Pistol for Grizzly Country
- Thread starter Matrix187
- Start date
- Status
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Redhawk1,
Do you really think a 3lb. 8oz. revolver is "easy to carry?" I don't think so. If you have a gun that heavy you will leave it at some point, and probably when you most need it. (like when having to 'go" in the middle of the night)
Do you really think a 3lb. 8oz. revolver is "easy to carry?" I don't think so. If you have a gun that heavy you will leave it at some point, and probably when you most need it. (like when having to 'go" in the middle of the night)
MMCSRET
Member
Ratdrall: Grizzly boar= male grizzly!!!!!!!!
ArchAngelCD,
for someone that does not know me from Adams house cat, you sure think you know me. Assuming I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, if I would leave my 4 inch 500 Mag, now wouldn't I leave any other gun behind as well?
As for my 3lb. 8oz. revolver is "easy to carry?" Maybe you are not man enough to carry your revolver all day, but I sure as heck have never had a problem with it. That may be the difference between you and me.. I have done it with no problem. So if you can't do it, don't assume others can't.
I have lived out of my tent for 10 days in the Arctic circle in Alaska and yes I had my handgun on my hip any time I left the tent, while in the tent, it was right next to me. . Never had to leave the tent to go to the rest room in the middle of the night either. I used my P bottle in the tent, no need to go out side in the middle of the night, I guess some of us know how to prepare for living in the outdoors and some have things to learn..
for someone that does not know me from Adams house cat, you sure think you know me. Assuming I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, if I would leave my 4 inch 500 Mag, now wouldn't I leave any other gun behind as well?
As for my 3lb. 8oz. revolver is "easy to carry?" Maybe you are not man enough to carry your revolver all day, but I sure as heck have never had a problem with it. That may be the difference between you and me.. I have done it with no problem. So if you can't do it, don't assume others can't.
I have lived out of my tent for 10 days in the Arctic circle in Alaska and yes I had my handgun on my hip any time I left the tent, while in the tent, it was right next to me. . Never had to leave the tent to go to the rest room in the middle of the night either. I used my P bottle in the tent, no need to go out side in the middle of the night, I guess some of us know how to prepare for living in the outdoors and some have things to learn..
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I made a simple post about what I thought was an overly heavy revolver and you come back with an insult like "Maybe you are not man enough to carry your revolver all day" You are correct, I don't know you but now I know a little more about you and it doesn't look good. You don't know me either yet you assume "I'm not man enough..." There was no reason to act like that but I've come to expect such poor behavior from people on the Internet.
I have no ill feeling towards you but seriously, you act like that because I feel a 3.5lb revolver is heavy? wow...
You can come back with another nasty post but you will be talking to yourself because I'm done here. Have a nice day...
The_Shootist
Member
What about the Ruger in .45 LC? Does it have to be a .44 Mag?
Kind of an academic question for as I am unlikley to get bounced by a griz taking out the trash here in Houston (maybe a swamp monster in the bayous tho) . But it would be nice to know if this calibre could be considered an "all round" type.
Kind of an academic question for as I am unlikley to get bounced by a griz taking out the trash here in Houston (maybe a swamp monster in the bayous tho) . But it would be nice to know if this calibre could be considered an "all round" type.
MMCSRET
Member
I live and have lived in grizzly country a good portion of my life, 45 Colt is carried by some, pepper spray is carried by others. I know 2 that carry 41 Mags loaded with 250 gr. Cast performance bullets. I know several others that won't carry a handgun but always have a rifle. Every one develops their own preference based on their own perceptions.
The 45colt can be loaded to above 44mag levels in Blackhawks and Redhawks.
My personal 5.5 barrelled Blackhawk is loaded with Buffalo Bore' 325gr hardcast at nearly 1350fps. I had a Redhawk for awhile that didnt approach that much power with any load i fired thru it.
I carry a Ruger Alaskan 44mag with hardcast in grizzly country. Northwest Wyoming is my major hunting and recreating area, and I live in northcentral Wyoming. I keep a 12ga shotgun with Brenneke Black Magic slugs nearby, but as mentioned, you certainly can't keep that anchored to your hip wherever you go. Whatever you get, practice shooting with it, so your response becomes as automatic as possible. I do also carry bearspray.
