What semi-auto do you use for bear defense?

I cannot support arming bears. I think it's generally a bad idea. It can only lead to other species taking up weapons.
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But no other animals are specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Remember, they have the right to "bear arms"!

:D

Last time I went hiking in bear country I brought the Colt Delta Elite with some Hornady 180 gr JHPs. I thought about the Desert Eagle, but I don't have a good way to carry it concealed. Enough hikers in the area, didn't want to scare the sheeple.
 
I would use any of these autoloaders [Wildey, AutoMag, Desert Eagle], for bear defense, in gravest need.
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Dudenal, those are very nice collector's specimens, but let's get you focused back on caliber reality, not Hollywierd fantasies. Nobody in Alaska is packing those pants-drooping, boat-anchor-weight behemoths.

Sure, each of them shoots a large, magnum-caliber round, but their size and weight makes them impractical for carry (except in action movies), unless they're riding in the bottom of your backpack - at which point the gun is then NOT immediately accessible when Mr. Griz surprises you out on the trail, jaws-a-snappin'.

That's also why more and more guides and other folk who actually live up in the Land of Rough Country and aggressive bruins are ditching their boat-anchor 5/6 shot mega-magnum wheelguns for one of the lighter, more portable, and higher capacity 10mm Glocks ... the 20, 40, or 29, take your pick.
 
I love my stainless V16 for woods carry here in the Rockies, but in Alaska, I second the vote for a G20. Ultra reliable, and while nothings weather proof. It's a lot more wet resistant than even a stainless semi-auto.
 
Dudenal, those are very nice collector's specimens, but let's get you focused back on caliber reality, not Hollywierd fantasies. Nobody in Alaska is packing those pants-drooping, boat-anchor-weight behemoths.
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First, I didn't recommend them to any one else. The OP asked what semi auto I would use for bear defense, and I would use one of those that I own.

"caliber reality"? interesting choice of words. Am I to assume, from your previous posts that you consider the 10mm "real" and the .44 Magnum isn't??

I don't give a rodent's posterior what people in Alaska carry.

If the pants dropping boat anchor behemoths are too much for you, grow stronger. :rolleyes:

No, they aren't for everyone, and I NEVER said they were. I've got over 30 years of practice with mine, have cleared 5 bowling pins off the table in 5.36sec with the Auto Mag, 4.37sec with the Desert Eagle, so I feel comfortable I'll turn in a creditable performance if needed. And, if I don't I'll have no one to blame but myself.

Personally, I detest GLocks. But if that's what floats your boat, go for it. Fine choice for you. For me, not so much...

And, just out of curiosity, do you have any hands on shooting experience with the magnum semis in my pics?
 
I don't give a rodent's posterior what people in Alaska carry.
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Okay, :rolleyes: ... further evidence of lack of caliber reality.

And, just out of curiosity, do you have any hands on shooting experience with the magnum semis in my pics?
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Yes. Have owned (years ago), two 357mag DEs and a stainless .44mag DE. All ran fine, shot well, and I had a lot of fun with them on the range where most "gun-fantasies" are born.

To up your dosage of caliber reality as to what handguns people in bear country are using for practical self-defense against the big bruins, when a rifle or shotgun isn't within immediate reach, do some research on what people who live in those environs actually carry and use.

It ain't DEs, Wildeys, or AutoMags. Those are action-movie fantasy props, or range toys for rich guys to play with now and then. Nothing wrong with either per se, but once you've taken a deep whiff of caliber reality you'll understand why folks who actually have to live in the wilds where the big bears roam avoid toting around boat-anchor weight sidearms.

Breath deeply now, ... you can thank me later. ;)
 
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I guess nobody read my 9mm reference as there should be all kinds of hell-raising rightnabout now.
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Actually we did, but we're all having way too much fun getting 44 AMP off Fantasy Island and back to the happy land of caliber reality. :D ;)

:cool:
 
Did you have a license or tags for the bowling pins? Did you own the table or have specific permission to clear that area? Were the pins threatening you? Were they protecting their young? Perhaps there was a natural environmental adversary nearby (bowling ball) that had the pins on-edge, amped-up and capable of violent attack?

What works in the back alley may not be specifically relevant here.
 
What semi-auto do you use for bear defense?

Not a revolver thread ...
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This is what was asked.

And, its my island, and I'm happy on it. :D

here's the fantasy,
practical self-defense against the big bruins,
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Neither practical nor grizzly (or brownies, or polar) were in the OP. Neither was Alaska. Nor was the question what I would carry for bear defense by preference. (preference would be a S&W M29, or Ruger Blackhawk or SuperBlackhawk, because they are lighter, and I own them too.)

Nor did the OP ask what was the best auto for bear defense. It just asked what I would use.

I could have said LAR GRIZZLY .44Mag or .45Win Mag, or Coonan .357 Mag. Or my Colt Government model .45acp, or my Browning BDA .45. Or even a Tec 9 with its 32rnd magazine. I would use any autoloader I had on hand at need for bear defense.

Some of us got into magnum semi autos well before Hollywood and the PC gaming industry "discovered" them. And we laugh at the way these guns are used in the movies, too!

When I got my first Auto Mag, I had to take out a personal loan, it cost more than the car I was driving at the time (a nine year old Pinto wagon:D), and it was still CHEAPER than a high end 1911A1 from one of the "name" custom shops.

Sevens, no, no, no, no, and no. I gunned them down purely for the pleasure of doing it, and to see how fast I could. And none of the crowd watching had any issues with that. (though the ROs did double up on their hearing protection when I made my second run..:D)

And despite a less than 5 second time, I didn't even place 3rd!

So, I'll go on enjoying my boat anchors, and be a rich man, living on less than $26K a year pension. Now get off my island and go play in the frozen north with the big bears!:rolleyes:
 
Carry what you've got.

I only have one pistol, and can only afford to have one or two at any given time, right now my only pistol is a 1911, and i dont go into bear country much, but if i were to bring my handgun, id likely be packing 255gr hardcast wide flat nose bullets, likely from buffalo bore or double tap or underwood, until i start rolling my own
 
I normally carry either my XDM45 or my Range Officer 1911. I prefer the XDM because for the same weight I get double the ammo capacity. I normally carry alternated light hollowpoint +Ps and heavy ball ammo for both penetration and tissue damage. however I do not normally go into grizzly country, I normally only have to contend with small mountain black bears and frankly wolves and cougar are more of a concern than the bears are but just in case I do run into one of the few aggressive blackies out there, I like to be prepared.
 
I think the answer her is. You can carry anything you want. But why? In bear country your best defense is bear spray followed up by a solid revolver 44mag or heavier. 480ruger, 460/500s&w, 454, etc.. Love my semi autos. But I don't feel they are well suited for stopping a bear. Panic shooting at a charging bear your chances of making a perfect placed shot are slim. Big heavy bullets will break shoulders and skulls and penetrate to the vitals. Again, your best bet is to carry bear spray. All the study show its the most effective bear defense.
 
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