Black Bear defense suggestions

[VT_Hunter1980]

I do a lot of hiking and I would like, at some point, to pick up a sidearm that is dedicated to personal defense in the field. So far I've been carrying my .357 Blackhawk, but the 6" barrel makes it a bit too bulky for extended and strenous hikes. I need something a little more compact, but poerful enough to deal with all potential threats. Around here those could be: 1. Smaller rabid/feral animals (coyotes, etc.) black bear, and two legged predators.

I'm considering a compact D/A revolver in .357 mag or possibly an auto in 10mm or .45 acp.

I'm not sure that the big bore magnum revolvers are for me. I've fired a .44 mag on a few occasions and kind of found it to be miserable.

Any advice?

[renfrowridge]

take a look at the ruger gp100 in .357 mag with a 4 inch barrel it will stop 2 leg or 4 leg and is a nice carry. just my 2 cents

[hardcorehunter]

Ruger Alaskan. Worlds most powerful compact doubleaction revolver. I have one in the .480 Ruger. here is the other offering available in a .454

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5302&return=Y

[VT_Hunter1980]

ORIGINAL: hardcorehunter

Ruger Alaskan. Worlds most powerful compact doubleaction revolver. I have one in the .480 Ruger. here is the other offering available in a .454

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5302&return=Y

I don't think I'm quite enough of a manly man for that thing.

[James B]

Look at the Taurus Titanium 7 shot 357. It weighs only 16 oz. Carry it with whatever load levels you can handle best from 38 wad cutters to full bore 357 loads. I looked at one and was really impressed with it. I have a four inch Taurus 357 revolver and have found them to be great shooters and very dependable. The 44 Mag with 44 special loads would also be pleasant to shoot IMO.

[VT_Hunter1980]

Another gun that caught my eye is the ESS Witness in 10mm. Some people on the greybeard forum were singing its praises. Ballistically, it looks like the 10mm packs a little more punch than the .357. Although, the Witness does have a safety which might be one more thing to fumble with if the SHTF.

Anyone have experience with the 10mm?

[derekt28]

My cousin swears by his S&W .357 magnum. But I really like my 500 Magnum. It's a bit more to carry, but I'm a bigger guy anyway, so it really doesn't bother me.

[DougMD]

I gotta start toting my Sig Sauer 40 cal. Saw a small one when listening for turkeys till dark last week, and walked back in the pitch black on an adrenaline rush as I heard stuff rustling the leaves.

[VT_Hunter1980]

ORIGINAL: DougMD

I gotta start toting my Sig Sauer 40 cal. Saw a small one when listening for turkeys till dark last week, and walked back in the pitch black on an adrenaline rush as I heard stuff rustling the leaves.

I've liked the .40 s&ws I've fired (the sig was very user friendly) but I question it's effectiveness against black bear.

[oldelkhunter]

VT Hunter..how about a 41 remington mag?