Daughter wants handgun

[arrix]

I wouldn't trust gunning down a charging 1500lb grizzly to a handgun caliber. Get a 12 gauge with magnum slugs or a big bore rifle. The .44mag is a backup weapon.

[ja308]

Some time back I fired a Kahr 9mm . It was slim and all steel, the recoil was light and it went through a couple mags w/o problems.
That might be a good fit as it is slim.I like it enough to but it after my relocation is complete .
Currently I am not buying anything in Ca. not related to rental property .

[MajorSideburns]

She should use the most powerful handgun she can safely operate and control. If the biggest gun she can safely and accurately handle is a .22 then that is what she should use for defense. Her bear spray will be far more effective as a deterrent and she should be relying on good practice like carrying bells or announcing herself periodically to avoid startling a bear. Her dog presents another risk and I would be far more concerned about moose attacks with a dog present than bears.

[Angrysnarf]

Hi all, My daughter is 21 and just moved to Anchorage. She is wanting to purchase her first handgun. Her experience is very limited as she had zero interest until now. Limited means she has only shot my Glock 19 a few times along with a rifle a few times. She loves hiking and going alone with her dog in the outdoors of Alaska.

I have told her that the dog and bear spray are her best defense against bears and moose. There is also a possible threat of the two legged kind. My question is, would a 9mm be useless or would it offer some kind of protection and/or confidence in the wild? I am not sure she could handle a larger caliber...

I also told her to go and visit a gun shop and rent some different handguns to see what she may like. What say the sometimes great minds of calguns?

Take her to a range and rent some to test

[squeeze]

Good advice. Two guns. One for the city and one for hiking.
.................................................. ..........................................
I have two unused trap shooting books/manuals for sale. See my posting here:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=26822520#post26822520

[Czechsix]

Take her to a range and rent some to test

3 Bears is doing a range day at Birchwood, she should go check that out. It's free, just bring eyes and ears. It's a bit north of Los Anchorage, up in Chugiak area. Easy drive.

[Darto]

Glock 40 (which is not on the approved list in California). Brown bears are extremely deadly.

[Darto]

[Fat Old Guy]

Training, training, training!!!! Did I mention training?

Have her look up Amy Abbot at 556 Training Lab. She is in Anchorage.

https://556traininglab.com

She may be able to try various guns and calibers during a course.

[mygeaux]

This is worth a listen, kinda entertaining:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bear-guns-cartridges-bullets-for-defense-hunting-guiding/id1455406581?i=1000436824575

He doesn't love shotguns with slugs.

SHOW NOTES:

• Three different needs: Hunting, Guiding, & Defense

• Two primary species: Black bear & Grizzly/brown bear

• Firearms, cartridges, & bullets for each need & each species

• Black bears & the "deer cartridge myth"

• Bears & age: size, tenacity, physiology, and mentality

• Tony Russ's 16 points for shooting bears (quoted)

• Backup guns for guides: When stopping, not just killing, is necessary

• Self Defense against bears: rifles, shotguns, & handguns

• The Big-Bore Revolver vs. 10mm Semiauto Pistol debate

• Bear attack & survival true stories & lessons learned

RESOURCES:

Bryce Towsley speed-shooting big-bore revolver video: https://www.americanhunter.org/.../v...454-casull.../

.45-70 Lever-action Trapper: https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever...l-1895-trapper

.416 Ruger Guide Rifle: https://www.ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html

.480 Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley: https://www.ruger.com/products/newMo...ey/models.html

Kimber 10mm 1911: https://www.kimberamerica.com/custom-tle-rl-ii-tfs

Glock 10mm G20: https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g20-gen4

Springfield 10mm XD(m): https://www.springfield-armory.com/p.../xdm-4-5-10mm/

[Frosty1*]

When, my girlfriend, now Wife, used to go four wheel tent camping, she carried a 1911A1 and I carried a S & W 629 in a shoulder rig. I figured we were pretty much covered!

The most important thing about training a new shooter is making them feel comfortable and safe. Caliber and grip will be determined by the trainee after they have a little experience. That is why I always start with a 22 lr, less noise and recoil. With some people, it is also a good idea to use ear plugs and electronic ear muffs.

When, I first met her, no one in her family had guns. I took her out to the range and started out with a 22 LR (Ruger Mk 1), then a .38 Special (S & W 66), a 9 mm (Glock 19), a .45 ACP (Springfield Armory 1911A1), and finally a .44 Special, followed by a .44 Mag (S & W 629).

This was the old days, so we were shooting at 15, then 25 Yards. By the end of the day, she was keeping the .44 Mag in the black at 25 yards

It is all about patience and encouragement. jmho

[JC2020]

44mag, 454 casull, 10mm...Are you all high or stupid? This is a NEW SHOOTER asking about a FIRST GUN!

I always recommend starting with a .22lr. Good cheap way to learn, gain confidence, learn proper marksmenship without ingraining a flinch, etc.

Then she should probably get some sort of 9mm. GLock 19 would be perfect since she is already familiar with it.

After some classes and shooting at least 1000 rounds of 9mm in practice, then if she wants a large caliber "bear gun", go for it.

I completely agree. For pistol, a 9mm seems fine. For hiking, if she is concerned about bears, what about a shotgun or rifle? Much easier to handle than a 44 mag pistol, especially for a new shooter.

[rplaw]

Jeebers...

In bear country you carry a 12ga and bear spray. You practice with both of them until you can use them reliably and accurately even when you're shaking with adrenaline.

End of discussion because there isn't any other option except to not go into bear country.

[Subotai]

Well, OP said she was down for the weekend and could take the 357. So, nice option.

[johncage]

lol at the suggestions of toting a rifle or shotgun along on a hike. bear spray for animals, and 9mm for the rapist and serial killers. that's all you need.