Best DA .44 Mag for Bear Country: Colt Anaconda v. S&W v Ruger v Others

[Chicken-Farmer]

Why not a shotgun?

Most guys up here in Alaska most carry a 18" barreled shotgun with slugs or a Marlin Guide Gun. Any decent centerfire rifle will handle the job better than a 44 mag any day. A .22 can kill a bear, but it won't do it fast. An angry bear will be on you like white on rice in a matter of seconds. First you have to realize that something is out to get you, then you have to react to the threat. One or maybe 2 shots if you are lucky, is all the time you will have. Like others have stated being smart and staying out of their way will prove far better than any firearm you carry.
The best gun for bear argument arises on almost a weekly basis here. Five years ago i too fell victim to the "What gun for Bear" post when i found out i would be stationed in Kodiak, AK. I see bears every year while hunting and fishing, but i'm still here to talk about it. Bears aren't the vicious man eaters that they are portrayed to be. Just like any wild animal, respect them and they will respect you for the most part

Chicken-Farmer

 

[DoubleAction]

The 4" in my picture can come out in .5 second and be fired. The 6" is a little slower, it hangs down low and out of the way BTW.

Have you shot any bears lately ?

I have have a lot quick drawing holsters, but I don't recommend for any for bears.

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[Gordon]

Nice rig! No grizz lately or ever again. Still the 4" mountain revolver does come out fast out of that cut down kydex rig of mine. And the 6" is quicker than a reload. I go fishing along alder banks up north. Notice they are both stainless?

 

[DoubleAction]

Nice rig! No grizz lately or ever again. Still the 4" mountain revolver does come out fast out of that cut down kydex rig of mine. And the 6" is quicker than a reload. I go fishing along alder banks up north. Notice they are both stainless?

Thanks Gordon; Many of best 44 magnum revolvers are made by S&W. I've developed a fondness the half lug extractor shrouds. After 25 years, I believe the Full Lug barrels are playing out; maybe good for Python but S&W was good it's own.

S&W 629 Classic DX






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[Erik]

Gordon,
Nice set up. Modern meets traditional. Mad Dog knives?

 

[Kentucky Windage]

There's a lot of truth in the stories of old timers advising young hunters to file down the front sights of their 44s when entering grizzly country -- so it wouldn't hurt so much when the bear took it away from them and shoved it up their nether regions. Suggest you find a copy and read "Bear Attacks: The Deadly Truth" by Jerry Shelton. Unless you are actually hunting grizzlies, shooting them in many cases simply increases the rage factor, which increases the odds of you looking like you just went through a blender. Pay close attention to the facts/outcomes involving use of pepper spray, which has worked in the majority of cases because it cancels out the rage factor. This goes against all my trigger-pullin' tendencies, but it's hard to argue with the logic of actual outcomes. Actively hunting bears is a whole different story. Here's a photo of my most recent "island bear" taken 4/29 with the new Ruger 338 RCM and Hornady SST 225 grain bullets, one shot, double lung through-and-through. The bear, which squared out at just under 7 feet, did not argue.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If it were I looking for a backup handgun for bear country it would be a 4" S&W 629 Mountain Gun. I think that revolver would make a great backup to a lever gun in 45-70.

 

[4Freedom]

Is it hard to conceal and carry a 5" .44 revolver with you on the trails? Never done it before and not sure how hard this will be. I am starting to think perhaps the 4" .44 Ruger or S&W 629 or like type of gun may be the best. I will ahve to say I think those Anacondas are rather pretty, but maybe they are not most practical. Seeing they are out of production, I am a bit \nervous.

Actually, meney is really an issue and I like to spend under $700.. However, I don't want a craappy brand revolver, so maybe getting a used one is an option. I was told new Rugers though run around $700, is this true? The Ruger I know is very heavy duty. I am rather strong and in good shape, but carrying a heavy gun on the hip is not something I am acquainted to on a trail.

This is a tough choice as always. I like that the S&W is lighter weight, that does give it some bonuses.. I suppose Ruger is more durable, but then again I am not sure.

Now the barrel length thingy bugs me. I know a .44 is much more optimal out of a 5" barrel. The 3" and 4" barrels I think it would lose velocity and not really have the full effect a .44 mag should have, not to mention the recoil. Also, a bigger barrel I think would allow for more accurate aiming. Sadly, I am not sure if 5" barrel is too much size for conceal carry in the forest. I don't really want to carry a pretty $700-$1000 gun on my hip for the bad guys to see. I much rather have stealth on my side. I just cannot perceive the kind of recoil you will ahve on a 3" barrel, that must be brutal and if my life is in danger, I think accurate shot placement would be important. Would most feel the 4" barrel would be sufficient enough? Or does 5" barrel give a major advantage over the 4"? I need to think of best way to conceal 5" revolver barrel. I suppose printing will not be an issue when hiking in woods, so it doesn't have to be a perfect conceal like in the city.

 

[dougwx12]

> Best DA .44 Mag for Bear Country: Colt Anaconda v. S&W v Ruger v Others

For carrying? S&W 329PD, with the lock removed. If I'm going to carry something that's over 3 lbs, I'll grab the shotgun.

 

[Meeteetse]

I certainly don't mean to question anyone's experience with bears, but in over 40 years of hunting, guiding and generally living in bear country in the lower 48, I have found having a heavy handgun is a great idea in bear country. Bears where I live generally head in the opposite direction when humans arrive. The same with Mtn. Lions. I personally have taken two bears, one while hunting and one because he got too close. I have also taken two cats, one a Mtn. Lion and the other a Bobcat, both when hunting.

All of these animals were taken without dogs and with a handgun. My personal choices are a Ruger SBH .44 mag with the 4 5/8" bbl and the other is a Freedom Arms 454 with a 4 1/2" bbl. Both are easy to pack in a cross-draw shoulder holster rig and can easily be concealed under a light jacket.

MY personal favorite when fly fishing in the high country is the .454 because of being able to shoot 45 Colt also. There are some heavy 45 Colt loads that are real screamers without breaking your wrist like the 454.

We always have a rifle or shotgun in camp, but a handgun is always with me. They work.