Originally Posted by
kansaswiderack
Thinking about getting a pistol to pack along when hunting. More of a finishing gun than a hunting gun. Might also use it for some hunting but don't have any plans. Should I gear up for something to use on grizzlies in tight quarters or more of a mid caliber gun. I have gone griz hunting one time and would like to do it again Most likely would be Alaska so caring a pistol would not be an issue. Thinking somewhere between 357 mag and 44 mag. I am totally clueless on this so any input would be appreciated.
I suppose I fancy myself a handgunner, so I highlighted/bolded 3 comments in your post that jump out at me.
You're wanting a 1) finishing gun, 2) possibly a hunting gun, and 3) possibly a bear defense gun.
Those are 3 different handguns in my book. My personal "finishing gun" is a Ruger Mark II 22LR (lots of pictures of it on this forum). My personal go-to "hunting gun" is a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag 7.5" or 357-44 Redhawk 7.5". My bear defense gun is a 454 Casull Ruger Alaskan or Ruger Toklat (stock picture below, but I've also plastered this place with my newest Alaskan with my first Toklat.
In this case, a master of all is a master of none - but a few options out there would be pretty d@mn good at all 3 of your needs. For Bear Defense, you'll need at least a 44mag or a 45colt that can be loaded hot - If I recall correctly, you don't reload, so that limits your options to 44mag. For a defense gun, a long barrel is a pain in the butt, as it is for a packing/belt gun, so something on the order of a 5.5" should fit the bill. You won't want anything too short, else it won't be able to hunt effectively at all, but a 5.5" won't be ideal for hunting either.
A Trijicon RMR on a JPoint mount with an Aredondo JP to RMR adapter on top of a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk in 44mag with a Tyler T-grip to fill in under the grip neck would make a fine hunting, finishing, bear defense revolver. The RMR will offer a bit more precision aiming than the factory sights with less dependence upon sight alignment for hunting, and since it's tritium and FO illuminated, it'll be on if you ever need to quick draw on a charging bear.
A 5" Smith & Wesson 629 in 44mag is another fantastic option, if you're not adverse to the policies S&W has supported over the years.
Originally Posted by
d80hunter
You can shoot 45 long colt and bust out the 454 rounds if you need that extra firepower.
I have two Toklat's (The Talo exclusive 5.5" slab sided Super Redhawks). It's far and away the best balancing SRH I've ever handled. Incredible power in a very manageable, great balancing package.
However, the 454C isn't for everybody. The recoil is extreme. It's absolutely not a novice's revolver, especially when you consider the competency requirement of rapid fire accuracy for bear hunting. I'd highly recommend trying one out before buying.