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...This enough?
Posted on 12/01/2011 9:29:16 PM PST by Stonewall Jackson
I have a friend and colleague who is moving to Fairbanks next week and he is looking for a pistol to carry in grizzly country. He is an avid outdoorsman and will be hunting up there on a regular basis, but the only pistol he currently owns is a Browning 9mm.
He'd thought about getting a 1911A1, but I've pretty much convinced him that a .45ACP is okay against black bears, but is too slow hitting for effective use against grizzlies.
True. To hit a grizzly with a pistol is pretty scary to begin with. The bear is too close, the shooter is crapping his pants, his body is shaking, etc.
“Here’s a joke told to me by Alaskans on the subject of handguns and grizzlies:”
It is actually part of a true story published in Alaska Magazine back in the 80s.
A 12 ga slug is better, but that’s not a pistol.
As for a sidearm to defend against grizzly bears - shotgun slugs. Best defense is to not engage them in any form or fashion. Second best defense is traveling with a partner who doesn't quite run as fast as you.
Never messed with bears.
Been around some pissed off 2000 lb bulls, though.
You ain’t stopping one with a handgun in time to guarantee your life.
Shot 180 lb deer centermass with a .44 mag and they can run quite a ways.
I’d say the riot shotgun slug advocates are right on.
Get the biggest and heaviest handgun you can find. You’ll need it to throw at the bear or perhaps beat him over the head with it.
All sarcasm aside, a larger caliber with a bullet that will penetrate. Like a solid or a hard cast round nose or Keith style semi-wadcutter. Stay away from soft Hollow points and the like.
Perhaps one of those industrial sized pepper spray units also.
all good choices, just remove the front site
Yark!
Don’t bother with a pistol of any sort. Bring a rifle, .30-06 as a minimum.
I wouldn’t be carrying a pistol hoping to take down a Grizzly, at least as a front line weapon. If considering a ‘backup’ weapon in a pistol that could take one down, the caliber had best start with at least the number ‘4’.
S&W .44 Mag Model 29 or 629 with the 7 1/2”, or 8 3/8” barrel.
It’s what I take into the hills and mountains here in Idaho.
all good choices, just remove the front site
Yep. LOL
I tell you sir, what your friend really needs is one of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY6KGMWcPOM&feature=related
A Karelian Bear Dog/Laika. A gun can’t watch your back and with one of these, nobody has to get shot. Plus, if my little old Tyvek is representative, they have dainty appetites and make entertaining company.
......This enough?
I've always felt safe with my Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag, loaded with Federal Premium CastCore. I like the simplicity of the single action, and I feel safer keeping it under my pillow than I would if I had a more complex weapon.
Oly and Sven where out in the woods and Sven says:
What should we do if a bear comes upon us?
Oly says: you run like hell, reach back, grab it and throw it at ‘im!
Sven says: Grab what?
Oly says: It will be there. It will be there!
Otherwise the S&W Bear Gun in .500mag.
Personally, I'd carry a tactical shotgun with slugs.
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