Bear defence with a 9mm

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I love this thread. It's kinda funny because it hasn't even decended to the "no, what you really need is a cocked and locked 1911 with 230grn hydra-shocks" level. I guess I'd part with some half-way useful knowledge rather than being sarcastic or talking out of my @ss.
I live in black bear country and have seen some mean, nasty, persistant bears. I've never killed one, except for sport. A friend of mine carries a "customized" "short barrelled" semi-auto 12 with a pistol grip when he goes camping. I'm not sure, but I think it's a mossy. Either way, it's incredibly painfull to shoot, but it's the RIGHT weapon for bear defenSe. Load with slugs and 000 buck. It's maneuverable enough and when empty, serves as a better club than a 9.

de fence, boss -- de fence, de fence
 
I think Moe makes good points. If he can confidently hit well with his Browning, and not so well with other handguns, that's probably his best choice.

I agree that a .44 mag (or almost any centerfire rifle) would be better for bear. But I question the common perception that black bears are usually very difficult to stop, and smaller calibers are next to useless against them. There is a clear distinction between what we would choose to hunt for bear, and what would have a reasonable chance of stopping one in an emergency.

I know someone who killed a black bear with a .22 pistol. The bear repeatedly came into their camp and tore things up until they decided they had to do something about it. I believe it was a one-shot kill. I'm glad I wasn't doing the shooting. But it worked.

Also, our forefathers killed a lot of black bear, as well as grizzlies, with single-shot blackpowder arms. I believe .30-.36 caliber rifles were very popular in the eastern part of the country. I'm not positive of this, but I suspect that a modern 9mm FMJ might compare pretty favorably to a .36 caliber round ball fired from a black powder rifle. And I think it would EASILY beat most .36 (and many .44) caliber black powder revolvers. Yet I'll bet a lot of bears fell to these.

It seems to me that a high-capacity 9mm that repeatedly hits the target is much better than a .44 mag that misses or is left behind.

As far as the original question about the bullet to pick, I think I'd lean towards some heavily loaded FMJ with a fairly heavy bullet. It seems that penetration would be the key factor to look for in this application.

Doug
 
Remember, Moe. You had to start somewhere to learn to shoot the Hi Power. You have it in you to learn other weapons if you apply yourself.
Have faith in your inherent abilities.

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johnnyb
A slow hit beats a fast miss.
 
Moe,

Was physical contact made between your buddies and the bear, or was the bear just standing it's ground? If physical contact was made, were your buddies hurt?
 
Tackdriver,
What you really need IS a cocked and locked 1911 with 230grn Hydra-Shocks. But we are talking about BEAR defense now... :) ;) :)
 
When I saw the thread title, I was going to drop in, and say

good luck!

-but, since we're talking black bear, it's not quite as unthinkable. 124 shoulder-stabilized FMJ loaded hot.

My god! Randy Garrett! How long has he been here?

Personally, I think a 300-grn .45 Colt hard cast at about 950 fps would be about right for me. (In something you could keep w/ you at all times.) Wonder if it'd be safe in the Total Ti Tracker that'll be out soon...
 
Oh! Just a thought. Since you shoot the Hi-Power so well, have you considered going with a .40? That way, you could use a virtually identical platform, but gain some much-needed weight to your vollies...
 
NATO FMJ: One in each eye and one up the nose; that should make the bear roar; at that point 6 to the tonsils -- then repeat sequence! ;) Then repeat again.

I agree Moe, it's the one you have with you and shot placement is far more valid and valuable than anything else.

I favor the .22 QuickShock myself; that'll get 'em talkin'

Take care and good luck and look for bear crap with bells in it. ;)



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Exotic Weapons & Mary Kay make my day.
 
I am sorry you told me not to do this, but you cant do much to a bear with 9mm exept make him very mad. If you want to kill him with a handgun, dont bet on that Berreta, bet on a Redhawk, or some large caliber wheelgun.
 
Moe; PLEASE no more marlin guide gun, 454 casull, Randy Garritt ammo, 44 Mag, 338 win mag ADVICE! Your HP is fine. Let's not go broke buyin' all this other crap! A large hunting knife is nice to have on your belt. Probably the best advice of all is to take a DOG! They're a great warning system. And if they're not rat dogs they will protect too! If you MUST get a large calibre weapon get a used 12 guage for $125 bucks, saw off the barrel to about 20 in. and "presto" the best camp gun made.
 
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