Let's talk defensive REVOLVERS for bears...

[Airman Basic]

Can I run this one more time?

 

[Jack B.]

Can I run this one more time?

View attachment 512326

That's funny

 

[Jack B.]

I don't like to go where I'm not on top of the food chain. No big bear country or African Plains trips in my future.

 

[dh1633pm]

We should never arm bears. Bad idea. As for arming humans for bears, not sure I want any pistol, but rather a rifle. But I am an ignorant east coaster. What do I know about bears other than seeing a few black ones while out hunting. They run like the wind when they see you.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I don't like to go where I'm not on top of the food chain. No big bear country or African Plains trips in my future.

Bummer. Big bears tend to live in some really beautiful and epic environments. Those environments as well as observation of a wild grizzly bear is something everyone should experience IMO. But who cares what I think......... Gotta do what makes you happy.

Personally I am glad there are places where humans aren't the scariest thing you could encounter. It serves as a good reminder that we are not all powerful. However, human intellect still makes us the top of the food chain anywhere.

 

[bannockburn]

It would give me a reason to get another .41 Magnum (as if I needed much in the way of coaxing)!

 

[Catpop]

44 mag cuz I has one.
But a charging sow or irate griz, ain't none of them big enough.
An M60 with 200 round belt like Rambo used would make more sense.

 

[22250Rem]

Not in a bear area very often but when I am it would only be a black bear and they are generally afraid of people. HOWEVER - It never hurts to have some insurance; like a .357 Blackhawk with handloads featuring a 180 gr. hard cast WFNGC driven a bit over 1150 fps. If I'm gonna be in a bear area my motto is: "Don't leave home without it". Maybe this gun protects me more than I realize..... I've seen bears when I was unarmed but have never seen one ever since I began carrying my "insurance policy" with me in bearville. So I guess it really does help keep me safe. LOL....

 

[Jack B.]

Bummer. Big bears tend to live in some really beautiful and epic environments. Those environments as well as observation of a wild grizzly bear is something everyone should experience IMO. But who cares what I think......... Gotta do what makes you happy.

Personally I am glad there are places where humans aren't the scariest thing you could encounter. It serves as a good reminder that we are not all powerful. However, human intellect still makes us the top of the food chain anywhere.

As long as you have a suitable gun ,I agree.

 

[buck460XVR]

This spring, while hunting for Morels on a large plat of Public land, I came across two guys from another state doing the same. One had a large N-Frame snubbie in a hip holster while his friend had an .500 mag in a chest rig. After talking with them a while I asked them if they were armed because of fear from coming across a "grow" and the one with the X-Frame replied, "No........these are for bear! We're in Wisconsin you know!". When I told them I had lived in Wisconsin most all my life and had never seen a bear in this particular area, they told me they has seen " a ton of bear scat" on the trail in and the trail was all tore up from all the bear activity on it. I asked "on the horse trail?".


Just sayin'........

 

[Dave T]

Love that sign the Airman posted.

Also, I've always remembered this bit of advice (source long forgotten). "If it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger...but bears will kill you." (smile)

And finally, for all of you who think black bears are no threat, I've read several reports that indicate there are more black bear attacks against humans than grizzly/brown bear attacks. This probably has a lot to do with there being a higher population of black bears, and they hang around where there are more humans. Still, it's probably a mistake to think they always run away and are no threat what-so-ever.

Dave

 

[Rexster]

Phil Shoemaker did well enough, in that recent incident, with hard-cast 9mm.

I selected .45 Colt, in the poll. I have a Ruger SRH Alaskan. If a bear escapes from the Houston Zoo, I am ready.

I scrambled my wrist bones in the Eighties with .44 and .41 Magnums, fired from revolvers a bit too big for my hands, compelling me to hold them with a slightly-off-centered grip, that sent too much of the recoil down through my thumb into my wrist, causing undesirable torquing of the wrist joint. My present, self-imposed limit is .45 Colt, and .357 Magnum, fired with my left hand. My formerly-stronger* right hand can still handle moderate amounts of .45 ACP.

*My left hand is actually more-skilled, while I naturally tended to use large, heavy tools, such as large revolvers, right-handed. So, my right hand, wrist, and arm absorbed most of the damaging recoil, sparing my left hand to remain healthier into my older years.

 

[Scott B.]

