22 caliber and hiking in bear country
 
On Bud's Gun Shop Forums the question came up:  What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself?
 
My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire  22 short.  Over all the years I've been hiking I never leave without it in my pocket. Of course we all know too the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System".  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this it means you NEVER hike alone, you bring a friend or companion, even an in-law, that way if something happens there is someone to go get help.
 
I remember one time hiking with my brother-in-law on Raspberry Island near Kodiak .  Out  of nowhere came this huge brown bear .... and man was she mad.  We must have been near one of her cubs.  

Anyway, if I had not had my little 22 caliber Jetfire I'd sure not be here today. Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace.