Looking into getting a pistol. I kinda want to get a do it all if possible, but I'm not sure one exists.

Revolver or Semi-Auto I'm not too concerned with.

What I want would be something as a bear back up, that would hopefully shoot a large caliber type cartridge that could also shoot a lower powered cartridge, ie like a .454 casull and .45 colt, also I'd like to be able to buy snake loads for it, and I'm not sure if snake loads are strong enough to cycle a semi-auto?

Also I've heard the .454 kicks insanely bad, ie more so than a .480 ruger, which I hear is not that popular or on its way out? but less recoil....also the .454 may even kick harder than a .500sw?

I'd like something smaller and lighter weight as carrying it as a backup would mostly be it's intent. And for just shooting I'd probably mostly use the lower powered rounds, ie the .45colt rather than .454 unless i was hunting brown bear etc...or elk in griz country. So mostly just plinking and snake loads.

How popular is the 10mm for a semi auto? is that even powerful enough ?

.44mag kinda seems like the low end for real bear back up discussion, but does the .44 have a smaller brother it can also shoot?

I'm quite unfamiliar with all the pistol loads/cartridges.

I saw SW has a .460 which is even more powerful than a .454, but if the .454 already kicks like a mule, than the .460 has to be horrible right?

If anyone knows the recoil #s of a .454 casull, .480 ruger, 500sw, 44mag, I'd like to compare those stats...

Thanks for any help guys.

Not to be harsh, but have you ever timed how long it takes you to empty your rifle and then draw a handgun? That was one of the "drills" we played with for fun when I lived in Alaska. But, truth was, if I couldn't do the job on a bear with 4 rounds of .375 H&H or .300 WBY Mag, six more from a .44 Magnum didn't seem to make sense that it'd do much more. So, realistically, what you're talking about here is something to wander off from camp with to take a dump, etc. when a rifle's just not so convenient.

CCI makes shot rounds for semiautos. I've heard they work "okay". I've used .44 Mag shot rounds, they're "okay", too.

Not very popular, and not powerful enough given you've chosen to include grizzlies and browns.

Compared to a rifle, the .44 Mag is kinda on the low end. Yes, it will also fire .44 Special and .44 Russian. Last time I bought a box of Specials, they cost me almost what a box of magnums would've.

I'm not familiar with all the other calibers you list, either. I use a .44 Mag as mountain lion repellent these days and generally won't carry a rifle if I have the handgun along. I have hunted deer on occasion with a .44 Mag (rifle and pistol). It will put a deer down.

Really though, if you're that concerned about grizzlies and browns, I'd encourage you to simply practice with your long gun at close range. Chances are, 90% of the time that's what you're going to have handiest in the first place. I would go up against a grizzly with even a .270 before I'd drop the rifle and go for the handgun.

All of the calibers you want to know about have severe recoil. There is no way around that. Get the most comfortable grips you can and it is what it is. For practice get a good shooting glove. I have some big paws and I use a glove when shooting the 500.

If you are not going to go with a 500 then my second pick would be the .460.

With stout loads a 460 will push about 2500 lbs of energy and a 500 will go 3000+.

IMO there is only one or two revolvers that meets all of your requirements.

The Ruger Alaskan in either 454 Casull or 44 Rem mag.
http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResu...&type=Revolver

The S&W 329PD Alaska Back Packer in 44 Rem mag.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...egory_rn=15706

The 500 and 460 are extremely large revolves and are very very heavy so carrying one as a side arm while hunting would be truely cumbersome. For comparison the Ruger Alaskan weights 2.5 - 2.75 pounds with a 2.5" barrel. Certainly not a light weight but not nearly as heavy as the smallest 460 or 500 at 3.5 pounds and 4" barrel.

The S&W Alaskan backpacker weighs in at only 1.85 pounds and would be the easiest to carry but the recoil is going to be considerably stiff with such a light weight revolver.


Either of these two cartridges are sufficient as a back up, or as homers brother puts it... Which is honestly what it would be used for while hunting because you are going to shoot with the rifle first and the hand gun last 99% of the time.

If I was limited to keeping just one handgun, then I would definitely keep my S&W 329. No doubt about it. Unbelievably lightweight. You do not even know you are carrying it, it is so light. Recoil is manageable with heavy loads, however I do not shoot a lot of heavy loads in the revolver. I cast a 240 grain bullet for this revolver and load it down a bit to shoot, and to hunt with. I have shot a few does with this revolver, with great satisfaction in revolver and bullet. Easily accurate to 60 or 70 yards with open sights. I consider hunting accuracy with a revolver as simply this---if I can hit a brick laying flat on the ground off handed. And I can easily do that with my 329 to 60 or 70 yards. If you do not reload you can shoot 44 Special loads in the revolver. And the best of all is that you have S&W quality.

In the handgun world. Titanium is KING. You can have your plastic(oh I mean polymer) semi's. Tom.

How much bear backup, do you need? It looks like you are in Illunoise. Do you go out west and hunt? Much?
I would personally stay away from the big S$Ws mega-magnums, not just for cost, but as mentioned, for weight and blast.
Ive shot a 454 Alaskan. I'm not usually recoil sensitive, but that gun would probably make me that way. It was designed exactly for cases like the "dump shoot". In that instance, you'd probably never feel it, or if youre lucky, it'd come back and knock you out!
If you don't reload, 45 Colts, and 44Specials, are awfully expensive in my neck of the woods. Like one mentioned above, the 44specials are as much as magnums. I just don't see the real advantage in them because of that.
I carry a 4" 629 when I'm out kicking around, and find it very controllable with factory 240gr softpoints, and carryable.
I also carry a 4" 686 .357 at times. I wouldn't put the .357 out of the equation.
Although it isn't the biggest boomer out there, I'd feel comfortable defending myself against most likely encounterd creatures.
I said defending, not hunting.
A 168gr Hardcast at 1000fps is contollable and very effective.
Unlike the the bigger calibers, .38special IS cheaper to target shoot with too.

I'd have to agree with Dan. Depending how much you plan on using it as a bear-swatter, I would take a look at a revolver in .357/.38 Special. No such thing as one gun that can do it all perfectly...but that's why we have multiple guns : )