This poll is from an ammunition company.
Just sayin'.

 

Would you rather CNN or MSNBC to conduct the poll??

 

Just one instance and not what you build a study on, but one worked for me. It was a black bear attacking my kitchen, not me, but I took it down with a Sig Sauer P365XL. I did have the added advantage of having an enclosed space and an easy target, but it did the trick.

 

Totally different animal. 200gr min bullet at at least 1000fps will take a black bear, so a 41mag is adequate and even a .357 with 180gr bullet at 1150+ fps will do the job.

 

I've seen just the opposite as well.
Things to consider:

If you do not have gun in hand at time of innocent, not going to help you.
Also, same with bear spray. If it's not in your belt or easily accessible, then it's just as ineffective.

I carry bear spray personality.

 

I've seen just the opposite as well.
Things to consider:

If you do not have gun in hand at time of innocent, not going to help you.
Also, same with bear spray. If it's not in your belt or easily accessible, then it's just as ineffective.

I carry bear spray personality.

Good luck! Far more variables because of the wind than with a handgun.

 

Ive always been skeptical of those studies that say bear spray is more effective. Don't sit quite right with me. I feel the undercurrent of an alterior motive.

 

I think bear spray is good to slow up the bear so you can shoot it more calmly.They need a bear spray /gun piggy back system.

 

This is about the most realistic way Ive seen anyone practice for this sort of thing. I think he did a pretty good job of it and it.

You can have the biggest and baddest guns in the world, but if you cant shoot them realistically, you're just fooling yourself.

He did a rifle and shotgun video too.

 

I used to take a 12 gauge with me. Then I changed to a 44 revolver. But I’m going to change back to the pump, I think.

 

Maybe just me, but the type of bears might be good info.

Lobo

 

Each incident listed in the article has the type of bear listed...its in the article...

 

Backpacking, daughter carries bear spray, son and I carry 44 mags. If her spray doesn't stop it, we will drop it

Probably a good plan, as long as you're together and watching her back. Many bear attacks are so fast there's little time to even get a shot or two off. When I'm out where big bears frequent, I still often carry bear spray in addition to my gun, but I'm not hopeful of the spray, nor is it likely to be my first response.

Ive always been skeptical of those studies that say bear spray is more effective. Don't sit quite right with me. I feel the undercurrent of an alterior motive.

And you would be correct. Those studies were done with the main objective of reducing bear deaths. And I get it, we don't want people blazing away at every bear they see, but to give people false confidence in bear spray is wrong too. Even in just the last few years, there have been people killed by bears after emptying their can of spray at them.

You'll notice the experienced guides in Alaska that take folks out just to see the bears, draw their guns when the bears get to close, not their spray.

I think bear spray is good to slow up the bear so you can shoot it more calmly.They need a bear spray /gun piggy back system.

Again, if the bear is within effective spray range, you're unlikely to get a shot off, if you have spray in your hand and it doesn't work.

 

98% effective.... 2% would beg to differ. But the article lists 44 mag, 10mm, 22lr, even a rubber bullet. So bring whatcha got when hitting the trail.

 

Well, remember some of that is shot placement, and luck. People take hits in the 10 ring and sometimes don't fall down, because the bullet sneaked by their important stuff. And more than 2% of the time.

 

I survived a bear attack. The ferociousness and speed are impossible to comprehend until you've faced it.

Although I knew something was tracking me for over a half-mile, I'm not sure I could have drawn my handgun and got off an aimed shot as he charged. Thankfully, I carried a levergun in my hand - not slung over my shoulder - and was able to hit him with a heavy cast bullet perfectly under the chin (head down as he charged) and directly into his chest. It turned just enough to give me a chance to hammer him two more times behind the shoulders before he disappeared int heavy brush.

I'll say it again. The speed during an attack is difficult/impossible to grasp. Imagine crossing a street only to turn your head an instant before a speeding car strikes you. It really happens that quickly.

