out moron knows what an AK is, so there’s a huge deterrence factor as well. 😼
Say hello to my little friend-
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Sweeeet 😆
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Sweeeet 😆
Yup…. and it’ll be even sweeter when I’m done with it. Down with the AR! 😼
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I bought a six-pack of grenades yesterday. I think I’m ready to go biking again now. 😆
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Bomber: You need to get those chinese made (that is if you can still get them) armor piercing rounds – those were the schitz. My roommate in College had a Kalish and we used to go out in the desert (AZ) and blast away at stuff but those armor piercing rounds went through anything!
That rifle seems a little big to schlep around on the bike. I would prefer one of those semi-auto, collapsing .22 cal jobbies that I aways wanted when I went back packing. Ideal for the camel. Just whip it out, screw on the barrel and start firing.
Of course, I love how the Ruskies never developed anything of their own without copying it from someone else first. The one thing always liked about the AK-47 is the sling and how it enabled you to fire it from under the arm. The M-16 sling is and way gay. Of course maybe the Army changed it in on the A3 or A4 but I aways hated the sling on the A1s and 2s.
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GreenGiant: I do have a couple hundred rounds of Chinese steel-core, but the rest of my stock is Russian hollow-point. I prefer the HP, since the cavity is almost half the length of the round, and causes it to tumble violently upon impact with flesh.
My SLR-95 is really not that bulky as-is. If it had wood furniture, then yeah, it’d be kinda heavy. But my SLR is really light unloaded. It’s just when I stick a 40-round mag or 75-round drum on it that it gets heavy! 😼
Once I get it set up with a collapsible M4-style stock, it’ll be a lot more portable. I may only go with a dual-rail fore-end, so I can set it up with a vertical grip and ACOG, and it’ll still lay flat when slung. I agree that the M16/AR slings are completely retarded, and it takes one of those complicated "tactical" slings to make one comfortable and easy to retrieve when it’s at sling-arms.
I’ve also noticed that gaining a proper cheek-weld and comfortable eye-relief on the AK with iron-sights is a lot more natural and comfortable for me than it is with any of the AR/M16/M4 variants I’ve ever shot.
Granted, the iron-sights on an AK are primitive compared to the M16; but you have to consider that the AK was designed as a fully automatic rifle first, and an autoloading carbine second. There are AK receiver covers with picatinny rails for mounting optics, and I have seen AR-style flip down peep sights available for these AK receiver covers.
But I’ve never had any problems keeping my shot groups at, or under 3" while zero’ing at 25m. My 100m shot groups from the prone unsupported have never exceeded 4".And a little history for ya…..
The Avtomat Kalashnikova Obrazets 1947 (AK47) was a completely original design (with possibly one exception). The 7.62x39mm round (designated as the M43) was not, and had been designed much earlier for an autoloading rifle designed in 1916 by a Czech named Vladimir Grigorevich Federov. Only a few of these Federov rifles were made.The Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 replaced another automatic rifle made by the Simonov, called the AVS36.
The AVS36 was an inperfect rifle, and not put into wide service due to the Soviet’s committing themselves to the Tokarev SVT40 semi-automatic rifle. Both the AVS36 and the SVT were tempermental rifles, hard to clean, and prone to breakage.
SVT40-
After WW2, Simonov developed the ubiquitous SKS, which was issued in conjunction with the AK47, but eventually replaced by the AK.
The only part that Sgt. Kalashnikov possibly might have copied was the sheet-metal selector lever. A very similar setup was used on a rare Remington semiauto carbine, the name of which escapes me. The similarity between it and the AK’s selector lever is so close that I fail to see how ol’ Mikky-K couldn’t have taken it as inspiration. -
Hmmm, the AK looks awfully similar to the Sturmgewaehr 44, which came out 3 years earlier.
No offense dude, but you need another hobby. You should sell those guns and buy some bikes and open your own shop!
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No offense dude, but you need another hobby. You should sell those guns and buy some bikes and open your own shop!
😼 😼 😼
Shh…. my plan is to open a shop with bikes [i:3hiw5ant]and[/i:3hiw5ant] guns……
😼 😼 😼
And your right, the AK does look similar to the StG44……. in a squinting, beer-goggled kinda way.
