Posted on 10/15/2023 5:06:35 AM PDT by marktwain
A surprising result of the research to determine if handguns are effective when used in defense against bears is that they appear to be more effective than rifles or shotguns. This is a surprise. Rifles and shotguns tend to be more powerful than pistols. They are also easier to use accurately at a distance. When expecting a bear encounter, the preferred firearm is almost always a high-powered rifle or a shotgun.
Much of the advantage of accuracy at the range of rifles and shotguns is eliminated because most defenses against bears occur at very close ranges. Defensive handguns have been designed with close-range defense in mind. They are specifically designed for quick access and repeated fast shots at close range.
In the study, Efficacy of Firearms for Bear Deterrence in Alaska, the authors found handguns to be marginally more effective than long guns, with long guns at 76% effective and handguns at 84% effective. Herrero and Smith, the authors of the study, note because of the small sample, this is not a statistically valid difference. The study included many instances where a firearm was not fired for various reasons.
One of the main reasons handguns appear to be more effective is because they are fired more often in defense against bears. Handguns are meant to be carried on the person, usually in a holster. Holsters are ergonomically designed and extensively tested to allow quick access during stress. The same holsters are designed to prevent the firearm from being lost during strenuous activity.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Shooting a problem bear at a distance, with a long gun is likely to solve the bear problem without it being considered defensive.
I’d want a S&W 500 magnum.
And in other research, expert scientists have proven the sun comes up in the east.
Trust the science!
Yes, even a small caliber pistol shot through the leg of your hiking buddy will give you the time to get away.
(old joke, I know)
Handguns are best in all attacks.......HELLO!
“because of the small sample, this is not a statistically valid difference.”
So the headline is completely wrong.
Just don’t tell your buddy that joke. Let it all be new to him.
The research started with a search for instances where firing a handgun in defense against a bear failed.
Please let us know of any you have found. All I require is a place, date, person/persons involved and a brief narrative of what happened.
Hope you have strong wrists
My BIL bought a S&W .454 Casull for their hiking jaunts when they lived in Idaho
The original headline was:
Why do Handguns Appear more Effective in Stopping Bear Attacks than Rifles and Shotguns?
Very often, the writer has no control over headlines.
A few years ago my mom and her husband took a long trip to Alaska. They flew in his Cessna. He spent a lot of time figuring out what kind of firearm he wanted to bring along for bear protection. It was more in the case of unscheduled landing etc. the ,500 Magnum was on his list.
He decided to stick with a 12 gauge simply because they were stopping in Canada for a few days.
Not necessary. It’s all about shot placement.
The fumble factor for sure, handguns are quicker to access and use. Long guns strapped over shoulders may or may not be ready to fire.
And fending off attack doesn’t mean killing the animal, just stopping it from killing you.
If you did not catch the sarcasm, telling me a handgun is the best defense against a bear attack is the equivilant of telling me the sky is blue. It is not some amazing statement.
In the three cases where a gun “failed”, two of the cases the idiot did not even use it properly and the third was a .22 calibre.
In summary, of course a handgun is the best weapon, and the bigger the calibre, the better. It is designed for close combat unlike a rifle, easy to carry, easy to pull, easy to aim and all can be done in a short period of time.
I am fairly sure a Desert Eagle fired at 5 yards at the head of a bear would eliminate the threat, assuming the holder can control his fear to get the shot off and aim properly.
You want to be able to say, "Oops."
A friend of mine was part of a hunting party in Alaska. The guide carried a 12-gauge shotgun for defense against bears. Short barrel, and double barrel.
“Why a double-barreled shotgun?” my friend asked.
“Because two shots are all you’re gonna get,” was the reply.
I suppose the guide also carried a handgun. My friend forgot to ask about that.
Better get the job done with your 1st shot
Instead of an attacking bear how about defending yourself against a robbery or a rapist with a handgun? At least there’s a chance once the perp sees the weapon would think twice.
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