Posted on 07/11/2024 5:21:46 AM PDT by marktwain
Here are all the cases which have been documented where .45 acp handguns were fired in defense against bears. These cases do not include incidents where handguns were use with other lethal means, or a mix of handgun calibers were used. If more than one handgun of the same caliber was used, the incident is included. There are 9 incidents with a .45 acp caliber handgun was fired in defense against bears (6 black, 3 brown). The incidents are listed chronologically.
Jack Jackson had a holstered Colt .45 when he came face to face with an aggressive, dominant black bear boar, at 10 feet. He shot the boar six times with the Colt .45 ACP, having to reload four of the cartridges because he had fired five shots on the way to his fishing hole. The incident was witnessed by Walter R. Lewin of Seattle, who wrote it up and sent it to Colt.
A Walter R. Lewin of Seattle is recorded as having died in 1950.
Between bear raids, both men yelled and frantically sought the pistol (having forgotten the shotgun). Finally, Maurice found the pistol, pulled it from its holster and emptied the gun into the charging hulk.
The bear altered its course, and Maurice scrambled for a tree. He begged Jack to do likewise, but Jack refused to do so until he got his hands on the scattergun.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
A dedicated fisherman - he had to shoot his way in and out.
In the August 22, 2009 Montana incident it apparently took 9 rounds of 230 gr FMJ to take down a grizzly. Thank God the guy survived.
45 is one of my favorite self defense calibers not only against 2 legged perpetrators but also the 4 legged kind as we live in the woods. I do not carry 230 FMJ, but rather 230 JHP rounds. I wonder if this Montana guy could have stopped the bear with fewer rounds had he had hollow points?
My self defense weapon, a 1911, has the first round a 45 auto shotshell with #9 shot, with the rest being the 230 JHP rounds. The theory being in a panicky quick draw self defense scenario the bird shot will hit the opponent causing pain and bleeding which should cause him to pause long enough to get off well aimed shots. For bears, the bird shot would only piss it off more.
5 October 2010 Boulder Basin Wyoming, Grizzly Bear .44 mag birdshot! AmmoLand request via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), p. 856.
At about 9 a.m., a guide and hunter were traveling in heavy cover, on horseback. A grizzly bear charged them from close range. The hunter started yelling at the bear as soon as it was seen. He drew a Ruger .44 magnum from the holster at the same time. As the bear charged the men on horseback, the hunter fired at the bear when it was 13 steps away. The revolver was loaded with .44 Special birdshot, in anticipation of shooting grouse for the pot. The bear ran off about 50 yards, then turned back and looked at them. It was uncertain if the bear was hit or injured, because the hunter and guide were having difficulty controlling the horses.
At what distance do you expect to shoot in self defense? Will the shotshell load expand at that distance? Not enough that it will compensate for poor aim.
JHP is inferior to FMJ against bears, because it expands more and penetrates less.
Against a bear I would prefer the reliability of a revolver. 44 mag or even 357
Many hunters and hikers agree with you.
LOL
He managed to a) escape to the outside and b) reload. The second volley did the trick.
The difference? The first loads were jhp which, because of the bear's fat and fur, didn't penetrate to the vitals. The second loads were hard cast lead that did the trick.
The bear was dissuaded from entering the hut by being shot with a .44 magnum. After the second shot, it retreated and started to run away. Kelly fired four more shots at the retreating bear. His guide fired at the bear with his .375 rifle. Kelly grabbed his .375 single shot pistol and downed the running bear with his last shot.
When you write’45ACP’ is that 1911 ?
You use solid shot on bears, not hollow points. Hollow points don’t penetrate enough. The favored caliber in bear defense is the old 45-70. You can buy bear rounds and they are call solid hard cast. 12 gauge slugs are a favorite too. Some companies sell bear specific rounds in 44mag, 454 casull,etc. always solid shot.
The 1911A1 may be the most popular .45 acp caliber pistol of all time. There are many pistols and revolvers chambered in .45 acp.
1911 is my favorite but my Hard Cast is in .357 and she’s a revolver that doesn’t miss for bear country and I feel much more confident with it being old and crunchy!
Having shot bears with rifles, shotguns and a couple different handgun calibers.
I find the standard 45acp lacking a bit in velocity for the best defensive use against bears.
I prefer velocities over 1000fps with good penetrating bullets.
I know and seen a 44mag 315gr HCWFN at around 1300fps shoot through 4 feet of bear.
Would I use a 45acp on a bear if that what I had Yes.
But is in not what I normally carry for defense against bears.
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