Hello everyone,
I am a new member and I already have a question. My wife and I are in our late 60's and are very fit and healthy. Consequently, we take a lot of hikes in the wilderness surrounding our home in northern Minnesota. I always carry my Glock 45 for protection because it is not unusual to see a black bear, wolf, or a moose. I have been told that a 45 would not be such a good choice for a bear because the bullet might not penetrate deep enough for a killing shot. Instead, it might be better to use a .357 magnum or a .40 caliber. I could carry a shotgun with 00 buck shot but would rather not. I've carried my shotgun enough when I was younger while pheasant and quail hunting. Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.

gunflint65, welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome from VA.

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Roger

This is a question you really should ask on the main part of this Forum where you'll get a wide response. I saw this asked recently on another Forum. The consensus was that a 45 ACP is not adequate, in general, even for a tiny Minnesota black bear. (I can joke about that because 45 years ago I carried a 45 Long Colt on my hip while fishing the Temperance River north of Tofte. Now I know even the Long Colt was not enough.)

In that other forum there was no real consensus on what caliber you do need. But a 357 Magnum (not the 357SIG) was considered the minimum by many. Unfortunately you can only get that in a six-shooter. I would carry either a 357 or a 41 magnum six-shooter today if I had to. I'd probably have my MP 40 in a cross-draw holster with at least 12 defensive rounds.

Welcome to the Forum.

gunflint65, welcome to the forum. My wife is in her late 50's, i think, and I am 60. We hike around here in the Ozark Mountains quite a bit trying to stay somewhat in shape. There are very few bear sightings here. I have seen only one about 20 years ago and it was a little black bear. I ain't to worried about them. I carry a .38 special most of the time in the summer, and a .357 magnum in winter. If I were to be hiking around with my better half in bear country I would be carrying my .357 sidearm and my 12 ga. pump loaded with 3" magnum federal High shok slugs. If I lost her I would die.
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

A 10mm pistol (mine is a S&W 1066) with some double tap hard cast 200 grain or 230 grain ammo will make short work of anything that you listed.

Hi-if you like Glock's, they have a couple of pistols in 10MM, along with the above mentioned S&W 10MM. And there is an auto available in Magnum revolver calibers; the Desert Eagle can be had in .357 and .44 magnum, and even a .50 caliber model. Of course, there is bear spray that will work on anything from a Grizzly on down. Tests claim that these bear sprays are more effective than shooting the bear, because the bear actually turns and runs away, instinctively. Check it out. Unless a black bear is a sow with cubs, and cornered, they are not generally agressive. Sometimes you can just yell at them, or shoot in the air, and they will run away. It's the human varmints that you have to watch, and your .45ACP will sure handle them. Having lived in the wilderness for a number of years, my biggest threats were the above mentioned varmints, snakes, and Bees. Hope this helps. Flapjack.

Greetings from Maine. Welcome aboard!

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas

Greetings from Northwest Georgia! It's nice to have you with us.

Welcome from Texas gunflint65. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

If you have not do so, I would suggest you post this in the Lounge or in the semi auto section. Lots more traffic and good folks to share their opinions.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)