Handguns are a lot more effective than most think. I don't for a second believe the old wives tale that a pistol is only for fighting your way to the rifle. In fact I'd say that any of the common handguns cartridges from 9mm on up are just as effective as rifle rounds. The key is hitting the target using the right bullet. A rifle makes it easier to vitals as range increases. At extreme close ranges it is easier with handguns.
Here is a study done to give some insight to handguns stopping bear attacks. They documented 37 cases where people were attacked by bear and used a handgun to defend themselves. Eight of these instances involved black bear, the rest grizzly. In 36 of the cases the attack was stopped. In some the person was still injured by the bear, but the gunshots either persuaded the bear to leave or killed it outright.
Guns used ranged from 9mm up to 454 Casul. The 44 magnum was most commonly used, but 9mm, 45 ACP, and 10mm combined for more successful stops than all others. The only failure was a 357 magnum where it is thought that all shots missed the bear.
https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/de...s-rate-37-incidents-by-caliber/#axzz5Ucf4zGTb
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Here is a study done to give some insight to handguns stopping bear attacks. They documented 37 cases where people were attacked by bear and used a handgun to defend themselves. Eight of these instances involved black bear, the rest grizzly. In 36 of the cases the attack was stopped. In some the person was still injured by the bear, but the gunshots either persuaded the bear to leave or killed it outright.
Guns used ranged from 9mm up to 454 Casul. The 44 magnum was most commonly used, but 9mm, 45 ACP, and 10mm combined for more successful stops than all others. The only failure was a 357 magnum where it is thought that all shots missed the bear.
https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/de...s-rate-37-incidents-by-caliber/#axzz5Ucf4zGTb
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