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Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | 9mm, 11 incidents
AmmoLand ^ | May 23, 2024 | Dean Weingarten

Posted on 05/28/2024 4:48:20 AM PDT by marktwain

Many readers are interested in how various handgun calibers have performed in defense against bears. This is a complicated subject. Sometimes, any caliber will do. Sometimes a level of power may be required. Sometimes, a level of accuracy or speed may be required. Many permutations exist.

The most important aspect, if a confrontation occurs, is to have a firearm available, easily and quickly accessible. The specific caliber is less important.

These updates include all the incidents we have been able to document to the date of the update, after several years of intense searches. We have always asked for examples of failures. We appreciate readers who help us document more cases.

Here are all the cases that have been documented where 9mm handguns were fired in defense against bears. 9mm is expected to be the common 9x19mm cartridge. These cases do not include incidents where handguns were used with other lethal means or a mix of handgun calibers were used. The incident is included if more than one handgun of the same caliber was used. There are  11 incidents in which 9mm handguns were fired in defense against bears (six black, five brown). They were all successful. The incidents are listed chronologically.

We found 11 cases where 9 mm pistols were used to defend against bears. All were successful.

17 August 2002, Alaska, Russian River, Grizzly Charged Fishermen, 9mm

But then the bear turned, looked up at Brenner and lunged, said Lewis, who interviewed the three men Saturday.

Brenner fired twice at the center of the hulking shape closing to four or five feet away. The sow, estimated at 400 to 450 pounds, went down. Brenner then put three more bullets into her head.

He used a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol. Lewis said such a low-caliber gun ordinarily doesn’t pack enough punch


(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: banglist; bear; bearrepublic; bearsrepeating; defense; handgun; unbearable
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To: Candor7

Would my .357 Magnum be tempting fate?


21 posted on 05/28/2024 7:15:18 AM PDT by Socon-Econ (adi)
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To: Iowa Granny; Ladysmith; Diana in Wisconsin; JLO; sergeantdave; damncat; phantomworker; joesnuffy; ..
Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.
22 posted on 05/28/2024 7:19:22 AM PDT by SJackson (There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them Churchill)
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To: gitmo
None of the other cases said they were hollow points or that a hollow point killed the bear. just that FMJ helped the round penetrate to kill the bear center mass.

Makes sense. shoot 10 blankets with wad cutters, now shoot 10 blankets with fmj's . which one went thru better?

23 posted on 05/28/2024 7:26:23 AM PDT by Ikeon (to my haters..😘 thank you, thank you very much. )
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To: marktwain

More rallying for the 9mm.

For small concealed guns, maybe. My little P365 is quite accurate.

But for self defense where I feel confident, the .40 and .45 is my preference. The heavy frames somehow make them more accurate as my aim is right on where as with the smaller guns I tend to shoot left and down a few inches at 50’.

For home defense a semi auto 12 gauge is preferred with the magazine load alternating between #4 bird shot and double aught buck. A Judge is great for bedtime awakenings.


24 posted on 05/28/2024 7:33:30 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: redfreedom
I tend to shoot left and down a few inches at 50’

Isn't that common for a right handed shooter with a minor kick flinch?

25 posted on 05/28/2024 7:35:19 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: marktwain; mylife; Joe Brower; MaxMax; Randy Larsen; waterhill; Envisioning; AZ .44 MAG; umgud; ...

RKBA Ping List


This Ping List is for all news pertaining to infringes upon or victories for the 2nd Amendment.

FReepmail me if you want to be added to or deleted from this Ping List.

More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.

26 posted on 05/28/2024 8:00:18 AM PDT by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: crusty old prospector

My impression is that getting shot is painful and bears will naturally want to move away from pain.


27 posted on 05/28/2024 8:30:19 AM PDT by taxcontrol (The choice is clear - either live as a slave on your knees or die as a free citizen on your feet.)
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To: Socon-Econ

I have some Barnes Hardcast and feel comfortable with it—— Bufflo Bore
Is very effective.


