In a gentler time, the .22 held the role of a camper’s handgun. It was extremely rare that bad hombres would be found in the great outdoors although a .22 might be pressed into duty if the situation called for it.
The thing is it just wasn’t forseeable. Nor were grizzlies, at least in most parts of the country.
But rattlers, cotton mouths and rabid critters did present issues.
And camping equipment back then was heavy and bulky, so the diminutive .22 was a welcome accessory.
I don’t think they’re popular anymore but I knew a few old guys (this was a long time ago) who carried Smith and Wesson Kit guns into camp. The Colt Woodsman was also popular and I’m sure the task contributed to the popularity of Ruger Standards and Single-sixes in the postwar years
When tent camping faded from popularity and campers and trailers gained popularity I recall seeing more long guns taking up the slack—shotguns and rimfire rifles like the Marlin 60 spring to mind.
Size and bulk were no longer an issue. I recollect those S&W kit guns being a favorite of fishermen on rivers where snakes with big sharp teeth were frequent uninvited companions. I can’t quite picture casting a dry fly with Mossberg 500 slung over the shoulder but I can see a kit gun in the pocket of a fishing vest. That’s probably why S&W started making them in stainless steel.
I no longer have a .22 camp gun since most of the camping trips I took my family on were in national parks, but I was curious if anyone here was familiar with this tradition?
I’ve normally had my FNX.45 with me for camping or four wheeling adventures…. My holster doesn’t work with the suppressor though…. 
A .22 would work fine for nope ropes (snakes) but other than being a noise maker against mountain lions and black bears…. 
Probably gonna carry my 10mm 1911 in the future outdoors adventures
Good reason to carry an oversized tackle box. Might be surprised at what’s in the bottom of a big box of lures and such.
Might not, either.
When we hit the trails up in the Uintah’s, chasing cows, the little kids 10-12 years old carried 22’s. I have one of the -06’s from those days. The cowboys all carried 44 revolver side arms
I believe when ever we ‘Roughed it’ and went to a friends cabin in Upstate NY we never had anything less than a .38. My first handgun was a .357 (a gift) I like my .22 Smith AR but like Handguns I see no purpose in ‘Carrying’ it. Won’t do any good vs. Bear or Bad Guy so what is the point. At Home? A .22 can be a cost saving Plinking gun(s) but I never seem to take it from her rack.
Trigger time is precious (and often rare) so it’s .44, .556, .9mm always. Occasionally it’s the 10mm or .300 to keep their throats clear. I’m pretty much aware just how vulnerable I am out on the Mesa now, usually by myself . I take precautions and keep looking around just out of survival but it loses something (the JOY) of shooting.. Now it’s like I am prepared to shoot my Targets and then will it be Bangers to end my practice…
and I will NOT hesitate to defend myself. Good luck w/ the .22 @John292 but not for self defense. Gentler times are long gone.
It’s weird when I go out in the great outdoors; it is to enjoy it, not kill it.
Also, for those of you that believe the premise “Gentler times are gone,” it must be just you, and I am surprised you are not dead or in the news every week. Like the other lefties running to arms over everything.
I stay within designated trails so don’t find the need for a .22. I always carry 9mm because two-legged predators are more of a threat to me.
Having said that, there continue to be reports of rattlers hurting people and pets along walking trails near the Sacramento River. Strangely enough, no reports of attacks on the shady guys who loiter there.
When I was doing the mounted SAR thing in the Sierra, I packed a .44
Anything that would go after an animal as big as a horse would be…well…big!
Also a big report for signaling was an added benefit
But the horse carried both me and the .44
If I tried fishing strapped to a .44 and fell into a creek I’d sink straight to the bottom
blub blub blub
I still have my grandpa’s Colt Woodsman on the shelf with the camping gear, must be near 80+ years old now.
For hiking in the Pacific Northwest I carry a S&W 329 loaded with 240gr SWC in a cross draw holster on account I take my corsos with me. They can sniff out other critters and will let them know they’ve been spotted when most folks can and do walk right on by a bear or mountain lion without ever noticing, so I carry just in case something gets out of hand. I’ve run into a few bears, each time after a brief staring contest we’ve all parted ways amicably enough. 