Trail gun.

[God&huntingdogs]

Due to recent circumstances I had to liquidate some of my collectin to fund my dogs mishap. He is on the mend and soon my collection will be too. The last time I was in West Virginia I ran into three black bears while on the trail, a mother and her cubs within spitting distance. The cubs scrambled away up the mountain, the mother stood on her hind legs and stood her ground until we beat feet. This time I would like to get a firearm that is both lightweight for trail and everyday ccw, I was thinking a smith 386pd or the 329NG. Pretty much anything that can take care of black bear in a high performance alloy. Right now the only wheel gun I have is a colt saa in 45acp and that's staying in the safe! 8)

 

[Pal Val]

Opinions on this matter vary as much as the colors on the rainbow. Your criteria are clear: A gun suitable for deterring (and possibly dispatching) a black bear while suitable for ccw. I'll venture a suggestion, based on personal experience and the fact that this is a forum where Ruger is favored. The SP101 .357mag with a 3"barrel. It's as close as I can get to your specs without getting into serious controversy as to what's a gun suitable for ccw. The GP100 with a 3" barrel makes a close choice, depending on the wearer's preferences. Also, there's the Super Redhawk Alaskan, which reaches the level of grizzly repellant. As to weight, you go from 27 to 36 to 45 oz. in those three.

I'll admit that there are many other suitable choices, so don't take my word as any intention of finality.

 

[stevemb]

I have two revolvers that I consider able to "crossover", from CCW to trailgun. This for here, black bears are the big critter threat. A C.A. Bulldog and a Vaq Sheriff. Both are .44spec.. I like and agree with PalVal's advice above too. I stood off a healthy sized male black bear last fall in the ANF while walking the dog. Was quite happy to have the Bulldog on me. No shots were fired. That also made me happy ! No change of underwear required. stevemb

 

[ADP3]

I have an immense fondness for my Rugers, but for a light weight, walking around woods gun a Glock Model 20 in 10mm loaded with Buffalo Bore or the equivalent ammunition has a lot going for it. 15 + 1 rounds of 10mm is a lot of security against four-legged and two-legged critters. A 6" barrel is available to boost velocity beyond the stock barrel.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[BearBio]

Remember, you'll only get one shot at a bear before he's on you. (I was charged in ANF, btw.).

I used a modified Birdshead in 45 for a while (modified it by putting a Bisley grip on it). Worked well.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Suggest the airweight S&W 44 Mag.
Figure any quality 250--270g LSWC or WFN at 1,000-1,100fps sufficient for blackies.

 

[woodman39]

Local gun shop has this for sale, it will do the job.
http://porterspawn.com/gunbroker.html

 

[6gun]

Your trying to protect yourself from an animal that takes a large cal. rifle bullet to take down and you want to do it with a carry gun?

Speaking as a experianced bear hunter, if your going to be encounting many bear in the future I would suggest getting use to packing a rifle a 45-70 would do you just fine, save the hand gun as a back up gun incase anything should happen to the rifle during a bear attack.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I think most people have multiple guns that would work. A good hard cast at 1000 fps, will penetrate at least as much as a rifle, sometimes more. I've got a 329 PD, would like to have a 329 NG. I've got enough other guns it's hard to justify. A 200 Grain HC at 900 FPS would put most animals in jepardy. As bear bio said the issue is how well you can shoot a handgun and there in lies the problem for most folks. Frankly most people can shoot a rifle better than a handgun, so you have to make your own judgement regarding your ability. For some folks Bear Spray may ought to be used as a primary tool, with a hand gun as a good back up. If you trust bear spray that is.

 

[Rodfac]

That's a tough nut to crack...a gun that's big and powerful enough for black bear is most likely too big to be useful as a CCW. All that said, I'd go for one of the S&W Mountain Guns in .44 Magnum, .41 Magnum or .45 Colt. Loaded appropriately, you'll get off one shot and if it's well placed, it will do the job. Locals that I respect in Anchorage, AK, carry shotguns while fishing, though one has one of Smith's .500's. And to a man, they feel undergunned! Best regards, Rod

 

[nrobe50]

I made a deal with the bears a long time ago.....if they will stay out of the bars I will stay out of the woods

 

[Ray Newman]

"Your trying to protect yourself from an animal that takes a large cal. rifle bullet to take down and you want to do it with a carry gun? "
--6Gun

That was my initial reaction.

I also think that you are arming yourself with a CCW pistol or any type of pistol for protection in bear country, best better set up and diligently follow a good shooting practice routine.

 

[Heliman]

I have an immense fondness for my Rugers, but for a light weight, walking around woods gun a Glock Model 20 in 10mm loaded with Buffalo Bore or the equivalent ammunition has a lot going for it. 15 + 1 rounds of 10mm is a lot of security against four-legged and two-legged critters. A 6" barrel is available to boost velocity beyond the stock barrel.

