Moving to Anchorage

[Killermonkey21]

Hey All,

I'm active Army and will soon be PCS'ing (moving) to Fort Richardson, Alaska. I usually carry either a Glock 22, Glock 23, or a government model 1911 here in WA because it should be enough to take care of most "bad things". My dilemma is I want a revolver that is powerful enough for bear or moose should I need it (considering I can't carry my Mossberg 500 loaded with 1 oz slugs all the time).

I was thinking something chambered in .460 S&W so I have some lee way with what cartridge load I want to use (.45 LC, .454 casull, etc) but for "everyday" (woods) carry, I think a 3 pound revolver might be a bit much. Would a .44 mag be enough deterrent for a black bear or pissed off moose?

I'd like to stay in the sub-$1k range, but I'll pay for quality. Being able to use it for hunting would be a definite plus.

So I guess, what I'm looking for would be:
-Towards the top of the heap in power, preferably
-At least 4" barrel
-Sub $1k
-Quality manufacture

Any thoughts? Anyone who's lived in the Anchorage area and knows the actual likeliehood of me coming into contact with mean old mother nature? I have a moderate hunting background and stay on my toes most of the time, if that helps.

Thanks, THR.

-SSG John V.
13D3P

 

[zstephens13]

A .44 would be a fine weapon for in the woods, but being completely honest you won't need one in town. A .45 would be fine, which is what I carry in the 1911 format. You would be more worried about drug dealers or homeless people in the Muldoon area. You can continue to carry your current weapon and be totally fine.

 

[ultradoc]

I don't have any suggestions but I want to say thanks for your service.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I have a 460V which is the 5" bbl version. It's a great gun, and dangerouse critters is the reason I bought it. The cartrige versatility is fantastic, so I'd recomend trying to pick one of those up. It's my absolute favorite gun. You will be hard pressed to find one under $1000 though. You can also buy one with a 2.5" bbl, but I imagine the recoil with full power loads being a bit......prohibitive.

My next, and probably better for what you want, suggestion would be a Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. One of those can be had for under 1K. I've never shot one but I've heard good things.

One note, I carry my 460 in a Desantes hip holster. It's a great holster, but the gun is a bit heavy for the hip. I'd go with a sholder holster if you go that way.

I hope this helps.

Also, yes, thank you very much for your service.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Well, the last time I was in Alaska I was still in my mother's womb, so don't have any real experience there.
However I might suggest the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. .454 has more power than you should ever need from a handgun, can still shoot .45 Colt from it and is still a somewhat easy to carry size.
Realistically you probably will be fine with your current pistols, but any excuse to get another gun. Right?

Oh and thank you for your service.

 

[.338-06]

There's about 600,000 different opinions up here on what to carry in the woods.

If I felt I was going to be in constant contact with big bears, I'd carry a 12ga, .45-70 or my 17" barreled .458 win mag-which is why I bought it.

That said, when I don't think I'll be in close contact with Mr. Brownie, I carry a .44 which may be surplanted this summer by a Ruger .480 I have on order. The most common and comfortable way to carry, at least for me, is the chest carry rigs. Just about every gun store carries some kind.

I also carry a handgun when carrying a fifle, a .22 pistol.


Oh, by the way, I've been told by vets and current service members that Anchorage is the friendliest to military city they've ever been to. I grew up here, so I'm always surprised to hear stories of places that are actively unfriendly to military personnel.

 

[DM~]

Anchorage is like any other big city... Same traffic problems, same noise and drug problems, same bums and homeless problems... Will you see a moose? I'm sure you will, but actually having a problem with one is VERY slim. I'd be much more worried about all the "other" problems!

DM

 

[bannockburn]

Killermonkey21

When my brother was in the Army and stationed up in Alaska he had me ship him a stainless Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag. with a 5 1/2" barrel. He liked to hike off the beaten path and later told me that while he never enountered any troublesome animals, he did feel adequately protected by having the Redhawk along.

 

[Remo223]

This is one of the most popular carry guns for defense against dangerous animals, if not THE most popular.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

light enough to carry, and powerful enough to get the job done.

 

[KodiakBeer]

If you just stay in and around Anchorage and the surrounding road system, a .45 Colt capable of shooting Ruger level loads is your most cost-effective bet. A can of high volume pepper spray is an even better bet.

If you actually fly out into true wilderness, leave the handgun at home and get a short rifle or shotgun. And still carry that can of pepper spray.

99% of your negative encounters with bears are going to be "iffy". A blast of pepper spray will solve it. If you shoot it with any kind of handgun you probably aren't going to kill it and you're going to leave an angry and wounded animal to kill somebody else. If you do kill it, it's a nightmare because you have to recover the head and hide (messy, 200 pounds of weight) and turn it in to fish and game.

Don't shoot the bears unless you have to. If you have to, shoot them with something that will kill them right there.

 

[O C]

Ported 29-5 .44mag. might do the trick. If you encounter "bad things" it'll probably be real close.

 

[AKPastor]

I don't have to deal with Los Anchorage very often but like some others, if I feel that I have a great chance to be around bears - nothing beats a quality rifle in a suitable caliber.