28 posted on 05/28/2024 9:23:42 AM PDT by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
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To: marktwain

When in the wild I always keep my handy 32 cal. Pistol handy.
This is effective for bears, mountain lions, or tigers.
Immediately when an attack occurs- I will shoot the old lady in the leg and run like all hell. 🙈


29 posted on 05/28/2024 10:51:28 AM PDT by Notch (TEX/MEX in Cali. [ Whole Lotta Trump Luving Going On. ] - ( DJT- VINI, VIDI, VICI ).)
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To: redfreedom

Lot’s of dry fire practice and ball and dummy drills will help your flinching problem.


30 posted on 05/28/2024 11:27:54 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: crusty old prospector

Here is the 380 article.

https://www.ammoland.com/2024/05/handguns-in-defense-against-bears-by-caliber-380-9-3x18-38-revolvers/


31 posted on 05/28/2024 11:30:46 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: Socon-Econ

Your 357 with proper bullets is a fine choice.


32 posted on 05/28/2024 11:31:56 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: marktwain

Say what you will, but I wouldn’t go into Bear country without a 12 gauge semi auto with rifled slugs, and maybe a Claymore or two.


33 posted on 05/28/2024 12:43:09 PM PDT by Rappini ("No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in it's preservation" MacArthr)
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To: Rappini

You must be a city person.

Many of us live in bear country. So when we open the door we are in bear country.

Having a bear walk through the yard isn’t uncommon.

Carrying a long gun all the time is a PITA. Let alone claymores


34 posted on 05/28/2024 7:00:35 PM PDT by riverrunner
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To: Socon-Econ

YOu would not be tempting fate with a .357 as long as your shot was well placed . IN the eye or between the eyes or right in the heart area.

Its my favorite caliber.


35 posted on 05/28/2024 8:22:34 PM PDT by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!),<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>)
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To: 1Old Pro; riverrunner

Is shooting down and to the left a flinch or due to a hard trigger pull?

I’ve read much about this. A lighter trigger pull tends to fix this problem. My 1911, even though it is a heavier framed weapon, has a very very light trigger pull. I’m very accurate with this gun. If flinching while anticipating the recoil were the problem, it would be there regardless of trigger pull weight.

On a hard trigger pull a persons muscles in all fingers tend to contract which causes the hand to move minutely. Just enough to make the aim slightly off. I’ve learned that pulling the trigger with the tip of my finger seems to reduce this shooting error because only the first two joints of the finger move instead of the whole finger which may cause the hand to move a tad.

Dry firing and plenty of range time does help one’s aim.


36 posted on 05/29/2024 4:45:53 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: redfreedom

A heavier trigger can aggravate the problem because you apply more pressure to make the trigger release when you think it should.

If you making it fire when you think it should you are flinching.

Many people shoot very heavy double actions trigger just fine.

They learn to control the desire to make the firearm go bang right now.


37 posted on 05/29/2024 8:21:39 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: marktwain

Very timely post, considering there is a bear roaming around near my neighborhood.

Myself, I’ve got my S&W Model 29 loaded and at hand. Just in case.


38 posted on 05/29/2024 12:58:26 PM PDT by meyer ("When, in the course of human events,....")
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To: meyer

I had an adult bear walk right by my deck at 11 a.m. a few weeks ago here in East Tennessee...could have reached thru the deck railing and patted it on the back.


39 posted on 05/29/2024 1:02:56 PM PDT by who knows what evil? (Hospitals are the most dangerous place on Earth! Dr. David Williams)
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To: who knows what evil?
Bears near human habitation are not a problem until they are.

They learn humans are not worthy of respect. They don't fight and establish dominance. They allow themselves to be pushed around.

Once bears lose their fear of humans, bad things happen.

40 posted on 05/29/2024 3:10:10 PM PDT by marktwain (The Republic is at risk. Resistance to the Democratic Party is Resistance to Tyranny. )
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