LOL! I saw on Walker, Texas Ranger that if you made direct eye contact with the bear and stood your ground that the bear would acknowlege you and retreat. Anyone tried this? Dennis
Carry the gun you're most familiar with and consistently make good hits with.I live in serious black bear country...and the grizzly population is on a definite rise. I also do lots of hiking in surrounding areas of high grizzly density (around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, etc.) and am trying to decide on a practical bear protection carry rig. I own a stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 5.5" barrel (.44 mag) and a LOT of different .357 mag revolvers both double and single actions (.38/.357 is my favorite cal to play with). I've always carried a .357 Mag with heavy loads in the past when I'm out hiking/fishing/camping but I'm starting to feel a bit under-gunned when it comes to hearing about some of the resent bear attacks that have occurred in my part of the country over the last couple years. I also own a full-sized Glock 9mm that is super accurate and it has a hi-cap magazine that holds something like 18 rounds. I am a decent shot with my .357s and the Glock...but have really only put maybe 50 rounds through the .44 since I've owned it....so my experience with this caliber is really quite limited. Recoil has not been a problem with the .44 mag....it's just that I've always had the most fun with my .38/.357 revolvers, so I use them the most by far.
QUESTIONS: Would I be better off using the Super Blackhawk (single action = a little slower to reload) or possibly the quick-into-action 9mm with LOTS of ammo in the magazine or just stick with my usual .357 six-guns? I use a short barreled .357 Blackhawk a quite a bit so I'm experienced enough with a Ruger single action to not always be fumbling all over the place during a reload….but who knows how cool I'd be under the kind of pressure I'd feel when a big bear is chewing on my leg??!!! I'm thinking that any of them would probably be fine regarding black bears (although I did have a close "run-in" last fall with the largest black bear I've ever seen...no shots fired… but I was REAL close to start throwing hot lead!). My worry really is the possible grizzly "run-in"....I'm wondering if 6 rounds of .357 mag would be enough in such a case. I should mention that I am going to purchase and start carrying some bear spray as my first line of defense as of this week. I should also mention that I always carry openly in a strong-side belt holster when hiking/camping. Please give me any opinions you can offer that might help me out with my dilemma. Thanks!
--Anna Sophia
93 Outdoor Sports in Salmon, ID usually has a good selection of BB bear loads.I do have an older 870 Wingmaster pump 12 gauge that I was considering turning into a home protection type set-up. I got it cheap at an auction a few years ago....some dope hack-sawed the last few inches off the barrel so there's no choke (just a straight pipe with a vented rib). I thought about getting a new barrel for it, but they want something like $250+ for a replacement, which is probably close to what the gun is worth in the first place. I really don't think I'll ever hike much with it on me (just simply too heavy and bulky!)...but it does sound nice to have in the car when just car-camping. How would a sawed off barrel with no choke work with slugs or heavy buckshot? Would it really need a new barrel or screw-in choke to hit the broad side of a barn....or bear?...or would it be fine as is? I patterned once it along side another shotgun with a fixed modified choke on a big piece of paper with No. 7 1/2 shot right after I got it and it was a pretty large spread at 30 yards.....probably about twice as large as the mod choked gun.
Today I called all around and there's no place near me that even has so much as one box of .44mag ammo in stock that's not lighter weight hollow points. I'm heading out on a week-long camping/hiking trip around the Idaho/Montana boarder and Glacier NP this next week and need to get something quick. If I can't find anything, I might be stuck with just the bear spray and a .357.
Any thoughts on the sawed off barrel? If I were to use it as a cut with no choke tube...would I be better off cutting it a bit shorter (it's now about 26") for the sake of ease of use in a quick situation and in possible tight cover?
