High Country Handguns for defense

[Kevin Dill]

Smith & Wesson 329PD. Mine is set up with Crimson Trace Laser Grips and shoots dead on out to 25 yards. Lots of talk about the overall light weight (which I love) but this gun is also fast-handling and has excellent balance. Contrary to what is often thought, you don't need a monster load (bullet weight or energy) to accomplish the task of bear defense. Accuracy trumps energy every time. Any .44 of good velocity will easily penetrate a skull or spine which is the only realistic option for immediate knockdown in a frontal charge. Wide meplat projectiles with minimal expansion will penetrate more than enough. I believe too much is made of heavier projectiles and high-velocity rounds. A .460 or .500 offers a LOT of energy, but the physical weight of the gun plus recoil makes them a one-shot (maybe 2) weapon at handgun distances involving incoming bears. A .22 round nose will penetrate a skull at 5 yards. A 250 gr hard-cast at 1300 fps will shatter one at 20 yards. Almost no gun on Earth will stop a big bear with a soft-tissue hit. I can't speak for the 10mm, but think it would be an excellent option as long as the right projectile + enough velocity is in place. Accuracy...accuracy.....

 

[Brendan]

Anyone shooting a 460 Rowland conversion? Glock, Springfield, 1911? Rumor is they'll do a custom conversion on a S&W M&P too...

 

[rbljack]

Smith & Wesson 329PD. Mine is set up with Crimson Trace Laser Grips and shoots dead on out to 25 yards. Lots of talk about the overall light weight (which I love) but this gun is also fast-handling and has excellent balance. Contrary to what is often thought, you don't need a monster load (bullet weight or energy) to accomplish the task of bear defense. Accuracy trumps energy every time. Any .44 of good velocity will easily penetrate a skull or spine which is the only realistic option for immediate knockdown in a frontal charge. Wide meplat projectiles with minimal expansion will penetrate more than enough. I believe too much is made of heavier projectiles and high-velocity rounds. A .460 or .500 offers a LOT of energy, but the physical weight of the gun plus recoil makes them a one-shot (maybe 2) weapon at handgun distances involving incoming bears. A .22 round nose will penetrate a skull at 5 yards. A 250 gr hard-cast at 1300 fps will shatter one at 20 yards. Almost no gun on Earth will stop a big bear with a soft-tissue hit. I can't speak for the 10mm, but think it would be an excellent option as long as the right projectile + enough velocity is in place. Accuracy...accuracy.....

This is a main reason im thinking about the 10mm. Although not as powerful as the 44 mag, I don't think im ready for that just yet. The 329 sounds like a great option for a gun you don't plan to shoot much....LOL...but I want to get something I can shoot at the range and become proficient with. Because im not in grizzly country, and I think im going to try and find a glock 20 to shoot and see what whether or not I like it. I had a deal on a sp101, but the deal fell through, so now im back to square one. 10 mm will offer more shots, be relatively light to carry, and get me back on target quicker for follow up shots.

 

[Qfrog]

Love the 10mm for those reasons. You can unload it with relative accuracy and I forget Im carrying it on my hip. After a mountain lion and 250lb boar encounter in the same day I won't leave home for the woods to bow hunt without it.

 

[wyosteve]

I shoot a 460 S&W and actually find it more pleasant to shoot than my .44's. The 44's are a Smith 5 in. 629 and a 3 in. 629. The 460 is 5 in., but is compensated so to me it recoils less with less muzzle jump. Just my observations, not saying it's best for everyone.

 

[Kevin Dill]

wyosteve,

Do you carry your .460 on all-day hunts in rough country? What holster or system?

 

[COlineman78]

RECENT EVENT:

WINTER PARK, Colo. — A bear was fatally shot by a camper on forest land near Winter Park on Saturday night, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said.


A group of campers with children told officials they were making s’mores when a bear came into the campsite and started getting into their food.


One of the adults had a gun and told officials that two warning shots were fired. After the bear did not react, the group feared for its safety, and then the bear was shot, officials said. The shooter reported the incident immediately. An investigation determined no citations will be issued.

 

[wyosteve]

Kevin, I use the cross shoulder/bandolier style holster from Smith and Wesson. I do carry it when bowhunting or just riding in grizzly country. Usually don't have a backpack on though. The 460 weighs about a pound more than the 629 5 in., but I figure if a pound is too much, I should eat less and just lose a pound rather than going without the sidearm.

 

[husky390]

This is a main reason im thinking about the 10mm. Although not as powerful as the 44 mag, I don't think im ready for that just yet. The 329 sounds like a great option for a gun you don't plan to shoot much....LOL...but I want to get something I can shoot at the range and become proficient with. Because im not in grizzly country, and I think im going to try and find a glock 20 to shoot and see what whether or not I like it. I had a deal on a sp101, but the deal fell through, so now im back to square one. 10 mm will offer more shots, be relatively light to carry, and get me back on target quicker for follow up shots.

I would recommend finding a gun range that will let you rent one. If you're in CO and willing to buy factory ammo, you're welcome to run mine through its paces. Problem is, I wont be able to go to a range until end of October/November.

On another note, if you decide to get a G20, you can buy .40 S&W conversion barrel to shoot .40 through it for cheap practice.

 

[jherald]

I love my 10mm G20. I have a KKM fully supported chamber barrel for shooting the real deal 10mm rounds like Underwood when I carry in the woods, and I practice regularly with the stock barrel and standard factory offerings. With 15 rounds of Underwood 180 FMJ flat nose I would not hesitate for a second to use it in an emergency to dispatch any angry large land animal. Accuracy beats all and the 10mm has enough hot sauce behind it to get the job done with the right loads.

Another option is the S&W Model 69 Combat Magnum .44 magnum. It's a L frame 5 shot .44 Magnum with a 4.25'' barrel. It's on my "to buy" list.

 

[OregonCoot]

Recently picked up one of the new 5 shot 44 mag S&W 69's on an L frame.

Significantly more compact and lighter than my 6" model 29. Do not have a lot of range time with it yet but have found that, while it is not as easy to control (yet) as a full size Smith or Blackhawk, it really is not too hard to handle. I have limited experience with the larger but lighter 329PD and find the 69 easier to handle, especially with full power loads. Factory grips are somewhat small for my hands but put on a pair of grips sized to fit and I believe it will be a viable backcountry option. Am now ordering up some Herrett Jordan Troopers and have hopes that this 44 will be a keeper.