Cheapest/Best Revolver/Ammo combo for AK.

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danweasel

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So I was searching the internet, looking for high powered revolvers to use as a camping/hiking gun here in the area around lovely Fairbanks, AK and I could not find the answers I was looking for. Then I remembered that if I just post a quick message here all my questions will be answered by someone, both quickly and accurately.

So what is the cheapest revolver that has absolutley no "issues" that prevent it from being an emergency bear stopper?

Which one would be the absolute best, if money was no issue?

And also, What might be the best load for such a gun?
 
I've been to Alaska but never saw a grizzly. I don't envy anyone trying to stop one with a handgun. If it were me, I think I would be very uncomfortable with anything short of a heavy load of 44 mag. But might go higher to a 454,460 or even a 500. I think the 44 could be obtained least expensively and fed the cheapest but is that really what you want to consider when talking about Grizzlies?
 
I own no long arms, but I'd acquire one if grizzlies were my concern. A decent shotgun is cheaper than most serious-caliber handguns, and a 12-gauge slug is about the minimum force I'd be wanting if I felt I had to shoot a griz.
 
I grew up in AK, but I don't know what the bear situation is in Fairbanks. In general I think a longarm is best, but revolvers have the benefit of being small & light enough to pack with you all the time. They're useful for those times when your hands are too full to carry a rifle or shotgun. They do have their place.

Cheapest way to go is probably a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk in .44 magnum. They're very reliable, tough enough to handle .44 mag +p ammo from Garrett or Buffalo Bore, and a little less expensive than a Smith. Ammo from Double Tap is almost as good & a lot cheaper from what I hear.

If money and recoil tolerance are not an issue, then a S&W model 500 is probably the best handgun in terms of stopping power. I don't know much about it and have never even held one, but the 4" model is very popular up there.

Personally, I'd opt for something in between: .454 casull is more powerful than .44 magnum, and you can practice by using .45 long colt, which is just a tad more expensive than .44 from what I can see. Some places also make .45 lc +p, which is about as powerful as .44 magnum.

If you go with .44 mag or .45 lc, you can also pair it with a handy lever-action that will shoot the same ammo. Those long barrels can coax quite a bit of stopping power out of those revolver calibers.
 
This is a decidedly un-environmentally friendly conversation. What about anti-bear spray? Has anyone tried a Taser? Why don't we have any field reports on such devices.....
 
if its got to be a handgun a good hardcast 357 load is sufficient, its about penetration into the nervous system. I know opinions vary on this one but, I have first hand accounts from a local wildlife biologist that is does indeed work (twice for him in fact). But if the situation allows then a hardcast slug in a 12ga is mo better (or a 30/30, just about any rifle is better than a handgun)... And... if you're hunting, hey you already have a rifle.

-Tsi
 
I've heard from more than one source that bear spray is actually better at stopping a bear then a gun.

I think the logic is that you basically have to kill a bear to stop it with a gun, not easy with a huge, strong and F A S T animal. Have you ever seen the speed of an attack on video? Amazingly fast.

The spray seems to help a bear change its own mind about wanting to mess with you. Why that is....well ask a bear. :neener:

Personally I would carry both and use the spray first because there is evidence that it is more effective and the gun as a last resort if I'm treed or some such thing. I've a .44 mag for that last resort senario.

Honesty, I would not want to kill a grizz if I could make it leave me alone some other way.
 
A 12g with slugs and a pistol grip if you are low on space. Would be best bet for bears.

If you are willing to drop a good amount of $$$ then a .50 Beowulf m-4 and revolver combo would be perfect.
 
My guess on the reason there are no posts on Bear Spray is there are no suvivors!
Note: This humor only, sick as it may be.
 
Haven't given this question much serious thought as big bears don't live where I do and I very, very rarely go anyplace where they do.

Seems to me that injecting shotguns and rifles into the discussion ignores the basic reason that the OP probably framed the question in terms of a revolver in the first place: He's looking for a weapon that is the most likely for him to actually keep on him whenever he's out and about on his daily routines and the least likely to get in his way while he's doing it.

Personally, I'm really fond of my behind. That's one of the reasons that I refrain from going places where my presence might annoy the local large carnivores. danweasel doesn't have that luxury. If I were in his shoes I'd look for a short barreled Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull, .480 Ruger or .44 mag and a good holster rig. I'd also stay extremely vigilant of my surroundings and practice, practice, practice.
 