However, internally & externally, the StG44 and AK47 are completely different creatures……. although the AK47 most certainly was designed around the same concept which gave birth to the StG44. I read an interview with ol’ Mikhail, and he strongly denied that he copied the StG44, and that he only saw one after he had designed his first AK47.
……..And I found the AK sheetmetal safety similarity is with the Remington Model 8 rifle.As comparisons go:
The StG44 is 11lbs, unloaded; and the AK47 is only 9-1/2lbs with 30 rounds!
The StG44 has a cammed bolt, while the AK47 has a rotating bolt action.
The StG44’s receiver was composed of stamped steel parts & typical German over-engineering with the reciprocating parts. The first production AK47s had milled steel receivers, and four moving parts.Okay, thats it….. time to ride! ->; 😼
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Cabelas has this killer beer spray, someone sprayed it in the store I use to work at and it cleared hunting side of the store. that is some strong stuff.lol
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I’ve had good luck with my water bottle (make’s a good squirt gun) and it keeps "most" dogs away. We don’t have a lot of big critters around here. As for people I’ve never had a run-in with anyone so I don’t carry anything. 😕
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Bear spray’s probably the best way to go I think… since I don’t have an AK. A knife means you’re up close and personal with whatever is attacking you- and you’re probably owned at that point. There’s nothing here in Vermont anyways other than deer, moose, some bears, and non-poisonous snakes. Most of which tend to leave you alone anyways.
Spray and ride like the dickens! -
I’ve really been looking at one of these for my next purchase…. It’s a 9mm Hi-Point Model C-9. Overall length is 6-3/4", and weighs 25oz (empty). MSRP is $155 with a spare magazine, but I found them here in Colorado for $130 used.
I’m not a fan of Beretta, Glock, SIG-Sauer (very nice, but too expensive!), or Taurus 9mm pistols. Generally, I don’t care for the idea of any defensive pistol being in any caliber less than .357 S&W; .40 or .45ACP being ideal.
Preferrably, I’d like a revolver since they’re simple, reliable, and come in a veritable cornucopia of sizes & calibers. However, they tend to be a bit heavier & a bit more difficult to conceal. Revolvers also tend to have edges & protrusions that can catch on clothing when drawing quickly, so semi-auto handguns are more desirable in that respect since they’re lower-profile.But for the price, dimensions, & weight; I’m very tempted by the Hi-Point 9mm. My buddy has one, and though it’s ugly, the smallness makes it nearly perfect for mountainbiking, especially on epic rides since extra weight really becomes noticable once the miles start adding up.
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Okay, Well at least we deescalated from the fully tricked out assault rifle option 😀
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a pocket knife. not so much as a weapon though.
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I really dont have a reply for this topic because I’ve never carried a weapon,or owned one for that matter.But my eyes have opened a little bit lately on the account I’ve been riding around town a little bit this winter and I got to tell you it’s not the trail that scares me.It’s riding around town on my $3000.00 mountain bike that scares me.If I’m out riding in town(like last night)and see some cool obstacles behind king soopers where’s it’s shadowy and out of the way,I seriously find myself avoiding those areas.This area is in the same parking lot as my gym and I have almost been jumped by gang members strolling through the parking lot at night when I get out of the gym.But I never really thought about it till I was riding my mtn bike around this area at night,I can only imagine what would happen if these guys got a wild hair and figured on getting my bike from me.I cant imagine getting my bike stolen right from under me.I’ve had bikes stolen before,but the mountain bike is different.not only monetarily,but there’s a certain familar encompassing connection with a mountain bike that connects right to the soul.Makes me wonder though,what would I do if I had a weapon and somthing happend.
another point about the city are dogs,I’ve been chased before and been nipped at the ankles by these adversly owned animals.I almost think the dogs are worse,I mean what if the dog got the achillies tendon?dont think there would be anymore riding or walking for that matter.wouldnt bother me one bit to take out some stupid dog if it were trying to get me.
So,do I own a weapon??No I do not.Am I thinking of owning a weapon??yes.but which weapon??pepper spray??A stick??A gun??A cop??hahaha never one around when you need them.Seriously though,I think a gun would only escalate things in any case,whether it be a wild animal or human beings.the human will just get more humans involved and they got there own guns too.and a wild animal will only get madder with the loud noise of a gun and the ensuing alarm of pain.So I guess that spray is not enough and a gun is too much(for me maby??)and a skunk(which would eliviate all problems on the spot,hahahahaha)would be too hard to carry around.Which leaves me with a stick or a billy club of some fashion.anyone got any good ideas for that?? -
I was just reading back through the weapon post’s here and came across bear spray.Now that sounds just as good as a skunk.hahaha.skunk in a can,hahahahaah.I think I’ll go to pro bass shops or somthing like that and chech it out.
