Chat
Steve is kind of a stud. He is the crazy murderer goat off of CL after all, he needs to keep up his street cred!!!
Tipsy Toad,
I never really addressed your whole question. Urban'ish environments I think the big stick is plenty and far less likely to get the police called than waving a gun fake or not around. That is however very different than the threats you may or could encounter the farther in to the great outdoors you go. I have done a lot of research on this point because Steve's (my goat) entire purpose in life is to carry my kids gear into the back woods. The last thing I want is some large North American predator thinking Steve would make a great midnight snack then deciding one of my kids would be easier to drag of.
So what I have found as the biggest threat to goats in my opinion (which is totally research based with zero personal experience) is cougars at night. Which means you need a weapons system that is designed for night use, reloading speed, has a high ammo capacity, a fair bit of kinetic energy at close range, can be handled safely and does not take up tons of room or draw a lot of attention when being carried. I am not going to go out and buy a special weapons system for goat protection so I looked at what I already had. A hunting rifle with scope, 12 Ga shot gun, Taurus judge 410 shot gun 45 long colt mix with 5 shot cylinder, a Ruger 44 super black hawk with 6 shot cylinder and a Kimber 45 cal 1911 with a tactical light rail 2 safety and 9 round capacity. I immediately cut the long guns, to big, to heavy, not great for night time with out some mods. After a lot of thought about my pistol selection I chose the 45 cal 1911. Although 45 has a fairly short range its kinetic energy is very good. I am not trying to kill a Kodiak bear defending her cubs, just a mountain lion who want a easy meal. Also the capacity and easy of reloading was a big draw. With 3 magazines at 8 rounds each and 1 in the chamber that's gives me 25 rounds coming at you in a hurry. The biggest factor that really hit home for me was possibility of contact with the predator in low light or in the dark. If you have ever tried to put effective rounds on a target in the dark with a large cal pistol with one hand on the gun and the other holding a flash light it is not easy or efficient. It is much easier to use a weapon system with a tactical light mounted to it and sights that are designed for night time shooting. Also the light can be turned on and of with your thumb while still keeping your more secure two handed grip on your weapon which makes you more accurate and efficient. Again I live in WA state not Alaska or Montana where grizzly bears are a much larger threat. I believe that cougars are my biggest issue and a 45 at that kind of range and in these kinds of conditions will be just fine for me.
What ever you decide to do for what ever threat you think is the primary one you will encounter do a little bit of training for that. If you think dogs charging you at the park is you biggest threat find a good stick and wack some stuff. Figure out a few stances that feel conferable and allow you to maximize power. If you think like me that night time cougars raids might be your big threat find a place to SAFELY shoot you weapons system at night. Try different ways of holding your light and gun. You will be surprised how night time will make you shoot differently than during the day. You don't need to Jason Bourne or a Ninja, just don't let the first time you try any of this stuff be went your face to face with a couple dogs with a stupid owner or with that hungry cougar. I hope some of this helps you out.
Tipsy Toad,
I never really addressed your whole question. Urban'ish environments I think the big stick is plenty and far less likely to get the police called than waving a gun fake or not around. That is however very different than the threats you may or could encounter the farther in to the great outdoors you go. I have done a lot of research on this point because Steve's (my goat) entire purpose in life is to carry my kids gear into the back woods. The last thing I want is some large North American predator thinking Steve would make a great midnight snack then deciding one of my kids would be easier to drag of.
So what I have found as the biggest threat to goats in my opinion (which is totally research based with zero personal experience) is cougars at night. Which means you need a weapons system that is designed for night use, reloading speed, has a high ammo capacity, a fair bit of kinetic energy at close range, can be handled safely and does not take up tons of room or draw a lot of attention when being carried. I am not going to go out and buy a special weapons system for goat protection so I looked at what I already had. A hunting rifle with scope, 12 Ga shot gun, Taurus judge 410 shot gun 45 long colt mix with 5 shot cylinder, a Ruger 44 super black hawk with 6 shot cylinder and a Kimber 45 cal 1911 with a tactical light rail 2 safety and 9 round capacity. I immediately cut the long guns, to big, to heavy, not great for night time with out some mods. After a lot of thought about my pistol selection I chose the 45 cal 1911. Although 45 has a fairly short range its kinetic energy is very good. I am not trying to kill a Kodiak bear defending her cubs, just a mountain lion who want a easy meal. Also the capacity and easy of reloading was a big draw. With 3 magazines at 8 rounds each and 1 in the chamber that's gives me 25 rounds coming at you in a hurry. The biggest factor that really hit home for me was possibility of contact with the predator in low light or in the dark. If you have ever tried to put effective rounds on a target in the dark with a large cal pistol with one hand on the gun and the other holding a flash light it is not easy or efficient. It is much easier to use a weapon system with a tactical light mounted to it and sights that are designed for night time shooting. Also the light can be turned on and of with your thumb while still keeping your more secure two handed grip on your weapon which makes you more accurate and efficient. Again I live in WA state not Alaska or Montana where grizzly bears are a much larger threat. I believe that cougars are my biggest issue and a 45 at that kind of range and in these kinds of conditions will be just fine for me.
What ever you decide to do for what ever threat you think is the primary one you will encounter do a little bit of training for that. If you think dogs charging you at the park is you biggest threat find a good stick and wack some stuff. Figure out a few stances that feel conferable and allow you to maximize power. If you think like me that night time cougars raids might be your big threat find a place to SAFELY shoot you weapons system at night. Try different ways of holding your light and gun. You will be surprised how night time will make you shoot differently than during the day. You don't need to Jason Bourne or a Ninja, just don't let the first time you try any of this stuff be went your face to face with a couple dogs with a stupid owner or with that hungry cougar. I hope some of this helps you out.