Backcountry sidearm preference?

[C_Dick_run]

Hey all,

I've already got my bear spray and believe in almost any case it's best to grab that first, but I'm looking to invest in a new pistol for (God forbid) a last-ditch defense in the event of a bear attack. I live in Montana and in many parts of the state, where I'll be hiking, fishing, hunting, etc. we have Grizzlies. After doing some research, I've got some interest in the .45 colt round. Not the absolute biggest caliber in a handgun but seems to pack enough punch to give a guy a chance. Just wondered everybody's thoughts on recommended caliber and make/model if you have a preference.

 

[JimP]

I am not up on the revolver manufactures that chamber a .45 LC round any more but if they can handle a full house load such as what the Rugers can I would say go for it and the .45 LC. But then your problem would be finding the heaver loads from the factory unless you reload. I know that my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 LC can be loaded up to the point that it has as much power as a .44 Rem mag.

If you don't reload I would recommend a .44 mag, .480 Ruger or even go for the max and a .50 S&W.

 

[Huntinguy0120]

I recently held a Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 mag, stainless with a 2-1/2 inch barrel so it can be "carried" carefully with a bulky cylinder. It's close to 4 pounds, woof, but definitely has some of that wow factor and sits in the mid price range of revolvers now a days at $900. It wouldn't be fun or pretty to shoot but seems like the closest thing to an equalizer in bear country.

A .41 magnum revolver seems pretty intriguing too but for range and carrying comfort I'd like something in the 4-6" length. S&W model 57 is a nice one but I'm not sure .41 mag would be quite big enough for the Bears out there? If I stayed small, that would take me to a semi auto loaded in 10mm or .45 ACP with an extra magazine, or three.

Many would argue, rightfully so, that .45 just isn't enough and recommend a short barreled 12 gauge slung over your shoulder loaded to the nines with slugs. They all sound more intriguing than a stick.. Good luck!

 

[luckynv]

Any of those guns will work!! The most important thing to pick carefully is your ammo. In my Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 I carry buffalo bore 340 hard cast +p+. The hardcast on bears or other dangerous game is the ticket. I think that they are even loading it in 9mm now. The word is spray first and hope to not need the handgun. If you need the handgun also have a roll of TP with you!! Better to have and not need, Good luck and God bless

 

[Tim McCoy]

I carried a 40 cal M&P shield in NW WY, loaded with hard cast 200 gr. bullets, designed to penetrate. I suspect you are on the right path, spray em. Had weight been a non issue in WY, and I had one, a Glock in 10mm with 220 gr. hard cast may have been my choice. Where the bears eat Salmon, my 44 Mag with hard cast 300-330's would be the minimum, again, hard cast pills, but a 12 ga. stoked with slugs, tough ones, would be better. You are likely to only have time, in the gravest extreme, to regress to your lowest level of training, so your underware are likely to suffer. That said, I want my likely only chance to contain lead, not a spray, no time for both if charged.

I've not had to defend against a bear charge, but did have to against a cougar. Have had AK buddies face bear charges and have to stop them. All used a shotgun with big bad heavy slugs while fishing.

These predators move very fast, unbelievably fast, where vision narrows and time stands almost still, and then they arrive with bad intentions... Big claws and fangs too. You'll probably have one chance if you are lucky. Snoop around this web site.
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/defensive.html

 

[Fink]

I've got a Glock 29 10mm, with 220grain Buffalo Bore hard cast bullets. I think it generates about 700 ft lbs, which I believe is still quite a bit less than a .44.. But, it's comfortable, and a heck of a lot easier to carry than a Ruger Blackhawk. For me, I shoot it much better than I do a wheel gun, so if I actually had to use it, I feel pretty good about putting a bullet or two in a bear, where as if I were shooting a .44, I might as well turn the gun on myself!
The Danish govt issued the 10mm for polar bear protection, and they are substantially larger than grizzlies.