--Anna Sophia
In my opinion, a short barrel rifle carried on a shoulder sling it probably as fast to get into action as a handgun in a holster and chambered in something like the 45/70 is easily 4 times more effective. Say a hard cast 350 gr. bullet at about 1700 fps should do the trick nicely.I live in serious black bear country...and the grizzly population is on a definite rise. I also do lots of hiking in surrounding areas of high grizzly density (around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, etc.) and am trying to decide on a practical bear protection carry rig. I own a stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 5.5" barrel (.44 mag) and a LOT of different .357 mag revolvers both double and single actions (.38/.357 is my favorite cal to play with). I've always carried a .357 Mag with heavy loads in the past when I'm out hiking/fishing/camping but I'm starting to feel a bit under-gunned when it comes to hearing about some of the resent bear attacks that have occurred in my part of the country over the last couple years. I also own a full-sized Glock 9mm that is super accurate and it has a hi-cap magazine that holds something like 18 rounds. I am a decent shot with my .357s and the Glock...but have really only put maybe 50 rounds through the .44 since I've owned it....so my experience with this caliber is really quite limited. Recoil has not been a problem with the .44 mag....it's just that I've always had the most fun with my .38/.357 revolvers, so I use them the most by far.
QUESTIONS: Would I be better off using the Super Blackhawk (single action = a little slower to reload) or possibly the quick-into-action 9mm with LOTS of ammo in the magazine or just stick with my usual .357 six-guns? I use a short barreled .357 Blackhawk a quite a bit so I'm experienced enough with a Ruger single action to not always be fumbling all over the place during a reload….but who knows how cool I'd be under the kind of pressure I'd feel when a big bear is chewing on my leg??!!! I'm thinking that any of them would probably be fine regarding black bears (although I did have a close "run-in" last fall with the largest black bear I've ever seen...no shots fired… but I was REAL close to start throwing hot lead!). My worry really is the possible grizzly "run-in"....I'm wondering if 6 rounds of .357 mag would be enough in such a case. I should mention that I am going to purchase and start carrying some bear spray as my first line of defense as of this week. I should also mention that I always carry openly in a strong-side belt holster when hiking/camping. Please give me any opinions you can offer that might help me out with my dilemma. Thanks!
--Anna Sophia
a Rem Tac 14 with a sling or folding brace is not to difficult to carry. Only 26In long. A large heavy caliber handgun usually requires some form of decent "chest" rig to be useful, and is not the easiest firearm to hit with for many people. The idea of somehow being the quick draw artist, using your Gunsite Four Point draw stoke when ole Mr Bear pops out, just does not seem likely to me. If I am in Bear country, i will have the TAC 14 on a sling ready to go. as I'm walking. If you can afford it , The Rem versa 13 auto (like the TAC 14) is even better. Why else carry a firearm if you don't think there is a reasonable possibility that you will need it, and are prepared too. IMHOSmall shotguns may be great defense, but few people are going to routinely carry one. Why? Because they're too big. Therefore if that is your choice, you are in more danger because you'll often leave it behind. A handgun can be a routine carry item.
I have no problem carrying my .44 magnum in a side holster. Some do like chest harnesses, not me. As to the Tac-13, there's no way I'm carrying a 26.5" gun with me when I'm fishing.I think
a Rem Tac 14 with a sling or folding brace is not to difficult to carry. Only 26In long. A large heavy caliber handgun usually requires some form of decent "chest" rig to be useful, and is not the easiest firearm to hit with for many people. The idea of somehow being the quick draw artist, using your Gunsite Four Point draw stoke when ole Mr Bear pops out, just does not seem likely to me. If I am in Bear country, i will have the TAC 14 on a sling ready to go. as I'm walking. If you can afford it , The Rem versa 13 auto (like the TAC 14) is even better. Why else carry a firearm if you don't think there is a reasonable possibility that you will need it, and are prepared too. IMHO
Yes, if you are engaged in another activity, then it is easier to have a side arm.I have no problem carrying my .44 magnum in a side holster. Some do like chest harnesses, not me. As to the Tac-13, there's no way I'm carrying a 26.5" gun with me when I'm fishing.
What do you have time for? Not much I would guess.I do have to comment that, based on the one bluff charge I faced, it is unlikely you will have time to get a handgun loose and also unlikely for multiple hits.
I can see using spray as first defense. Hitting the target is much easier!Stand straight, open your jacket, yell and c**p!
I pretty much keep spray handy ("holster" unsnapped or in my hand).
Bears are vry very fast. They can outrun a horse at short distance.I can see using spray as first defense. Hitting the target is much easier!