JCooperfan1911
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I never miss my target so for me, failure is not a concern.
Your moment of truth
- Thread starter Stumper
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JR24
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Never had a reason or need (thankfully) to have a “moment of truth” with a firearm.
But my moment of bowel clenching terror in the woods was crawling through alders on the tundra checking traps and running on fresh, BIG, moose tracks and very, very, fresh moose turds. It was in those alders with me, huge, and I recalled how often moose trample first and don’t ask questions.
Far more scared in that moment than I ever was encountering big coastal brown bears or grizzlies in Alaska.
But my moment of bowel clenching terror in the woods was crawling through alders on the tundra checking traps and running on fresh, BIG, moose tracks and very, very, fresh moose turds. It was in those alders with me, huge, and I recalled how often moose trample first and don’t ask questions.
Far more scared in that moment than I ever was encountering big coastal brown bears or grizzlies in Alaska.
JCooperfan1911
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Very true, and where this is a moose, there could be meese.
As if one isn’t frightening enough.
Like the idiot guide in Alaska with a 9mm that some people think is a hero? It took 7 shots, some were made while it was stopped and practically posing. It wasn't even charging. I can see his story is definitely going to get others killed... if it hasn't already.
freedom arms .45
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I read somewhere once that the number 1 sports injury is from deer.
No. Fair point. To clarify. I was specifically talking about carrying in the lower 48. I bought the 629 when I lived in Alaska.
Carrying a 9mm in Alaska is a fools errand. Absolutely foolish.
JR24
Member
Well, it’s fine for two legged threats and reasonable in the winter when the bears are asleep.
I traveled from the east coast across to CO, WY, MT, ID, WA, then Canada to AK several springs and summers. Starting out I had a 44 with stout Garrett loads in the lower 48 with a G17 with the BB Outdoorsman on my hip. Then going to through Canada to AK, the Canadian Gov't deemed my 44 mag as 1/8 of an inch too long and therefore too dangerous for their country. But knowing this and having to have all the paperwork straightened out before I even left the east coast, I had my Glock 21 configured to shoot 45 super hardcasts. So the smaller less powerful G21 was my main weapon once I entered Alaska plus a shotgun. But I didn't carry the G21 instead of the 44 until I had to put it in storage for the time I was in Canada and AK. When in moose and grizzly territory, in the Lower 48 I had the 44 and a G17... I always carry two. In all my years of traveling, which is still ongoing, the only animal that I had a problem with was moose... probably cause of my two dogs. Never shot a moose, but came close a couple times in CO where the moose are the biggest I have ever seen. The 3rd year of my travel routine I came across a grizzly in MT with my dogs on a trail and thankfully it was uninterested in us and just trotted away. As it trotted away the ground shook. After that I said I was going to get a 454 or a 460. I settled on a 460V. But in CO, I still carried my usual 44 and G17 combo till CO deemed the G17 as too dangerous for it's citizens with the 2 extra rounds exceeding their 15 round limit. So I switched my glock to the 19 with my KKM threaded barrel which is about the same length as the G17 barrel, and the people of CO could sleep safe at night. But after that face to face encounter (10 yards) I felt pretty small. Although I feel the 44 would have gotten the job done, I said I was getting something bigger as soon as I got home. lol And I did.
My carry combinations changed a lot over the years... 44 & G17, 44 & G19, 460V & G40, 460V & G20, 460V & G19 and 460V and G29. I do drills with gloves, without gloves, hands completely muddy, etc... From CO eastward, the biggest I carry is the 44. Moose and skunks have always caused me the most problems. lol
The 9mm has it's place, but if you're in moose and grizzly territory, you might want to carry something bigger. The "Lower 48" should never imply that it is safer.
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1976B.L.Johns.
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My barrel was just under 105mm.
From their form:
Information Sheet: Non-Resident Firearm Declaration
A Prohibited Firearm is:
A handgun with a barrel length of 105 mm (4.1 inches) or less.
A handgun designed or adapted to discharge 25 or 32 calibre ammunition.
A rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length.
A rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more.
An automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm. Any firearm prescribed as prohibited.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/2347/original/d369a605ac3363b569af5ea5dc40c88d.pdf
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1976B.L.Johns.
Member
Your post(s) have urged me to pursue my quest to ride through Canada to Alaska.
Last time riding into Canada I was not armed, not comfortable.
and now back to our regularly scheduled program..............
Last time riding into Canada I was not armed, not comfortable.
and now back to our regularly scheduled program..............
I miss traveling with my 2 dogs that passed away in 2020. I have a new rescue and don't want to make any trips till at least her 2nd year with me. This year's diesel prices are not looking too good either. lol
There was always a lot of animal activity outside the camper at night in Canada. There were a few nights I was not opening the door till there was daylight outside. lol
Random 8
Member
I have one. I posted an individual thread on it last year, but I'll relate it here as well. This happened last Independence day weekend at an acquaintences house in a semi rural area.
We were visiting their outdoor fire for a few adult beverages. I was the sober driver and was not drinking. At the edge of the firelight, distance aprox 25 yards from my location, a small-medium black bear in the 150 lb range initiated a predatory attack on the family dog. Yelling, screaming, throwing some semi-burning sticks by other members of the party did not stop or deter the bear. While this was happening, I had risen from my chair, drawn my CCW piece and manuevered slightly to a safe firing angle. Having a clear shot, I fired one carefully aimed shot at the head of the bear, and a second as it lay on the ground in it's death throes. The weapon was an FNS 9mm loaded with 124 gr XTP ammunition. The first shot likely did the job, striking just behind the jaw line and entering the lower brain. Unfortunately the dog did not make it.
