handgun choice for wilderness wanderings
- Thread starter GlockZ
- Start date
macnshana
New member
Wife carries a .357 and I carry a .44mag. Not real interested in bear spray here in MT. Just my choice. I heard an old timer say once even grizzlies like pepper on their food.
MThuntr
Well-known member
Depends on which bears you're talking about...just sayin'
Personally bear spray is all I carry. I've never been worth a damn with a handgun so I'd go for sheer volume (spray and pray method) so I'd go with my Springfield in 9mm or S&W M&P40
Bambistew
Well-known member
When I don't have a rifle, I pack a 329pd Airlite in 44mag.
Gerald Martin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2009
- Messages
- 8,643
I just hunt with John. I let him beat me in a footrace one time.... I use the peanut butter and maple bacon method. Peanut butter and maple bacon gets put in my hunting partner's pack.
JohnCushman
Well-known member
What about the bacon shorts at bear camp?
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Before the 10mm's
Wood and would....definitely
Tikka06
Well-known member
I carry my Glock 19. Around here there are bears but I'm more worried about coming up on a meth lab. I do have a can of bear spray also. The 19 is small enough to not be in the way and has plenty of magazine capacity also.
Schaaf
Well-known member
Just some bear spray. Don't have any faith in my handgun ability.
T Bone
Well-known member
Twice in the last year I've had uncomfortable situations with stoned ass-clowns, once hiking, once on the river. Both times I had kids with me. For some, being in nature (including hunting!) requires alchohol, pot and drugs.
Ruger .357 or MP40, I shoot both equally bad.
Ruger .357 or MP40, I shoot both equally bad.
I carry a Taurus 9mm w/17rd clips.One FMJ & one HP's.
Not too worried about griz in NM.
I do not trust black bears and humans less.Throw in lions,wolves as possibles,but they stay away from humans usually here.
Friend lost 3 calves & a heifer last week to wolves.She carries everywhere & had a meeting with the FWS/wolf folks .............I would have paid to be there.
Only time I have ever pulled my pistol hunting game was on boars in CA, twice.
Have pulled it a few times on two legged critters tho. Always been better with a rifle,but popped a couple clips last week to check.Nice pie pan center mass pattern still.
Not too worried about griz in NM.
I do not trust black bears and humans less.Throw in lions,wolves as possibles,but they stay away from humans usually here.
Friend lost 3 calves & a heifer last week to wolves.She carries everywhere & had a meeting with the FWS/wolf folks .............I would have paid to be there.
Only time I have ever pulled my pistol hunting game was on boars in CA, twice.
Have pulled it a few times on two legged critters tho. Always been better with a rifle,but popped a couple clips last week to check.Nice pie pan center mass pattern still.
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MJE2083
Well-known member
I generally carry a S&W 340PD in .357. The recoil is pretty absurd with .357 loads in such a light gun so I usually keep it loaded with 38+P's mostly for protection. I throw in .357 Fusions if I know I'm going to black bear country but I'm not too worried about bears mostly. If I was in Griz country I would take my super redhawk .454 casull.
quiet22
Member
.... Either my 357 Ruger gp100 or my 44 mag Ruger Redhawk in my fanny pack.
VAspeedgoat
Well-known member
A guy told me that if you carry a pistol for defence against grizzlies that you should file the front sight down till its even with the barrel. That way when the bear grabs it and shoves it up your @$$ it doesn't hurt as bad.
elkduds
Well-known member
Likewise. Mine is a 7 shot titanium snubby, pretty light. If grouchy bears are on the menu, can-o-spray.
MJE2083
Well-known member
hahaha I too have heard this. I would bet this was pre-.454, 460, 480, 500.
SilverDollars
Active member
Well it has been my Glock 19(a 9mm) or the Metro Arms 1911 in 45 up to now. But I am now considering the S&W Model 69 Combat pistol. It holds 5 rounds of .44 mag or .44 S&W rounds. The weight and power combination seem hard to beat for backpacking into serious bear country.
10Dogs
Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2015
- Messages
- 148
Sold my ruger GP-100 years ago.
158 Grain JHP grouped well and opened huge.
Miss this gun the most....also almost guaranteed to cycle and go bang 6 times.
Today I would have to take my Glock 19.....no not the same.
Also from NJ but not asking anyone if I can pack this ...or that.
" Let me be judged by 12....not carried by 6 "
10Dogs
158 Grain JHP grouped well and opened huge.
Miss this gun the most....also almost guaranteed to cycle and go bang 6 times.
Today I would have to take my Glock 19.....no not the same.
Also from NJ but not asking anyone if I can pack this ...or that.
" Let me be judged by 12....not carried by 6 "
10Dogs
