Back country carry gun

[Altitude sickness]

I have the Gen 5 Glock 20 with MOS and it’s a dream to shoot. For full size carry. Hard decisions. My 1911 or the Glock 20

My 1911 is nicer to hold and look at with a much better trigger.
For bears I guess the 20

 

[sgt_zim]

If you’re looking for a .44 Mag I’d look at a new Colt. They have a 4” ported model that I think would be the cat’s meow.

Personally I’d go with a Glock 20, Gen 5, MOS, with a KKM Barrel, and a 22# recoil spring, titanium guide rod, loaded with Buffalo Bore 220 grain hardcast lead. I’ll bet you shoot it better.

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Yeah, but can you file off the front sight for when the bear shoves it up your ass it doesn't hurt so much?

Asking for a friend.

 

[DrBob]

If you’re looking for a .44 Mag I’d look at a new Colt. They have a 4” ported model that I think would be the cat’s meow.

Personally I’d go with a Glock 20, Gen 5, MOS, with a KKM Barrel, and a 22# recoil spring, titanium guide rod, loaded with Buffalo Bore 220 grain hardcast lead. I’ll bet you shoot it better.

View attachment 625888

Nice rig! Three great wheel gun choices... new Colt Anaconda, S&W N frame and Ruger RedHawk. I favor the Redhawk as hell for stout.

 

[DrBob]

Canadian Conservatives regulated handguns out of existence 60 ish years ago, when other places like the UK were doing the same thing. The Cunuckistan thing had not taken root yet. And to an extent it hasn't taken root at this point given that only 12% of Canadians voted for the A-hole. That is parliamentary government for you. At times it is the best system, many argue, but these are not those times.

Technically you actually can get and carry a handgun for bear defense in Canada. Mainly if you are something like a prospector. But it sure isn't a Will Issue situation. I have never met anyone who had one.

On the other hand, until a few years ago, you could slap down 4-500 bucks and get an SKS and a crate of ammo, and leave no regulatory trace. Take that Mr. Brown. Mostly the price has just gone up. Until Trudeau came along, and it isn't evident his rules are being implemented yet. Canada was number two easiest country in the world to get guns (non-failed state, G20). And had the lowest murder levels in the world, save the real outliers like Japan, and a few of the friendlier Pacific Islands. It is just that we are next door to the US, and the view through the window is depressing, in comparison.

If one could, in the blink of an eye, send about 2% of the US population to their original homeland, the crime rate in the US would fall into the lower levels of the EU. The UK and Canada have traditionally had more homogeneous populations with a cultural quality of non-violence... but that still wasn't enough for those who sought heaven on earth... creating man in their own image. Considering that the UK is one step closer to being Air Strip One... well ... so much for heaven.

 

[Josh P]

You can get as far into the weeds of speculation as you wish, but the one person I’ve met personally who had to dispatch a trouble grizz used a 44 wheel gun*. A good bit of his arm was playing whack-a-uvula in the back of the bears mouth. It doesn’t get much closer than press-&-click. If he’d been using an auto variety of pistol, and it had gone out of battery upon application to the dome piece of said bear, he may not have gotten away with merely a set of scars and a story.

*Sample size: 1

 

[Velo Dog]

Supposed to go is the key phrase. A 1/2" bullet trying to hit a softball leaping and bounding at 35 miles an hour or one drop from a 6 foot spray.

I think we often get drunk on the idea that a gun solves a life threatening problem better than another method. Folks dream of telling their grandkids about the time their granddaddy killed a charging griz with a 44magnum and dropped him with one shot at 10 paces. That sounds more macho than telling the story about about the time a bear charged, you sprayed him in the face with pepper spray, and he ran away.

 

[DrBob]

The news story is out there of a guy walking his dog in Soldotna, Alaska when attacked by a brownie. 44 mag saved the day. The bear was old, starving and picked the guy for his next meal. A lot of interest in 10 mm, but a 44 or 45 loaded heavy is good medicine.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

You can get as far into the weeds of speculation as you wish, but the one person I’ve met personally who had to dispatch a trouble grizz used a 44 wheel gun*. A good bit of his arm was playing whack-a-uvula in the back of the bears mouth. It doesn’t get much closer than press-&-click. If he’d been using an auto variety of pistol, and it had gone out of battery upon application to the dome piece of said bear, he may not have gotten away with merely a set of scars and a story.