 

[wa-hunter]

i have the glock 10mm small frame. nice to pack and shoot and should do the job if needed. also have .44 if i need to feel a little safer!!

 

[mallardsx2]

Glock 19 Gen 4- 15 Rd Magazine and one in the pipe... The only thing that's going to save me is the 15 round magazine and the ghost trigger and the fact that I can knock the eyeballs out of a cat in rapid fashion at 25 yards with the gun...I'm a horrible shot with a revolver shooting double action (Most people are too) and cocking the gun every time when a bear charges just isn't an option.

I don't hunt where there are any grizzlies yet. When I do I will carry a different gun.

My biggest concern is running into some weirdo in the woods who decides to hold me up and the odds in that happening are 1:100000000...

No sense in lugging around a .500 S&W for that...that 9mm will just have to do for now.

When hunting in grizzly country one day I recon I will carry my 760-30-06 with my eagle (10 Rd) magazine and some custom 220 Grain bullets and have some pear pepper spray.

I do have a Tarus tracker 44 mag with a 4" barrel.......but I cant hit anything with it and it only holds 5... I would rather have a Glock with some specialty bullets in 10MM...just saying.

 

[JimP]

When I was on a grizzly hunt in British Colombia my guide was packing a .44 mag. I asked him just what was his plan on using it if there was a grizzly encounter. He stated that he was going to shove the pistol into the grizzly's mouth and pull the trigger 6 times.

I know that I replied about what firearm would be best but it has been proven that even a expert shot is better off with bear spray than trying to kill a bear if the situation arises. Once that adrenaline starts to flow all bets are off on how good of a shot you are and if any of you have ever been in a area that has had mace deployed know that it covers a lot of area and one pull of the trigger with bear spray covers more area that a person with a shotgun could ever hope for. There are some that will also say that what if the spray blows back into the face of the person that deployed it, and my answer is that if the wind is blowing that direction odds are the bear will still not know that you are there since the wind is blowing in the wrong direction and you may have a chance to back out without a confrontation.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I have a Ruger Super RedHawk in .454 Casull. /.45 Colt. The Casulls are deadly on both ends, mucho recoil. Buffalo Bore or Garret make warm loads in .45 Colt, much easier to shoot than the full house Casull loads. I reload, and find myself shooting more Colt loads than Casulls. The .45 Colt will get the job done, don't reject it.

 

[az.mountain runner]

With what I've read you want something that throws a300gr. Slug or more I opted for Ruger Alaskan 44 mag, 47 oz. 4" barrel

 

[sneakypete]

Kimber 1911 ProCarry 45! Multiple clips

 

[87TT]

I have spray and hope to never need it. I've been sprayed and it's not fun. At the least, it will distract the aggressor and give you time for plan B. I also own a .44 Ruger Super Blackhawk. It's heavy for lugging around all day. If I think I might actually need it, I can take it. I ALWAYS have my go to S&W 340pd .357. It weighs 12 oz. empty and it's just part of me. It would be a last ditch hail Mary anyway. Like was said, shove it in his mouth and unload. I guess the point is, spray would be best. Now fishing in Alaska, I would go with the 12ga and slugs or the marlin 45/70 guide gun in stainless.

 

[mcseal2]

In country with only cougar and black bear if I'm not packing a rifle I mostly take my 357 S&W 386XL Hunter. It's a discontinued titanium version of the 686 with a 7 shot cylinder and 6" barrel. It weighs right at 32oz loaded with heavy loads, 28oz empty. It's not to heavy for a gun of this size and capacity, plus it's easy to shoot well and real controllable. It's actually a shade lighter than the 4" Ruger SP101 I have with the 4.2" barrel, might sell that one since I never use it. If I want something more compact I have an S&W Model 60 Pro Series also in 357 with a 3" barrel that weighs 22oz and shoots real nice, but the 357 loses a lot of performance with a shorter barrel. If I don't need to hide the fact I have a gun it's usually the 386.