Go ahead and get a .460 S&W and be done with it! If it turns out to be too much handgun you can shoot the .454 or the .45 LC from them and match your needs to the round. I think of them the same way I do about using .38 Specials in a .357 as they give a broad range of options in what they can be used for.
PX15
Member
JMOfartO:
I don't have an answer to the thread question, but I have an answer for ME..
I'm scared to death of Grizzly bears, I don't intend to go anywhere around them, and the ONE time I did (Yellowstone Nat'l Park) I was convinced there was one just over the crest of the boardwalk waiting for dinner, and my son and I were on the menu..
My fear is irrational because I live in S.E. Ga., and the last time a Grizzly bear was sighted around here was... Well, never. I'm still afraid of them.
IF I were in a situation like some of you folks and lived in an area where there was the possibility of running into one of those suckers I wouldn't be lining up the different calibers trying to decide which one I preferred.
I already know it would be the biggest caliber man has designed to shoot out of a pistol small enough to actually be carried by man without the aid of a wheelbarrow, or personal servant.
When I was a little boy I developed a fear of:
1. Frankenstein
2. Alligators
3. Gorillas
4. Grizzlys
Now I'm an old senior citizen over the years I have come to understand that:
A. Frankenstein was a figment of Ms.Kelly's imagination.
B. Alligators while dangerous do not look for trouble and if you get eaten by an alligator you've probably gone swimming in the Okefenokee Swamp or similar body of water while on pcp or some other mind altering drug.. (I was raised in Waycross, Ga, located just at the edge of the swamp, so alligators I know about pretty well.)
C. Gorilla's? Seeing all the Tarzan/Jungle Jim movies as a youth created a great fear of these gentle creatures, and only as an adult did I come to realize they are vegetarians, and wonderful creations of God.. If one got lost and knocked on my door I'd welcome him/her in and offer it a salad.
D. Grizzly's? Just an unreasonable, unexplainable, overriding fear of them.. I'm convinced that unless you are brain dead and or just plain old stupid (as was the "Grizzly Man") the chances of your being killed and providing a meal for a rogue Grizzly are extremely low, even where they do roam the countryside. Probably if you see Grizzly cubs and run for the hills at the first sighting of those lovely little critters you reduce whatever chances you might have had of offending a Mama bear, and if you happen to run up on a big male Grizzly then finish your unintended bowel movement and "hasta la vista" the crap over the horizon.
Nope, Frank, Alligators and Gorillas don't cause me to break a sweat anymore, but the mention of the word "GRIZZLY"
still strikes fear in my old heart and starts my innerd's to churning...
So, IF I had a suggest as to what pistol to carry in Griz country, it would be BIG, BIG, BIG, and shoot MANY, BIG, BIG, BIG projectiles..
Yeah, I'm a woose.
Good luck tho to all you good folks who might actually run up on one of those critters in the woods one day.. Keep a salt and pepper shaker in your britches, because if you're gonna feed the bears you might has well make yourself tasty as possible.
Jesse
I don't have an answer to the thread question, but I have an answer for ME..
I'm scared to death of Grizzly bears, I don't intend to go anywhere around them, and the ONE time I did (Yellowstone Nat'l Park) I was convinced there was one just over the crest of the boardwalk waiting for dinner, and my son and I were on the menu..
My fear is irrational because I live in S.E. Ga., and the last time a Grizzly bear was sighted around here was... Well, never. I'm still afraid of them.
IF I were in a situation like some of you folks and lived in an area where there was the possibility of running into one of those suckers I wouldn't be lining up the different calibers trying to decide which one I preferred.
I already know it would be the biggest caliber man has designed to shoot out of a pistol small enough to actually be carried by man without the aid of a wheelbarrow, or personal servant.
When I was a little boy I developed a fear of:
1. Frankenstein
2. Alligators
3. Gorillas
4. Grizzlys
Now I'm an old senior citizen over the years I have come to understand that:
A. Frankenstein was a figment of Ms.Kelly's imagination.
B. Alligators while dangerous do not look for trouble and if you get eaten by an alligator you've probably gone swimming in the Okefenokee Swamp or similar body of water while on pcp or some other mind altering drug.. (I was raised in Waycross, Ga, located just at the edge of the swamp, so alligators I know about pretty well.)