One thing I changed while out hiking is how I carry a handgun. Rather than strongside, I use a cross draw with the butt in front of my hip. I'm far quicker at drawing and getting into action. Also, I moved from a single action revolver to a semi-auto. I want as many aimed shots as possible send downrange - usually .45ACP or 10mm loaded with cast bullets.

As to bear spray, the same thing. Everything has to be perfect to deploy. No strong sidewind or wind in your face. Plus, if it's not in your hand, successful deployment ain't happenin'.

 

Yeah, as an old SASS shooter, the guys that carry heavy loaded Super Blackhawks for bear protection, are damn fools that read too much Elmer Keith.....

 

Just great. Now we will have everyone using this site as “proof” that you only need a .22 to take down a grizzly. Was this site made by committee to elect democrats? I can see their gun control speech now: “SEE?!?! No one should own anything more than a 22! It can take down a grizzly!”

 

Jeff Cooper's concept of "Thumper" would make an ideal bear protection gun. An AR SBR or braced pistol in .458 Socom or 450 bushmaster, with the right load, would be mighty comforting walking through the bush.

 

Having built a 450 and a 50 Beowulf, I love them both, but I will say that nothing would comfort me more than carrying my 4570.

 

I got a mess of 45-70's, and I've hunted with and carried them all over, but I think even a slightly less powerful semi auto with good bullets would be my preference, at least most places.

BEAR GUNS 🐻

Kentucky Ballistics



Glock 29 with Underwood 10mm 200gr FMJ
Not too bad!!!



I would say to step it up to the G20 or maybe the G40 even. The G29 can be a hand full.

 

BEAR GUNS 🐻

Kentucky Ballistics



Glock 29 with Underwood 10mm 200gr FMJ
Not too bad!!!

Well, maybe on Kentucky Bears.....

The problem with FMJ or round nose bullets is, depending on the angle, they can skid off hard things like bone, especially FMJ with soft lead bullets under the jacket. The same thing happens with car doors, windshields and human skulls. Being hit in the head with a .45 acp FMJ and having the bullet track around just under the scalp without penetrating, is not completely uncommon, I've seen it several times. We had occupied police cars shot up with 20-30 9mm ball without a single penetration, (thankfully). Better bullet shapes, SWC, even truncated cone, can mitigate that quite a bit.

While some 10mm fans go over the top a bit, equating their round with a .44mag, etc, with good ammo, it's probably a better choice than a hot .44 for the majority of people. And there's no need to push the 10 with ridiculous overloads either. A 200 grain cast bullet at 1150-1200 will likely be all you need to poke a hole in even a pretty large bear's skull.

 

Younger I had ideas of going to Alaska and hunting there.
Among the many stories I have read one impressed me the most of a man almost home on a walk and a big griz came running up behind him only hearing a twig crack. He had a Ruger .454 in a chest pack and began unloading itno the bear and backing up at the same time. "Bear killed in self defence with a Ruger .454 causal"
The bear finally dropped about where he first began shooting and had several good hits. Getting the bear on the trailer with friends they estimated it to be about 800 lbs and very old Most of it's teeth wer missing but had some very large claws.
Later I bought a Rossi .454 carbine, but due to age and physical limitations i'm afraid that ony to be a pipe dream now.
My close encounters were with year old bear cubs that were easily chased away.

 

My only close encounter was BBQing supper and a large male black came out of the dark . He stood up,did a ground pound and started coming towards me. I got in the trailer quickly and got my shotgun. He was gone when I came out and he didn't even bother with the cooking meat. If he had charged from the start I would be mauled at the very least. I've seen how fast bears are in videos .

 

When people tell me black bears aren't that dangerous, I just smile.

In one encounter, the guy was sleeping in a trailer in Colorado, when a black bear ripped the door off. The guy got off a shot with his rifle and hit the bear, but the bear killed him and ate him anyway. I never learned the caliber, but it was supposedly something considered sufficient.

