Bear protection handguns?

Everyone has their preference. I've guided in Alaska and a few western states as well as hunted them. Not near as much experience as some members here but I prefer my ruger SRH Alaskan in 454casull 2.25" Bbl. There may be that one special situation up close and personal where you get surprised in thick brush and only get one shot. Put one 10mm round in a 11' bear with less than ideal shot placement as your getting mauled despite how much you've practiced with your handgun and see how it goes. There is a reason guides carry .375s as a minimum rifle caliber. When you enter a true wilderness up North you are now in the natural selection pool right there with the wildlife. I wish death by bear on no man but if it happens to you because you were underguned in a overpopulated world full of great adivise from ppl that have been there seen that. I'll write it off to Darwinism.


Keep in mind that Phil S carries his 06 all the time for back up and there isn't anyone on this earth more bruin experienced than he.
 
Everyone has their preference. I've guided in Alaska and a few western states as well as hunted them. Not near as much experience as some members here but I prefer my ruger SRH Alaskan in 454casull 2.25" Bbl. There may be that one special situation up close and personal where you get surprised in thick brush and only get one shot. Put one 10mm round in a 11' bear with less than ideal shot placement as your getting mauled despite how much you've practiced with your handgun and see how it goes. There is a reason guides carry .375s as a minimum rifle caliber. When you enter a true wilderness up North you are now in the natural selection pool right there with the wildlife. I wish death by bear on no man but if it happens to you because you were underguned in a overpopulated world full of great adivise from ppl that have been there seen that. I'll write it off to Darwinism.
That just deserves an amen, 'Nough said😎
 
I have a Ruger 454 and a S&W 460. They recoil pretty good. My Ruger has a 9 in barrel . I've never shot a 2 in. But I can imagine the recoil and muzzle blast. 😳
How long the barrel on your 460 S&W? Which revolver kicks worse with equal powered loads?

The Ruger Alaskan .454 actually recoils less than longer barrelled .454 revolvers. Less muzzle velocity due to that shorter barrel = less recoil.

But the muzzle blast is way awful.
 
How long the barrel on your 460 S&W? Which revolver kicks worse with equal powered loads?

The Ruger Alaskan .454 actually recoils less than longer barrelled .454 revolvers. Less muzzle velocity due to that shorter barrel = less recoil.

But the muzzle blast is way awful.
The Super Redhawk 454 has a 9 in. The S&W XVR 460 has an 8in. Counting brake. 460 weighs considerably more and recoils a little more . I'd carry them hunting but They are heavy and bulky. I'd rather have either round for bear than 10mm. I was thinking off carrying my Ruger 44 mag Super Blackhawk . It has a 7.5 in. Barrel but isn't heavy.
 
The Super Redhawk 454 has a 9 in. The S&W XVR 460 has an 8in. Counting brake. 460 weighs considerably more and recoils a little more . I'd carry them hunting but They are heavy and bulky. I'd rather have either round for bear than 10mm. I was thinking off carrying my Ruger 44 mag Super Blackhawk . It has a 7.5 in. Barrel but isn't heavy.
My 44 Mag has a 16" barrel and weighs just under 5 pounds. I feel safe at bad breath distance pushing 320s at 1650'.
 

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My 44 Mag has a 16" barrel and weighs just under 5 pounds. I feel safe at bad breath distance pushing 320s at 1650'.
That's a fine looking lever gun. I'm not hunting soley with a pistol though. I hunt mainly with a 300 RUM , 300 Win or 6.5 PRC. I carry a pistol as back up, bear spray and a long knife.
 
I forget which PD it was in I believe Washington that used a TASER on a small black bear.
 
Larry Lewis was the ADF&G employee (since retired) that told me he had no use for bear spray for bear defense. He always used a 12ga Rem 870 with Brenneke slugs for bear protection, and when responding to nuisance bear complaints.

He was one of two aquaintences that had a can of bear spray fail to discharge during a training course, while demonstrating the proper use of bear spray.
 
A situation that would be good to have 15 rds. of 10mm or whatever would be if a pack of wolves come after you.(just say'in) Lighter recoil also to get back on target. I have a Ruger 454 and a S&W 460. They recoil pretty good. My Ruger has a 9 in barrel . I've never shot a 2 in. But I can imagine the recoil and muzzle blast. 😳
Now a PACK OF CHARGING WOLVES? Why not everyone just carry an AK....and a pack with 30 clips.....good for PACKS OF WOLVES, RABID ATTACKING COYOTE HERDS, ZOMBIES....ETC!
 

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