The kind of bear could make a difference.

The classic for me would be a 629 Mtn. Gun.

A close second and maybe a modern frontrunner would be a Glock 20sf.

Both loaded appropriately and practiced with.

 

black bears it seems. I agree on the loaded and practiced thing, that may hurt the wallet though lol

 

What kind of bears?

 

black bears it looks like, pacific NW

 

What do you own already? Buffalo Bore makes good hard cast ammo for most popular calibers like .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm and .45 ACP. A 255 grain +P hard cast flat point .45 ACP is the same as a .45 LC and should punch way through a black bear from any angle. I also tried some of the new 147 grain hard cast 9mm +P through a Glock 43 but have not had a chance to fire it through a bunch of water filled milk jugs yet.

 

Yr on GT, so most people are gonna say 10mm Glock 20. I'm gonna say, don't sweat it. Those bears are more afraid of you than you should be of them. Black bear are really shy.

 

I don't intend to provoke them, you just never know. I also hike with my dog off leash whenever possible and I worry about him getting into trouble. I keep a small cow bell on him for safety but I still worry

 

Bears are much more afraid of you than you are of them. Most good .357s, or a .44 mag, with a hard cast bullet will do you just fine. Don't over think it, I would be more worried about other two legged predators wanting to do you harm.

 

This ^

 

Having seen a good number that weren't pissed off get hit in the vitals and take minutes to die, I carried hot 45C or 44 mag hardcast, overnighting I usually carried a shotgun with 3" slugs, if I didn't have a hunting rifle. Big bears IME aren't always shy or scared of you, they can be curious and they won't always spook if they are.

 

Ruger makes the Redhawk in 2.75, 4.2, 5.5 & 7.5" bbls. I have a 5.5" one but am really looking at the 2.75" Kodiak version as a trail gun, though the 4" version would be pretty handy.

 

I'm no authority on such matters, but it might be worth having more horsepower than you're likely to need instead of choosing a caliber that 'should be adequate'.

Someone has already mentioned the .44 mag, which should cover about everything in your new environment. And you can shoot .44 special for fun and practice.

I don't have experience in bear country, so I don't know what the risk of attack might be in your area. When in doubt, I'd say be prepared for the worst case and hope that every bear will avoid you like the plague.

I enjoy owning a powerhouse S&W model 629 .44 magnum just because its a legendary revolver with the ability to shoot .44 special. Its a popular revolver, so selling it would be easy if you decide your bears are trustworthy beyond a doubt. Ruger revolvers are wonderful guns, too

 

I have a glock 19 and 42. If I could use the 19, it would certainly be cheaper

 

Add a good rifle, and you will be good to go. I never go into the woods without a rifle.

 

Well, that's better than a sharp stick...

 

No it ain't. Your less likely to miss with a sharp stick....

 

Save your money and get a good can of bear spray.

 

Bear spray is your friend

 

Bears... Three things come to mind: Carry pepper spray and wear bells, Know their tracks and habitat, Know their spoor. Tracks are easy given their variation in size. Habitat is easy because they all frequent similar places. Spoor is a bit more difficult. Black bear spoor can resemble that of a very large dog. Grizzly spoor is unique because it smells like pepper spray and is full of little bells.

 

I typically hike on trails where larger animals are frequent. I'm totally fine carrying a 22 pistol.















Just kidding

 

Black Bears are generally not hard to kill. A handgun in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum with a good hard cast bullet would easily do the job BUT...such guns are not cheap to practice with or easy to shoot well. My point is you need to practice alot with this weapon to gain proficiency. And if you are honest with yourself very few people will really enjoy shooting these guns because they recoil a lot and the ammuntion--even practice loads--run about $1 a shot. So unless you reload practice will simply cost too much and when you couple it with the fact that its pretty unpleasant...well it means it simply isn't going to happen. Plus these guns are generally pretty heavy and if they aren't...well then they hurt even more.

You might think...well its not like I'm in a HD/SD situation. No...you are not. Bears are quicker than people and can close 20 yards in less than 3 seconds! And bears have teeth and claws that can rip open your belly with one swipe....so you need to be even more proficient with a gun you carry for bear protection IMO.

If you doubt much of what I say the only proof you need is to go to a gun show and look at the used handguns in .44 and .45 Colt. You will quickly notice that almost all of them have been fired VERY little.

So in terms of what gun you should carry... First rule IMO is a gun you can shoot well and practice with enough to become good with it. A single action revolver is an awfully good gun if you don't shoot double action revolvers much. It takes a lot of work and practice to master a double action trigger under stress. A single action might be a tad slower but if you can hit with the thing better because the trigger is easy to master then it might be the gun to choose. But of course you can always shoot a double action revolver by cocking it first too.

Handguns are marginal bear medicine at best...even .44 Mags, Only hits count. Carry what you can shoot well and practice with. You are better off with a G19 that you can connect with than a .44 mag that you will flinch with. But you have to be honest about this and not let ego get in the way of practicality.

