Hiker? Do you have a fever? Bumped your head? ONE gun?! Seriously, I've lost count of how many guns I have. But if one suits your purposes then I say go for it. As for expensive, havig a Federal Firearms License helps a lot with that. If I want something new I call one of my kids and tell them to add it to the next order. Smith is a good make, I prefer the 19 and 29. I have a 4 inch 19 on my hiking fanny pack. Redundencies are great, except they take up a lot of room. I shudder at how much room TP and feminine hygiene items take up in the basement. I could pack a lot of MRE's and ammo in that space. Just my humble opinion.