In the Land of the Midnight Sun, those who traverse the Last Frontier must choose to carry or not carry, and they must choose wisely. Posted on 09/18/2017 4:44:09 AM PDT by w1n1
In the Land of the Midnight Sun, those who traverse the Last Frontier must choose to carry or not carry, and they must choose wisely.
As I coast into what may be my sunset years, I have come to realize there are two kinds of people in this world. Some of us believe there are things out there that will hurt or kill you, and there are some who do not. A few of the things pretty high on my list include a summer lightning storm, a poisonous snake, a crazed terrorist and an 800-pound bear.
People on the other side of the aisle from me on this topic seem even more convinced that nothing in the animal kingdom would really cause them any harm. I beg to differ. This summer, I spent a week with some folks from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), and others.
The purpose of this visit was to attend a class with those who work in that wild, beautiful part of our country known as Alaska to better protect themselves with firearms, primarily against bears.
As I see it, it all comes down to this. Hunters, hikers, fishermen and country has a decision to make, and it is much more important than “paper or plastic.” Are you going to carry a firearm, or not? Alternative “bear deterrent” in the form of pepper spray is also widely available, and the controversy of which is most effective – bear spray or firearms – remains alive and well.
The group of Alaskans that I spent time with this summer landed decidedly on the side of firearms over bear spray. Some carry both, but they definitely want a gun available. As usually occurs in the gun world, if we decide we need a gun for some task, the question always arises. Which gun is best?
“THE 12-GAUGE PUMP shotgun has been the choice of most people for bear defense in Alaska for some time,” said Steve Nelson of Anchorage. Nelson has been teaching bear defense classes since 1978, when a USGS coworker was severely mauled by a black bear.
The Remington 870 outnumbered other shotguns in this bear defense class, specifically a tactical version with ghost ring-type sights. This is a quick handling shotgun that holds seven rounds and delivers the 870’s rock solid dependability. Read the rest of the big bear guns story here.
https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/590-shockwave/
Having shot over 10 bears some at very close ranges.
For handguns I prefer the magnum revolvers loaded with WFN hard cast heaver for caliber bullets.
For long guns I prefer rifles over shotguns one still needs to aim them both. A heaver for caliber rifle bullet shot from a appropriate rifle caliber.
Well normally give one better peroration then the standard foster type slugs and for sure more then buckshot for sure.
Not that there are some shotgun slugs that well work just fine.
Each to their own choices one of the great things about living in most of America.
I bought the mossburg mariner and was sorely disappointed. Rough chamber makes it almost impossible to cycle and they won’t fix it under warranty without me sending g in the whole gun with a firearms dealer.
Cretins...
Penetration in stead of peroration dang auto spell
I have polished cylinders like this with either a shotgun cleaning swab, homemade swab, and an electric drill. Polishing medium depends on the metal being polished. Chrome polish would probably work fine on the chamber. Coincidentally, I’m helping a guy work on the front brake of a motorcycle tonight that has slight corrosion in the master cylinder and this is what we will do. I’ve done it on several bikes with good results.
Not many bears out here in West Texas but we do have a ton of hog’s. When i guide spot and stalk hunts for my bow hunters I carry my old model 37 Ithaca Riot with 5 rounds of 3 inch 00 Buck. Big boars with an arrow sticking in them can get pretty nasty. The old Ithaca chills them right out. I’ve only had to use it a few times but it folded them up every time. With bears I might change ammo to slugs or a first round of 00 and then slugs. This one will slam fire so I can shoot it as fast as an auto.
I do not own a shotgun, but if I did I always said I’d get a Mossberg Mariner, because they look very bad ass.
Thanks for the reality check.
I have come to realize there are two kinds of people in this world
Yes indeed!! There are those who know that animals are dangerous, and then there are those that think if they see a bear it may break into a dance routine and sing the “Bear necessities”!!
That is no joke! I recently had a local radio personality on the ranch. He’s a well known Botanist and since our ranch is probably the largest ranch in the county and one of the oldest he wanted to check out the plant life. One particular place I wanted to show him was a box canyon with a spring in it, just below a large Indian camp site. Before we started into the canyon I put my pistol on and he immediately got this surprised look on his face. He said what are you afraid of? I had to explain to him that it’s a box canyon and the only water within 3 miles. Feral hog’s, Javalina’s and even the occasional Mountain Lion use this daily. Since it’s narrow and only one way out they have to go through or over us to get out. He was shaking the whole way!
When Mr. GG2 lived in Alaska he carried a .454 Casul everywhere.
Agree...
Six hundred grain slug.
That load draws blood on both ends.
Ya lost me right there! Ya might as well said "He’s a well known fairy florist!"
Thanks, I was thinking a short run with a brake cylinder hone might do it. What would you recommend for a final polish?
Oh, chrome. I will give it a try.
Gently.
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