Otherwise, I carry a 45 acp revolver. I pack custom loads a friend makes for me that he has had success with on a brown. They definitely work on black bear. Moose worry me more than either, but they can be taken by a 45. After all, a fella took a brown in Denali last spring.

Now, I can't argue that a .44 mag or larger would be better even than my special loads, but I prefer to keep one revolver and one semi-auto that I shoot a lot and keep myself as good as I can get with both. Just my philosophy.

Another point, I gotta agree that in Los Anchorage you'll have more worries for 2 legged varmints than anything that runs on 4

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

I'm currently in ft wainwright and I have yet to see a moose bear or anything while I am out and about, the only real reason you would need anything larger is if you are actually out in the woods in which case a recommend a 44 revolver, something like a ruger redhawk should do well.

 

[Cosmoline]

Welcome to Los Anchorage! It's really not as bad as everyone says it is. Honestly.

As far as firearms, for in-city I'd suggest sticking with what you know. And DO NOT repeat DO NOT shoot the city moose. Don't try to pet them and you'll be fine. Sometimes they charge a bit, but they just want you out of there. Most around the muni are very tolerant of people. Watch their expression and keep your distance, it will be fine. Only one fatality I know of, and it was avoidable. Goes with the territory.

As far as bears there are both brown and black ones in the Muni itself and all around the bases. But the brown bear keep a low profile and the main interactions are later in summer when the salmon runs bring them down along the trails. There's one or two maulings a year ranging from mild to pretty serious. Only a few fatalities over the years though. Black bear are thick on the ground lately in the Chugach park. They're the ones you're most likely to encounter up close but they very rarely need shooting. They tend to be small and skittish here because they're second tier on the food chain. I've never seen a really huge black bear in local woods, only smallish ones. The only one that ever chased me was a cute little cub.

For the trail a handgun will work but none are ideal. Even a .357 with 180 or 200 grain hardcasts can stop a brown bear IF you hit in the right place. If you miss with a .460 S&W you're finished. Only rely on a short gun if you're REALLY good with it and if you practice regularly with it, shooting bear loads. You'll be better served with a .357 you shoot all the time than a .460 you've shot five times.

Conventional wisdom is to stick with a long gun. Cheapest is a shotgun loaded with hardcast magnum slugs. Lots of big bore leverguns around to choose from. For carrying I like the backpack scabbards sold around town. A 6 lb. long gun on the back carries easier than a 40 oz magnum on the hip.

Once you're up here you'll find firearm selection very good. There are some great gun stores around and private sales are very common (for when you're a resident, of course). The big problem is factory ammo. There are constant shortages.

Pepper spray is fine but keep in mind if you're hiking along Turnagain you may have a 40 or 50 MPH headwind. I've been out there many times hearing the trees falling, the winds are so intense.

For two legged troubles, the bad areas are around the downtown bars after hours, parts of Spenard and a number of places in the east and Fairview. But 90% of the trouble is booze related with most of the rest drug related. A lot of people here don't understand how to drink without getting blotto. But most of the chronics are mild mannered enough. I've had some paw at me over the years, but nothing serious. Main thing to remember is to watch out for wild bar-hopping crowds. I know of a case where a man minding his own business had his neck opened with a pilsner glass for no reason at all. None! Just wham the guy blasts the glass over his face and neck. Actual fist fights can quickly escalate into lethal encounters. I avoid all the bars as a rule. The brew pubs are a lot nicer.

There are also the usual town crazies. Some guy rides his bike all winter, even to Costco! But they're mostly harmless.

Make sure you keep basic emergency provisions if you're living off base. We are due a big quake soon I think. Water is the most important thing.

Also, there are great facilities both on the bases and off. The state runs a little range south of town and there's a big deluxe range north of Eagle River.

Also nobody knows how to drive in this town.

But I digress

 

[lloveless]

Cosmoline, That is a good read and pretty much spot on. I work in Anchorage on a travel assignment for the last 8 months. I don't have a car and walk or use the bus system. There are some psychiatric cases on the streets. Avoidance is your friend. Think of Anchorage as a big moose pasture. Interact with moose like you would an unknown horse. Respect. If you make them change their behavior you are too darn close! I have not had an untoward encounter with person or beast here. I have quit carrying everywhere cause a 40 oz. gun on the hip or shoulder holster for 8 hours a day is a pain literally. If I go to the Bicentennial Park I'll carry now, cause the griz are due to to be out of hibernation and grumpy. Didn't see any last year, but made a lot of noise etc. Good luck, and thank you for your service.
ll

 

[Cosmoline]

I am also coming out of hibernation, and I'm very grumpy.

 

[almherdfan]

I moved to SE AK 20+ years ago. I spent most of my free time hiking/camping and eventually bought a .44 Ruger, but the scariest wildlife enounter I had was was with angry bald eagles, not the bears & moose.

Maybe invest that $$ in a good digital camera (high resolution/good wide angle/zoom options-maybe a dslr). That's my biggest regret from my time in "The Last Frontier".

 

[Huckelberry75]

I don't have any suggestions but I want to say thanks for your service.

+1 for this.

I would look at the .460 or a Redhawk in 454.