Hence my preference for controllable follow up shots..... That was probably even a case where a handgun might have been a better choice.

 

Oh you guys come on. You don't need all these cannons. Just always hike with someone else and carry a .22. You don't have to out run the bear, only your companion. And they won't be moving fast with a .22 in their foot.

The best thing to have is a gun. And to have that gun when you need it.

I mostly carry a .45 1911 in grizzly country, loaded with Buffalo Bore. I have a .44 mag and probably will continue carrying it on planned hikes. But it's getting heavier every year. The only time I've been really concerned was a grizzly that stalked us a little over a quarter mile back to our car near Big Fork, MT 4 summers ago. All I had was my Glock 19 with HST and my wife's key chain OC spray. We were only about a mile outside of town. I won't be complacent like that again.

Shotguns or rifles are the wise choice, but in many places social issues of hunting laws preclude long guns. Like Yellowstone, home to several attacks. Try walking around with a .44 on your chest or a shotgun in hand. The tourists will be calling 911 every two minutes. There you need a concealed handgun and spray.

I think bear spray should be the first line in most cases. But most actual attacks seem to occur without enough warning to get spray out and in use. And bears tend to run right through it or have a delayed reaction that provides time to attack.

 

Yeah. I’ve had mine a long time, so I’ve had a little practice with it. It’s my bedroom firearm.

 

Shotguns or rifles are the wise choice, but in many places social issues of hunting laws preclude long guns. Like Yellowstone, home to several attacks. Try walking around with a .44 on your chest or a shotgun in hand. The tourists will be calling 911 every two minutes. There you need a concealed handgun and spray.

Long guns also require two hands to use effectively, which can be difficult in brush, or if you're backing up falling backwards, etc. And long guns tend to get set down when you need your hands for something else.

I think bear spray should be the first line in most cases. But most actual attacks seem to occur without enough warning to get spray out and in use. And bears tend to run right through it or have a delayed reaction that provides time to attack.

Just like people. And also just like people, successful OC spray defense is usually a matter of shock and surprise on the bear's part, not being completely debilitated by it. We sprayed some people that were completely unimpressed, and continued their attack. Some bears do the same, as the empty cans on the ground after fatal attacks have shown. I haven't heard about fatal bear attacks with empty Smith 29's or Glock 20's laying on the ground.

 

Long guns also require two hands to use effectively, which can be difficult in brush, or if you're backing up falling backwards, etc. And long guns tend to get set down when you need your hands for something else.




Just like people. And also just like people, successful OC spray defense is usually a matter of shock and surprise on the bear's part, not being completely debilitated by it. We sprayed some people that were completely unimpressed, and continued their attack. Some bears do the same, as the empty cans on the ground after fatal attacks have shown. I haven't heard about fatal bear attacks with empty Smith 29's or Glock 20's laying on the ground.

Some idiot friends and I experimented with spray a few decades ago. We miscalculated the wind and mostly fumbled around with blinded and stinging eyes for a while afterward. People don’t realize that when that spray goes out, whatever it can do to your assailant, it can also do to you. There is zero chance I think that would stop an intentional charging grizzly. But people can put their faith in a can of bear spray to use on bears who will literally stick their head straight inside a log full of stinging bees and not care, just to eat some honey. The bad thing is, the next time they do it they know it will happen and they will do it again, bee stings and all. I think spray can be a deterrent against curious bears when the conditions are right but I don’t think it’s going to stop an angry bear.

 

The best thing a person could do to improve their chances against any threat (including bears) is to practice drawing their weapon, and hitting fast moving targets.

From what I have seen, you are unlikely to get 5 second warning. More likely you need to get off your first aimed shot within one second, and add 5 more ìn the next two seconds.

If you can draw and fire 6 rounds in a fast moving basketball, all within 3 seconds, you are pretty well prepared.

 

The best thing a person could do to improve their chances against any threat (including bears) is to practice drawing their weapon, and hitting fast moving targets.

From what I have seen, you are unlikely to get 5 second warning. More likely you need to get off your first aimed shot within one second, and add 5 more ìn the next two seconds.

If you can draw and fire 6 rounds in a fast moving basketball, all within 3 seconds, you are pretty well prepared.

From bears I have seen, I feel like it is more if you throw a basketball down a bumpy hill covered in bushes and trees and try to hit that basketball with your pistol as it is bouncing erratically down the hill

 

Reality does tend to suck.

But at least some do understand there's more to this than just talking about it.

 

Which is why I'm going to be carrying a 10mm or a .45 acp with hard cast going forward. I know I can't shoot my heavy sixguns good enough anymore.

If they find my partially eaten corpse along the trail, there's probably going to a be a pistol with the slide locked back laying next to it.....

 

Well, at least you didnt die for lack of shooting back.

 

That's always been my plan. Worked well so far.

 

We have moose in town around here, and a black bear was shot in town not a quarter mile away.
Down where we fish and camp, the grizzlies are common.

These are just a couple of reasons why I can’t bring myself to go below a .40 in a pistol. I am pretty much always carrying a .40 or .45, and have a couple of spare mags nearby with heavy hard cast loads.
And I would prefer to have the 1911 along as opposed to the .44 mag I had for a while. Simply put, the .44 wasn’t as easy to make hits with, fast or otherwise.

 

We have moose in town around here, and a black bear was shot in town not a quarter mile away.
Down where we fish and camp, the grizzlies are common.

These are just a couple of reasons why I can’t bring myself to go below a .40 in a pistol. I am pretty much always carrying a .40 or .45, and have a couple of spare mags nearby with heavy hard cast loads.
And I would prefer to have the 1911 along as opposed to the .44 mag I had for a while. Simply put, the .44 wasn’t as easy to make hits with, fast or otherwise.

I would step up to a 10mm

The Glock 29 does a good job, put up a G20 and it should do a little better.

 

But what's the alternative, pepper spray?!?!? Just sayin. Pepper ball launchers might be an alternative between the 2 options, BUT there's really no research or data.

 

Learn how to bottle up purple haired woke screaming and blast it at him

 

I was researching last evening the most effective handgun against bears between a revolver and a semi auto. A video by a guy who interviewed Alaskan guides and other outdoor Alaskan professionals reported that 90% said a 10mm. I have read articles reporting the same thing lately. Soooo the trend now is a 10mm, the glock being favored. Why? Seems to me, the ease of carry, not something someone would have second thoughts about carrying. The light weight making it easy to draw from an accessible holster rather than a cross draw or across the chest. The ability to dump 15 rounds into the bear quickly vs maybe one or two shots of a heavy recoiling big bore. And the ease of aiming and realigning on target after each shot! While the big bore heavy ass revolvers have history, I think the 10mm, especially in a light weight polymer package is the trend.

 

https://www.survivalistboards.com/threads/handgun-defenses-against-bear-attacks-%E2%80%93-170-documented-incidents-98-effective.997969/post-21843547

 

A few years ago I was researching the 50 Beowulf and at the time the guides that were going after wounded grizzlies preferred having a heavy 50 beo in a semiauto. 5+1 of 600 grain is over a half pound of bullet. And to put that out in 2-3 seconds is impressive to me.

 

I've read alot of stuff on Alaskan guides and never heard of that before, but makes sense. Sounds lethal in a nice little package!

 

20+ years ago I packed a 454 Freedom Arms w/4" barrel. I was well-practiced and a good shot at the time. Then at 3AM one morning while walking my dog I saw a cougar rocket up my driveway. I realized then that I wasn't fast enough to get the gun to clear leather before that cat would be on me. To survive a guy would have to be tough enough to shoot and kill the cat while it was chewing on him. That was the day I reconsidered the best weapon for bear/cat/wolf/moose defense.

 

Jeff Cooper wrote of bringing a Colt SAA with him to the Pacific, because "he knew better than the war department". He quickly learned that he didn't.