Handguns

[gunflint]

What handgun do you carry when you're in the woods? I like the taurus .41 mag wheelgun in titanium. That will pretty much convince anything on four legs in North America to change direction.

[Pistolero]

When I backpack in the BWCA, I carry may S&W 586, 357 mag with a 2 1/2" barrel. It is loaded with Winchester - Partition Gold 180 grain and Federal - Castcore 180 grain. I alternate the ammo in the cylinder, the Partition Gold for expansion + penetration and the Castcore for busting bones + penetration. Another one that I carry is my S&W 629 Mountain Gun, 44 mag with a 4" barrel. It is loaded with the same brands of ammo.

The choice of ammo plays a big part when it comes to big bear! Remember that they bite back and that a jacketed HP might not get into the vitals! They have a lot of fat and more important is the muscle mass in the chest area. Choose your ammo wisely.

When I head out west I carry my Ruger Redhawk with hardcast bullets ONLY! The harder hitting the better.

[irvingdog]

I've shot a bear with a handgun, and I've seen one sprayed with bear spray.

I've also seen people deal with the government for "illegally taking a bear". You pretty much have to put powder burns on it's nose in order for it to be a "good shoot".

Bear spray, which is nothing more than standard mace that travels farther, works incredibly well. Their sense of smell is obviously far more accute than ours, and it's all up on the business end. The slightest bit gets profound results. I'd rather risk my life with that than a gun. Shot placement is less critical. It's lighter also.....

Something to think about.

[kc0myy]

From what I heard. IF you find a BLACK bear coming at you just shoot your gun up in the air the noice will scare the bear off. That is what I heard. Now my friend I was asking him what kind of handgun should I get and he told me to get a .41 mag he said .44 is too big .375 mag is ok but just to have a little more power have a .41 mag. There is my 2 cents.

[lawdog]

Its an interesting post Irvingdog, and I agree its certainly the first option, but it would be a cold day in...well you know where...when I didn't have some backup for that bear spray!

I like my .44 mag S&W 626 Nickel. I got real mad at Smith when that moron they hired as CEO sold out to the Reno/Clinton anti gun lawsuit talk, but I still couldn't part with that gun. It has the "Triple T" set-up with packmyr grips too. Yes its heavy, and yes its loud, and yes it packs a real wallop...just what you need in a defense weapon!

[gunflint]

There's more than just bears now. Don't forget about the big cats that the DNR says don't exist.

[icehousebob]

The dangers so far mentioned have been bears and big cats. Now days, I would worry more about pot farmers and Meth cookers in the woods. They're more likely to attack without warning. Anything that makes a big noise should spook a bear or cat but the two legged beasts can be downright nasty. I prefer something with a shoulder stock. Besides, I'm a lousy pistol shot.

[SCUMFROG]

For those 2 legged beasts, I prefer a rope and a tall tree. For the 4 legged ones some thing with some stopping power.

[The Grebe]

Good point! 4 Canadian Mounties found out the hard way recently! An easily accessible, fast firing pistol might have also changed the outcome of that deal over in Wisc. last deer season.

There are more hunters, wardens etc. done in by other people, then there ever was from bears and cats. At least in the lower 48. Getting to be dangerous out there!

[tripper]

looks like another bounty subject getting started here. lol