Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting pistol

[Tractorat]

The idiots that run this state of wash want to bring in more grizzly bears. Currently they say there are less than 10 at most in the state. But if they get their way, there will be a lot more.

I dont know if I will do this or not, but.... I carry a 30.06 when deer hunting. More than enough gun for just about anything I might run into in this state. But with the prospect of running into a griz out in the woods, and only having the deer rifle with me, it occurs to me that a pistol for the last line of defense might not be a bad idea.

When I drove up to alaska several years ago, I brought my rifle along for when I was in the outback. I was never sure if the rifle was to shoot at a potential griz, or to just shoot myself before he got to me. Just wondered what would be the appropriate pistol, if any, to carry.

The other reason I might get a hand gun is because of what this country has become. I never wanted to live in that world. But I think it is getting much closed to my doorstep. I think something like a 9mm might be good for just that. But what do you folks carry ? The real solution is two guns. One for when Im hunting, and the other for home. But, If I get something, probably just one gun.

 

[SnoKing]

What does the new Secretary of Education recommend to grizzly bears. She started to talk about this subject in her conformation hearings, before they cut off the hearing that would have show that she is really dumber than a board. BTW a 44 magnum is my first thought and this confirms that. http://www.wideopenspaces.com/10-best-bear-defense-guns-pics/

 

[AH64ID]

If you want a revolver then go .44, or .357 mag at least. If you're interested in an auto pistol then there are only 2 choices, either a 10mm or a .357 sig. A 9mm against bear may as well be a .22LR and I wouldn't ever buy a 9mm with the intent of a bear gun.

Personally I have a couple of 10mm's for woods guns, a Glock 29 and a Glock 20. I have them loaded with buffalo bore 220gr hard cast lead rounds that will do well penetrating the big bones a bear has.

The 10mm isn't my choice for a home gun as I like .40 for home, but I wouldn't be scared for a 10mm in the house with the proper loads (not the 220gr hard cast).

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks, no. A 9mm would be only for home or when traveling. The bigger bore would be for bear protection.

 

[Killgore]

Aha! An interesting topic you have brought up. Sometime back I began to consolidate my weapons deciding to keep the ones that had a common caliber and/or most easily obtainable cartridges. The rest I gave to my three sons. My thought was that if something hit the fan, I wanted to be able to be able to have a ready supply of ammunition from those around me if I ran out. Everybody has a 9mm but I consider it an effeminate round much preferring a .45 or .40 cal. I've always believed that you should carry the largest caliber you feel comfortable with. I got rid of my customized .45 sometime back deciding that I would carry the .40 cal which for years had been my duty weapon when I was a cop. As far as the pistol itself, I decided a long time ago that the Glock made the most sense. Granted, it has absolutely no sex appeal; it is downright ugly. However, it's always functional, requires little cleaning, and is comfortable to carry. Oh sure, if I had been raised with a silver spoon in my mouth I wouldn't consider anything other than a .45 caliber Kimper. My wife carries a G-43 Glock in 9mm;

As far as a rifle cartridge, being mindful that we don't have any grizzlies around here, I prefer something in a 7.62X39. The more popular .223/5.56 is designed to wound and not kill. Most good ole boys around here have two or three AK-47's and ammunition is plentiful. I like my Ruger Mini-30 which is almost the same as a M-1 Carbine firing the 7.62X39.. There are pros and cons, but I don't care for a AR-15 which I carried for years as a M-16. In short, I'm old school and believe if it doesn't have a wooden stock it's not a real weapon.

There is no right and probably no wrong as long as you become proficient with the weapon you choose. That's the reason so many different manufacturers make so many configurations in so many different calibers and remain in business.

- Ed

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

For a grizzly, I wouldn't carry anything smaller than a .357 magnum and you had better be damn sure you place all shots well!!

There are other options that would be much better... .454 Casul, .480, 500 S&W, and the one that chambers 45-70 that my uncle has. I can't remember the model or who makes it, but it is damn accurate and only kicks as hard as my .357 does! If you have a friend with you a .22 short will work lol!!

For home, I will use the first one I can reach!!

 

[Killgore]

Ed ain't havin' no confrontations with a grizzly cause he don't go where they pad around. He has come face to face with inner city bears of a different specie that were forced to stand down.

 

[ranger 393]

Here is my thought that I have. Where I used to deer hunt we had a problem with a pack of rogue dogs, several hunters in the area had run ins with them. I carried my Rifle and a pistol because most of the time you were going to,or coming from your deer stand in the dark, and its hard to look through your scope in the dark and move at the same time while getting off a shot, thats where my pistol came in. I know this is not the same as bear, but if I were to walk up on a bear and he stared toward me I would want something that was easy to shoot and move at the same time.