Best Regards,
ADP3

An even more compact choice in 10mm would be a Glock 29. With a 10mm you can get pretty close to 41 Mag ballistics. It is also small enough to be a good conceal carry choice around town for them ornery 2 legged critters ....
:wink:

Dave :D

 

[TinkerDave]

S&W Model 629 Mountian Gun - 4" pencil barrel to make it light in the holster, 44 magnum to give you a chance when meeting a bear face-to-face. TD

 

[308longdistance]

Opinions on this matter vary as much as the colors on the rainbow. Your criteria are clear: A gun suitable for deterring (and possibly dispatching) a black bear while suitable for ccw. I'll venture a suggestion, based on personal experience and the fact that this is a forum where Ruger is favored. The SP101 .357mag with a 3"barrel. It's as close as I can get to your specs without getting into serious controversy as to what's a gun suitable for ccw. The GP100 with a 3" barrel makes a close choice, depending on the wearer's preferences. Also, there's the Super Redhawk Alaskan, which reaches the level of grizzly repellant. As to weight, you go from 27 to 36 to 45 oz. in those three.

I'll admit that there are many other suitable choices, so don't take my word as any intention of finality.

Not the only choice........but not a bad one for Black Bear.

 

[Heliman]

My problem with a small .357 is the ability of the shooter to make a well placed shot with a marginal round on a big Black bear. Every one knows it is tougher to become competent with small framed, short barreled revolvers. If a person is going to carry a small revolver like an SP101 with a 5 shot capacity, you better practice, practice, practice......

My smaller easier to conceal choices would be either a bigger bore or higher capacity platform. The original poster has his limitations on what he wants to carry, but you need to balance that with shootability and terminal performance.

My 2 personal minimum choices are a Glock 29 10mm or S&W 696 44 Spec. JMO. :D

Dave :wink:

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I wish I hadn't even responded to this post. Just too many premises given here, as fact that I can not accept. I know way too many incidents of people using multiple shots at bears. I've seen some ridiculous guns being carried because people were so scared of bears their judgement went out the window. Shotguns with a pistol grip but no way to shoulder the thing to shoot it accurately. Truth is most folks even in Alaska carry a 44 mag. I will just go back to what I have said before if you are concerned about bears, of which ever flavor get and read the books by James Gary Shelton. I lived for 4 years in the arctic with polar bears and know too many folks that shot them with very light caliber weapons. Get educated .

 

[Heliman]

I wish I hadn't even responded to this post. Just too many premises given here, as fact that I can not accept. I know way too many incidents of people using multiple shots at bears. I've seen some ridiculous guns being carried because people were so scared of bears their judgement went out the window. Shotguns with a pistol grip but no way to shoulder the thing to shoot it accurately. Truth is most folks even in Alaska carry a 44 mag. I will just go back to what I have said before if you are concerned about bears, of which ever flavor get and read the books by James Gary Shelton. I lived for 4 years in the arctic with polar bears and know too many folks that shot them with very light caliber weapons. Get educated .

I agree completely..... Personally, I have only had two close contacts with bears in more than 50 years of woods walking or hunting. In one case, the bear ran away like it was shot out of a cannon. I was deer hunting and armed with a Ruger #1 .243 and a S&W 29 4" as a back-up. The other time a mother bear with 2 cubs acted threateningly toward me, but eventually ran off. In that case I had a 30-06 rifle and .357 Blackhawk with 180gr hardcast hunting loads.

When just hiking in the bear woods, I personally carry a Super Blackhawk or S&W 28-2 with 180gr hard cast hunting loads. The key is that I can shoot both well enough to feel protected against a RARE bear encounter.

 

[pyth0n]

Remember, you'll only get one shot at a bear before he's on you. (I was charged in ANF, btw.).

I used a modified Birdshead in 45 for a while (modified it by putting a Bisley grip on it). Worked well.

Then there's this. :shock: :)
Twig snap alerts dog-walker to charging grizzly

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2009/08/13/897940/twig-snap-alerts-dog-walker-to.html#storylink=cpy
He drew a Ruger .454 Casull revolver. There was no time to aim, barely time to squeeze the trigger. He's not sure whether he got off two shots or three, but one proved fatal.

"Total luck shot," he said.

Just another example.

 

[Ray Newman]

" The key is that I can shoot both well enough to feel protected...."
--Heliman

BINGO!