In one of Elmer Kieth's books, Sixgins, or Hell, I Was There, he tells a story about a fellow that was on horseback and was confronted by a bear. I believe that it was a Grizzly. If I remember correctly, the title to the short story is, A Cool Hand With a Sixgun. I believe that he drove the sow and two cubs off with a single action .45. Anybody out there that can look this up?
 
I've heard from more than one source that bear spray is actually better at stopping a bear then a gun.
Click to expand...

I have also heard plenty of reports that the spray will not even phase a determined grizzly.

Some bears almost do backflips to get away from the spray, others don't even bat an eyelash, I wouldn't gamble my life on which type is attacking me.

I would hate to kill such a beautiful animal, but if it is him or me, I am going to choose me every time. Do what you can to avoid a confrontation: hang your food, wear bells, etc. I do these things even in black bear country, let alone grizzly territory, but I also carry a gun (just my .45 in black bear terrain, 12 gauge slugs for grizzly areas).

Here is a thread over at OpenCarry that talks about this:
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum9/10108.html
 
I would suggest an old model Vaquero in 44 mag.I have never run into a bear but did stop a wild hog,[domestic hog gone wild]350lbs in mid charge with a single shot.Actually I was fishing and spotted some babies 40-50 lbs and left my boat and was stalking them, with visions of one them on a spit.When out of the brush came big daddy and he wasn't exactly happy to see me.My Vaquero was loaded with Hansen 180 grain combat load jhp's, not the preferred load for game that large, but the cartridge I had become comfortable shooting.One shot dropped him although I think I could taken a second shot if it were necessary.The hard part was gutting him with a filet knife, my hunting knife was at home and then dragging him almost 100yds to my boat. Needless to say all my friends and relatives had all the pork roast they wanted.
 
Thanks a lot fellas,
Yes, I do have a mossberg 12 full of hardcast slugs but I wanted to get you all's recommendations on revolvers for a few reasons. One, so my wife can carry it, I figure that it is always better to have someone close by to maybe shoot the bear off of me if it comes to that. Also for when I am fishing, I really doubt that I could enjoy fly fishing with a shotgun slung on my back. That thing sits on the bank. And finally, I don't own a revolver and I've always wanted one. Might as well be a useful one.
Once again, thank you all for the advice and the great links. I just hope asking this question doesn't jinx me. Good thing my computer desk is made of wood. Knock, Knock.
 
While it is fun to think about defending myself against hordes of armor clad grizzlies, the truth of the matter is that they aren't very dangerous. I've heard that less than 1 person is killed a year.

You are WAY WAY more likely to be killed by (in no particular order):

1. Lightning
2. A Moose (Car)
3. A Deer (Car)
4. A Mosquito (Disease)
5. Your Wife (Unless she really is a grizzly!)

Not that I don't advocate carrying a gun to defend against grizzlies, but for the love of god don't shoot one unless it's REALLY attacking you. You're way more likely to have to use that gun to defend yourself against a human attacker. Next time I DO go hiking in AK, though, I will be carrying my .44 Redhawk... but mainly for fun.
 
Dubious,

I agree with you 100 percent. I honestly have never even seen a grizzly. I actually wouldn't count on defending myself against one with anything less than a MK-19 grenade launcher or maybe, a lightsaber but hey, it does make me feel better to have a weapon.
 
If you are looking for a common caliber solution that you can find most anywhere, I would go with the .44 Magnum at a minimum. Marlin makes a .44 Magnum Model 1894 Lever Gun. Pack that with a 4 Inch Barrel Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum and I think you are good to go.

The .44 Magnum is an incredible round, it's found in any Wal-Mart or sporting Goods store that sells firearms, and since one thing you have to consider is availability and price of ammo in AK as compared to anywhere else, it might be good to have an easier to find caliber than say, .480 Ruger, or .500 S&W, or .460 S&W.
 
*

I carry a S&W 329 when I'm in bear country. It is a bit pricey, easy to carry, not much fun to shoot. A 4" Ruger would be cheaper, more fun to shoot, not as much fun to carry. Use a shoulder holster.

A revolver is much easier to carry than a long gun, especially if you plan on actually doing something besides carrying a gun. Keep a 12 gauge with slugs near you, in camp, in the boat, etc. But don't expect to have it in your hands when Mr. Bear wants to take your salmon, and maybe your head, too, when you're fishing. That's why you carry a revolver.

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