 

[FOXY005]

IMHO for that size predator (Grizzly) if you want the ultimate stopping power in a revolver the S&W Model 500 / 50 Caliber would be the best choice for a readily available production gun.
As for a concealed carry gun the S&W 500 would not be close to a good choice (it's big), I carry a 1911 45 caliber with a 4" barrel and a single stack mag. in a Milt Sparks VM III IWB holster that works well for me.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Never understood the ideology behind re-introducing something that could possibly kill. The idiots in this state are pushing hard to re-introduce wolves, even though mountain lions haven't been hunted in this state for decades. The deer population here has been pummeled because of it.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Ed ain't havin' no confrontations with a grizzly cause he don't go where they pad around. He has come face to face with inner city bears of a different specie that were forced to stand down.

.45 ACP for pistol I carry and a mix of bird shot and 00 buck for the Mossberg 500 that is next to my bed... The pistol can double as a hammer when empty lol!!.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

For a grizzly, I wouldn't carry anything smaller than a .357 magnum and you had better be damn sure you place all shots well!!

There are other options that would be much better... .454 Casul, .480, 500 S&W, and the one that chambers 45-70 that my uncle has. I can't remember the model or who makes it, but it is damn accurate and only kicks as hard as my .357 does! If you have a friend with you a .22 short will work lol!!

For home, I will use the first one I can reach!!

.357 ? You better file down the front site down, so when that Grizzly sticks it up your ***** it won't hurt as much (not you Mikey, but generally speaking).
Now the .454 Casul would be my choice. There is no such thing as a one shot kill on a Grizzly. You have to break down there locomotive properties. You have to stand your ground and place your shots extremely well. Not many people have the fortitude to take on a charging grizzly who is closing the gap on you at 35 mph. You also have to remember just because you have that .454 Casul on you, it doesnt mean your proficient with it. Takes a lot of practice and abuse (although fun) it will hurt later. Glad I don't hunt where grizzlies are prevelant anymore.

 

[moparguy]

One of my hunting short guns is a 460 Smith (fired it a lot, only taken one 4x4 mule deer with it). If I ever though I'd need to have a go at a griz with a pistol, it's the smallest thing I'd consider. Given my druthers, it'd be full of Grizzly Cartridge Company's 320 gr solid flat noise bullets http://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...320-grain-punch-flat-nose-lead-free-box-of-20

From what I've read, the only reason to carry a 10 mm or similar piece is to end one's pain if needed.....if you're able.

 

[jhenderson]

A 460 or a 500 might be ideal for someone with a lot of experience and shoots them regularly but not for your first handgun. They're no good if you flinch every time you touch them off. I'd be looking at a full size 1911 style in 45 cal. It's easy enough to get as accurate as you'll need, the ammo is cheap, and it won't beat you up learning to use it safely and proficiently.

 

[BigPapa]

Back in the '90's I used to get all the gun mags and seems like I remember Marlin, or someone modifying a Marlin, that chambered 45-70 for large bear defense. It was very short, seems like it had a 16"-16.5" inch barrel and a shorter than standard stock. Looks like Marlin and Henry make a "Guide Gun" that is similar to what I'm describing, but with an 18.5" barrel. I have heard that Marlin's quality and dependability have really gone down hill in the past 10 years, I don't know. If this is the way you wanted to go you might look for an older one or one of the "custom built" ones I remember.

 

[moparguy]

jhenderson said "They're no good if you flinch every time you touch them off."

I couldn't agree more. Obviously that applies to any firearm in any situation, particularly in a life/death moment....which is how I'd consider a faceoff with a big brown or grizzly. If carrying a weapon for protection you need to always prepare for a worst case scenario (in my option) and flinching can not be a problem.

As an aside I may not be the average handgun toter, I've been handgun hunting since 86 and taken in the neighborhood of 100 whitetails (bucks) one 6x6 elk and one muley. Most with a 44 Redhawk and a Thompson Contender in 35 Remington... lately I've started carrying the 460 XVR on select hunts. My personal carry is a 45 cal Beretta Cougar and I feel it's very much enough for it's intended use. BUT all that said, no way I want a normal carry piece including my 45 in hand if I'm facing a bear that can stand over 9' tall and weigh over 1,000 lbs. Now most never reach that size, but it happens. Truth be told, I'd feel undergunned with anything short of pump 12 gauge full of slugs.

The good news is it's extremely Unlikely any of us will ever have that life/death moment with a griz. It does make for entertaining chat though.

 

[ranger 393]

The best gun to have in that situation, is the gun you happen to have in that situation. I would be using what ever gun I had if I was caught in that situation, and when I ran out of ammo I'm pulling my pocket knife.:-laf I'm going down with a fight.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Marlin in 45 70, Ruger in 454 Casull

No matter what you use, you need to be able to use it, or just take a baseball bat and hope for the best!!

 

[BIGNASTY]

Truth be told, I'd feel undergunned with anything short of pump 12 gauge full of slugs.

If you should feel undergunned with these in the above mentioned calibers then SOMEBODY needs to learn to shoot !!!

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/

 

[moparguy]

LOL, Big, I'd be happy with a 336 Marlin in 45/70!