mcseal2
WKR
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
I've never shot a bear or been charged by one, this is not an expert opinion.
I have put some time into choosing a handgun for bears, and shot a lot of options. I actually shot my 1911 10mm and both my 357's this afternoon at 10, 15, and 20 yards. I was seeing how fast and accurate I could get 3 shots off from the holster. I've done a lot of that especially over the last few months.
Here what I learned I shot best with, may or may not be the same for you:
I have shot a lot of revolvers and generally shoot 357's in the J frame through L frame size pretty well. I tried a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" 44 magnum revolver and while I shot it pretty well, I had to reach a little for the hammer with my hand size on that big frame. It slowed me down drawing from the chest holster and shooting fast. I shot it ok double action, but not nearly as well as single. I grew up putting bricks of 22LR through a Ruger Single Six and built up a lot of muscle memory telling me to cock a revolver when I draw it. Cocking as I drew slowed me down on making an accurate first shot with the big frame gun.
I also tried an S&W 69 5 shot 44 magnum revolver on the L frame. It was a great feeling revolver and felt just like my 357's. After shooting it with bear loads, even the 255gr Buffalo Bore reduced recoil loads, it was just more recoil than I want to handle. I wouldn't want to practice with the ammo I'd carry much or I'd develop a flinch. I have had flinching issues in the past and don't want them back. I sold the revolver, great gun but not for me.
My 357's I shoot well single action and decent double action. I find that their factory sights (S&W 386 XL Hunter and S&W 60) are great for precise shooting, but slower for me to line up for quick shooting inside 20 yards. By this I mean slower than the semi-auto 10mm's I'll talk about next. The sights can be swapped out, but I like them for the slower more precise shooting I mainly do with these guns. If I was to choose a revolver I would put tritium sights on it for bears. Options with a light rail are pretty limited, but night sights can be found for a lot of revolvers.
I own a 10mm Glock 20 and a 10mm Sig Tacops 1911. I have other threads on the mods the Glock got, but it's running well now. The main modification that matters for this post is the aftermarket sights I put on it. I had my gunsmith install Truglo TFX Pro sights with both tritium and fiber optic illumination. This makes the sight picture really bright so I can shoot it fast and well when I draw. I am not a huge fan of striker fired triggers, but inside 25 yards I shoot this one pretty well. The 1911's better trigger makes up for the slightly better sights on the Glock and I shoot it just as fast and accurate but not noticeably faster or more accurate.
When I go to Alaska this fall (if the virus doesn't screw it up) I will probably be packing the Glock 20. For any range I could envision a defensive shooting scenario with a bear I shoot it as well and fast as the 1911. It's also lighter and holds more ammo. Carrying a 1911 cocked and locked there is always a chance of getting crap stuck between the hammer and slide when going through brush. If I was bow hunting Alaska where I could also use a firearm to fill my tag if I had a bow issue I might go with the 1911. I definitely shoot it better at longer range. At 50 yards shooting it slow offhand I'm very pleased with how well I do. For inside 25 yards though as I practice more with both I'm not seeing an advantage to the 1911 over the Glock. The Glock is easier to take apart to clean if I need to in the field as well.
One advantage I see to the semi-autos is that they can be bought with tritium night sights, or aftermarket ones are widely available. Another advantage I see to the semi-auto guns is the rail under the barrel I can put a light on. I have Razco holsters for both handguns built to fit the gun with a TLR-1 Streamlight attached. It's an extra 4oz, but I consider it worth it if I feel the need to carry an handgun in the first place. I have a chest, FHF bino harness, and a paddle holster for the G20. I have options for whatever I'm doing.
Anyway that's a long winded explanation of what I have tried and what I ended up choosing.
I have put some time into choosing a handgun for bears, and shot a lot of options. I actually shot my 1911 10mm and both my 357's this afternoon at 10, 15, and 20 yards. I was seeing how fast and accurate I could get 3 shots off from the holster. I've done a lot of that especially over the last few months.
Here what I learned I shot best with, may or may not be the same for you:
I have shot a lot of revolvers and generally shoot 357's in the J frame through L frame size pretty well. I tried a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" 44 magnum revolver and while I shot it pretty well, I had to reach a little for the hammer with my hand size on that big frame. It slowed me down drawing from the chest holster and shooting fast. I shot it ok double action, but not nearly as well as single. I grew up putting bricks of 22LR through a Ruger Single Six and built up a lot of muscle memory telling me to cock a revolver when I draw it. Cocking as I drew slowed me down on making an accurate first shot with the big frame gun.
I also tried an S&W 69 5 shot 44 magnum revolver on the L frame. It was a great feeling revolver and felt just like my 357's. After shooting it with bear loads, even the 255gr Buffalo Bore reduced recoil loads, it was just more recoil than I want to handle. I wouldn't want to practice with the ammo I'd carry much or I'd develop a flinch. I have had flinching issues in the past and don't want them back. I sold the revolver, great gun but not for me.
My 357's I shoot well single action and decent double action. I find that their factory sights (S&W 386 XL Hunter and S&W 60) are great for precise shooting, but slower for me to line up for quick shooting inside 20 yards. By this I mean slower than the semi-auto 10mm's I'll talk about next. The sights can be swapped out, but I like them for the slower more precise shooting I mainly do with these guns. If I was to choose a revolver I would put tritium sights on it for bears. Options with a light rail are pretty limited, but night sights can be found for a lot of revolvers.
I own a 10mm Glock 20 and a 10mm Sig Tacops 1911. I have other threads on the mods the Glock got, but it's running well now. The main modification that matters for this post is the aftermarket sights I put on it. I had my gunsmith install Truglo TFX Pro sights with both tritium and fiber optic illumination. This makes the sight picture really bright so I can shoot it fast and well when I draw. I am not a huge fan of striker fired triggers, but inside 25 yards I shoot this one pretty well. The 1911's better trigger makes up for the slightly better sights on the Glock and I shoot it just as fast and accurate but not noticeably faster or more accurate.
When I go to Alaska this fall (if the virus doesn't screw it up) I will probably be packing the Glock 20. For any range I could envision a defensive shooting scenario with a bear I shoot it as well and fast as the 1911. It's also lighter and holds more ammo. Carrying a 1911 cocked and locked there is always a chance of getting crap stuck between the hammer and slide when going through brush. If I was bow hunting Alaska where I could also use a firearm to fill my tag if I had a bow issue I might go with the 1911. I definitely shoot it better at longer range. At 50 yards shooting it slow offhand I'm very pleased with how well I do. For inside 25 yards though as I practice more with both I'm not seeing an advantage to the 1911 over the Glock. The Glock is easier to take apart to clean if I need to in the field as well.
One advantage I see to the semi-autos is that they can be bought with tritium night sights, or aftermarket ones are widely available. Another advantage I see to the semi-auto guns is the rail under the barrel I can put a light on. I have Razco holsters for both handguns built to fit the gun with a TLR-1 Streamlight attached. It's an extra 4oz, but I consider it worth it if I feel the need to carry an handgun in the first place. I have a chest, FHF bino harness, and a paddle holster for the G20. I have options for whatever I'm doing.
Anyway that's a long winded explanation of what I have tried and what I ended up choosing.
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