SP101 or Glock 29 for bear defense

[RalphS]

Mainsail

I realize that this is going to make some of your heads explode but there is a HighRoad member named Mainsail who carries a G20SF and actually downloads his magazine to 10 rounds when hiking.

I'm not a Glock fan by any means, but I have a lot of respect for this guy. He seems to know what he's doing.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=625423

 

[CraigC]

Even 1200 fps with a 340 grain bullet is at least twice the power of the two guns he's considering.

Actually you're talking about a good bear load versus two inadequate bear loads.

 

[fastest45ever]

In a longer barreled gun, at nearly 1500 fps, I can't think of a better load
commercially available.

Anyone make Punch bullet .44 Magnum loads?
Brass solids for .44 Magnum?
Barnes?
Craig, ever used these?
44 Mag .429 300-grain Flat Nose/Flat Base .233 .241 .928 42982

Guess Punch bullets are made in .44
http://beltmountain.com/punch.htm

Know of anyone that loads them commercially?

http://www.gunblast.com/BeltMtn_PunchBullet.htm

While expensive, you get less recoil, great penetration, and it's not loaded off the deep end of the reloading tables.

 

[CraigC]

No but I've used 330 (1350fps) and 355gr (1250fps) LBT's from Beartooth. They test well on paper but I have yet to have a need for them on flesh.

 

[fastest45ever]

While very expensive, the Barnes solids and the Punch bullets I have shot into sand could be, and where, cleaned off and used again.

I like the idea that you get the straight through penetration with a lighter bullet.

I wonder if they provide enough resistance to get optimal speed in a shorter barrel? Never tested that. Just shot some into sand at point blank range, with a .500JRH.

What powder do you use, and what barrel length with the heavy bullets?

What is the fastest powder you've used, what results did you get?

I've always liked 4227 and HS-6, also 296, and H110, but they aren't exactly fast.

 

[CraigC]

H110 for the lot and my chronographing was with a 7½" Bisley.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Sand is probably not a very scientific method to determine the effectiveness of a bullet.

 

[goon]

The most powerful handgun in the world doesn't do you any good if you leave it at home because it's too heavy to carry.

 

[lobo9er]

skimmed through the thread my only 2 cents are 200 gr corbon hunters are not that bad outta a sp101.

 

[dmak04]

Not to go off topic of choosing between the 2 guns you have listed, but I would consider the Ruger super Alaskan redhawk 454 casull compact. It will fair against bear better than most handgun calibers

 

[fastest45ever]

OP:
"A couple years ago I bought a ruger super redhawk "Alaskan" .44 mag with 2.5" barrel. I found that with the short barrel's blast and HEAVY (45 oz) weight, I rarely wanted to take it out with me. What sent me over the edge was when I came across the Ballistics By The Inch website that showed me how ballistically poor it was with a short barrel. If that website is correct, that 44 mag isn't much better than my .40 s&w with 5.25 barrel. "

He has a real gun, but doesn't load it with the proper ammunition for the task, and doesn't want to carry it.

I'm not sure there is a right way to jog with a 45 oz gun, or right holster.

I've tried a lot of holsters and most aren't up to that heavy a gun and jogging.

I suppose a Chesty Puller might be the best, but, it's not a ccw holster.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/why-i-made-the-chesty-puller-system/
http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Chesty-Puller-Conversion-System.cfm?item_id=160&parent=672

 

[lloveless]

I have an sp-101 3 inch barrel that I stoke with 200 gr Corbon's when I anticipate large animals. In Alaska I carried a 4 inch Redhawk in .44 magnum in a shoulder holster. I used to run a lot, but never did find anything to waist carry a gun in that didn't "flop"(never tried a shoulder holster). That constant flopping makes a sore place real soon. The best thing I tried was a neoprene jacket/fanny pack for a CD player. Good luck with your quest. I'll be interested in your choice.
ll

 

[PabloJ]

I would find partner that runs slower then me and when Teddy charges run in the same direction as person next to me.

 

[jad0110]

I would find partner that runs slower then me and when Teddy charges run in the same direction as person next to me.

One similar to that goes something like this: The best bear defense gun is a .22. When the bear comes, shoot your hiking buddy in the knee with the .22 and run like heck.

 

[JShirley]

Okay, this one's obviously done.

John