Hunting Sidearms

[TMB 1]

I would use revolver either 44mag or 45 Colt with 300gr or heavier bullet.

[God Bless America]

A few years back, my wife and I went to Glacier Nat. Park. We were hiking a trail and found ourselves looking at a Grizzly bear at about 15-20 yards. I was carrying a .357 mag and bear spray. After 1/2 second, the bear took off. If he had come at me as fast as he ran off, there was little chance that either the bear spray or the revolver would have been out in time. I would have had to defend myself while he was chewing on me. They are MUCH faster than you can imagine.

I read a book about bear attacks. A common theme was 'I had no idea something that big could move that fast. One second it was 100' away, the next thing I knew it was on me.'

[Maus]

My dad shot a black bear in the spine with an arrow. Tracked it to a gully the next day and emptied his 38 special revolver when it came after him. The arrow was lodged in a vertebrae and the bear's hind legs were paralyzed. The vertebrae w/arrowhead is on the mantle and the rug is on the wall. Pretty epic story.

[rudigan]

My dad shot a black bear in the spine with an arrow. Tracked it to a gully the next day and emptied his 38 special revolver when it came after him. The arrow was lodged in a vertebrae and the bear's hind legs were paralyzed. The vertebrae w/arrowhead is on the mantle and the rug is on the wall. Pretty epic story.

Clean kill

[riceman]

My friends stepson lives in Alaska, and does a lot of fishing. We had the oOP's discussion and as stated Glock 20s are hard to keep in stock. The guides, as stated above, are switching from the revolvers to the 10mm with hard cast bullets
There are easier to keep on target than the 44 & 454 and again a lot more bullets to put down range.

[Nothingontv]

Glock 20 or 10mm 1911
Glock 20 has more rounds
Double tap or Underwood ammo

[DentonandSasquatchShow]

One is none and two is one.

[tanks]

Impressive!
If you would, please tell us more about that rifle and its chambering; it looks very interesting, and very utilitarian. All business, the way I like rifles.
Thank you.

It is a wildcat based on short Win M70 control feed action, .50 B&M more info here.

https://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/50-B-M.html

Stock is by Accurate Innovations, Pepper Laminate.
Barrel and fit by SSK Industries.

If interested DM and I can hook you up as I have a brand new one available.

[splithoof]

It is a wildcat based on short Win M70 control feed action, .50 B&M more info here.

https://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/50-B-M.html

Stock is by Accurate Innovations, Pepper Laminate.
Barrel and fit by SSK Industries.

If interested DM and I can hook you up as I have a brand new one available.

Please excuse the thread drift; however I find this to be absolutely worth the read.
Thank you for sending that along; while at this time I am building a different rifle for Safari, I found the website enlightening. I enjoyed reading about Mr. Schoeman and his upbringing in the African PH trade. Good stuff for sure!

Back to the Calguns topic: some well experienced associates of mine whom frequent Alaska way out in the bush doing geology/exploration activities for a living all carry rifles as a preference, and sidearms as back up. Their experience over 30-50 years out in the bush dictates that one must be very quick to get into the action, as bear charges can at times happen very quickly, and at very close range. For this I have been recommended a powerful revolver, and I'm now waiting for Bowen to return my Ruger SRH.

[heyjerr]

I'm about to get my hunting license so we can go get some deer as well, I bought a 1911 .45 ACP to take with me just in case. I'd rather have a side arm AND a rifle just in case.

I won't be going alone either, So it's technically 2 rifles and 1 pistol.

Keep in mind that many, if not all, 1911 models will not fire if there is pressure against the muzzle (out of battery condition). It can jam up in close quarters, which you will find yourself in very quickly with a bear. If you truly only have one shot, you need 100% reliability. I love 1911s but I strongly recommend that the gun you bet your life on be able to fire under pressure (pun intended).

You can check this on your own very easily....after triple checking that your firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. Don't press it against yourself or another person....just press it against an inanimate object (obviously in addition to making sure the firearm is unloaded, make sure you know what the muzzle is pointed at and what is beyond that inanimate object. Safety first.)

[God Bless America]

One is none and two is one.

Dual wield or GTFO.

[gdr_11]

There are two ways to answer OP's question:

1. Carry the sidearm with which you are most familiar and can draw and shoot accurately without thinking. A .50 caliber revolver will do you less good than a .357 if you cannot place your shot well under pressure and with less than 2 seconds to get the first shot off.

2. Longer answer is that you should never go hunting in an area of dangerous game unless you are as familiar with your firearms as a Special Operator. Too many people go to the range twice a year and then pack off for that once in a lifetime trip totally unprepared for anything out of the ordinary beside the "look, there he is 100 yards away standing broadside". You should be able to shoot your rifle accurately from a rest, offhand, off balance and also be able to do a reasonable job snap shooting with no setup or bracing. If you can do this, your needs for a pistol are minimized. If you do want to carry a handgun, you need to be able to shoot accurately in combat style because if you ever draw your handgun in a self defense situation, there is no time for thinking about grip, sight picture, stance or trigger squeeze; it must all be on instinct based upon your training. If the bullets go where you intended you will be fine...if not, the biggest cannon you can carry will not help.

I always carried a Smith and Wesson Model 57 in .41 magnum with 200 gr. handloads at about 1450 fps. I could put all six in a pie plate at 50 yds without thinking and the load was powerful enough to discourage anything.

[MrFancyPants]

My "wilderness" sidearm is a RIA 10mm 1911, 16 round capacity double stack. God forbid I ever encounter a bear, but if I'm ever faced with a whole lot of angry animal, I want something to bring the hurt. Even if my head gets torn off, I'd like to at least leave him something to remember me by.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Garandimal]

From a BT/DT:

GR

[oak18]

My "wilderness" sidearm is a RIA 10mm 1911, 16 round capacity double stack. God forbid I ever encounter a bear, but if I'm ever faced with a whole lot of angry animal, I want something to bring the hurt. Even if my head gets torn off, I'd like to at least leave him something to remember me by.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk