AK-74 bear kill, article

[Cosmoline]

This guy is kooky and I hope they figure out what the heck really happened and move him back to South Central, in cuffs...

Well let's do the numbers as they say.

The puny 5.45x39 delivers around 1,000 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle, an is moving at or around 3,000 fps.

The mighty .44 Magnum delivers 700-1200 ft. lbs. with half the velocity but a lot more recoil in a handgun platform which is much, much more difficult to aim and control against a fast moving target.

There are no perfect answers. But having something that can shoot bullets is a good idea if a brown bear decides to charge you.

I'm also not sure what you think "they" are going to find out about what "really happened." If you're suggesting it was a poaching, that stretch of trail would be about the dumbest imaginable place to do something like that. And firing off all those rounds would also be a bad plan. The poachers tend to use .22 LR. They also tend not to report the shooting to F&G as this fellow did.

 

[Ignition Override]

A gun forum such as THR or Thefiringline described a grizzly attack. A guy supposedly stopped his car to take a leak. It was in AK, or BC.

The grizzly startled him, and he used about five rounds from his Lee-Enfield #5 "Jungle Carbine", but his steel nerves, aim and the rifle's very smooth action stopped the bear just in time. Luckily, Enfield magazines can hold ten rounds. The similar Spanish FR8 (N 7.62/.308) holds only five rounds.

Does anybody know how to locate this story?

 

[DeadFlies]

and move him back to South Central, in cuffs...

He is described in the article as an "Alaska man".

South Central? I assume you are referring to LA, though I have no idea why. Care to elaborate?

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm pretty sure there are a LOT more AK-74's in south central AK than there are or have ever been in south central LA. They're getting pretty popular here.

 

[caribou]

It go's to show two 'absolutes' in Brown Bear defence.

First is that the best Brown Bear defence pistol IS a Rifle.

Second is that no matter WHAT gun you have in yer hands when a Bear comes along, its most likely the best Best Bear defence you'll have at that moment.

 

[Davek1977]

The only other more nutty thing than going after polar bear with an AR is carrying an AK74. This guy is kooky and I hope they figure out what the heck really happened and move him back to South Central, in cuffs

...


Somone is making a LOT of assumptions here, none of which seem to be verified by the actual story. What makes you so darn sure it didn't happen as reported? If you seem to think carrying an Ak74 equates to criminal behavior, or that the only people who own such guns are South Central gangbangers, you're going to find it rather hard to fit in and make friends around here. If I carried MY AK openly, for any reason, would you assume *I* was a criminal? I, for one, am not the sort to make assumptions that people are lying or rooted in criminal behavior without any basis whatsoever, but hey, that's just me.

 

[AKElroy]

I think the AK74 is a great choice. You can rattle off a LOT of lead in a hurry, and still stay mostly on target -

I'm not so sure about that. I find it difficult to stay on target shooting one-handed, while running, gun pointing behind me, screaming for my life.

 

[AKElroy]

I'm pretty sure there are a LOT more AK-74's in south central AK than there are or have ever been in south central LA. They're getting pretty popular here

I've read that the Eskimos favor smaller calibers for seals, primarily the .243 and that many polar bears have been taken with that caliber because it is what they had with them. I'm assuming they like the 5.45 for the same reason? I'm betting an AK variant would be more reliable in the bitter cold than an AR, so it makes sense.

 

[itsa pain]

A bear is more than capable of absorbing a hit from any rifle that you can reasonably hike around with.

Daydreams about dropping a charging bear with one expertly placed shot, and a steely look on your brow are nothing but fantasy.

I think the AK74 is a great choice. You can rattle off a LOT of lead in a hurry, and still stay mostly on target - just the ticket for turning a charging bear. Basically, your chances of getting a physical stop on a bear that is already charging are very low. Chances of getting a psychological stop seem to be much higher from the incidents and reports I've read... but then again, I'm no bear expert.

a great post. you are right no rifle stops a bear charging. they can run 30 MPH. I saw them run with heart shot 100 yds before dropping. I would rather have that rifle with 30 rd mag low recoil and that excellent bullet that round is loaded with. they say bear spray the only thing that will stop a bear

 

[HexHead]

I'm betting an AK variant would be more reliable in the bitter cold than an AR, so it makes sense.

Especially with the Commie surplus 5.45x39 with the corrosive primers.

