[marktwain]

One of the surprising results of the study of the effectiveness of handguns fired in defense against bears was the 9mm. After years of searching, 11 cases have been documented. All were successful.

[Candor7]

Multiple shots of 9 mm work.

WHat if the situation allowed only one shot to be delivered on the bear?

Very different story then.

THe proper single shot dispatch of a bear requires a 12 gauge shot gun slug or a 44 magnum cal Ruger Superblack hawk minimum.Or a Casull 454.

Anything else is tempting fate.

[JesusIsLord]

Lewis said such a low-caliber gun ordinarily doesn’t pack enough punch.

A 44 magnum would be the pistol to have when confronted with a bear but for most of the incidents that were reviewed, it would seem that a 9mm "packs enough punch".

[crusty old prospector]

I wonder if they will do a .380?

[DesertRhino]

9mm ball is famous for over-penetration. It is very capable of getting through a bears skull. Aim well.

[Disambiguator]

The first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun.

- Col. Jeff Cooper (paraphrased)

[Magnum44]

[OKSooner]

Thanks for researching and documenting this subject and edifying those of us who don't live in bear country.

We might go salmon fishing someday...

[Lee N. Field]

All were successful.

That's what we know about. How many were unsuccessful?

Bear country, I think I'd be gunning up.

[ZULU]

Compare it to .45 or .44 magnum

[ZULU]

https://youtu.be/7gtTEEm1-1A?si=QizONJgxzy4tRlUO

[UnwashedPeasant]

A 9mm in the hand is worth two shotguns in the bush.

[redfreedom]

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.

[PROCON]

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[Notch]

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. 🙈

[Rappini]

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.

[meyer]

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.

[BerryDingle]

Colt introduced Grizzly and Kodiak revolvers for 2024, which are chambered in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum, respectively, and each features barrel porting and an unfluted cylinder while still being built on the company’s already-popular Python and Anaconda frame sizes.

Each outfitted with 4.25” barrels and an underlug to reduce recoil. Rubber grips. MSRP $1,599.00.