Posted: 11/2/2007 6:19:49 AM EDT
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Looking at going hiking up in mountains where there is quit a bit of bears. Looking for a handgun that would be easy for carry, can with stand getting wet and would still be able to take down a bear if needed. Any suggestions? |
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If we are talking ballistics and damage the 5-6" 500 and 460 are about the only production cartridges that lay down the energy needed for a charging/aggressive bear. However in the real world that we live in a 4" 44 mag/45 Colt/454 is much more practical to carry and shoot. I carry a 3" unfluted 629 in 44. If I were buying a new gun for the purpose you speak of I would have a hard time passing up the new 4"Redhawk. The rugers are built like tanks and will last forever. If you want something shorter the Alaskan is a good compromise. If weight is a concern one of the 329 smiths or titanium Taurus is the way to go. Dont plan on shooting them much because they are brutal to shoot. I agree that it should be double action to facilitate one handed operation and if you truly want it weatherproof have it coated with a nice aftermarket finish. A plain stainless gun will rust on you. |
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I would rather have a Glock 20 than any of the hand cannons you guys are talking about. You are talking about defense not hunting correct? The rate of a "Man" attack is much greater than a "Bear" attack and a 10mm x 15rds would make for a more versatile weapon. Now if I was a guide and subjected myself to daily excursions into Bear areas I would consider any of the 44mag and up pistols. |
Just like that and my reasoning for my post was nowhere did the originator state hiking here in Nevada/Northern Nevada etc.( I assumed) or out of state where the threat of coming in contact with a real mankiller the .44 mag.will be bottom line defense if it's just a Black Bear up here there harmless(trashcans excluded) and alot more scared of Humans than some might assume. I do like the 3/8" steel shot though that will definitely 'Pepper a Bears Pooper' 
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All my family is from Montana where they have been ranchers since the late 1860's. Our plots are all in the heart of grizzly country and we have had many run ins over the years. You cannot imagine how fast a charging grizzly can be. I can assure you that a 10mm will simply piss them off, if you do manage to hit it. My dad was thrown from his horse once and watched as a male grizzly literally grabbed his horse with its front paws and threw it to the ground. How heavy is a horse compared to a man? Whenever my dad, grandpa, or various uncles are out on the ranch, they at a minimum have either a Marlin lever action 45-70 loaded with a Garret 415 gn hard cast lead bullet moving somewhere in the range of 1700 fps. Also carried often are short barreled shotguns with Benneke slugs. If you are truly hiking where you can be attacked by grizzlies you need to give serious consideration to your safety. AT THE BARE MINIMUM, I'd suggest the new Ruger Super Redhawk with a 4 inch barrel in .44 Magnum. I'd go to Garret Catridges and get their most stout load, which should be a 330 gn super hard cast bullet moving along at 1400 fps. You need to realize that the average handgun caliber has trouble stopping a man, what is it going to do to a male grizzly that stands 8 feet tall, weights 1,500 pounds, and is charging you at close to 40 mph??? Just at work several weeks ago we had a call where a guy was shot 5 times with a .40 all in the upper torso, no extremities hit and he was still sitting up talking when we got to him. Also think about arming everyone in your party with some of the various bear pepper spray/OC sprays that are available. Although my family has no experience with them others in the area have had good luck. I know several hippies saved their asses a couple years back with the spray. Also make sure to make a lot of noise as you hike. You don't want to round a coner and suprise a grizzly (refer to my first paragraph - my dad was very lucky). |
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First off, let's talk realism. As a resident of bear country (by that, I mean I had bears prowling my property long before the latest spate of bear incidents in Northern Nevada), I have given this subject a lot of thought. When I travel in Black Bear territory, I usually carry a .357Magnum. Why? Aside from the fact that I am a sissy and don't like the recoil associated with heavier calibers, I don't have any fear whatsoever that I am gonna have to use it on a bear. I chased a bear off that had gotten into my trash on pick up day, wearing nothing but my boxer briefs at 2a.m. I am significantly less intimidating than a .357 ( I actually thought it was a dog before I had flown out the door in my skivvies.) When I am out in the boonies, these are the things I consider threats, in order of likeliness: 1. Meth addicts and the labs I might stumble onto. 2. Pot growers. 3. Illegal Immigrant camps (can be combined with items 1 or 2). 4. Mountain Lions (.357 is plenty for them and they are potentially aggressive, unlike Bears). 5. Rabid coyotes/stray dogs. 6. Dirt bike riding douche bags from California that think that they are extreme enough to mess with the locals. 7. Satan worshipers ( Okay, it was one time at American Flats and you never saw dorky D&D-type kids scatter so fast as when the long haired metal god in camo pants, wielding the might Mossberg of pain came on the scene. But alas, that is another tale...) 8. Hippies and assorted left-overs from burning man. 9. Meth addicts. Just in case I didn't emphasize enough how much I hate tweakers. 10. Bears. In all fairness, I should mention that I also never travel the hills and woods without a long gun, an AR being minimum, and the FAL being the first choice. Your mileage may vary. If you are looking for an excuse to buy a new handgun and you are going where there really are big bears, then get what you want. If you are trying to save yourself some cake, just make do. |
Now that's some funny shit right there! And true, too... 
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Double Tap Ammo You can use this site to compare the vol/fps and energy-ft/lbs. I can tell you first hand that Double Tap Ammo is top shelf. Caliber : 10mm Bullet : 200gr Wide Flat Nose Gas Check Beartooth Ballistics : 1300fps/ 750 ft./lbs. - Glock 20 Glock 29 - 1240fps ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Caliber : .44 Magnum Bullet : 320gr Wide Flat Nose Hardcast Ballistics : 1300fps - 1201 ft./lbs. - 6.5" bbl. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Caliber : .500 S&W Magnum Bullet : 440gr. WFNGC Hardcast Ballistics : 1650fps - 2660 ft./lbs. - 8.375" bbl. |
So what did you end up with? This thread is worthless without new purchase pics  I didn't read all of the responses, did anyone suggest a Samurai Sword? These can cut through anything, just dodge that charging bear and lop it's head clean off. 
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Get the Ruger and don't even second guess the purchase,Just buy it,Buy it Now
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Just get the effing Ruger already! Whew!  Just make sure you load it with Garrett rounds..... damn deadly for bears! |
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