Best Sidearm when hunting dangerous big game?

[Hunt]

I'll be buying a 329 PD in .44 mag loaded with Garrets defenders for my trips up North.
Canada don't like handguns. Takes a whole bunch of licensing and paperwork.

[Falstaff]

I just realized my AR pistol with a full mag doesnt weigh much more than my Ruger SRH .454

Problem solved!

[five.five-six]

Since I am hunting, I already have a long arm. Why would I turn to a handgun? But if you insist on a handgun for big bears, I guess 44mag is a starting point.

just in case you need to sleep or crap of piss or sit by the fire

and since Glock does not make rifles, there is always the possibility that your rifle could fail


ETA, .44 mag would be the staple, a .45ACP will do two things, 1) the bear will be really really mad when he gets to you, 2) waste about 6 seconds of running away time emptying your mag

[bombadillo]

Sidearm would be a 12ga shotgun with 7 slugs.

[five.five-six]

I have no actual experience with this.
The bear mace is better then a gun, according to some outdoorsy dudes here.

oh yea, I've read about that

[Too Tall Tom]

460

Hector is right! The Smith and Wesson 460 is the handgun you want in time of peril.
I've seen what it can do and it is lethal. Of course you need to do your job and put the bullet in the right place.

[Gryff]

You're hunting somewhere where critters might decide you're a Treadwell Cookie...what do you carry as a sidearm or keep near your pillow to defend against a bear or some other equally lethal predator? Was thinking .50 cal revolver but am considering the .454 Redfield now. Heard these sidearms were no bueno in Canada though...is that right?

I would think that a 9mm is fine. You just want to make sure you get the muzzle solidly against the underside of your jaw and angled to penetrate your brain before the bear actually starts devouring you.

[YourHuckleberry]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=361316

[mif_slim]

Man I think alot of folks telling you tiger the biggest handgun either hunts very little or never have hunted before.
A handgun is for two legged predators while hunting. A bear mace works better then a pistol. If you can shoot the bear with your rifle your already too close, a handgun won't helping either by then. Rather spray a puff of mace and follow up shot them try to shoot while the bear is on you.

[r3dn3ck]

Best sidearm for hunting dangerous game is another hunter, preferably a professional.

[kalguns]

629

[icentropy]

I'd rather unload a 10MM glock at an attacking animal that turn and run (unless it's a very angry sloth) whatever you're running from will catch you. It seems to me that 6 resonably well placed 10MM rounds are better than one .44 mag round? I don't think i could rapid fire a .44mag and i know i can't rapid fire a .500SW, but i've heard a 10MM with a comp could be fired quickly with accuracy.