Archery Side Arm Choice

[Jason7]

I think if i was heading in to Grizzly country I would have both. I don't mind a little extra weight for double protection.

 

[SteveCNJ]

I struggled between getting a 10mm semi (I'm a 1911 guy) and a 44 mag. At the end I went with a Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5 in barrel, Buffalo Bore 340 gr hard casts and a Kenai chest holster. From all the articles I read there is usually less time than anticipated so I went with power over volume.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Jake Larsen]

I know this is about handguns... but I am surprised pepper spray is not mentioned. They are lightweight and nice to have along as well.

I always have both. But a lot of the time as a hunter you're purposefully putting the wind in your face. Which is a good way to eat a can of pepper spray. Also, just ask Todd Orr (and many others) about spray. It works in the right circumstances. But the circumstances aren't always right.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[longspeak74]

So my local gun shop doesn't carry Buffalo Bore (or any other hardcast for that matter). Am I safe going with a high grain FMJ in my Shield?

 

[journeyman713]

S&W MP40 with crimson trace

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I carry a G22 daily however in big bear country I carried a S&W 329PD .44mag. But this ultralite gun is hard to control so I recently purchased a Glock 40 as well. It shoots just like my G22s so I am more accurate with it. All this being said, I am far better prepared to use my sidearm against a person than a bear. I suspect if I ever need it it will be for that purpose.

 

[JAXNRYLZ]

Longspeak, I checked at Cabelas and two local gun shops here in WV and none carried buffalo bore. I ended up ordering online and had to pay like $10 shipping lol

 

[Where's Bruce?]

So my local gun shop doesn't carry Buffalo Bore (or any other hardcast for that matter). Am I safe going with a high grain FMJ in my Shield?

Hardly any shops do, order it online. Worth it!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I live and hunt in the Montana Rocky mountains. Glock 20 in 10mm Auto here too. Lone wolf custom compensated barrel and I alternate 180gr HP with 180gr was cutters in the 15 round mag. Tritium sights for bears that might wander into camp at night.

The 10mm packs some serious punch and is plenty for bears. Especially with 15 rounds at your disposal.

 

[rileybassman]

NW Montana here... I carried a redhawk .44 mag for a couple years with 340 grain BB... this year I'll be carrying a glock 20 with 200 grain DTs. I'm faster and more accurate with the glock... plus with 15 rounds and a light, it still weighs substantially less then the redhawk with 6 rounds.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

NW Montana here... I carried a redhawk .44 mag for a couple years with 340 grain BB... this year I'll be carrying a glock 20 with 200 grain DTs. I'm faster and more accurate with the glock... plus with 15 rounds and a light, it still weighs substantially less then the redhawk with 6 rounds.

I agree. The weight of the Glock 20 is amazingly light even with a full mag.

I have a Kimber Custom Eclipse II 10mm Auto 1911 as well. Extremely accurate, but only an 8 round magazine and it weighs a ton more than the Glock. Also have a Taurus Raging Bull 44 mag, but again weighs a lot more than the glock.

Always thought about the Titanium Taurus Raging bull 44 mag for light weight packing but the Glock is plenty light so I left that idea behind.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

I carry a SW 329PD (.44 mag). From what I've researched, accuracy and penetration sound most important. For penetration, one podcast guest who teaches grizzly protection had done various penetration tests and found that 1200fps seemed to be a bit of a key number for getting to the minimum penetration they considered optimal.

I can't speak from real world experience, but am a big fan of training as it seems like simple common sense. So I try to get out a few times a year to local action shooting competitions and training sessions, to get used to firing under the pressure of time, accuracy and folks watching. Hope I never need to know if it helps or not, but does help with confidence and sometimes will even try to keep a do or die mindset so I have some extra focus on each shot. Think there are USPSA and IDPA clubs all over the US.

Since I can practice in the competitions and any CCW carry would likely be at my hip, I like carrying with the Gunfighter's Inc. Thigh Panel and Ronin kydex holster. When taking a leak at night outside camp, it's always a comfort knowing exactly where it is where I could draw most naturally. Weight is on the belt and with the ultralight 329PD it is a piece of carry to carry. Before the 329PD, it did sag a bit with a .357 40oz. 686, as I hunt with a nylon belt vs. stiff leather.

Micro Aggression Thigh Panel | GunfightersINC

Eliminate rubbing and chafing with the Micro Aggression Thigh Panel. Customizable, secure, and comfortable, it's perfect for your Ronin OWB Holster.

gunfightersinc.com

 

[rileybassman]

It gets posted a bunch, but it's a good read... Carry what makes you feel safe, pick a good bullet, and be proficient with your weapon

Defense Against Bears with Pistols: 97% Success rate, 37 Incidents

Using a pistol to defend against bear attacks seems to be a viable option.

www.ammoland.com

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I have a stock Glock 21 just bought a heavier spring from lone wolf what should I run for ammo Buffalo bore hard cast +p. Plan was to get a Glock 20 10mm but they are difficult to get here in MA

 

[Coach529]

Glock 20 with Buffalo Bore.

 

[Bowfisher]

I hate revolvers, can't shoot them for crap compared to a semi-auto handgun, but then again all my training has been on striker fired pistols. Very comfortable with them, I carry a G29 and love it, I can shoot it better than my duty weapon.

Lots of guys talk about " more power" and carry revolvers, I'm just not that competent with them...most of them have horrible triggers in DA mode, and if you have the presence of mine to SA a charging bear, and shoot him in the noggin, you're in the top .001% of the gen-pop....I can't hit crap in DA in timed drills, yes, maybe I'm a bit of a trigger snob/wussy..

Not me, give me a no safety, striker fired handgun with at least 7-8 rds and I will get more done with that than anything else..

 

[RiverRun]

I use a Sig P360 and just keep it in my pack. There are not many predators to worry about in South Ga. However, Colorado or Montana may be a different story!

 

[TripleJ]

I have never carried in the past, but I've had enough close encounters the last few years that I've decided to carry for the 1st time this year. G20 with 200 grain Underwood ammo. We don't have any of the big bears to worry about here in Oregon, but there are a crap ton of black bears and cougars running around. We also have a pretty large tweaker population.

 

[Jbhunter86]

This is a good conversation! Im torn. I have a small CC 9mm that will carry easy, but I also own a 1911 45. Im thinking I will probably end up carrying the 9mm to save weight. I also won't be in a grizzly area. Probably would carry the 45 if i was.

 

[JAXNRYLZ]

I have never carried in the past, but I've had enough close encounters the last few years that I've decided to carry for the 1st time this year. G20 with 200 grain Underwood ammo. We don't have any of the big bears to worry about here in Oregon, but there are a crap ton of black bears and cougars running around. We also have a pretty large tweaker population.

I have to ask.. "tweaker" like zombie?