 

Black Bears are generally not hard to kill. A handgun in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum with a good hard cast bullet would easily do the job BUT...such guns are not cheap to practice with or easy to shoot well. My point is you need to practice alot with this weapon to gain proficiency. And if you are honest with yourself very few people will really enjoy shooting these guns because they recoil a lot and the ammuntion--even practice loads--run about $1 a shot. So unless you reload practice will simply cost too much and when you couple it with the fact that its pretty unpleasant...well it means it simply isn't going to happen. Plus these guns are generally pretty heavy and if they aren't...well then they hurt even more.

You might think...well its not like I'm in a HD/SD situation. No...you are not. Bears are quicker than people and can close 20 yards in less than 3 seconds! And bears have teeth and claws that can rip open your belly with one swipe....so you need to be even more proficient with a gun you carry for bear protection IMO.

If you doubt much of what I say the only proof you need is to go to a gun show and look at the used handguns in .44 and .45 Colt. You will quickly notice that almost all of them have been fired VERY little.

So in terms of what gun you should carry... First rule IMO is a gun you can shoot well and practice with enough to become good with it. A single action revolver is an awfully good gun if you don't shoot double action revolvers much. It takes a lot of work and practice to master a double action trigger under stress. A single action might be a tad slower but if you can hit with the thing better because the trigger is easy to master then it might be the gun to choose. But of course you can always shoot a double action revolver by cocking it first too.

Handguns are marginal bear medicine at best...even .44 Mags, Only hits count. Carry what you can shoot well and practice with. You are better off with a G19 that you can connect with than a .44 mag that you will flinch with. But you have to be honest about this and not let ego get in the way of practicality.

Yep the 21 foot rule would not apply here bears are faster than most folks imagine. Just saw a program on tv woman hiking alone comes up on momma bear and two cubs, scarred the cubs and momma charged, didn't end to well for hiker although she lived.

 

I have black bears come on my hunting property occasionally. As long as you don't get between them and their cubs they will usually skidaddle at first sight. I've also backpacked the north country trail and the Applachian trail and ran across numerous bears. Having said that, it is always a good idea to carry out in the woods anyway. One never knows what one might come across whether 4 legged or 2 legged varmints.

 

I switch up my G21 from .45 ACP to .45 Super with hardcast when in the woods.

 

I would feel fine with my Dan Wesson 6"(or 4") .357 magnum with some Buffalo Bore Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC (1,400fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.) . but to be honest id like some of that fogger style bear spray too.

 

I've not posted in anger ever.

Anyone who cannot go comfortably into the wilderness without a rifle is actually scared of the wilderness and has poor outdoor skills.

 

Not in my opinion, calling names is out of hatred, or anger. It is immature and rude, but hey it reflects on you, not I.

 

Oh, so I'm angry because I called you a nutball. Dude, you are 61 and rationalized that! Judging by your name calling of me am I to conclude you are angry? .......of course not.

 

There is no other reason to use personal insults, it does not bother the person on the other end. It only shows immaturity, and ignorance. And typically it is a angry response from someone who can't make a coherent debate without it.

 

I like to see bears in the wilderness, looking forward to seeing wolves. I carry a .357 or a 44sp these days, used to lug around a 44magnum. But after 25 years I found that the only real threat are other humans for me and feral dogs for my dog. If I'm going to be hiking/fishing the more remote areas of the Rogue & other rivers in Southwest Oregon I'll tote a can of bear spray.

 

Would you hunt black bears with a 30-30?

I suspect not. The 44 mag is even less powerful.

Which do you think would be the hardest to kill, a feeding bear that you spotted then stalked or a mama bear and cubs you surprised in the trail?

Soooo, could you really put your confidence in a 44 if you are serious about stopping an enraged or hungry black bear?

If you think, with your skills and quality ammo you would be OK with a 44 I think you would be better off carrying the gun you carry every day as long as it is 9mm or better.
Carry it concealed in case of human varmints and use it to make lots of noise to scare the bears.

However, if you are serious and plan to actually stop a charging bear, 12 gauge!

I am not a curmudgeon, I am THE Curmudgeon!

 

Would you hunt black bears with a 30-30?



Soooo, could you really put your confidence in a 44? If you are serious about stopping an enraged or hungry black bear?

I am not a curmudgeon, I am THE Curmudgeon!

Yes, yes and yes.

 

Good point about the bear spray.

I think they should sell a mixture spray - pepper and salt spray, the bears would appreciate it. Maybe add a little A-1 sauce.

I watched a video of Police officers being sprayed in training....
They were lined up and the instructor walked down the line giving each a blast in the face. All but one guy fell, ran, cried, cursed, blubbered, etc.
That one guy reacted a bit different - he immediently grabbed the sprayer around the throat.
I call him Mr Bear! Hahaha.

I am not a curmudgeon, I am THE Curmudgeon!