[marktwain]

The number of defensive uses of handguns updated is 16. The total should be 206. In the edition to add the last incident, the total was not added everywhere, which is why the headline says 205.

[Red Badger]

“The use of handguns to defend against bear attacks has been shown to be effective 98% of the time. “

Knowing my luck, I’d be in the 2%................😫

[Red Badger]

“The use of handguns to defend against bear attacks has been shown to be effective 98% of the time. “

Knowing my luck, I’d be in the 2%................😫

[marktwain]

Grizzly bear shot in self defense at 10 feet by Jimmy Cox with a 10mm, Sept. 18, 2018, AK

[Carry_Okie]

I’d be interested about their effectiveness against wolf pack attacks.

I’d bet it isn’t so good. Gonna happen.

[AAABEST]

Thanks for posting these. Got tired of hearing “never shoot a bear with _______, you’ll only piss it off.”

Even a .22 will work if used right, and just about anything is better than bear spray.

[HighSierra5]

The only good bear is a dead bear. Kinda like a commie.

[Socon-Econ]

Would a .357 Magnum be enough? Against a Grizz?

[Jeff Chandler]

[PGR88]

I like those odds.

A friend who hunts Elk in Idaho also carries a 10mm Glock in case of grizzly. He’s never had to use it.

[Bon of Babble]

Japan needs to take heed:

Japan hits 10 deaths from bear maulings this year as attacks skyrocket across country

"Bear attacks are increasingly common in Japan. Since April this year 108 attacks on humans have been confirmed, including 7 deaths but likely the number is higher... Feeding wild bears is illegal but that doesn't stop stupid tourists from trying."

[Widget Jr]

There is more possible error here than selection bias. Survivorship bias means there has to be survivors to report incidents. The information has to both exist and is available to include in a study.

Those who fail at using pistols to defend themselves from bear attacks become lunch. People killed by bears become statistics, not study samples.

[43north]

I live in NW Montana where we are blessed with black and grizzly bears. I carry three handgun calibers: .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 10mm auto depending on where I will be working, what I will be doing, and how close I will be to my Marlin 1895 in .45/70. I have no doubt that handguns can be effective protection against bears but I’ll take a rifle every time if I can. A 12 bore shotgun loaded with Brenneke slugs is also acceptable. Proper handgun bullet selection is paramount with heavy for caliber hard cast lead bullets best.

[dfwgator]

Nuke it from orbit...

[Paal Gulli]

Would you go skydiving knowing there’s a 2% chance the parachute wouldn’t open?

People are stupid enough on their own without having help from people who want them to believe “a handgun is plenty of protection against a bear.”

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Pretty sure you monitor these threads!

Handguns, long rifles, and a pack of dogs and armed friends is the best solution!

[kawhill]

I’d use a 10mm, but I’d much rather have a .375 H&H Magnum rifle. Or the .458 Winchester Magnum. Not many bears here in KS.