[NAZG26]

Two thoughts:
1. The apex 4-legged predator, the grizzly, is found only in Montana and Idaho. You need a long gun for that one.
2. In the other 46 states, your biggest threat is 2-legged predators. That said, if you ‘re on foot, the weight of your weapon is a consideration. Every ounce counts. My choice among pistols would be a Glock 17 or it’s equivalent from another manufacturer. If concealment was an issue (and it might be on a well traveled trail) then the Glock 19.

You might choose differently, and that’s okay.

Handgun or Pistol Defense Against Bear Attack: 73 cases, 96% Effective

Another ten cases have been added to the cases where pistols or handguns were used in defense against bear attacks. The total now is 73 cases. There were 3 failures. Handguns were 96% effective.

www.ammoland.com

 

[anthonymelvin8492]

better

 

[bad shot 2]

You did say you wanted something small originally. Ruger SP101 with 3” Barrell.or the g19 Glock size in 357 sig. forgot the model number?same size as a 19.1400 ft per sec Ballistics. Easy to carry357 mag out of a 3” Barrell about 1320 ft per sec.4”Barrell 1400

 

[USAF_PJ]

There is "it will work" and there is "it will work quickly" I am more inclined to go with "quickly" if I am in bear country. This guy empied his magazine, and luckily the bear stopped charging and went the other direction...so I am sticking with the S&W329pd if I am in bear country!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/colorado-homeowner-emptied-pistol-kill-212305818.html

 

[John Ward]

Do you have a firearm now? What types of firearms do you have experience using?
Your experience and skill level is far more important than asking strangers on a forum to tell you what to do.
Give us some input on your firearms background and you'll get answers that are relevant to your needs.

what is it that makes some feel that they have the right to make a poster feel small. I just don't get it.

 

[Rock_Crawler_Jeep]

what is it that makes some feel that they have the right to make a poster feel small. I just don't get it.

WTF do you think YOU added to the conversation??? Do tell us all how you answer someone's question without learning the parameters of their capabilities?
Or maybe you have psychic powers that allow you to know exactly what the OP needs without having a dialogue- you just use your crystal balls to show how brilliant you are?

 

[Supersquatch]

A 9mm is fine for polar bear country. Just be sure you shoot yourself and not the bear.

If you have time. They're very fast and very stealthy.

 

[ScottMn]

If you have time. They're very fast and very stealthy.

When up north, use the buddy system. The 9 is for your buddy's leg, that way you don't have to run quite as fast.

 

[Supersquatch]

When up north, use the buddy system. The 9 is for your buddy's leg, that way you don't have to run quite as fast.

Very true.

 

[Angelo Ferrera]

I'd probably go with a G29 and a 12GA shockwave in the pack if hiking were to include camping. Otherwise a 29 with a couple spare mags for a day hike. Also invest in something like a Garmin inReach.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

Id be comfortable with either my Glock 21 or if I thought dangerous game was very likely my S&W 629.

 

[tomrkba]

Look…you have a few choices that make sense, excluding wildcats.

357 Magnum
44 Magnum
10mm
454 Casul
45 Colt (hot loads in a modern gun)

Yes, you can try 45 SUPER, 41 Magnum, 460 Rowland, 9x25 Dillion and all sorts of cartridges. But the ones I listed are commonly available, and more importantly, used. Only 10mm is regularly chambered in guns. I recommend it for 357 Magnum(-ish) level performance. But, you really need to focus upon the largest threat and change accordingly. Obviously, if you use 454 or 44 Magnum, then no change is needed unless you want a smaller frame. If you want a semiauto, the Glock 29 is a very good compromise, as is a 1911 in 10mm.

If after all this you still don’t know what to get, then you would do well with a steel framed heavy revolver in 357 Magnum with heavy loads. Recoil is more manageable than 44 Magnum and 454 Casul. Do the research, read the older books, and learn about the ballistics.

 

[87'vette]

Springfield 3.8 10mm

 

[RJ Schuknecht]

Glock 32 .357SIG

This is what I carry while on my Michigan hunting property.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Yugoslavian M-57 chambered in 7.62x25mm. At 1600 FPS there is enough energy to penetrate almost anything you may encounter.

 

[mac66]

When I went hiking in Alaska I carried a Redhawk 44 mag. I have black bears on my property in northern Michigan. I've carried my 44 mag, 45 acp, 9mm, heck even a 22. But mostly I carry a Ruger Security Six 357 mag.

I think a 357 properly loaded will protect you from just about anything in the lower 48. Mine happens to be a 2 3/4" stainless but I'd prefer a 4" bbl. I do sometimes carry my Dan Wesson with the 4" bbl attached.

 

[Edge]

Much depends upon your skill with a handgun. In only a few areas would the power of a .44 mag or above be advantageous. Most likely, you'd never have a need and any need would be against two legged critters. If you hike a lot, every ounce counts. As much as i like the S&W 69 and the Sig 365, the best do it all might be a compact 10 mm pistol. Handle as many as you can before deciding.

 

[BRabbit]

I was planning on just carrying by HK45CT when I found out about the .45 Super round but turns out it's a no go with this pistol. On the HK's it's only ok on the USP45.

G20 might be my best option. I want something I can conceal though
I agree, I would not go out and actively hunt for bears with just a handgun. Thinking I will likely go with a caliber bigger than 9mm, faster than a .45 and some bear spray.

Unless you just want a new gun, I would use the HK45 and carry Double Tap ammo or .45 ball. I used this Double Tap round in a G21 back in 2009 on a wounded 135lb doe and it passed through her from shoulder to shoulder, exited, and destroyed the roast on the other side leaving a massive hole. He also loads .45 for "woods carry" with even better penetration. Paul Harrell has a video that I'll see if I can find, where he compares 10mm and .45 for animal defense and he gets impressive results from .45 ball ammunition, Winchester White Box IIRC.

 

[BRabbit]

Here's that video. Watch it all or skip to the 14 minute mark or so for the "meat target".

 

[TBO]

.44 magnum revolver with a 4" barrel. A 629 Smith & Wesson perhaps. I would load my own because I like to shoot.

44 Magnum | Handloader Magazine

My woods/hiking gun is a S&W 629 Mountain Gun in 44 mag.

(for those who don't know the 629 Mountain Gun is an uncataloged light weight version. It kicks more, but carries lighter).

Sent from my Jackboot using Copatalk