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I bring a Leatherman tool and a Kahr .40 cal pistol. I do not chamber a round in case of a bad fall. The pistol is for bad guys. 😀
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I grew up in a very rural New England town and had many adventures as a kid exploring the woods and at times spottong wildlife. Very common to see fox, coyote, bear and moose in the woods, our backyard or walking through the center of town. Never was really concerned about my saftey, just kept my distance. The black bears tended to be the most skittish and we were most likely see their rears running away from us.
My only time I felt nervous in the woods was this year riding at FATS in SC when i stopped about 3 feet away from a 5+ foot long rattle snake laying on the trail and not moving. I gust watched it for a few minutes, turned my bike around and headed where I came from.
As for a "weapon"? I carry a small leathermen tucked deep down in my pack.
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Wow, quite the interesting topic…
I ride in an area that’s suburban/agricultural for the most part, and one thing that scares me is making a wrong turn and sumbling on a meth lab. They’re common in secluded areas that aren’t far from cities, which fits just about all the places I ride. Our local law enforcement has reported busting them within 15 miles of my favorite single-track. Meth labs are scary not only because their occupants are typically armed, and typically quite averse to having their lab discovered, but also because the chemicals used and gases produced can be serious health/explosion hazards.
I take self-defense seriously, and have taken courses in handgun defense and defensive folding knife skills. Whatever your chosen tools in self-defense – whether it be your hands/feet, a knife of some fashion, or a firearm – it’s absolutely your responsibility to get trained and keep your skills sharp.
When on my bike, I carry two Spyderco Delica 4 folding knives, one on each side of my waistband.
As for pepper sprays or bear sprays? Aside from the fact that they’re of widely-varied effectiveness against people and wildlife, they carry a much higher chance of affecting their bearer. A person with adequate training can effectively prevent the use of a knife or handgun against themselves in most situations, but catching a dose of your own pepper spray is almost assured. I read one article about a hunter in Montana who unloaded a mini-fire-extinguisher sized can of bear spray at an attacking grizzly, which only served to piss it off more – it proceeded to maul him, and only stopped when the group’s guide shot it several times with a large-caliber handgun.
Of course, the cases we read about are as varied as the people’s circumstances on this thread. In the end, it’s all about doing what you feel comfortable and confident with, and staying alert to what’s going on around you.
Ride safe,
medicdavePS – and for those that mentioned carrying a long gun? I give you the FMG9. The quote at the end of the video is priceless…
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I carry a small knife for repair purposes. Most animals are more scared of you than you are of them. I haven’t come across any yet. Besides if you have a crew someone can get help while you are eaten.
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i always carry a knife for whatever purpose but i make sure it is legal.
under 3.5 inches is legal in colorado (conclealed) c.r.s. 18-12-101 when a cop asks
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Xd-9 in my Camelbak H.A.W.G
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I only carry my two 17" guns!!
😆
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Well hmmm in my first aid kit i have a diving knife that i have for emergencies its blade is 5 inches long….
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I’m a big gun advocate, and shoot pistol in IDPA and USPSA, but I only carry a 14" folding saw. Its attached to my downtube, and very quick access. Thats more than enough for me.
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Just two of these guns..
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Oh, Snap!
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Interesting thread and one that I’ve seen repeated elsewhere. I guess as long as we have the choice, the discussion will continue.
Once upon a time, I used to carry an H&K P7. Very nice, very small 9mm that had a concealed pin / hammer and used a unique squeeze cock safety. Extremely safe, extremely accurate and extremely reliable. Sold that off when I went back to school to help pay for my first classes. That was quite a while ago and I do not miss it.
I agree with the posters that say they are more worried about two legged wildlife than the four legged variety. I’m probably making too much noise in the wild to have anything remotely dangerous near by. I’m more afraid of domestic dogs attacking me than a bear and there are quite a few still roaming wild in Western PA.