I bought two revolvers specifically for bummin' around in the woods. For areas where a black bear is the biggest toothy critter, I bring my Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp 3" Stainless .357. For areas where a grizz or moose might be habitatin' I bought a Smith & Wesson 629 Classic 5" .44. I didn't see where the type of bear was specified so I voted "44" in the poll based on worse case scenario. If the question was based on black bears I would have voted "357". I don't plan on ever pulling the trigger on either revolver on a bear, but if a bear decides to help me change my mind by nibbling my toes (or other parts), I think I chose the right tools for the job. Hardcast flat nosed heavy bullets for both...


Bears don't worry me. Humans worry me (but always load out with an option for the biggest threat in an area).

 

[.308 Norma]

Bears don't worry me. Humans worry me (but always load out with an option for the biggest threat in an area).

Sounds like "sound" practice to me!
Welcome to the forum, by the way.

 

[stoky]

Can I run this one more time?

okay
as long as I get to run the Gunsite Bear Rules (at least) one more time:

1. Be alert.
2. Take bears seriously. They are not cuddly.
3. Never enter bear country on foot without a powerful firearm and the skill to use it well. (If this is not permitted, do not go.)
4. Do not pitch your camp on a bear thoroughfare, most particularly along the banks of a stream full of fish.
5. Be alert

 

[Scott B.]

Sounds like "sound" practice to me!
Welcome to the forum, by the way.

Thanks for the welcome. Y'all got a good group of folks here.

 

[.308 Norma]

Bears don't worry me. Humans worry me (but always load out with an option for the biggest threat in an area).

Our youngest daughter lives in Missoula. Except for when they’re hibernating, black bears are a constant concern there. Not really so much of a “concern” I guess. It’s just that Missoula folks have to be aware of the black bears, and obey the city’s ordinances like not leaving their trash cans out at night, and not leaving fruit on their fruit trees after it gets ripe.

Anyway, last summer when my wife and I were up in Missoula visiting our daughter, we stayed in a motel on the west side of town, kind of on the outskirts. The morning we were set to leave, I was taking our luggage out to the pickup truck while my wife was getting ready to walk our dog behind the motel. But there was an older lady staring open mouthed at a sign posted on the inside of the motel’s front door, and she pointed it out to me. It read; “Attention Guests. There has been a small bear hanging around behind the motel. Please avoid going back there until further notice.”

I said, “Oh, wow!” Then I turned to my wife, who was trying to untangle our dog’s leash, and told her someone had seen a bear behind the motel, so she’d better find somewhere else to walk Ruger (our dog).

I could hardly believe the older lady’s reaction! She was like, “What? That’s all you’ve got to say? There’s a bear behind the motel, and all you do is tell your wife to find somewhere else to walk your dog?”

I tried to explain that black bears are a fairly common sight in Missoula, our daughter sees them quite often, even in her yard occasionally. And as long as you leave them alone, they probably won’t bother you.

But the lady would have none of it. She told me they were from LA, and weren’t used to seeing warning signs about bears.

I wonder if those folks ever worry about street gangs.

 

[CraigC]

The one thing there isn't a shortage of on THR is threads on bear guns. You guys should be in contact with people that actually have a chance of encountering wild bears on a daily basis and ask them.

Living in Alaska makes one no more expert on killing bears than living in Nashville makes you an expert on country music. Killing bears makes one an expert on killing bears but hunting fair sized game with a handgun comes closer than a convenient zip code.

 

[Deaf Smith]

okay
as long as I get to run the Gunsite Bear Rules (at least) one more time:

1. Be alert.
2. Take bears seriously. They are not cuddly.
3. Never enter bear country on foot without a powerful firearm and the skill to use it well. (If this is not permitted, do not go.)
4. Do not pitch your camp on a bear thoroughfare, most particularly along the banks of a stream full of fish.
5. Be alert

6. And hang any food at night up in a tree! (and by logical extension don't leave food around the camp!)

Deaf

 

[Tallball]

I do not think that revolvers are much good for bear SD situations. For one thing, other animals don't really attack bears. For another, bears don't have the manual dexterity or mechanical inclination to use them well. And if they are in a SD situation, it probably involves a hunter with a rifle sniping at them, so running away gives them a much better chance of survival than trying to return fire with a handgun.

 

[armoredman]

Would Hellboy's Good Samaritan revolver be good enough for bear? If not, I'm thinking an air strike.
Honestly, I have heard of a guy with a 15 round 9mm auto who emptied it in to a bear who attacked him while fishing, and the bear expired. On the other hand a radio personality on vacation on Mount Lemmon emptied a 44 Mag revolver in to the skull of a black bear mauling a little girl, and all it did was convince the bear that "elsewhere" was a good place to be. I'll dump every round of whatever I am carrying into the bear and hope I hit something vital so they can at least bury us together!
Stupid question to those who really do hunt bear - where would the best place be to shoot a bear with a handgun to hope for any success at all?

