fly Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I'm considering purchasing a new handgun. The use would primarily be for something lighter than a rifle to carry into the woods while setting up baits while black bear hunting. It would also serve as a back-up while hunting. Last year I borrowed a 357 mag. stainless Taurus revolver. I believe the model number was 627SS4. It had a longer barrel and my accuracy was good, but the thing was very heavy which made me think I needed something lighter. I'm not going to be practice shooting much, just want something reliable and accurate, weather resistant (rain), and not to heavy. I'm also thinking a 45 cal. would be better for bear? Given those requirements what would you buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) My Springfield Armory XD 45 tactical is very accurate and well balanced in my hands. The longer slide and 5" barrel helps the balance and accuracy. It offers a 13+1 capacity. I'm sure Glock offers the same thing. This is obviously not a hunting rig as it sounds like you don't intend it to be. It would be a tad large for a CC gun if you later wanted that. If you were hunting the 357 would be a better choice (though not ideal) for bear than the 45. I doubt a 45 makes the legal ballistics requirements for hunting in most states. But a self defense gun needs to be easily accessed and manuevered, and a large caliber revolver is not exactly that. But to defend yourself 13+1 of 45acp or 6 of .38 or .357 I suppose is arguable but I would pick the 45. Edited March 2, 2009 by PotashRLS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 The Smith and Wesson 329PD fits the bill. It's a light weight 4" barreled .44 magnum, the down side is more recoil and price, other than that it's a great choice for the person that chooses to pack something powerful yet light. I'm not going to be practice shooting much, just want something reliable and accurate IMHO When it comes to handguns, accuracy comes with practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Might think about a Glock 10MM or a Taurus Tracker 44Mag. When it comes to being around bears I don't think you could have too much gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 The 4 inch Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun in 44 magnum with 240 grain hard cast bullets is probably the best compromise to carry and shoot. They make a Bounty Hunter with a 3 inch barrel too. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stcif Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'll never forget this simple, but very true quote from the video "Handgun Stopping Power" . The quote is, "A pistol is not a rifle". I tell this to a lot of people who talk handguns for self defense. If I had to choose a handgun primarily for the bear woods, I would choose something for worst case scenario, which is a bear attack. So if I felt I may be a victim of a bear attack I would choose something like a Smith and Wesson .460 or .500. As for reliability you can't beat a revolver. Yes firepower is important but I don't foresee 14 shots at a bear. Who knows, I guess anything could happen. I personally know someone who shot a bear with his .45 ACP. One shot entered the chest and went through the heart. The bear ran a short distance and dropped. I still wouldn't recommend it for a gun to be used to keep me alive in a bad situation. This bear was shot as it was entering a camp and was more of a self defense, no better option situation. As for a backup for hunting, what type of hunting? I don't even think the words "knockdown power" should ever be used when talking handguns, unless we are talking about the big ones, like I mentioned. Good luck in your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 As for a backup for hunting, what type of hunting? It would be for black bear hunting. It's pretty tough to carry in a bait and rifle at the same time and I'd feel better knowing I had "something" just in case my 300 RUM failed. Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep them coming I'm not sold as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 The 44 magnum with a 240 grain hard cast lead bullet at 1100 fps out of the 4 inch Smith is effective on game up to the size of elk if you hit somethimg vital. Learning to shoot your choice of gun and adequate pentration is essential. I've shot the 500 Smith and it's not something you'll shoot enough to be competant with. It's expensive and hurts. the 44 you can practice with 44 specials and become a resaonably good shot with. Don't use self defense ammo designed for humans. It is designed to penetrate little so you don't overpenetrate and hurt someone else. The 45 will work with hard ball ammo. But remember that no matter what you use you have to hit them where they live. I had a friend who had bear spray when he was attacked by a black bear. (It had been wounded and was laying down resting unknown to my friend who walked right into him) He said that the bear was immediately repelled and actually clawed and eye out trying to get it out of his eyes. They went back and shot it later. Bear Spray may be an alternative if you don't have time to master the handgun. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnor Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I carry a 40S&W Springfield XD for defense against two legged critters and in non-beary woods. But if I were in bear country, I'd want a 44 magnum revolver. And if you do go that route, you can use 44 special for two legged defense and for practice, so you get best of both IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 The 4 inch Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun in 44 magnum with 240 grain hard cast bullets is probably the best compromise to carry and shoot. They make a Bounty Hunter with a 3 inch barrel too. Mark Mark, I think the 44mag mountain gun looks interesting. Can't seem to locate a new one for price info. Anyone know of a reasonable on-line place to look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 My brother bought a 444 marlin for $450 at sportsman's warehouse about a week a ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooperkenny Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) ... I had a friend who had bear spray when he was attacked by a black bear. (It had been wounded and was laying down resting unknown to my friend who walked right into him) He said that the bear was immediately repelled and actually clawed and eye out trying to get it out of his eyes. They went back and shot it later. Bear Spray may be an alternative if you don't have time to master the handgun. Mark Some recent studies show that the spray was more effective than firearms during bear attacks. Understand that I'm constantly looking to expand my collection of handguns and rifles but the spray option is looking pretty good while running the bear baits or hunting - affordable, lightweight, easy to carry and effective Some related links (many more can be found online): http://newsminer.com/news/2008/apr/20/study-shows-bear-repellent-spray-effective/ http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9gleLpJVyMBYalXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycXJlZW1yBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0gxODdfOTU-/SIG=132khqbn7/EXP=1237043621/**http%3a//www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/bear%2520spray.pdf Edited March 13, 2009 by yooperkenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I read that bear spray can be effective. I would still want to carry a handgun though. My luck the wind would be howling and the spray would end up back in my face. Some recent studies show that the spray was more effective than firearms during bear attacks. Understand that I'm constantly looking to expand my collection of handguns and rifles but the spray option is looking pretty good while running the bear baits or hunting - affordable, lightweight, easy to carry and effective Some related links (many more can be found online): http://newsminer.com/news/2008/apr/20/study-shows-bear-repellent-spray-effective/ http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9gleLpJVyMBYalXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycXJlZW1yBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0gxODdfOTU-/SIG=132khqbn7/EXP=1237043621/**http%3a//www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/bear%2520spray.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnor Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 If you have the moolah, why not carry bear spray and a revolver? Best of both worlds! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Fly, google it. There aren't any out there right now. The S&W Bounty Hunter with the 3 inch barrel is another option. It feels like the old Lou Horton Special which was a wonderful firearm. Here's one link I found. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/43753 Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnor Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 All this talk of 44 Mags drove me past the point of no return: Bought a Taurus Tracker 44 today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 For hunting black bears, the .44 Mag is an acceptable choice. For defense against bears, the .44 Mag will feel awfully small in your hands but it could work. A .45 ACP is not what you want for either job. A .45 LC would, however, be about on par with the .44 Mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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