For the two legged predators, I use the weapons that separate us from the four legged creatures: I heavily rely on my brain to tell me when something does not look right and then I use my legs to get me out of there. In an urban setting, if I had to, I figure I can maintain my speed on a bike longer than someone on foot. Billy Bob Redneck with his Wild West gun rack and a buddy riding shotgun, literally, on a back road is another matter altogether. Truth be told, if it came down to me or the bike, they can have the bike. There’s nothing on the bike I can’t eventually replace and I’m worth a hell of a lot more than my bike. If it’s one-on-one, there’s that moment of vulnerability when they mount up when you can get revenge . . . if you know what you’re doing.
Ride aware, ride safe. That’s the best we can do.
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That last post was great..Very well said. I totally agree heck thats why we have insurance. Besides what i also have in the bike and at home is an itemized break down of all the components on the bike….Even the serial numbers of the major components….Mavic, raceface place serial numbers on the cranks and wheels. So if i had my bike taken a call to the police and description of the people place etc. will be enough along with a call to the local LBS’s with a list of the bikes and serial #’s will help get people like that.
I hide all the information in the seatpost. The info i have laminated so it won’t get destroyed by water and most chemicals.
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In one of my previous posts on this subject, I mentioned that I was considering a Hi-Point for defensive purposes.
This is now what I think of Hi-Point’s handguns….
In some cases the price doesn’t reflect shoddy quality, but not in the case of the Hi-Point. These handguns are heavy, awkward, unreliable….. and ugly. The big slide throws it’s weight around while reciprocating, making the handgun difficult to control and does little to tame felt recoil. Making quick multiple shots land accurately is iffy at best due to this particular design flaw. And because the Hi-Point is an oversize & overweight sidearm, it’s not conducive at all to carrying concealed or otherwise.
The only possible thing I can recommend a Hi-Point for is when conducting an activity where the handgun may be lost, like boating or skiing.
I’ve found a handgun that suits me well for all purposes; it’s effective, well-built, highly dependable, easy to carry, attractive, and best of all….. cheap.
It’s a Norinco Model-213 semiauto in 9mm Parabellum. It holds 8+1 rounds and fires single-action. The M213 is actually a Chinese copy of the Soviet Tokarev TT-33; which in turn is a virtual copy of the Browning 1911 & Hi-Power 1903. The TT-33 was designed to fire the 7.62x25mm round & accepted in 1930, was in Soviet front-line service until 1954, and has been copied & made by many other ComBloc nations which still use them.
The Tokarev TT-33 looks almost exactly like the venerable .45ACP Colt 1911, but it differs in a few small details. The biggest of which is that it lacks any sort of manual safety, having instead a half-cock which catches the hammer if constant pressure is not maintained on the trigger. When TT-33s were imported here, ATF regulations required that a manual safety be added, and almost all TTs have an import-added safety lever which either blocks or disconnects the trigger. The hammer/sear is also contained in a single removable unit, which simplifies maintenance & cleaning.
Another difference between the TT-33 & the 1911 (besides caliber), is the dimensions. The TT has a more slender frame & slide, and a grip-angle closer to 90 degrees than the 1911. The grip-angle causes the handgun to shoot naturally a bit low from point-of-aim, but in most cases that’s not a bad thing.
The biggest reason I picked the TT-33 was because it is such a slender piece. It’s very easy to carry concealed without "printing" through clothing, and is comfortable when carried inside the waistband. That it’s not very heavy makes it more pleasant to wear all day or while doing strenuous activities.I currently own two Tokarev variants; one is a Polish version, the other is the Norinco. Originally I bought the Polish Wz48 (w/ removable muzzle compensator for target-shooting) as an addition to my collection, but it became quickly apparent that it would be ideal for carry use. However, the 7.62x25mm round isn’t ideal for self-defense, as it is too small and travels far too fast. These rounds are actually capable of penetrating both sides of a Level-III kevlar vest or hardened steel, and were designed that way. But if used on a 2 or 4-legged predator, it’s likely to simply leave two .30" holes and keep going. Therefore I kept looking, and one day stumbled across the Norinco at my favorite gun-store…. for $170! Not only was it inexpensive, but it appeared to be completely unfired and was a 9mm, which is much better for self-defense.