I also have a Ruger Redhawk 5" barrel 44 magnum I put tritium sights and Pachmyr grips on. If I go to grizzly country and pack a handgun I'll likely take this one. I've been shooting it quite a bit, just got it this winter. I like it but it's a big heavy revolver. I'm faster on target with the 386 and first shot accuracy is pretty darn important.

All my revolvers have had professional trigger jobs, my 1911's too. Since I got to shooting light triggers on all my bolt guns I have found I like them on everything. Probably why I like revolvers, 1911's, and Sig 226's better than striker fired semi-autos for my use. I just shoot them better.

The big 44 Ruger Redhawk weighs 3lbs 3 oz empty, plus the weight of the holster at 17oz. That makes a total empty weight of 4.25lbs. My Winchester Trapper 44 magnum is only 6lbs empty and a heck of a lot easier to shoot accurately fast. I have one in 357 too, and sometimes they make more sense than a handgun. Kinda between a easy carrying handgun and a full size power, and length rifle, a compromise in both power and packability. Revolver rounds gain a fair amount of velocity in a 16" barrel and need a tough bullet to handle it, but that's what you want for predator protection anyway.

 

[Montana]

I live in Montana too... and I do the same, spray and pistol. The best advice I can give (because it was given to me) is go with the lightest weight gun you can find. Plain and simple. You can't "have fun" with it because it kicks your ass. But own it for one reason only. To kill a bear when he's after your business.
After your 100th time of packing a heavier gun you WILL tell yourself "it's not going to happen to me" and you just can't let your guard down. Not with an average of 12 attacks a year (unofficial).
Get something you don't even know is there.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Gr8bawana]

Kimber 1911 ProCarry 45! Multiple clips

Somehow I don't think it would matter how many magazines you have. If it has gotten to the point where you have to shoot to save a life, you'll probably be hard pressed to empty even one magazine. Whether it's a bear or a cougar.

 

[sneakypete]

Gr8bawana, well said. I realize that. I added multiple clips because I carry 1 extra clip.

 

[JimP]

You also have to figure that if a bear would charge you it will be without warning usually and will be within 10 yards when they do it.

I wonder if even Matt Dillon could get off more than one or perhaps two shots in that time not to mention shooting accurately enough to stop a mad bear.

 

[AKaviator]

Lots of good answers and advice been given here. My .02 cents would be to carry something thats comfortable enough to go with you, that has as much power as you can accurately handle. I'd rather hit the bear with 3 rounds of .38 than miss with 6 rounds of .500s&w.

Personally, I carry a Colt Delta Elite 10mm that's magna-ported. Wy wife carries a s&w ultra-lite .44mag in a chest holster. I sometimes carry an extra magazine but not always. When I do, it's because I have never run into a bear at very close range that threatened me, just lucky I guess. It usually has been a bear that was 50-100 yards away that knew I was there and approached me. I have fired warning shot's when they got too close, but you have to weigh how many rounds you're willing to spend warning a bear against how many rounds it may take to win the fight if he charges. My warning shot(s) have generally worked as desired but not always. That's why an extra magazine feels right to have.
Nothing gives me more confidence than my .375H&h though!

 

[mntnguide]

All the years i guided in NW Wyoming in thick grizzly country, I carried a Ruger Super Redhawk 4" barrel stainless steel in .44mag. . My cylinders were offset...first shot FMJ, next 2 bird shot, final ones back to FMJ loads as heavy as i can have in there. I like the bird shot for a grizzly that would push the limits of my comfort, to give him a quick reminder, then if that wasnt enough, i felt fully justified in having to shoot a bear. Never had to shoot one, but did have to unload rounds close to them on numerous occasions. I carried it in a minimal leather shoulder harness that didnt interfere with my pack/optics/etc, and I wouldnt go into griz country without it. I definitely agree with packing something you can shoot and are comfortable with. The main reason i went with that gun, is I prefer a revolver that i dont have to worry about the mechanics failing. When im in the hills things get dirty, i dont have time to clean them etc...so I like the revolver for those times.