Dean Weingarten on the Use of 9mm for Bear Defense
BY Herschel Smith
6 months, 3 weeks ago
At Ammoland.
Ignore all other “authorities” on handguns and bear defense (at least regarding statistics and history). Dean rules.
With that said, I think I’d rather have a larger bore handgun for bear defense. If 9mm works, I presume it’s because of shot placement or number of rounds.
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On May 29, 2024 at 5:33 am, jrg said:
Wow, I’m glad i live far away from bears that are a factor on what I carry. South Texas is NIT a place where running into grizzly bears is very realistic. A 9mm Para. in those circumstances – I don’t have that amount of confidence in my abilities.
If I were a fisherman visiting Alaska, I think my Ruger .41 Magnum 4 5/8″ Blackhawk would fill the bill. In a standard Bianchi Lawman #1 strongside holster, I’ve carried that combination for nearly 40 years. Nothing that gets in the way yet is instantly accessible. With the right ammunition of course.
Hopefully the fishing guide would have better ‘bear medicine’. 8^)
On May 29, 2024 at 8:04 am, george 1 said:
Well a slingshot is better than nothing however certainly not preferred. IMHO Elmer Keith had it right. A 44 magnum with a wadcutter load with a bullet about 240 grains just hot enough to do the job. Controllable and still very hard hitting.
On May 29, 2024 at 9:16 am, Differ said:
While [solo] hiking in the Cohutta recently I considered my 9mm sufficient for Black Bear in the event of an encounter. I’ve had a few and mostly they involve the bear running away from the noisy human.
On the other hand, the large feral hog I startled on the trail would probably have been hard to put down with a 9 had he not elected run the other way, and I was left standing there realizing I’d not even had time to draw the pistol.
On May 29, 2024 at 10:12 am, Beast5 said:
Hitting moving targets while you’re moving is difficult in the best of conditions. Carry as much ammunition as you reasonably can. Going black on ammo when the fight is not over can be unpleasant.
On May 29, 2024 at 10:14 am, Beast5 said:
Sorry, I meant carry as much in the gun (or linked) as you can practically.
On May 29, 2024 at 12:25 pm, MTHead said:
44 magnum Ruger Alaskan, 2.5″ barrel. Easy to carry. Very hard hitting. And if you can get six shots off in a bear charge? Your dealing with a very slow bear.
Plus, if your out and about in lower 48 country. Having the ability to shoot snake loads is always a good thing.
My second would be a +P 45. As Paul Harrell’s meat target showed the standard 45, 230gr. hardball, doing almost the same damage as the 10mm.
And as he pointed out. Standard 45 allowed more much more practice.
On May 30, 2024 at 4:59 am, Shooter Calhoun said:
What if you had the 147 grain Black Talons or the RBCD rounds.
They actually bagged a small black bear with the RBCD.
They do have some very low weights (60 grains) and might not cycle in all arms
Or an MP5 on auto, that might slow the animal down.
Engineer bud had a video where two people had no protection and became bear lunch, all caught on cam.
Uncanny AM news is showing man that got mauled after messing with a bear cub, survived but you can tell he’s been through the ringer with cuts and casts.
On May 30, 2024 at 7:51 am, Don't mind me. said:
Use the caliber you’re comfortable shooting with. And don’t use hollow points on bear.