 

[CraigC]

I do not think that revolvers are much good for bear SD situations. For one thing, other animals don't really attack bears. For another, bears don't have the manual dexterity or mechanical inclination to use them well. And if they are in a SD situation, it probably involves a hunter with a rifle sniping at them, so running away gives them a much better chance of survival than trying to return fire with a handgun.

Well, there are no castle laws that apply to bears but they do tend to get the sympathy vote when it comes to human attackers. Since humans are often seen as inherently evil and bears, being "cute" four-legged critters, are often seen as inherently righteous. The bear stands a better chance in court.

Stupid question to those who really do hunt bear - where would the best place be to shoot a bear with a handgun to hope for any success at all?

I would take a shot that penetrates the vitals but also breaks a shoulder, either going in or coming out. Bears are not bullet proof but they do require a good, relatively heavy bullet. I'm not at all a fan of using expanding bullets and making strictly broadside heart/lung shots on game that bites back.

 

[Scott B.]

Would Hellboy's Good Samaritan revolver be good enough for bear? If not, I'm thinking an air strike.
Honestly, I have heard of a guy with a 15 round 9mm auto who emptied it in to a bear who attacked him while fishing, and the bear expired. On the other hand a radio personality on vacation on Mount Lemmon emptied a 44 Mag revolver in to the skull of a black bear mauling a little girl, and all it did was convince the bear that "elsewhere" was a good place to be. I'll dump every round of whatever I am carrying into the bear and hope I hit something vital so they can at least bury us together!
Stupid question to those who really do hunt bear - where would the best place be to shoot a bear with a handgun to hope for any success at all?

Bullet selection is everything. For heavy boned big animals you need heavy for caliber, flat nosed hardcast lead traveling at a good rate of speed to ensure deep penetration. HP's need not apply for big critters. A 44 mag with a proper bullet will pass through a black bears head and come out his butt doing a heck of a lot of damage along the way.

 

[buck460XVR]

okay
as long as I get to run the Gunsite Bear Rules (at least) one more time:

1. Never enter bear country on foot without a powerful firearm and the skill to use it well. (If this is not permitted, do not go.)

SMH. Really? This must be something someone who has never lived in Bear Country wrote. I live in Bear Country. Have most of my life. 50 years ago I was walking in and outta the bear woods @ 12 years of age, in the dark, with nuttin' on me but a long bow. For the next half a century I have been doing the same thing without giving it a second thought. For many years I actually sat bowhunting over bait trying to coax bears close to me when I had no powerful firearm on me. Doubt if a bow qualifies for a legitimate "defensive bear platform". Took my grandkids out picking Blueberries in the U.P. of Michigan a coupla weeks ago and there was Blackbear scat everywhere you looked. Grandkids made enough noise, we didn't even see one. I go to Canada on a regular basis on fly-in fishing trips where we are not allowed to take a firearm. We take our fish guts and bacon grease to a island out in the middle of the lake to keep the bears away, but still they are in camp every night. Nightime trips to the outhouse are exciting, but still, no close calls at all. Folks need to be realistic as to the risks. While there are risks from Bears, for most of us, especially those of us in Black Bear country, the risk is smaller than falling and hitting our head on a rock. Still, I never see folks in the woods with helmets on. There are scenarios and situations where the risk is greatly enhanced and precautions are truly necessary, but like in the U.P. blueberry patches, making noise so you don't surprise the local bears is enough. In most areas in the lower 48 the greater risk of death/injury is to the bears, from us......and they know it and avoid us like the plague.

Folks need to do what they need to be feel safe when in the woods, not only from bears but other inherent risks. They do not need to be scared poopless by folks telling them to "Carry enough Gun or don't take a step outta the car!". Life is too short.

If and when I feel the need to carry a revolver for woods defense, I have plenty to choose from. Everything I have from .357 to .460 is more than capable for the bear in my area, as long as I do my part. Still, most of the time in the woods, if I don't have a primary hunting weapon on me already(generally a magnum caliber revolver), I carry my model 637 .38 special Airweight. as those with hidden grows or Meth labs are the biggest risks to my going back home. Others are free to feel differently and I respect that. But they do need to be realistic.

 

[MCMXI]

I hiked for a few hours yesterday up here in NW Montana and carried a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in a Simply Rugged holster and suspension system with .454 Casull ammunition loaded. Tonight while hiking (watching the Aurora Borealis) I'll be carrying bear spray and a Ruger Redhawk 4.2" .45 Colt loaded with 360gr hardcast bullets moving around 1,125 fps.