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Black Bear self defense handgun/rifle
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<blockquote data-quote="Hired Gun" data-source="post: 379462" data-attributes="member: 1290"><p>We are talking black bears here. Still potentially dangerous but considerablly less threat than a Grizzly. Also assuming just hiking and playing around in the woods but not hunting then carrying a long arm is probably not really handy. To much chance to get separated from it when you feel less threatened and then end up not having it handy when you really need it. Forget about a 223; too light caliber and it's still a rifle. That leaves us with something you don't mind wearing 100% of the time you are in a vulnerable place. </p><p></p><p>If I had a 4" 357 loaded with 158 SWC at 1250 fps or better it will work for black bears. Certainly the bigger caliber revolvers will work better and I like anything 41 mag and up. If I was buying new and wanted the ultimate it would be a S&W 500 in one of the shorter versions. Lot's of dry fire practice will leave you pretty proficient. Shooting full power loads for practice are not advised by me as I think they will cause all but the most experienced pistolero to flinch and develop very bad habits. Even light loads for a 500 S&W will be plenty for stopping the most determined black bear. Full power loads will knock them hard.</p><p></p><p>If you have a good reliable 40S&W I would consider 180 or 200 grain XTP's or ball loaded as hot as you can handle them would work better than nothing. Usually black bears are going to avoid you and most will pretty much leave at all costs if you open fire. I live a little ways south of you in Oregon and we have lots of bears. I retired my 5" 629 Classic in favor of a Glock Model 20 in 10mm loaded with 180 or 200 grain XTP's. I get 1325 out of the 180's and they penetrate deep causing a lot of destruction plus I have 15 of them on hand with out reloading. I traded a bit of power for a bunch of capacity. This is kind of what I'm hearing you looking for in your request. The 10mm is equal to or slightly surpases a 357 mag for power. It will be important to get some holster that will be comfortable to wear all day long and not interfere with the activities you want to do while you are out. You also need to be able to draw one handed pretty quck and from most positions. </p><p></p><p>I also like the idea of a Glock for self defense for a lot of reasons like, it has no external safety's to worry about. It is a point and shoot proposition. The are very tollerant of poor weather and very easy to clean. They will still work if very dirty or very cold. They are very light so easier to carry all day long. There is some guy on here that goes by Carlock who seems to know a bit about firearms. I believe I read somewhere he carries a Glock 20 while hunting and getting around in the woods. Now you know two people on LRH that carry a 10mm.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hired Gun, post: 379462, member: 1290"] We are talking black bears here. Still potentially dangerous but considerablly less threat than a Grizzly. Also assuming just hiking and playing around in the woods but not hunting then carrying a long arm is probably not really handy. To much chance to get separated from it when you feel less threatened and then end up not having it handy when you really need it. Forget about a 223; too light caliber and it's still a rifle. That leaves us with something you don't mind wearing 100% of the time you are in a vulnerable place. If I had a 4" 357 loaded with 158 SWC at 1250 fps or better it will work for black bears. Certainly the bigger caliber revolvers will work better and I like anything 41 mag and up. If I was buying new and wanted the ultimate it would be a S&W 500 in one of the shorter versions. Lot's of dry fire practice will leave you pretty proficient. Shooting full power loads for practice are not advised by me as I think they will cause all but the most experienced pistolero to flinch and develop very bad habits. Even light loads for a 500 S&W will be plenty for stopping the most determined black bear. Full power loads will knock them hard. If you have a good reliable 40S&W I would consider 180 or 200 grain XTP's or ball loaded as hot as you can handle them would work better than nothing. Usually black bears are going to avoid you and most will pretty much leave at all costs if you open fire. I live a little ways south of you in Oregon and we have lots of bears. I retired my 5" 629 Classic in favor of a Glock Model 20 in 10mm loaded with 180 or 200 grain XTP's. I get 1325 out of the 180's and they penetrate deep causing a lot of destruction plus I have 15 of them on hand with out reloading. I traded a bit of power for a bunch of capacity. This is kind of what I'm hearing you looking for in your request. The 10mm is equal to or slightly surpases a 357 mag for power. It will be important to get some holster that will be comfortable to wear all day long and not interfere with the activities you want to do while you are out. You also need to be able to draw one handed pretty quck and from most positions. I also like the idea of a Glock for self defense for a lot of reasons like, it has no external safety's to worry about. It is a point and shoot proposition. The are very tollerant of poor weather and very easy to clean. They will still work if very dirty or very cold. They are very light so easier to carry all day long. There is some guy on here that goes by Carlock who seems to know a bit about firearms. I believe I read somewhere he carries a Glock 20 while hunting and getting around in the woods. Now you know two people on LRH that carry a 10mm. [/QUOTE]
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