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Headed to Denver...and then on to Estes Park in the mountains for vacation with the family.

I was going to take my Kahr CW9, then I decided on the P238...then I started thinking about the horseback rides on some remote trails. The remoteness made me think that I needed a bigger caliber, so I decided on the Kimber .45. Then, I remembered that I just put night sights on it...and I am not sure how accurate the Kimber Ultra Carry would be. It only holds six and I would want each round to count with only six shots. Now what to do? Take the P220...no, I dont have a holster for it.

The best CCW that I could think of is my G33 (baby Glock) in .357 sig with 9 rounds. Now that I have made my decision, or rather my decision has been made for me...do I load up with hollow points or FMJ's? I honestly feel like a woman trying to pick out a pair of shoes.

...no, you really don't...a woman would decide she didn't have nearly enough to choose from, cancel the vacation, and head to the shoe store with the vacation money!!!

I went through the same dilemma when I went backpacking and camping in Colorado. My solution was to carry more then one firearm, actually three. Glock 20sf with 6inch barrel and this load while in the deep woods http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=158. My .38 snub with cci shot shells for those nice little rattlers and my better half carried her .32 H&R with this load for in the woods http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l= ... tail&p=270. We ran hollowpoint ammo on our way up when not camping but I just switched my mags for 16rounds of 230 hard cast when I got to the woods.

The .357sig is a good round and will serve you well for two legged predators, mountain lions and other thin to medium skinned animals but if the one in a million chance happens a .357 sig is not going to be a good choice against a bear (even if it is a smaller black bear or a moose). Trust me get bear mace!!! REI sells it behind the counter and this should be your first line of defense against a bear.

I would carry a 45 over the .357 and carry these babies. http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=650

Just found this load from Double Tap while looking for a good 147 grain load. http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=618
It must be new. I have never seen such a heavy load in .357 sig. I would test this before carrying, like I do with any load. This is the only hardcast heavy grain I know for .357 sig. I still wouldn't want to use it on a black bear though! Get the bear mace and load your sig with this just in case you don't go with the .45. But I strongly suggest you carry that 220 or any 45acp over the .357 sig.

I loved Estes Park when I went but it was extremely crowded in town! Check out Lake Turquise outside of Leadville if you want a beautiful and more secluded location. I can't wait till I go camping this year. Just got my Big Agnes in! I am like a little kid in a candy store, so excited. Happy camping!

CC Italian wrote:I went through the same dilemma when I went backpacking and camping in Colorado. My solution was to carry more then one firearm, actually three. Glock 20sf with 6inch barrel and this load while in the deep woods http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=158. My .38 snub with cci shot shells for those nice little rattlers and my better half carried her .32 H&R with this load for in the woods http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l= ... tail&p=270. We ran hollowpoint ammo on our way up when not camping but I just switched my mags for 16rounds of 230 hard cast when I got to the woods.

The .357sig is a good round and will serve you well for two legged predators, mountain lions and other thin to medium skinned animals but if the one in a million chance happens a .357 sig is not going to be a good choice against a bear (even if it is a smaller black bear or a moose). Trust me get bear mace!!! REI sells it behind the counter and this should be your first line of defense against a bear.

I would carry a 45 over the .357 and carry these babies. http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=650

Just found this load from Double Tap while looking for a good 147 grain load. http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=618
It must be new. I have never seen such a heavy load in .357 sig. I would test this before carrying, like I do with any load. This is the only hardcast heavy grain I know for .357 sig. I still wouldn't want to use it on a black bear though! Get the bear mace and load your sig with this just in case you don't go with the .45. But I strongly suggest you carry that 220 or any 45acp over the .357 sig.

Thank you for your post! Some good stuff in there.

Due to this trip, I realized a few things: I need more holsters. I have some guns, like the 220, that I never carry...but have found that I could and should have a holster for them on occasions such as this trip.

I like your idea of carrying several calibers. Each gun is a tool...and you made me realized that I need a G20. Dangit

looks like its time to buy a 10mm :)

Just remember if you go into Rocky Mountain National Park that park buildings that house offices are off-limits for carry.

cheezit wrote:looks like its time to buy a 10mm :)

It's always a good time to buy a 10mm!

The 10mm is a great semi auto round but it is still kids stuff compared to the .44mag. It is a very versatile round that can handle moose and black bear with proper shot placement. As for Grizzly (brown bears) it could work and many do carry them in Alaska but I assume they carry them because they came to the same conclusion I did. 16 rounds of near mid load 41 mag ballistics with a lot less recoil then even a .357 mag. Plus I can probably get through 6 rounds of 10mm before I even fire the 3rd round in a hot loaded 44 mag. That's why I got it!

When I go to Glacier next year I will be open carrying a rifle. Hopefully by then I will have a 444 or 450 marlin.

Also check up on Colorado law for carry. While they do have open carry I never saw anybody carry openly, and I went on a two week park and trail vacation. Also check any state you travel through. I don't know if you are going through NM or OK but NM is a little more complicated. You can only carry one firearm concealed at a time still, since last time I checked. Colorado has different laws for long guns(I think you still can't have one chambered?) Also, Denver county has a a whole can of laws that in that states silliness supersedes state laws. I know its silly but read up on that! NO open carry in Denver, I think they also have an "assault weapons" ban.http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/DenverLaws.pdf It will make you sick to your stomach but you should read it!

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/colorado.pdf This should help also.

I also started thinking about a rifle. If you're going on horseback, just tie on a rifle scabbard and throw in a Winchester or Henry in .44mag and you're good to go.

The G33 is one of my CCWs. I carry it with hollow points in the 9 round mag. I carry a spare 15 rd mag (G31) loaded with fmj. I like the Sellier & Bellot 140 gr. fmj, it's a fairly hot load. It will penetrate!

You can just grab a "universal slide" holster or a nylon Uncle Mikes holster for the gun you don't usually carry. No need to use up vacation money for an expensive holster.

Regards, OE

Keith B wrote:Just remember if you go into Rocky Mountain National Park that park buildings that house offices are off-limits for carry.

It's not just Rocky Mountain National Park, Keith's caution applies to any NPS building where any federal employees are present.

C-dub wrote:I also started thinking about a rifle. If you're going on horseback, just tie on a rifle scabbard and throw in a Winchester or Henry in .44mag and you're good to go.

Last year in CO we saw a black bear while we were on horseback and saw lots of fresh black bear scat while trail riding motorcycles, miles from the nearest help. I felt a bit ill-prepared with only 19 rounds of .40.