What semi-auto do you use for bear defense?
- Thread starter chuckscap
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spacemanspiff
New member
I can't say that I go into bear country, but some of my friends who do, will carry a Glock in 10mm, I believe it involves a barrel swap. Don't exactly recall the specific details.
MandolinMan
New member
If you use the forum search function, I believe you will find a hundred threads on this subject.
My go to woods pistol is my Springfield V16 in 45 Super, Buffalo Bore 255g hardcast at 1075 fps. A solid rifle (even our trusted 270 Win) is always a superior choice if within reach. I don't hunt in subzero temperatures unless I'm in elk camp and a storm hits (too old and soft), but I am wondering how most semi-autos function in that kind of weather and which brands are better.
Most bears I have seen are fit, quick and irrationally strong. They tend to rely on their physical abilities and their menacing nature for defense. Although I'm sure it is possible, I can say honestly that I have never seen any bear that carries a semiauto for defense.
I figured after we got National Parks carry, maybe I might but still, nope. Of course, I have also never seen a bear wearing a belt so perhaps it's simple logistics.
I figured after we got National Parks carry, maybe I might but still, nope. Of course, I have also never seen a bear wearing a belt so perhaps it's simple logistics.
What sports car should you use to transport six 55 gallon drums of oil?
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What that said, I would interject that IMI makes a few in 44 magnum and 50 AE, but they are huge, heavy and most men don't carry one.
I live very close to a high concentration of Grizzly bears and I know a LOT of outdoors-men who fish, hunt, trap, horse pack and back-pack around them, myself included.
In the 90s the US Fish and Wildlife said we had more Grizzlies per square mile in N.W. Wyoming than anyplace in N. America, and perhaps anywhere in the world.
I know of exactly zero who carry auto-pistols as "bear guns".
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What that said, I would interject that IMI makes a few in 44 magnum and 50 AE, but they are huge, heavy and most men don't carry one.
I live very close to a high concentration of Grizzly bears and I know a LOT of outdoors-men who fish, hunt, trap, horse pack and back-pack around them, myself included.
In the 90s the US Fish and Wildlife said we had more Grizzlies per square mile in N.W. Wyoming than anyplace in N. America, and perhaps anywhere in the world.
I know of exactly zero who carry auto-pistols as "bear guns".
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HighValleyRanch
New member
Previously, a glock 29 and now a glock 20 with the grip cut to a 29 are my woods carry guns.
Yes, we live in the woods in Northern rural California and have black bears living in close proximity in the mountains.
Yes, hiking in the mountains, you need to carry concealed while on public lands.
Yes, we live in the woods in Northern rural California and have black bears living in close proximity in the mountains.
Yes, hiking in the mountains, you need to carry concealed while on public lands.
The serious dudenals out there can thank me later. 
Well, not having a 10mm, and not looking to get one, I guess I'd just have to hope that the .44Auto Mag, .44 Mag Desert Eagle, .45 Win Mag Wildey (its DA! 
) or my .45 Win Mag LAR Grizzly would be enough...
It's winter, Most of the snakes (outside of politics and the media) are asleep.
) or my .45 Win Mag LAR Grizzly would be enough...It's winter, Most of the snakes (outside of politics and the media) are asleep.
I am in black bear (only) country
I carry bear spray.
I also carry a walther p99as in .40 with alternating flat nose and JHP 180/165 grain cartridges.
I also have to think about mountain lions.
That said, when I met my bear at 10 yards this year coming through the brush I already had my bow at full draw, so I was never going to reach either my spray nor my pistol before it got to me, so I was fully committed to my arrow over either; if the bear had come after me, I probably would have next used my bow as a club. The search party would have found me with full spray and pistol and wondered what happened...
If I were in Grizz country, I would upgrade to 10mm.
I carry bear spray.
I also carry a walther p99as in .40 with alternating flat nose and JHP 180/165 grain cartridges.
I also have to think about mountain lions.
That said, when I met my bear at 10 yards this year coming through the brush I already had my bow at full draw, so I was never going to reach either my spray nor my pistol before it got to me, so I was fully committed to my arrow over either; if the bear had come after me, I probably would have next used my bow as a club. The search party would have found me with full spray and pistol and wondered what happened...
If I were in Grizz country, I would upgrade to 10mm.