contender
Ruger Guru
Sudsy, "Welcome to the Forum!"
As you see, you asked a few different questions,, and as such, got all kinds of answers.
Once you get out of those severely anti-gun states, traveling with a firearm isn't a big issue IN GENERAL! As mentioned, keeping things separate and in a locked case will most often suffice.
If you move out of NJ, and to a more gun friendly state, get your CCW ASAP! It'll help teach you a lot about the laws of lethal or deadly force. And since many states have such a patchwork of laws concerning carry, or transport,, having things locked away while in such places would require a search warrant for any LEO to discover them. UNLESS you tell them.
But for your worries about bears in these western states.
You asked about a couple of specific firearms.
My FIRST question is this; "Are you AND your wife very proficient with firearms?" When I ask that,,, I mean "Motor memory skill friendly, to where you can operate those firearms without thinking." And ESPECIALLY being able to hit a target under speed & distress.
The .454 is a big caliber, and not many people can easily handle one, firing multiple shots very quickly, AND hit what they need to. Having the gun is not the same thing as hitting a moving target with it.
The shotgun.
Many, many guides & professionals in serious bear country usually carry a pump shotgun. Normally loaded with slugs, and maybe a 3" triple 000 buckshot. This goes along with bear spray.
But NONE of the stuff you carry will be worth a dern unless it's immediately accessible if faced with a sudden attack. That means; Carrying the bear spray AND your handgun in front & accessible to either hand. The shotgun, on a sling or immediate access on the side of a pack.
But go back to actual using a firearm. You'd best spend a LOT of time practicing with the guns and even waste a few cans of bear spray learning how to deploy it too.
That Keltec may be just fine,, but I'd fire it a lot,, even if only with cheap bird shot to get familiar with it. I personally like to find the most durable, and dependable firearms to bet my life on & carry those. BTW; You might look for an older Ithaca pump shotgun, they too have bottom ejection.
Lastly, you mentioned coming to NC to get some work done on the camper. Where in NC? If you happen to be near WNC, I own a range & can let you try some guns. And I own a range.
As you see, you asked a few different questions,, and as such, got all kinds of answers.
Once you get out of those severely anti-gun states, traveling with a firearm isn't a big issue IN GENERAL! As mentioned, keeping things separate and in a locked case will most often suffice.
If you move out of NJ, and to a more gun friendly state, get your CCW ASAP! It'll help teach you a lot about the laws of lethal or deadly force. And since many states have such a patchwork of laws concerning carry, or transport,, having things locked away while in such places would require a search warrant for any LEO to discover them. UNLESS you tell them.
But for your worries about bears in these western states.
You asked about a couple of specific firearms.
My FIRST question is this; "Are you AND your wife very proficient with firearms?" When I ask that,,, I mean "Motor memory skill friendly, to where you can operate those firearms without thinking." And ESPECIALLY being able to hit a target under speed & distress.
The .454 is a big caliber, and not many people can easily handle one, firing multiple shots very quickly, AND hit what they need to. Having the gun is not the same thing as hitting a moving target with it.
The shotgun.
Many, many guides & professionals in serious bear country usually carry a pump shotgun. Normally loaded with slugs, and maybe a 3" triple 000 buckshot. This goes along with bear spray.
But NONE of the stuff you carry will be worth a dern unless it's immediately accessible if faced with a sudden attack. That means; Carrying the bear spray AND your handgun in front & accessible to either hand. The shotgun, on a sling or immediate access on the side of a pack.
But go back to actual using a firearm. You'd best spend a LOT of time practicing with the guns and even waste a few cans of bear spray learning how to deploy it too.
That Keltec may be just fine,, but I'd fire it a lot,, even if only with cheap bird shot to get familiar with it. I personally like to find the most durable, and dependable firearms to bet my life on & carry those. BTW; You might look for an older Ithaca pump shotgun, they too have bottom ejection.
Lastly, you mentioned coming to NC to get some work done on the camper. Where in NC? If you happen to be near WNC, I own a range & can let you try some guns. And I own a range.
nly had to kill three in a 30 year period. Since 2020 , health problems keep me from out and about in the desert. Sometimes I packed a rifle and always a handgun, usually chambered to the .44 magnum. When I hiked the local mountains it was an S&W 629 6" .44 magnum but it turned out to be a bit fragile using Elmer Keith level hand loads so switch to Ruger Super Blackhawks mostly. Probably the nicest one to carry was a 4 5/8" gun with regular Black Hawk grip frame. If I was still doing the out and about, I'd have that grip changed to the Bisley configuration. Much more comfortable with top level loads.
