Camp Protection 101: Why Hunters Carry a Backup Pistol

A hunter’s number-one focus in the backcountry is typically their rifle or bow. But an experienced hunter knows that camp protection and personal defense require a different tool. A hunter’s backup pistol is an essential survival tool for unexpected wildlife encounters. A primary hunting weapon is designed for taking game from a distance, while a handgun can be used in a different and life-saving manner when you are at base camp or somewhere outside.

Why a Backup Gun Is a Must-Have

Most close encounters in the woods occur at a distance where a rifle is not a suitable weapon. Your bolt gun may be slung and unloaded or your bow may be down while you’re making a fire. Feral hogs charge. Black bears will scout gut piles. Rattlesnakes appear in a location you didn’t think of. In each of these scenarios, the time it takes to unsling the rifle and chamber a round just works against you.

A sidearm will eliminate this problem because it’s always at hand while you’re at camp or on the trail. It is not meant to replace your main weapon. It’s there in between “everything’s fine” and “I need a gun right now,” and those ten seconds are the moments when a rifle is least useful.

What You Actually Need from a Backup Sidearm

A backup gun has to be part of your pack in a way that prioritizes stopping power over weight and bulk. You already have a rifle, bow, pack, ammunition, and field-dressing, so a full-size duty pistol is not often the best solution. The answer is something that is light enough that you don’t feel it, and it’s reliable enough that you don’t have to worry if it will run.

There are a couple of things that separate a good camp backup from a bad one:

• Low weight. Weighing under 20 ounces loaded won’t slow you down during a 10-hour hunt.
• Proven reliability. This gun must go off the first time, every time.
• A caliber you trust. 9mm is a compromise between recoil and stopping power that is suitable for most hunters.
• Realistic capacity. Additional rounds help, but not at the expense of carrying a gun that’s too cumbersome.
• Holster compatibility. If the pistol isn’t carried safely on rough ground, it’s not doing its job.

Glock 43 As a Popular Backup Solution

The Glock 43 was designed as a single-stack pistol, and that single-stack feature attracts hunters to get this gun for a camp carry. It weighs about 17.99 oz when loaded, and is only 1.06 inches wide, so it doesn’t really bulk up your system when fitted underneath a jacket, and it rides flat against a chest holster. The short slide means it won’t catch on branches or pack straps (which you’ll notice the first time you carry a pistol through dense underbrush).

The G43 earns its reputation for excellent reliability. Hunting guides and backcountry outfitters use Glocks due to their dirt-and-muck resistance and their ability to operate in cold temperatures without complaint. Parts and magazines are easy to find, and the platform has years of field experience.

Magazine Capacity and Reloads in the Field

The G43’s factory magazine holds six bullets, which may be enough for most situations but leaves little wiggle room for error. The finger extension magazine gives you a little grip and comfort, but doesn’t significantly alter the carry profile of the gun, and it’s a simple, inexpensive modification for most G43 owners that they make in the first few months of gun ownership.

For those who want more shots in the magazine, The Mag Shack offers an extended magazine for Glock 43 that can be stored in a pocket or pack as an extra. While it doesn’t make the G43 into a full-sized pistol, it can certainly give you a backup. Rotate your carry ammo and inspect your magazines prior to each outing.

Carrying It Around Camp and on the Trail

Where you keep your backup pistol depends on the situation. A strong-side or appendix holster will suffice on the trail to a stand, but when you’re sitting for hours, a chest holster keeps the gun within reach and prevents it from messing with your harness straps. This is one reason hunters prefer tree stands over chest carry, because it’s impractical to shoot from the waist.

The most important time for a backup pistol is when you’re out in the field, and that’s when hunters tend to set their rifle aside. During this stretch, the gun should be on your body, not in your pack. If you’re focused on an animal in front of you and a hog or bear approaches, you won’t benefit from a gun in a bag 10 feet away.

How to Pick the Perfect Holster

Not all holsters designed for concealed carry are suitable for hunting. You’ll want one made from a rigid material such as Kydex because soft holsters can collapse and slow your draw when you need speed.

There are a few styles that are popular among hunters:

• Appendix (AIWB): quick access, good for under a jacket/bibs.
• Chest holster: common choice for tree stand hunters.
• Belt holster with retention: good for hiking and general camp use.
• Drop-leg holster: convenient if you need to carry something on your waist belt or a harness gets in the way.

Test each one with an empty round before deciding on which to use for a real trip. How things feel great in the store can change once you have 40 lbs on your back while hiking uphill.

The Wrapping Word

While a backup pistol may not be a substitute for good judgment, bear spray, or situational awareness, it may be an option when none of those tools are sufficient. The Glock 43 is a popular carry gun for camp because it’s not visible until you need it, and that’s when you’re in desperate need of a backup firearm.