handgun characteristics ??? against big bears...

V

=Voodoo=

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Sep 6, 2003
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just moved to Alaska and noticed that many residents have some bear stories.

which has got me thinking of purchasing a handgun. This will obviously only be used if I am outside and being chased by a bear. many of the residents recommend a .45. But I think for ease of carry and larger mag capacity a .40 or 9mm might do the trick.

could any gun owners help me decide what to look for when purchasing 1st handgun. I have small, arthritic hands(7in wrist) and am in need of some guidance.

what would you be looking at if in my shoes?
 
I know nothing of Alaska and only know about bears from what I have read.
I am a big fan of the 9mm , had many friendly arguements about stopping power vs .357 , 45 , etc....
This is one area I would give in on , personally if I knew I had to worry aout bears on a day to day basis I woudn't settle for anything less than a 45 and preferably something along these lines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Taurus_raging_bull.jpg
It would be difficult for you to fire something like this ?

Maybe a 9mm with some bear spray ? Some people swear by the spray.
 
Voodoo Where do you live? I have been up here for going on 3o years and had numerous bear encounters but never had to shoot one in self defence.
Size does matter.44 Mag is my favorite and I would not carry anything smaller.
On raft trips when i am not hunting I carry a shotgun with slugs.
I do not hunt grizzles. They need to be thinned out but I do not kill any thing I am not going to eat.
 
If I was somewhere I actually had to worry about bears and carried a gun for that reason, I'd start at the .44 magnum and go up from there. The .45 LC are great if you are a handloader, I'm not. If I was going on a fishing trip or something, where I needed a "bear gun" I'd probably stick with my Colt Anaconda .44 magnum. If I was moving there permanently, and was going to spend the coin, I'd probably go with something even bigger. :eek:

S&W makes the .44 and .45 "mountain gun" as well as the huge .50 and the .460. Causell makes the .454 Magnum. Ruger makes a couple of .44 mags and also its Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454 and .480 magnum.
 
Why stop at a .45? Get a cut-off 10-guage with a pistol grip. Obviously, I'm being silly. But I'm being silly to make two points.

1) Buying the right gun will not help you. Having the right gun.... at home in the safe... will do you no good when you're hiking in the woods. I hear guys brag, "I wouldn't be caught dead with a 9mm." Yeah, you won't; you'll probably be caught dead with nothing 'cause you left your proud 1911 iron tumor in the safe that day 'cause you didn't want to haul it around. The point is buy a gun you'll actually carry.

2) If you can't actually shoot a gun, then what good is it? If you have small or weak hands, then a .44 mag us not going to do you any good. The point is buy a gun you can handle even if it is smaller than some may recommend.
 
hi i hope this helpsdon,t try useing a 9,40 or 45acp. on big browns get somthong alot more powerfulthan that . atleast a44mag or 45 long colt if you can get a 454 ruger super redhawk if your welthy get a casull 454. if you get a 44 use randy garrits 44 mag ammo or buffalo bore ammo good luck also a shot gun is good for bears but go heavy 300 plus grains
 
=Voodoo= said:
just moved to Alaska and noticed that many residents have some bear stories.

which has got me thinking of purchasing a handgun. This will obviously only be used if I am outside and being chased by a bear. many of the residents recommend a .45. But I think for ease of carry and larger mag capacity a .40 or 9mm might do the trick.

could any gun owners help me decide what to look for when purchasing 1st handgun. I have small, arthritic hands(7in wrist) and am in need of some guidance.

what would you be looking at if in my shoes?
Click to expand...
"small, arthritic hands"...That's going to be a problem with ANY handgun that has the power to stop a large bear quickly enough to where it won't eat you as it's dying. If I were you, I'd forget about a firearm, and get a can of some GOOD bear-strength pepper-spray.
 
I agree in Gollnicks point that you should be able to handle the thing.... a .357 in a small handle revolver would make great carry (choose ammo wisely, in the line of bonded jacket/cores). .44 Magnum frames tend to be larger... only you can tell if its a fit (there are always diff aftermarket grips to chose your fit).... and as with 357 with .38, you can practice in your 44 mag with 44 special. A commander sized .45 is also very feasable....
 
