Bear Pistol

Fella's;

A good friend of mine had a Python.  VERY sweet action, 6" barrel, and either stainless, or, more probably, nickeled.  I could stand to own one myself, but it would never be a primary gun.  I do own .357's, of various types, sizes & colors.

Perhaps I'll have to start fooling around with a heavy bullet load development this year.  Most of my shooting with the .357 has been with either 125's, 146's, or snake shot.  I do have to admit to being partial to the Speer 146gr HP semi-wadcutter.  I've always had excellent performance out of it when launched at about 1400 fps.  I know for a fact that that load will make a hell of a start at felling a small tree, 'bout 5" diameter.  On the other hand, I wouldn't consider it as a bear round.

Perhaps I can find some poor ole widder lady who'll sell me that nasty thing her late husband had.  You know, it's not even a proper 6-shooter, only gots 5 holes.  Made by some fly-by-night outfit in Wyoming.  Husband allus said it made his hand hurt to shoot it anyway.  Fifty bucks - SOLD AMERICAN!

Oh well, beats trying to tell a bear that you actually are giving free ear-mite inspections, please hold still while I shine this light in your ear.

900F

Fella's;

Another aspect of the whole theme of; what's the best compromise between weight & power, is the question of two-legged predators.  A large reason I've carried the .40 when hiking is that it's concealed, and offers more capacity than a 5 or 6 shot revolver.  I've regarded the need for protection against my fellow man as being higher than the odds of meeting another bear.

I can carry the .40 naturally under a rugby type shirt because it's been my companion for years.  It's just a normal part of my dress and I'm comfortable with having it there.  It's certainly enough to deter a trailhead robbery from some of the low-lifes.

As far as a long gun, the tricked-out 870 with alternating slugs & buck would be the lightest, most powerful unit I have.  (Thank you, King)  But still, for an on foot day hike, it's a load I'd rather not have.  Which brings us back to a pistol. 

I have to admit that I'm somewhat surprised at the number of recommendations for the .357.  Since the gun show starts today, I'll have to cruise the aisles & see what's available in heavier hard-cast bullets for .357's.  The beauty of the caliber is of course, that I already own it.  The downside would be that I'd talk myself out of another pistol.

900F

CB,

Umh.  Down to the 357 revolver...interesting.  Pretty soon you will be back to the 9mm LOL.

Look at the velocity of the 357 in a revolver and the auto 9mm in a 4 inch barrel.  Only thing you give up is the heavy bullets.  You might want to tink about that M39 Smith, more shots than the revolver, and a thinline single column mag, and an Aluminum frame.  .

I knew you would see the light when you mentioned the carry-ease of your 40 cal.  Remember, I said you should keep that 40 and use the money to take the wife on a European art muesum vacation...LOL

The S&W model 19 with 4 inch barrel is my favorite 357.  But I also have a Ruger SA, that 'feels' good.

BEAR

I've shot a few Brown Bear with a rifle. I would like to think I could kill one with my Ruger 454 Casull with a heavy hard cast bullet. My theory is, its better to knock the hell out of one with a big heavy slug than to shoot the hell out of one with a pea shooter ( 9mm). If I knew there was a high probability I would have to stop one at close range, like when your not legally hunting, just in the thick of things, I would choose a 12 gauge shotgun with buckshot and slugs. So, its a heavy rifle first and a shotgun next and a pistol LAST.

Dan

Gentlemen,

 I am holding in my slightly Parkensons induced trembling fingers the remains of a 270 grain Corelokt removed from a mid sized Brown bear killed on the beach near Cold Bay in the '70s. It looks like a Remington Advertisement bullet with a very nice mushroom, It weighs about 180 grains and was dug out of the area between the shoulders where it had STOPPED against the spine without breaking it. The bullet went in along the right front side of the neck and bored a nice long path thru parts of the bear that the bear did not seem to notice at the time. Said bear was busy flouncing around in the nice muddy tide water pool intent on getting as wet as possible before dying from the first shot thru the chest from the front.

I will be happy to send this bullet to anyone who plunks a Brown bear with a 9mm or 357 at breath smelling range and makes it out of the hospital before I die of any of the various ailments staring me in my one good eye. I think the odds are in my favor.

Leave the 9mm at home and carry instead an Emergency Locator Transmitter so someone can eventually find the remains and send your relatives any unused travelers checks still on the body.

max

Sharps, you have a good point there, at least it's better than a sharp stick. Most fishermen are so caught up in fishing that they fail to notice a bear even if he was whizzing in his waders. I don't for a minute downplay the .454, as it is a fairly robust gun. The thing that I don't like about a lot of large caliber handguns is, that for the most part, they are specialized. When something gets specialized, it gets heavier. Weight kind of plays on you after a day of toting it. I have a K frame Smith model 65 that I milled and put adjustable sights on, It's 4", light, comfortable to carry, and it packs a punch.

CB, if you want to try something different in your .357, get some 200 grain .35 rifle bullets and seat them to the length of your cylinder. I pushe it out with 13 grains of blue dot. It's a stinger for sure on BOTH ends......................................................Kingpin