Posted on 07/18/2014 5:47:30 AM PDT by marktwain
Many people claim that handguns are useless for protection against bears. Numerous examples have shown that this is a false notion. Handguns may not be ideal as defensive weapons for bears, but they can be effective. In a defensive situation, you have to use what is available. In this case, a homeowner in Alaska used a .45 against a brown bear that was trying to get into his house on July 7th of this year. He and his son were in the home. He had scared off the animal with some warning shots just three hours before. From adn.com:
I couldnt believe that it came back, he said.
Landess grabbed his .45 pistol, stepped out onto his upper deck, took aim and fired seven rounds toward the bears vitals. He said the bear got crazy and ran about 50 feet before it collapsed and died.
Landess said while he has seen bears around his property, living in close proximity to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, he had never experienced one this aggressive. He said he didnt have any food around his house that could have attracted the bear but did have an empty cooler on his porch that the bear tossed around along with some chairs. He said this was the first big game hed ever killed.
Im not a hunter; Im a fisherman, he said. It wasnt something I wanted to do. I wanted to scare him off.
Yes that was my dad and he shot it with a highpoint 45. Shot at it 7 times but only one shot hit in the directed area. One threw the lung dropped it.This appears to be another case of a bear that became too acclimated to humans. It associated humans with food, and so it became a serious risk to human life. Use of firearms as a defensive tool against animals is fairly common in the United States, though it is more common against an aggressive raccoon or a rattlesnake than against bears. No one knows exactly how many times a year guns are used defensively against animals. My personal observation is that in rural areas, defensive uses against animals, whether to defend life or property, are more common than defensive uses against people.
Yeah. A brown bear at close range surprising you can be a deal braked for a pistol or a cannon for that matter you kill the bear as it kills you.
Bought my youngest son a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 that I can load up to .450 Marlin pressures. I load it heavier than stock .45-70 velocities but not maximum. In deer country more is unnecessary. But there is a reason it is called guide gun. Big fat bullets in a quick short barreled rifle is perfect for brown bear country. Though there is something to be said for 12 gauge slugs.
I load his loads in nickle plated cases so as not to use them by mistake in my 1884 trapdoor.
“Bought my youngest son a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70”
You are a good dad.
If I move to the mountains, that is my next purchase.
If you encounter a bear, it is best if your caliber starts with a four.
My cousin
He didn’t do well on accuracy, but at least the one shot that hit the bear was fatal.
“Despite the F.B.I. switching to the .40 S&W, there are still a number of law enforcement agencies that continue to issue the 10mm including the Albuquerque J.P.D. and the Anniston P.D. as well as in Canada, where the Alberta Sheriffs employ it in the Glock 20.
The Government of Denmark has issued the Glock 20 pistol chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge to members of the Sirius Patrols in Greenland.The pistols were issued as a defense against polar bears which the patrols encounter.
-From Wikipedia”
Adrenaline wrecks your aim.
—==000==—
PREACH it brother...........
Mr. GG2 carried a .454 Casul the whole time he lived in Alaska.
I’ve almost purchased the Glock 20 a couple of times. I ended up not doing so because I can replicate the ballistics with 45 super balancing better diameter with worse sectional density.
I’ve considered the 460 Rowland because both the 10mm and 45 super are a little wimpy vs a big angry bear. I haven’t purchased the 460 Rowland kit yet because honestly, it’s also a little wimpy vs big angry bear.
Oh, the guys on the WeLikeShooting podcast are going to go nuts on their show next week.
They’re constantly ragging on HiPoint firearms.
“Ive considered the 460 Rowland because both the 10mm and 45 super are a little wimpy vs a big angry bear. I havent purchased the 460 Rowland kit yet because honestly, its also a little wimpy vs big angry bear.”
Probably a revolver like my .500 Maximun would be best for brown bear, but the .460 Rowland should be more than sufficient for black bear. Although I would bet you could get multiple shots off quicker with the .460 Rowland and it’s very effective muzzle brake. The main purpose of the brake it to protect the gun from wear and tear rather that the shooter however.
BTW did you get my PM about the Rowland?
Yeah, thanks, I’m only a couple of pages in but I’ll peruse at my leisure this weekend.
With some of those magnum guns, you are getting to the weight were carrying a light shotgun on a sling makes more sense.
“There have been incidents were grizzlies were killed with 9mm, .40s, and even .22. I would rather have a .338, but you use what you have with you when it is needed.”
I recall this from when I was a kid, but I remember seeing the skin of largest bear killed in New Mexico in a museum. (Don’t remember if it was a grizzly, but it was brown and very large...) It was killed with a single .22 shot through the roof of the mouth into the brain.
IIRC, the most common guide gun caliber in AK is 35 Whelen.
At least it was about 20 years ago.
I misread the title. I thought they were talking about an AK 45 military grade assault weapon with 50 round banana clips and night vision scope.
Not an Alaska bear shooting.
Must be suffering from too much liberal anti gun indoctrination!
Hey, it was my first thought as well.....lol
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.