Good backup hunting handgun

well i noticed when i tried kneeling with it. since then the whole rig strangely rotates into a cross draw rig when i have to kneel or sit.
 
I have 2 options. A 3" S&W 629 and a G-20 in 10mm. If protection is the primary concern the Glock gets used. It is 3/4 lb lighter and 1" shorter. Holds 16 rounds vs 6. While not quite as powerful, it does shoot 200 gr hardcast bullets @ 1300 fps. On paper the 44 looks a lot better with advertised performance of 240 gr bullets @ 1500 fps. But from an 8" barrel. From the 3" tube mine only gets 1150 fps, so it isn't a huge advantage over the 10mm.

If hunting in the primary concern I'd take a longer 4-6" barreled 41 or 44 magnum. From longer barrels they do start to have an advantage and will be more accurate for longer shots.

Since I really don't handgun hunt, the Glock gets used a lot more.

I'd suggest an SP101 with a 3" barrel or a Model 60 with the same length barrel.

You can shoot snake shot for snakes, .38's to put down a wounded animal without splitting your eardrums or take out a black bear with a full powered magnum load.
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From 3" barrels 357 mag won't even make 9mm speeds. That is an issue with all magnum revolver rounds. All published ballistics are from 7.5"-8" barrels. Shot from 3-4" or shorter barrels ( that most actually use) they don't even come close.



 
Hey everyone, im new to this forum (joined today) an my question was what would u recommend for black bear protection/backup hunting gun? I live in the northeast so i dont want anyone recommending the 500 or anything like that, its not necessary, i wont b facing any big brownies. Revolvers? Autos? Calibers? Brands? Prices? Nothing outrageously expensive either (under 600$ wud b nice). Thanks!
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4" barrel .357 revolver be enough?
 
If I could only have one handgun caliber, it would be the .44 Magnum. For protection against both two and four legged predators, it is the most versatile of them all.

It has stopped every game animal on the planet including elephants. It can shoot snake shot, mild .44 Special to 300+ grain elephant stoppers.

When I go in the woods where there is any kind of threat, I carry a 4inch Redhawk with heavier loads. I hunt with a SBH Bisley Hunter in .44 Mag as well

It's pretty hard to beat the .44 Magnum's versatility. It is a very easy cartridge to handload and can be loaded from 180-340 grains..
 
drive sideways said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by badge851 View Post
I carry this in 41 Remington Magnum.....

While the 41 Mag was discontinued you can still get the same gun in 357 Mag or 44 Mag.....

• Taurus TRACKER Stainless 357 Magnum
• Taurus TRACKER Stainless 44 Magnum
• Taurus TRACKER Blue 44 Magnum

Prices in my area are....
$450-$500 for new
That one has the ported barrel i see. Make quite a difference?
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Yes it tames the recoil A LOT!
 
porting makes more noise. everyone tells me that. lot more tiny holes to clean. 1 barrel and 7 chambers is MORE then ENOUGH CLEANING> and i LIKE cleaning.

now ive only used one brand of 357 magnum. federal champion 357 158 grain jsp 1250 fps on the box. no barrel length given. so id assume 4 inch barrel as thats what federal uses on their 38 spcl.

now that load, does lift the gun up. it does have recoil. but i really cant tell much difference wise from remington - umc 130 grain MC in .38 special or remington HTP 38 spcl +p 110 grn sjhp.
just more NOISE.
 
I could see how it would cut a lot of recoil but also make a lot of noise. Anything with any form of muzzle break is always much louder. I'd love to shoot both an see how they do
 
From 3" barrels 357 mag won't even make 9mm speeds.
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Most people on this forum would prefer a .357 magnum revolver over a 9mm when up against a bear.

Try shooting 180 grain bullets out of your 9 ;)

Besides I have real data from my guns.

From my Taurus 9mm with 3.2" barrel my Winchester NATO rounds which are 9mm +P and 124grain bullets went 1,119fps or 344ft/lbs.

From my SP101 3" barrel my handload with a 125 grain Speer Gold Dot went 1,367fps or 518ft/lbs.

So all things equal .357 wins hands down. When you throw in larger bullets to penetrate big animals the magnum leaves the 9mm far behind.
 
Since you are using a smokepole with one shot, I assume you want a handgun capable of handling a ****** off wounded bear, that does not give you time to reload. This is a whole different scenario than shooting a stationary, relaxed bear. In that case, you need a firearm just as capable as your primary weapon and you need to be just as proficient. Most folks that carry handguns as backup, practice far to little to hit a moving target, accurately, even at close range. This is especially for those on a tight budget that cannot justify the cost of ammo. Proficiency with a handgun does not come easily or cheaply.


I often wonder why one can afford a $600 backup handgun, but cannot afford $600 to replace their primary weapon, which would eliminate the need for the backup gun. Many times I think these "which handgun for a BUG against bears?" threads are folks trying to find some sort of justification for buying a handgun. Truth is, unless you are going to use the handgun as the primary weapon, it really don't matter. You're primary weapon should always be capable of doing the job. If it isn't or your are not capable of doing the job, you need to re-evaluate the situation.
 
buck460XVR said:
Since you are using a smokepole with one shot, I assume you want a handgun capable of handling a ****** off wounded bear, that does not give you time to reload. This is a whole different scenario than shooting a stationary, relaxed bear. In that case, you need a firearm just as capable as your primary weapon and you need to be just as proficient. Most folks that carry handguns as backup, practice far to little to hit a moving target, accurately, even at close range. This is especially for those on a tight budget that cannot justify the cost of ammo. Proficiency with a handgun does not come easily or cheaply.


I often wonder why one can afford a $600 backup handgun, but cannot afford $600 to replace their primary weapon, which would eliminate the need for the backup gun. Many times I think these "which handgun for a BUG against bears?" threads are folks trying to find some sort of justification for buying a handgun. Truth is, unless you are going to use the handgun as the primary weapon, it really don't matter. You're primary weapon should always be capable of doing the job. If it isn't or your are not capable of doing the job, you need to re-evaluate the situation.
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Its also gonna b used for hiking/camping an carry. Not just gonna b hunting backup.
 
Also i hav only ever needed more then one shot an am very capable of hitting a moving target. I am just trying to justify buying a handgun, yes ;)
 
I bought a .44 mag. last year because what I think was a bear, came close to me the year before, when I was deer hunting during the ML season . It was stalking me when I was walking out of the woods . It followed me all the way to my truck ( which wasn't to far away ). I yelled out a few times and it still kept coming my way .

I never saw it , but the person (a policeman ) living in the house that borders our land saw it a few times that year . I didn't know this until after my incident .

So when I saw a used Redhawk for sale right before the season opened last year , I bought it .

I feel better now with the .44 mag. when I am in the woods .

I don't hunt bears, so it would just be in the rare case it decided to hunt me .
 
I used to carry my 2 1/2" Smith model 66 in my hip pocket, but now seeing as I bought a model 60 snub 357 I guess I would carry it, but they are both around your $600.00 price limit.
 
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