C. Gorilla's? Seeing all the Tarzan/Jungle Jim movies as a youth created a great fear of these gentle creatures, and only as an adult did I come to realize they are vegetarians, and wonderful creations of God.. If one got lost and knocked on my door I'd welcome him/her in and offer it a salad.
D. Grizzly's? Just an unreasonable, unexplainable, overriding fear of them.. I'm convinced that unless you are brain dead and or just plain old stupid (as was the "Grizzly Man") the chances of your being killed and providing a meal for a rogue Grizzly are extremely low, even where they do roam the countryside. Probably if you see Grizzly cubs and run for the hills at the first sighting of those lovely little critters you reduce whatever chances you might have had of offending a Mama bear, and if you happen to run up on a big male Grizzly then finish your unintended bowel movement and "hasta la vista" the crap over the horizon.
Nope, Frank, Alligators and Gorillas don't cause me to break a sweat anymore, but the mention of the word "GRIZZLY"
still strikes fear in my old heart and starts my innerd's to churning... So, IF I had a suggest as to what pistol to carry in Griz country, it would be BIG, BIG, BIG, and shoot MANY, BIG, BIG, BIG projectiles..
Yeah, I'm a woose.
Good luck tho to all you good folks who might actually run up on one of those critters in the woods one day.. Keep a salt and pepper shaker in your britches, because if you're gonna feed the bears you might has well make yourself tasty as possible.
Jesse
Cohibra45
Member
1) Bullet placement in times of GREAT PANIC!!!
2) Bullet type...........hard cast only need apply!!!
3) Bigger IS BETTER, but up to a point.....see weight and willingness to carry.
4) Practice, Practice and Practice some more. Oh by the way, did I mention PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
5) If you are really serious about going in Big Bear Country, talk face to face with the people that guide there. They are the ones that have the most experience. Talk to as many of these as possible, then form your opinion.
I have a 45 Colt and don't feel under gunned at all. You see, if you hit what you are shooting at, you don't need large capacity guns. I had one of the first Para Ordnance P-14 45acp pistols and talk about HEAVY when loaded with all 14 rounds of ammo.........you actually felt the gun get lighter as you unloaded the gun at the range!!!
I use Corbon or Buffalo Bore hard cast. They can and will shoot length wise of a bull elk, so they will penetrate enough of a bear if needed. Could I go with a larger gun?????? Sure, but it's my choice and I'm willing to live or die with it.
Let's face it, if you are out in the woods and find yourself between a bear and her cubs or a surprised grizzly, even 40-50 yards can be covered in 3 seconds or less. Think about that!!!!!! Can you really draw, aim, and shoot in that time and HIT WHAT YOU ARE AIMING AT????? Remember, only hits count!!!
Good luck and remember, all you get here is someone's opinion and their personal choice. It will only be you in the woods. As my favorite beer commercial guy says....."Choose wisely, my friend"!!!
2) Bullet type...........hard cast only need apply!!!
3) Bigger IS BETTER, but up to a point.....see weight and willingness to carry.
4) Practice, Practice and Practice some more. Oh by the way, did I mention PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
5) If you are really serious about going in Big Bear Country, talk face to face with the people that guide there. They are the ones that have the most experience. Talk to as many of these as possible, then form your opinion.
I have a 45 Colt and don't feel under gunned at all. You see, if you hit what you are shooting at, you don't need large capacity guns. I had one of the first Para Ordnance P-14 45acp pistols and talk about HEAVY when loaded with all 14 rounds of ammo.........you actually felt the gun get lighter as you unloaded the gun at the range!!!
I use Corbon or Buffalo Bore hard cast. They can and will shoot length wise of a bull elk, so they will penetrate enough of a bear if needed. Could I go with a larger gun?????? Sure, but it's my choice and I'm willing to live or die with it.
