18 Best Handguns For Wilderness Protection

Are you headed out to the woods worrying about the lions, tigers and bears? Oh my!  
From rabid critters to bears that ate a brick of narcotics (google it), there are plenty of threats to your safety from animals.  
Choosing the right weapon to carry with you is important, so here are some things to consider if you're gonna pack a handgun on your hike:

1. What animals are out there?  For snakes, you'll want a pistol that feeds .410 shot shells.  For anything the size of a skunk to the size of a fox, a .22 caliber pistol can do the trick.  If you're just trying to scare off animals, a .22 should do nicely.  For coyotes, bobcats and other similarly sized game, you'll want something like a 9 or .45 with you.  Anything bigger, the name of your cartridges better end in "Magnum".
2. Who is with you?  If you're not going alone, you will either want to keep the gun hidden so your beyond-liberal sister-in-law doesn't know you're carrying, or you're with your family and you'll want to make sure others can use it when a pack of wolves drags you off.  If you're by yourself...that's not a great idea.
3. Are you allowed to carry where you're going?  Most parks don't allow firearms.  If you break the law and carry a gun anyways, can you conceal it?

We gathered a list of guns that we feel are the best choices to consider for different threat levels when you're out hiking.  Use the arrows to cast your votes and let us know which guns you would take out into the woods where you live!
1
Magnum Research Desert Eagle

From $1806.99

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Magnum Research Desert Eagle

48

GunCritic Score

96%

User Rating

99%

2
Taurus Judge

From $590.75

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Taurus Judge

47

GunCritic Score

95%

User Rating

99%

3
Smith & Wesson 686

From $742.05

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Smith & Wesson 686

43

GunCritic Score

93%

User Rating

99%

4
Ruger Single-Six

From $599.16

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Ruger Single-Six

38

GunCritic Score

97%

User Rating

99%

5
Taurus Raging Bull

From $1370.99

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Taurus Raging Bull

35

GunCritic Score

94%

User Rating

99%

6
Taurus TX22

From $322.99

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Taurus TX22

32

GunCritic Score

50%

User Rating

99%

7
SIG Sauer P320

From $549.99

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SIG Sauer P320

32

GunCritic Score

95%

User Rating

99%

8
Smith & Wesson M57

From $935.00

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Smith & Wesson M57

30

GunCritic Score

100%

User Rating

99%

9
Glock 17 Gen 5

From $620.38

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Glock 17 Gen 5

29

GunCritic Score

98%

User Rating

99%

10
Kimber 1911

From $749.99

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Kimber 1911

27

GunCritic Score

93%

User Rating

99%