*Sample size: 1

Sample size of 1 from my neck of the woods: a hunting buddy had to dispatch a brown bear one dark rainy night. It was a mature boar. Distance was "shit your pants" close and he was wearing only boxers. It was a 4" barreled .44 - maybe a Ruger? He killed it dead as a hammer with his revolver. He used handloads; I don't remember what he used. I was watching when he killed it, closer than I wanted to be myself.

 

[colorado]

id hate to have to shoot a bear with a handgun. they can cover 100 yards in 6 seconds. hitting a moving target which might be coming to chew on me isnt something i ever want to find out. that being said, i carry a ruger 44mag wheel gun when im hunting and have my 416 or 338.

The problem is you think you'll always have your rifle in your hands but you won't. If you're gutting an elk, skinning a bear, fly fishing, it may be close but it may not be close enough. I've been there. I carry a handgun now when I'm hiking, hunting or camping in the wilderness, even if I have my rifle with me.

 

[double rifle newbie]

The problem is you think you'll always have your rifle in your hands but you won't. If you're gutting an elk, skinning a bear, fly fishing, it may be close but it may not be close enough. I've been there. I carry a handgun now when I'm hiking, hunting or camping in the wilderness, even if I have my rifle with me.

agreed, as i always have my 44mag with me even when i have my bolt gun.

 

[WyoBull]

When I am in griz country up here and not hunting elk etc., I carry both bear spray and my Glock 29 with extended mag in a Gunfighters Inc Kenai chest holster.
If hunting big game, I pack the same in addition to my rifle.
Which one would I pull first, spray or G29? Probably the spray but I have not yet been in the situation to have to find out.

 

[franzfmdavis]

On an ancillary topic, I would also suggest looking at the chest rig holsters from: https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/

I have ordered three over the years, the most recent one being a custom build for a Korth/NH 44Mag.

They are very comfortable and you can even fit them under a bino case and still have quick access to the gun. You can get them with accessories too such as an ammo sleeve and removable flap.

 

[HankBuck]

Sample size of 1 from my neck of the woods: a hunting buddy had to dispatch a brown bear one dark rainy night. It was a mature boar. Distance was "shit your pants" close and he was wearing only boxers. It was a 4" barreled .44 - maybe a Ruger? He killed it dead as a hammer with his revolver. He used handloads; I don't remember what he used. I was watching when he killed it, closer than I wanted to be myself.

@Tundra Tiger - OK, killing a Griz with a .44 is “interesting” …BUT walking around outdoors, at night, in the Rain — in only BOXERS while carrying a .44 is MORE INTERESTING

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@Tundra Tiger - OK, killing a Griz with a .44 is “interesting” …BUT walking around outdoors, at night, in the Rain — in only BOXERS while carrying a .44 is MORE INTERESTING

Trash (food) was left by a previous person in camp; none of us knew it was there. The bear came into camp and found it. He did not want to leave, and turned belligerent. Apparently out of shape pasty looking hunters in boxers do not look imposing, no matter how loud they shout. My buddy sorted it out.

 

[Tam Dl]

Phil gets into the shooting. He carries a 9 with penetrating ammo. He regards the deal as being one where one just keeps punching holes. If you don't think your option has knock down power, it is about the holes. And more ammo is better.

 

[HankBuck]

If you’re looking for a .44 Mag I’d look at a new Colt. They have a 4” ported model that I think would be the cat’s meow.

Personally I’d go with a Glock 20, Gen 5, MOS, with a KKM Barrel, and a 22# recoil spring, titanium guide rod, loaded with Buffalo Bore 220 grain hardcast lead. I’ll bet you shoot it better.

View attachment 625888

@Neophyte - gotta Love the RED Handle on that pistol….looks like it was made for a New Orleans Pimp !

 

[HankBuck]

Phil gets into the shooting. He carries a 9 with penetrating ammo. He regards the deal as being one where one just keeps punching holes. If you don't think your option has knock down power, it is about the holes. And more ammo is better.