Let's face it, if you are out in the woods and find yourself between a bear and her cubs or a surprised grizzly, even 40-50 yards can be covered in 3 seconds or less. Think about that!!!!!! Can you really draw, aim, and shoot in that time and HIT WHAT YOU ARE AIMING AT????? Remember, only hits count!!!
Good luck and remember, all you get here is someone's opinion and their personal choice. It will only be you in the woods. As my favorite beer commercial guy says....."Choose wisely, my friend"!!!
jimmyraythomason
Member
If you read the SD/HD threads it seems that the consensus is that a handgun bullet will bounce off of a 200lb man at point blank range(I'm being a little facetious). So a grizzly is 600-1000lbs of bad attitude and vulnerable to a handgun. Isn't that ironic? I hope a grizzly doesn't decide to break into my Alabama home. I'm sure not going to break into his.
Last edited:
Steve H
Member
If I'm close to any bear country I carry my Anaconda in 44. 6" SS
Mr.510
Member
I have a question for Oro and others with actual bear experience: Do "bear bangers" or similar work? Obviously these would be used long before a bear got close. I'm probably thinking more in terms of deterring a curious black bear. For those that don't know what they are, here's a vid:
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUKpUhMXG38
On the original subject: If I were in Grizzly country I'd carry an S&W 460V and keep a rifle as handy as practical. The 460V is a little over four pounds loaded. Yeah, it's a brick..... but we're talking about GRIZZLIES here. For reference the XD45 Compact I carry every day is somewhere around 3 pounds loaded 10+1. If you are used to wearing a 3 pound gun all the time I can't see another pound or even two being a deal breaker. As with all other handguns get the right holster and the right belt. Man Up and carry the right gun for the job at hand! I believe any gun chambered smaller than .44 Magnum carried for Grizzly needs the front sight ground off....
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUKpUhMXG38
On the original subject: If I were in Grizzly country I'd carry an S&W 460V and keep a rifle as handy as practical. The 460V is a little over four pounds loaded. Yeah, it's a brick..... but we're talking about GRIZZLIES here. For reference the XD45 Compact I carry every day is somewhere around 3 pounds loaded 10+1. If you are used to wearing a 3 pound gun all the time I can't see another pound or even two being a deal breaker. As with all other handguns get the right holster and the right belt. Man Up and carry the right gun for the job at hand! I believe any gun chambered smaller than .44 Magnum carried for Grizzly needs the front sight ground off....
EnsignJimmy
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 122
I figure if men in the late 1800s could stop charging grizzlies with black-powder .45 Colt loads out of the Single Action Army, (and what a 'brown alert' moment that must've been,) I'm not going to feel under-gunned carrying my Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt in bear country. I'm especially not going to feel under-gunned once I load it with 335 grain hard-cast WFN lead bullets.
Tequila Mockingbird
Member
Carry whatever handgun you want, but make sure you take along some pepper spray. Pepper spray is much more effective at terminating a bear attack than a handgun...
They're pretty dense in some parts of Alaska. Brownies, anyway.
In Georgia, you'd have to be a real idiot, though. You'd have to climb into an enclosure at the zoo.
My concern about pepper spray is heavy wind and other conditions that make it not-so-great. That doesn't mean I wouldn't carry it. But definitely look at the instructions to see what "when used properly" means. It may not be too encouraging.
bad_aim_billy
Member
This makes too much sense. This was a perfectly good "I carry a .50 BMG for grizzlies even though I live on the East Coast" thread before this. Why did you have to ruin it?
Tequila Mockingbird
Member
This link http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm provides some good info on the use of pepper spray vs. firearms.
The bear really doesn't want to have anything to do with you. They can be all around, and you'll never encounter one.
That said, if I'm out in the wilderness somewhere with the big bears, I'd want a gun anyway. Bears aren't the only deadly things in the woods. Pepper spray is on the equipment list. So is a gun -- but if I really thought I'd encounter a big bear I had to shoot, it'd be a long gun with heavy slugs in it.
That said, if I'm out in the wilderness somewhere with the big bears, I'd want a gun anyway. Bears aren't the only deadly things in the woods. Pepper spray is on the equipment list. So is a gun -- but if I really thought I'd encounter a big bear I had to shoot, it'd be a long gun with heavy slugs in it.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