 

[Poco Oso]

I wish I hadn't even responded to this post. Just too many premises given here, as fact that I can not accept. I know way too many incidents of people using multiple shots at bears. I've seen some ridiculous guns being carried because people were so scared of bears their judgement went out the window. Shotguns with a pistol grip but no way to shoulder the thing to shoot it accurately. Truth is most folks even in Alaska carry a 44 mag. I will just go back to what I have said before if you are concerned about bears, of which ever flavor get and read the books by James Gary Shelton. I lived for 4 years in the arctic with polar bears and know too many folks that shot them with very light caliber weapons. Get educated .

I agree completely..... Personally, I have only had two close contacts with bears in more than 50 years of woods walking or hunting. In one case, the bear ran away like it was shot out of a cannon. I was deer hunting and armed with a Ruger #1 .243 and a S&W 29 4" as a back-up. The other time a mother bear with 2 cubs acted threateningly toward me, but eventually ran off. In that case I had a 30-06 rifle and .357 Blackhawk with 180gr hardcast hunting loads.

When just hiking in the bear woods, I personally carry a Super Blackhawk or S&W 28-2 with 180gr hard cast hunting loads. The key is that I can shoot both well enough to feel protected against a RARE bear encounter.

+1! The whole post is worth a Quote. :mrgreen:

 

[powder smoke]

IMO for personal protection in the woods weight would not be a consideration, lets face it handguns are not that heavy! My choice would be a 44 redhawk with a 5.5 barrel. That is my "Woods Gun" ps

 

[Big E3]

When reading the OP it appears that something light enough to always have on you is what he's asking for here. I think everyone here in a perfect world would have a rifle with them, that said it needs to always be with you. I have and carry three different guns when out in the mountains of Colorado: Glock 20 or 29, 10mm's with Double Tap hard cast or Taurus 450t titanium 45lc with Double Tap. The thing with a bear if he's on top of you the slide guns may jamb after one shot. With revolvers you should be able to keep squeezing the trigger as long as you are conscious. I tend to lean towards the 450t just because of the 19.8 oz. weight and revolver reliability, the ported barrel helps reduce recoil.

 

[gramps]

BigE3, welcome to the forum! In black bear country I carry an sp101 .357 mag with a 3 inch barrel stoked with 200 gr Corbons, or a CA Bulldog .44 spcl with hand loads lswc 240 gr over 14 grs 2400. When in big bear country a 4 inch barreled Redhawk .44 mag stoked with lwfn 300 gr over 14 grs 2400. All have worked well as talisman's, and never saw any bear outside of a zoo.
gramps

 

[foilist]

I'd think a 44 Mag would do the job. I know there are a lot of opinions already mentioned but a 44 Mag will take down just about anything in North American. You could get one in a four inch barrel DA or SA. There is a SBH distributor exclusive on Ruger's Website that has a 3.75 inch barrel and weighs 44oz.

 

[God&huntingdogs]

Ill try my hand at one of the 396 mountain lites, or smiths new 5 shot 44 mag when it gets out.

 

[David LaPell]

For a long time the only trail gun I carried was my Model 27 Smith 3 1/2 inch barrel .357, but then bills came along and that got sold, now I am down to three handguns (hopefully in a few months I can put together some funds to get another trail gun) but right now if I venture out into the woods its likely to be my Blackhawk with a load of cast #358429's behind some 2400 powder. If I carry my Model 649 Smith, they either have a mild load of those same bullets or some 196 grain #358430 round nose bullets with Unique powder. I have black bears to worry about not the big monsters, but its nice to be prepared, but I am more likely to encounter two legged predators instead of the four legged kind.

 

[silverback]

It would be the redhawk 45 colt 4.2 inch barrel with the simply rugged chest puller rig.

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

I took out a young black bear that my Lab was teasing. The bear stood up, and I emptied my Model 21 Glock into the bear. I was about 35 feet away, and I had Winchester Silver Tip ammo. Expensive bear! Made trail bologna mixed with venison. I usually have my M657 S&w. I also pack a 44 mag when I go up in bear country. bhk P.S. forgot to say, I carry a Bisley Blackhawk, SS, 44 mag and it is "Handy".

 

[Three44s]

My opinion is that if you want real protection in a handgun ......... it starts with the .44 mag and goes up from there.

The .41 mag is an also ran ......... but to get to the performance, you will have recoil that's for all intents and purposes a mirror of the .44 mag. I know, I own two of them!

And those that can't stand the S&W 329 have not really mastered the .44 to start with. I have shot the 329 ........ and like it, not with mouse farts either. If I had the money and found one for sale reasonable ...... it'd come home with me. Meanwhile my 629 MG will suffice. A 4 or 5.5 inch RH would have a performance edge over the 4" Smith but my RH is a 7.5 version. It's a hunting weapon rather than a SD gun.

My opinion ........... shoot your arrows at a bear, not me!

Three 44s