@Tam Dl - what a GREAT video, was only going to watch a few minutes but ended up watching the entire hour. The Alaskan Guide they interviewed was very experienced, and had a low key/matter-of-fact approach to relaying his personal experiance….one of the few people that actually had to shoot a griz in self defense (and faces Bear charges every year) - so he has real credibility vs gun writers and other Blow-hards. I also liked his advice on firearms and how caliber was relatively unimportant compared to accuracy and bullet “placement” PLUS bullet construction. His advocation for using a gun you are comfortable with (rifle or handgun) made sense and he’s guided clients (successfully) for griz with .270 and .30-06 as well as used 9mm, .357 for Bear defense — made sense….and since he’ has actual experience vs. just an “opinion” was a welcome change. His focus was on being able to shoot your gun proficiently and accurately - Not a Magnum mentality. The Guide seemed like The-Real-Deal and lives a life many of us admire and even envy….thanks for posting this video !

 

[Neophyte]

@Neophyte - gotta Love the RED Handle on that pistol….looks like it was made for a New Orleans Pimp !

I put the red tape on it to make it easier to see if I drop it in the brush.

Plus it helps with keeping ahold of the gun. As for pimping I got an ex wife I’ll rent you.

The longer barrel helps with getting the most out of the Buffalo Bore ammo I use. I felt it was my best option after studying all the various configurations of 10mm out there since I wanted more capacity and faster follow up shots than my .41 Magnum.

 

[Neophyte]

@Tam Dl - what a GREAT video, was only going to watch a few minutes but ended up watching the entire hour. The Alaskan Guide they interviewed was very experienced, and had a low key/matter-of-fact approach to relaying his personal experiance….one of the few people that actually had to shoot a griz in self defense (and faces Bear charges every year) - so he has real credibility vs gun writers and other Blow-hards. I also liked his advice on firearms and how caliber was relatively unimportant compared to accuracy and bullet “placement” PLUS bullet construction. His advocation for using a gun you are comfortable with (rifle or handgun) made sense and he’s guided clients (successfully) for griz with .270 and .30-06 as well as used 9mm, .357 for Bear defense — made sense….and since he’ has actual experience vs. just an “opinion” was a welcome change. His focus was on being able to shoot your gun proficiently and accurately - Not a Magnum mentality. The Guide seemed like The-Real-Deal and lives a life many of us admire and even envy….thanks for posting this video !

He frequently carries a .44 Magnum and his daughter carries a .357 Magnum.

 

[HankBuck]

I put the red tape on it to make it easier to see if I drop it in the brush.

Plus it helps with keeping ahold of the gun. As for pimping I got an ex wife I’ll rent you.

The longer barrel helps with getting the most out of the Buffalo Bore ammo I use. I felt it was my best option after studying all the various configurations of 10mm out there since I wanted more capacity and faster follow up shots than my .41 Magnum.

@Neophyte - Funny ! Hey, the “Red tape” makes sense for locating it on the ground etc.. and I actually do that with my Cell phone and a hatchet handle etc…. But, my Son constantly makes fun of Me for that type of stuff. How do you like your 10mm? I’ve read a lot about the round and it’s very popular the last 5 years. A friend in Montana purchased a 10mm for Bear Protection even though he already owned a very nice S&W model 29-2 with 6” barrel. He gets caught up in finding the “perfect” gun for every chore and I thought he already had a damn good bear gun in the Smith. After 3 years he has still Never carried either when fishing or hiking in Griz areas - even though he’s seen a couple griz while fishing. I was No better when I went on a Griz hunt in Alaska years ago, decided I “needed” a .44 w/4” so got Smith Mountain gun and nice holster. Wore it daily and every night it was in my tent next to my sleeping bag. The only time I took it off - was when we actually spotted a nice Griz on a hillside 1/2 a mile away and decided to stalk it on snowshoes. I figured I had enough to weight carry with my rifle and small daypack (going up & down hills on snowshoes) so I left it on the snowmobile. I was hardly UNprotected with my .375H&H plus my Guide and his .338 wm but it did seem a bit stupid to have carried it al all-other-times “except” when there was a Griz nearby.