Bear Gun

[BigJoe]

Ok guys, I sold my .357 a few years back now am in search of a pistol for backwoods camping and for now hunting. Ie bear defense.

I have heard the Glock 20 in 10mm is fine for this.

Where I bow hunt there is plenty of black bears around.

I live in Va and will not have to mess with browns or grizzlies.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Accionmutante]

Same here, I bow hunt in an area with a large black bear population. Unfortunately carrying a gun in Greece is not that easy so I carry a loud horn and a large canister of bear spray (also illegal in Greece). I would feel much better with a Smith&Wesson 460V.

 

[OkieStubble]

Someone in here, I forget who, said they have been loading a 200gr. lead cast in 10MM that was getting close to 1000 fps. That would definitely be the ticket for bear. How many does a G20 hold?

 

[BigJoe]

I believe 15 rounds for 20.

I have a 9mm. But that us not going to do much on a black bear.

Also thinking maybe a Ruger 44

 

[OkieStubble]

15 rounds would handle a whole herd of bears. Do bears run around in herds?

 

[BigJoe]

Packs of them like wild dogs lol

 

[simon1]

Since you are considering a Ruger .44 mag. I'm guessing a lightweight one is not a requirement. Between a .44 mag. and 10mm I'd go with the .44. With some 340 grain Buffalo Bore ammo the .44 will put the 10mm to shame.

Realdog4 got charged by a black bear a few years ago and was able to beat it off with a stick, thank goodness. He ended up with a Redhawk .44 mag.

As I'm sure you are aware, recommendations will be all over the map here. There have been several "bear gun" threads. Here's a few if you'd like to peruse them.

Just thought I would post some people pics of the Ruger I bought last month

Trail / Camping / Backpacking pistols.

Recommendations for a durable and powerful handgun for backpacking

Shotgun or Pistol for Bear Defense

Also a can of OC bear spray would be good to carry in addition to the handgun, but if It's raining or the wind is blowing the OC spray may be worthless.

 

[bberg100]

Old standby is a 4-6" 44. My preferred is a 41 Mag, 4 5/8" Blackhawk, a bit lighter to carry and almost the same power as the 44. Stout 357 loads are probably the least I would carry for brown/black bear. Grizzly I would carry the biggest boom I could pack.

I would personally avoid the autoloaders, unless you step up to something like 50AE you are giving up a lot of power.

 

[simon1]

Old standby is a 4-6" 44. My preferred is a 41 Mag, 4 5/8" Blackhawk, a bit lighter to carry and almost the same power as the 44. Stout 357 loads are probably the least I would carry for brown/black bear. Grizzly I would carry the biggest boom I could pack.

I like the .41 mag. also. I have a Blackhawk .41 on the old 3 screw .357 frame but mine has a 6 1/2 inch barrel. the 4 5/8 inch one would be good. I bought mine used in the early '70s for $75, so it's what I have. That's the one I'd carry in black bear country, but I reload so ammo availability is not a problem. I can't see buying a new .44 mag. when I already have the .41. But if someone was going to have to buy a new one the .44 would have better ammo availability. I don't remember the last time I saw .41 mag. ammo on the store shelves.

 

[bberg100]

I like the .41 mag. also. I have a Blackhawk .41 on the old 3 screw .357 frame but mine has a 6 1/2 inch barrel. the 4 5/8 inch one would be good. I bought mine used in the early '70s for $75, so it's what I have. That's the one I'd carry in black bear country, but I reload so ammo availability is not a problem. I can't see buying a new .44 mag. when I already have the .41. But if someone was going to have to buy a new one the .44 would have better ammo availability. I don't remember the last time I saw .41 mag. ammo on the store shelves.

I kept a couple different 41 loads on the shelf at my last store. You are right, not a lot of factory loads available. I always encourage customers with somewhat odd cartridges to stock up when ever possible.

 

[jkingrph]

I have a couple of 44 mag's plus a rifle but they are big and heavy, 6 and 7 3/8 " versions of the M29, and a Marlin 1894 24". If I were to be in black bear country I would carry my 3" barrel .357, or my Colt 1911 in 10mm.

 

[jamesspo]

For .44mag, keep the Smith Model 69 in mind. It's an L frame, so only 5 rounds, but pretty light weight at 37.4 ounces unloaded. Not bad for an all-steel gun. At gallery of guns looks like around $715 out the door from my local FFL.

Model 69 | Smith & Wesson

 

[Acmemfg]

When I'm in the woods and bears are a concern, I have one or both of these....
Top-Marlin 1895...45-70 Govt.
Bottom-Smith & Wesson 429

Yea...I fear no evil when I walk through the valley.......
Oh...and a group of bears is known as a sloth..or sleuth

 

[jamesspo]

For .44mag, keep the Smith Model 69 in mind. It's an L frame, so only 5 rounds, but pretty light weight at 37.4 ounces unloaded. Not bad for an all-steel gun. At gallery of guns looks like around $715 out the door from my local FFL.

Model 69 | Smith & Wesson

Oh, and I see Smith now has a 2.75" version of this gun - 34.4 oz. Not sure if released yet as no stock anywhere, but apparently coming soon. That'd be a pretty good choice.

 

[BearHeart]

If you are accustomed to auto pistols, as I am these days, go with the 10mm.

 

[bberg100]

Comparison from Wiki:
10mm 424-768 ft lb
357 Mag 539 - 802 ft lb
41 Mag 614 - 1135 ft lb
44 Mag 741 - 1533 ft lb

Since a charging bruin is only going to get a couple shots before either he is dead or is munching on me, the 41 & 44 are easy options. Carry the hot Cor-Bon or Buffalo Bore, this isn't a range trip. No malfunctions to clear and a lot more power.

 

[Esox]

After I took the heart out of a 350lb Black Bear at 40 yards with a .338 Lapua Magnum, 200grn Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 3500fps with a 4" exit hole, I dont mess with bears. When I was camping or fishing in bear country this went on my back with a backpack sling. Accessed and shoulder ready in under 5 seconds and I'm not sure theres a bear alive that will soak up 7 sabot slugs and keep coming. That bear mentioned above would have outrun any jackrabbit alive for 40-50 yards after being hit.

 

[FarmerTan]

I am stuck with my only true "bear killer" which just happens to be the gun I'm most comfortable with: GP100 in .357. That is until my wife,AKA the War Department, AKA the office of budgetary affairs, loosens the purse strings.....

 

[Highspeedlane]

I am stuck with my only true "bear killer" which just happens to be the gun I'm most comfortable with: GP100 in .357. That is until my wife,AKA the War Department, AKA the office of budgetary affairs, loosens the purse strings.....

lmao!

I have this in the safe...my Ruger SRH .454. Doubt it will ever see a bear but it's there.

 

[FarmerTan]

lmao!

I have this in the safe...my Ruger SRH .454. Doubt it will ever see a bear but it's there.

Lane, my first true B&B friend, are you trying to get me to sin in lusting another man's, oxen, or gun, or ???? Thanks for posting that beautiful piece of sculpture!