 

[WardenWolf]

An AK-47 would have been a better choice than a 74. The larger round has more stopping power. But it did the job.

 

[nathan]

Most important thing, no human being was hurt or killed. Its the bear so its a good ending.

 

[fragout]

I have been reading a few different articles on this specific incident earlier this morning, and here is what I found.

The man stopped to drink some water when he heard something growling about 50ft away.

After realizing it was a bear, he yelled at it IOT try and scare it off.

The bear "turned" at him and charged.

He fired a 12 rd "volley" at it, and the bear stopped it's charge at about 25feet, but apperantly wasn't dead, so the guy shot it again once.

The bear rolled down a hill and came to a stop.

The guy then dialed 911.

No mention of what type of ammo he had......just rifle type and caliber.

The state troopers ruled it as a defensive shoot, and the man was not charged with anything.

Bear was approx. 500lbs in weight and had been thru a few fights with other bears in his life, as it had a large gash on it's head, among other damge during a past fight with another bear (s).

He stated that he was scared as hell when it happened, and that he waited right where it had all occurred as he didn't want to walk anywhere else by himself.

He also said that he owned an AK47 (7.62x39mm).

I am happy that he wasn't killed or injured, and I would bet that he takes an "armed" friend along with him if he goes hiking again.

I would also bet a cold one that more than one person that has read this story will go out and buy an AK74.

 

[JShirley]

Thanks for the additional info.

A relatively little bear, then, at large black bear size...

 

[Cosmoline]

No mention of what type of ammo he had......just rifle type and caliber.

There are only two types on the Anchorage market at present, the spam can surplus and Silver Bear. If anyone has some other stuff they're holding out on us. Also some joker recently bought every spam can up, so we're out of that now.

 

[armoredman]

Glad he was carrying some sort of rifle! All arguments about caliber or action type of moot - it worked for him.

The only other more nutty thing than going after polar bear with an AR is carrying an AK74. This guy is kooky and I hope they figure out what the heck really happened and move him back to South Central, in cuffs...

Please show exactly what laws he is alleged to have broken, and be specific. If you know Alaskan law, please elaborate - I don't and perhaps you have perspective I seem to be lacking. Please explain why it is "nutty" and "kooky" to carry a semi-automatic rifle in common use while in an area that recognizes the right and logical responsibility to be armed?

 

[AKElroy]

An AK-47 would have been a better choice than a 74. The larger round has more stopping power. But it did the job.

For bears, yes. I am assuming he had another reason for carrying the 5.45. Pelts maybe? Smaller holes = higher value for the pelts. Other than that, I can't imagine why he would carry that light in bear country.

 

[OptimusPrime]

In Soviet Russia, bears ONLY die when shot with Soviet weapons. If shot with Amerikan weapon, bear would laugh like tickle-fight contest with little girl.

 

[Cosmoline]

Other than that, I can't imagine why he would carry that light in bear country.

It's a trail just outside of Anchorage so he wasn't carrying it to make smaller holes in the pelt. It's the sort of day hike you might just carry a light rifle or handgun, or maybe nothing. Most people don't carry any weapons or even bear spray.

 

[MattShlock]

Jungle... You've obviously never been to Alaska and didn't read that in a book or published article, so, can you share where you got that information from please? AK-74's being popular in Alaska due to "real world experience" eh!?

AK-74's in Los Anchorage wouldn't surprise me too terribly though.

 

[sappyg]

I'm not so sure about that. I find it difficult to stay on target shooting one-handed, while running, gun pointing behind me, screaming for my life.

^^^^^ this.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

He fired a 12 rd "volley" at it, and the bear stopped it's charge at about 25feet, but apperantly wasn't dead, so the guy shot it again once.

And we're told that we only need 10 (or 7) rounds...

 

[caribou]

7,62 and 5.556 Ak's and Mini14's are an old standard here in Arctic Ak.

The 3 or 4 AR's around have had many owners, all who sold them to buy a better rifle. Ive seen those same AR's over and over, lookin' like brand new still, hardly a shot fired.

Mini14's and AK's are shot till they die.

 

[Torian]

Interesting weapon of choice, and even more remarkable that they mentioned it accurately in the article...assuming it wasn't a typo.

Would not be my caliber of choice by any means, but it certainly got the job done.

 

[TexAg]

Caribou, I noticed y'all have an AK or two in your collection in one of the TV show clips, (I need to watch some full episodes soon!); what caliber is yours?