Truth be known, if a bear was running you down, intent on having you for dinner, most people would probably fill their pants in fear. At that time, any pistol or rifle would simple be an expensive club.
 
The minimum for brown bear is a 44 mag or hot loaded 45LC .Penetration is the main thing and a tough bullet such as Nosler or hard cast swc is the best .A 40S&W, 9mm 357 mag are not enough. The best thing is to be aware and avoid the bear. Get a dog as a great warning system and first line of defense. But the attacks are rare even though they get lots of press.
 
Gollnick is right on target. I think most have missed the line arthritic hands. Most of the good bear calibers are going to be hard on the hands especially with the amount of shooting it takes to be good enough to fire on a charging bear. The Rules for a Gunfight are very credible here. The first is have a gun. The second is have the biggest gun you can.
Voodoo, I would ask some friends to take you out shooting. Try to get an idea of what doesn't make your hands hurt too bad the next day and that is what you go get yourself. Just remember to practice and then practice some more. Without a handcannon, you will have to make even a more accurate shot(s).
 
If you use a 9mm or smaller, be sure to take along a big bottle of A1 Sauce for the bear to pour on you while he eats you. Only a brain shot with a 9mm would be effective on any large animal, and then only at the right angle. Otherwise, SOL.
 
One thing to keep in mind when people tell you small calibers are useless against bears -- even in country with the largest bear population and smallest human population, you are much more likely to be attacked by a human than by a bear.
 
I lived in Anchorage for 3 years, regardless of caliber the one thing you need to always remember is you are going to have to make a no doubt about it head shot to shut down his computer. Bear and boar have one thing in common, their hide is thick. Moose made appearences every now and then and remember also, they are not docile but just fine when left alone.
 
I got my dad a S&W .500 magnum for this purpose. its the most powerfull handgun made. http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/ It may look intimidating, and the first time you shoot it it is, but it realy isnt any worse than a realy hot 44 if you shoot factory ammo. I dont know for sure but I dont think a 9mm would even get enough penetration on a head shot to do anything. I have seen bears taken with two inch 44's but it took two shots. usualy the prefered bear defence is a 12 guage slug gun.
 
No handgun is enough. Some of the heavier calibers will kill the bear once it bleeds out, but it will have plenty of time to eat the shooter and have dessert before that happens. Pepper spray is really the only thing that will stop a bear attack.
That being said, others were correct when they said you have more to fear from humans than bears. If you are good with a 9mm, carry that and pepper spray for the bears.
 
A half inch, 700 grain projectile moving at 1100fps(thats faster than a 45auto) has the energy to stop a bear. hell a 44 with a 350 grain projectile will do the job if you can shoot.
 
tripletrash said:
A half inch, 700 grain projectile moving at 1100fps(thats faster than a 45auto) has the energy to stop a bear. hell a 44 with a 350 grain projectile will do the job if you can shoot.
Click to expand...


Only if you hit the bear in one of a few small critical spots. The chance of doing so during an attack when adrenaline is coursing through your veins with the resultant physical effects including loss of small muscle group precision and I wouldn't take those odds.
 
If you cannot shoot heaviest caliber pistol (44mag, 45LC, 454, 500SW, etc.) or carry a 12 guage with slugs or heavy for caliber 3006 loads or larger, carry pepper spray. I knew a guy who took 200 stitches and he got off three shots with a 44 Super Blackhawk and the bear still tore him up before he had the kindness to die. His advice after that was if you carry a pistol shoot 5 times and save the last round for yourself. I live close to grizzly country and these are smaller bears than where you live so I carry pepper spray and a 45 Long Colt with 325 grain hardcast slugs loaded max, no expansion but beaucoup penetration, and if I have the time I would go for the pepper spray and pray that I am upwind from the bear. Most experts here in Montana have proof the spray works very well but not everytime. By the way, the 45LC may not kill him but if he gets me I am going to make the SOB pay! Personally, if I had only a gun, I think the slug gun works the best. Those heavy slugs will stop a bear at close range but you must hit his vitals. A griz can outrun a quarterhorse for 100 yards so he is on you before you know it. Hope no one needs to use any of the above info but then there is reality. Bears are not pets and yes they do not kill too many people but just one bad encounter can ruin your day or maybe your life.
300WSM
 
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