I have also had several bear encounters over the years where noise and in a couple of cases a warning shot sufficed to deter the bear activity.
We were visiting their outdoor fire for a few adult beverages. I was the sober driver and was not drinking. At the edge of the firelight, distance aprox 25 yards from my location, a small-medium black bear in the 150 lb range initiated a predatory attack on the family dog. Yelling, screaming, throwing some semi-burning sticks by other members of the party did not stop or deter the bear. While this was happening, I had risen from my chair, drawn my CCW piece and manuevered slightly to a safe firing angle. Having a clear shot, I fired one carefully aimed shot at the head of the bear, and a second as it lay on the ground in it's death throes. The weapon was an FNS 9mm loaded with 124 gr XTP ammunition. The first shot likely did the job, striking just behind the jaw line and entering the lower brain. Unfortunately the dog did not make it.
I have also had several bear encounters over the years where noise and in a couple of cases a warning shot sufficed to deter the bear activity.
luzyfuerza
Member
OP, here's a way to practice the shot you needed to make:
Build a low (just above ground level), heavy, 4-wheel platform. Maybe 30"x30" or 36"x36". Solid tires work best. Attach 50 feet of rope to it. Build a target stand on the cart. Attach a target that is the size and orientation of the adversary you want to start with.
Secure a 180 (270 or even 360 would be even better) degree range. And a buddy.
Shooter starts facing downrange. Target is downrange as far as possible (perhaps 50 feet?). Rope is laid on the ground, passing by the shooter's feet.
Buddy grabs rope just behind shooter and moves uprange, pulling cart toward shooter. Shooter engages target as long as it is at a safe angle.
Variations:
Start with man-size, man-height, square-on target. Change target orientation, height, etc. Use balloons to simulate human 3-d profile. Big balloons for thoracic, smaller for head. Rig 3-dimensional target analogs (watermelon, cantelope, apples, etc.) lower to the ground to simulate animal kill zones.
Buddy starts walking slowly, then faster. Then jogs. Then runs as fast as he can.
Shooter begins standing. Later, try shooting while retreating, moving off the line of attack to either side, or quartering away. I've even tried advancing toward the target.
Note: at first, you should learn to shoot while moving using stationary targets. Steel works well. Only after you've become competent shooting at stationary targets should you try to shoot at moving targets while you are moving.
Use pulleys to change the angle of target travel.
Try this with a tactical shotgun. With slugs. Or buckshot. Or with a semi-auto or bolt action rifle.
Lessons:
This kind of target automatically bounces side to side. This is probably realistic for two-legged adversaries.
Taking even one step off the line of attack is a good tactic against a rapidly approaching adversary, especially if of the two-legged variety. This works especially well the closer the target approaches.
Getting good hits on a moving target is tough. Hitting a moving target while the shooter is moving is even tougher. But practice with this kind of setup really improves proficiency.
And it is FUN!
Build a low (just above ground level), heavy, 4-wheel platform. Maybe 30"x30" or 36"x36". Solid tires work best. Attach 50 feet of rope to it. Build a target stand on the cart. Attach a target that is the size and orientation of the adversary you want to start with.
Secure a 180 (270 or even 360 would be even better) degree range. And a buddy.
Shooter starts facing downrange. Target is downrange as far as possible (perhaps 50 feet?). Rope is laid on the ground, passing by the shooter's feet.
Buddy grabs rope just behind shooter and moves uprange, pulling cart toward shooter. Shooter engages target as long as it is at a safe angle.
Variations:
Start with man-size, man-height, square-on target. Change target orientation, height, etc. Use balloons to simulate human 3-d profile. Big balloons for thoracic, smaller for head. Rig 3-dimensional target analogs (watermelon, cantelope, apples, etc.) lower to the ground to simulate animal kill zones.
Buddy starts walking slowly, then faster. Then jogs. Then runs as fast as he can.
Shooter begins standing. Later, try shooting while retreating, moving off the line of attack to either side, or quartering away. I've even tried advancing toward the target.
Note: at first, you should learn to shoot while moving using stationary targets. Steel works well. Only after you've become competent shooting at stationary targets should you try to shoot at moving targets while you are moving.
Use pulleys to change the angle of target travel.
Try this with a tactical shotgun. With slugs. Or buckshot. Or with a semi-auto or bolt action rifle.
Lessons:
This kind of target automatically bounces side to side. This is probably realistic for two-legged adversaries.
Taking even one step off the line of attack is a good tactic against a rapidly approaching adversary, especially if of the two-legged variety. This works especially well the closer the target approaches.
Getting good hits on a moving target is tough. Hitting a moving target while the shooter is moving is even tougher. But practice with this kind of setup really improves proficiency.
And it is FUN!
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Nature Boy
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#1. Pulling a muscle trying to load it into the Ranger
trackskippy
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I dont know, this looks like it might have been a change your drawers moment.
Saw this on TikTok yesterday.....
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdMpL6HJ/
And he already had the gun in his hands.
Saw this on TikTok yesterday.....
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdMpL6HJ/
And he already had the gun in his hands.
JR24
Member
Or drag it out of the ravine/bramble patch/fallen tree/pond/river it always runs into while dying, just to stick it to me one last time.
trackskippy
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LOL. I was a land surveyor for a good part of my life and spent a lot of time in the woods. We used to use the deer trails to get around a lot, and they used to use our cut lines a lot too. "If you cut it, they will come". Might want to keep that in mind.
It was always amazing to us when you have to get down on your hands and knees sometimes just to try and get through the green briars and brambles where they were obviously going and always wondered how those big bucks, with those big racks, just blasted right through there, like it was nothing, when you come out the other side looking like you just got out of a big bag of pissed off cats.
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