Side arm for bear protection….?

[Panhandler80]

Always imagined I’d go revolver, but starting to reconsider.

Kinda thinking I may go to the dark side.

I get the pros and cons of both.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My preferred sidearm is a 3-4" revolver with 7-8 rounds of .357 180 grain bear defense rounds. Examples include:

Smith and Wesson 686 Plus
Ruger Super Redhawk
Taurus Tracker

Second choice would be Glock in 10MM with bear defense loads. Probably G29 for fast handling and shorter barrel.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

What kind of bear?

 

[tcpip95]

I have both, as well as chest rigs for both. S&W 610 revolver in 10mm with Underwood ammo and 1911 full frame 45 ACP with Buffalo Bore 255 gr ammo. Haven’t decided which one I’ll actually take with me, but leaning towards the revolver.

 

[rideold]

I don't know....the revolver is just so dummy proof. I figure if I really need to use it in the intended circumstance I'll won't be thinking too clearly.

 

[Anschutz]

My preferred sidearm is a 3-4" revolver with 7-8 rounds of .357 180 grain bear defense rounds. Examples include:

Smith and Wesson 686 Plus
Ruger Super Redhawk
Taurus Tracker

Second choice would be Glock in 10MM with bear defense loads. Probably G29 for fast handling and shorter barrel.

Don't forget the Smith 627 Pro.

OP: I have both a 627 Pro (8 rounds of .357) and a Ruger SR1911 10mm (8+1 rounds). They are very close in weight (40 oz for the 1911 v. 41 for the 627). I have found that I can shoot just as quickly and accurately with full house .357s as I can the 1911 (~High 3s to low 4s from buzzer to empty on a USPSA target). I find myself grabbing the .357 more than the 10mm more for hunting/woods carry for a reason completely unrelated to bear defense. A .38 wadcutter or .38 Short Colt does far less damage to a Grouse or Ptarmigan than the 10mm and Grouse/Ptarmigan eat a lot better than a Mountain House.

 

[FLATHEAD]

.45 Super out of a Glock 30SF.
255gr. BB hardcast outdoorsman.

 

[kit_man_duu]

10mm 200 grain hard cast out of a Glock G40.

 

[35WhelenAI]

S&W 329PD, 275 cast performance LFN @ 1000 fps. 6 of them.

S&W MP 40c Buffalo Bore 200 gr hard cast @1000 fps. 11 of them, 10+1.

Never would've thought of the semi-auto however it's a decently potent load and carries smaller than the 329PD.

Hope to never need either of them in anger, but feel pretty comfortable as long as I am vigilant and do my part.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

I’ve used a Glock for 11 years in LE in high stress situations; therefore that’s what I will take if/when a high stress situation comes about in the woods.

 

[tcpip95]

I’ve used a Glock for 11 years in LE in high stress situations; therefore that’s what I will take if/when a high stress situation comes about in the woods.

And that right there is the best answer.

 

[Hudge]

I have a S&W 44 mag revolver that has been my sidearm for bear. I went to try dark side in July and bought a Glock 20 10mm. I need to find a good chest holster before salmon season opens in June.

 

[Panhandler80]

I have a S&W 44 mag revolver that has been my sidearm for bear. I went to try dark side in July and bought a Glock 20 10mm. I need to find a good chest holster before salmon season opens in June.

I’m kinda eyeballing a 5” S&W 460 right now.

Really a want more so than a need.

 

[VernAK]

I don't carry a sidearm while rifle hunting but have carried a 44 mag while fishing.
It's interesting to watch the trends in bear handguns as changes evolve.
The 44 mag S&W and Ruger were most popular a half century ago.
Larger revolvers came along i.e. 454 Casull and the big 460s and 500s.
Now I see a huge move to 460 Rowland on the FN frame and a few on Ruger. LGS can't keep em on the shelf.

 

[BigFootWa]

Glock 40 or 20 in 10 mm

 

[Bigbuck74]

I hunt bear country and had the luxury of being charged by a big coastal black bear. Dumped it dead with a .357 mag with 158gr. Flat soft points. Center chest double tapped at 30'. With that said, I will always recommend a revolver but I do have alot of friends carrying the G20 10mm with hard cast buffalo bore ammo.

 

[Bigbuck74]

FYI , I now moved up to a S&W 629 Custom Shop 3" revolver. Anything bigger than that is too cumbersome. I also wear a gunfighter chest rig with it.

 

[Panhandler80]

I’m still uncommitted to any plan other than wanting to bring a handgun. If for no other reason than to have during meat trips if we are so lucky. My 629 is just so long. But also paid for. Maybe I’ll just pull scope off and tote it. I know for a fact that my ears won’t bleed if I had to use it. And I’m very comfortable with it. Direct bullet out of a Events barrel 44 caliber auto V at least enough to make him think about his actions even if I can’t drop him. But that mindset Lends itself sells well to the 10 mm option….


Mmmmmmm

 

[Bigbuck74]

The weight of some of those big bore revolvers are as much as a light weight shotgun...

 

[LookinforDirt]

I think a large caliber revolver is best. But, the cost and weight penalty and round count made me go with an xDM 10mm with a 5.3” barrel. 17rds of 220gn hard cast. You don’t have to load it full it you want less weight. 14oz (31oz vs 45oz for a Taurus 4” 44 mag) lighter and about a couple hundred less $$$. And I have a dot on it. I’m comfortable with the reliability after a 1500 trouble free rounds through mine of various ammo without a single hiccup.

Just shoot what you have a bunch to make sure it is reliable and to build familiarity.