Both the 7.62 & 9mm versions of the TT-33 are very easy to shoot with little felt recoil due to their all-steel construction, and are capable of excellent accuracy.I carried the Norinco on the one long ride I’ve done in the mountains, and it didn’t poke me in the kidneys or add weight uncomfortably. Yet it’s still a full-size handgun, and for riding I’d like something smaller that doesn’t sacrifice power or cartridge capacity. As an everyday handgun though, it’s perfect for me.
So I’ve decided on the Soviet Makarov or CZ-83, which is an improved Czech copy. It’s about the size of a Walther PPK, fires the 9mm Makarov round (a little less potent than a 9mm Para, but more than a .380ACP), and has ambidextrious controls. The CZ-83/Makarov is lightweight, and exhibits typical Russian simplicity & durability.
Oh…. they’re cheap too (<$250)!The Hi-Points possess none of the TT-33 or Makarov’s qualities (or history), and cost nearly the same. So if anyone here is considering a Hi-Point for any reason, pass on it and get a Tokarev or Makarov/CZ instead.
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If i had to carry a weapon, it would be Chuck Norris because he IS the ultimate weapon……..
But since he won’t fit, i’d probably carry some MACE. I don’t want anything getting close enough that i’d have to stab it. And i don’t really want to kill anything. Especially when i’m the one invading it’s private space.
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I dont carry any weapons. Just get on your bike and ride. However I would carry chuck norris in my pack.
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Good opinion piece on this topic by Michael Paul published today:
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Yes. I’m trained and licensed. It’s like my wallet.
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I have a small can of pepper spray, a 4″ CRKT combat folder knife w/ dual locks, and a REALLY ANNOYING bell. I’ve only used the bell:-)
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I carry a small folding knife, probably not gonna help in a self defense situation. Can’t see ever bringing a gun, I have enough trouble remembering to bring a water bottle and my helmet!
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I’ve thought about it, even when hiking.
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I do occasionally carry a pistol on hikes (yes, I am licensed), but almost never carry when riding. Never concerned about it going off if I wreck (safeties, dual action engaged), but not interested in crashing with a heavy piece of steel jabbing into me. On the very few occasions I do carry while riding someplace long and remote, it’s in my backpack, and in the outer layer away from my body. But honestly, a decent usable pistol (i.e., not a micro) isn’t what I would call light, especially if you bring along an extra magazine. My concealable 8 rnd 9mm is ~1.5 lbs., my 12 rnd 45 ~2.25 lbs., which are probably average. I definitely know it’s back there while bouncing down the trail.
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For those folks that are of the proper mindset and choose to take a proactive approach to the evils of today, small polymer framed weapons like the S&W Shield and single stack Glocks are light weight, reliable, and are chambered for real defensive calibers.
If you choose to roll armed, get some professional training and realize that shooting is a perishable skill that must be maintained.
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We had a guy stalked and killed by a mountain lion here in Calif recently. My preference for defense is my S&W Shield with 8 rounds available. CCW permit required of course. The problem I worry about is the slow speed to remove from the Jonebikes bag, used with Jones H-Bars. Unzipping and removing it, then putting a round in the chamber can take about 5 or 10 seconds, depending on my speed at the time.
I would paste a photo but this forum app doesn’t allow easy copy paste insertion. Using the image insertion is obscure, I’ll have to figure that out.
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Like Don Knotts used to say, “My whole body’s a weapon!”
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I live in Canada so we can’t carry but I always bring my dog spray or a hunting knife. Came pretty close with a cougar in the spring but it was calm and I backed away slowly and after as I could barely see it jumped on my bike and took off. Cougar was looking at me in a very curios way while sitting down on a trail as I was backing away. It was quite an experience but I am pretty sure my dog spray or my hunting knife would work. At least I feel better knowing that I have something on me that will give me a higher chance to win the fight if I get attacked.
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I have a multi tool with me when I’m in the woods, whether biking or hiking. It could be used as a weapon at close range, but I think my hiking poles or bike would serve as a better defense. I feel safer in the woods than I do in a town or city – humans are far and away the most dangerous animals.
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As a Scout years ago (way too many), always be prepared.
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I ride in Alaska off trail. I carry a large can of bear spray on trails when riding in summer. I was a wilderness guide in remote Brooks Range for 25 years, and have carried a .44 mag or shotgun on a number of back country trips. Prefer to carry bear spray on the bike and most personal hikes.
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