S&W 296 Alaska Bear Story (Picture Link Added #26)

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44specialfan

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This was one of a series of stories that Brownells is receiving from customers and in turn sending out. As this one involved one of my favorite calibers, I wanted to share it with other members. Hope you enjoy it!


Smith & Wesson Model 296
The Revolver That Saved His Life
Smith & Wesson Model 296
This Smith & Wesson Model 296 AirLite has a special place in my heart. It was S&W’s first lightweight Titanium/Scandium revolver, chambered in .44 Special. I carry it in a nylon chest holster 24/7 when I'm hunting here in Alaska. I was on a Brooks Range sheep hunt, when I found myself 15 miles in country hiking a game trail in a narrow canyon. Suddenly, I became aware of a brown object to my front about 30 yards ahead. It was a large grizzly bear! He bounded uphill across my front and stopped on the trail. I shouted to let him know what I was, but he immediately came for me in an arc, using the vegetation to partially cover his movements. I drew the 296 and opened up when the bear was 15 ft. away. My second shot dropped him. He was emaciated and coming to kill me. I believe he had lain by the trail all night with the wind in his favor, waiting for his next meal to come down the trail. When I came along, he moved to attack. The Smith certainly saved my life that day! I added the grizzly bear engraving on the frame to commemorate the day this gun saved my life.
- James W. Featured Customer
 
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Ambused

Wow! Great story. I'd be interested in what Ammo
or Reloads were used. Also where the bullets impacted.

Thank you for sharing that Article.

My S&W Mdl 629 44Rem Mag Mtn Gun at the ready
with 240gr Hard Lead SWC bullets 1000fps.
 

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This is a story that has me conflicted. The positive is the hiker/hunter was carrying and had the nerves and patience to wait until he had a solid shot opportunity and landed what I assume was a perfect CNS shot that put the bear down.

On the other hand, a 5 shot scandium framed 44 special is probably one of the last guns I’d choose before going into griz country. Regardless of load/hand load etc.

Even here in AZ, I will not hunt or hike in bear/lion country without my glock 20/tlr1/+5 ext mag in a Kenai chest holster. We have free range cattle that I’ve seen charge and that’s more of a worry than a black bear or lion, for me. 20 rounds of underwood hard cast > 5 rounds of slow flying ash trays all day.

Thank goodness this story had a positive ending…

SVT28


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
People have successfully defended themselves from bears with 9mm Glocks. Five rounds of hot loaded 44 special would be better than that. Apparently this guy really knows how to shoot his 296. That, plus steady nerves was likely what saved his skin.
 
SVT28 said:
This is a story that has me conflicted. The positive is the hiker/hunter was carrying and had the nerves and patience to wait until he had a solid shot opportunity and landed what I assume was a perfect CNS shot that put the bear down.

On the other hand, a 5 shot scandium framed 44 special is probably one of the last guns I’d choose before going into griz country. Regardless of load/hand load etc.

Even here in AZ, I will not hunt or hike in bear/lion country without my glock 20/tlr1/+5 ext mag in a Kenai chest holster. We have free range cattle that I’ve seen charge and that’s more of a worry than a black bear or lion, for me. 20 rounds of underwood hard cast > 5 rounds of slow flying ash trays all day.

Thank goodness this story had a positive ending…

SVT28


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

PLUS! He said he was sheep hunting. Therefore he would have had a large caliber rifle in his hands or on a sling...........NO SANE person would ditch a rifle for a handgun during a bear charge.......Doesn't add up.
 
Mike said:
PLUS! He said he was sheep hunting. Therefore he would have had a large caliber rifle in his hands or on a sling...........NO SANE person would ditch a rifle for a handgun during a bear charge.......Doesn't add up.
Click to expand...

It makes plenty of sense when you consider the kind of hunting involved. He's hunting 15 miles into the brooks range. Western hunting (and even moreso Alaskan) is a different beast than hunting in the southeast and involves a lot more distance to travel, more elevation gain/loss, and rougher terrain, so you will often see rifles strapped to packs until they get to a spot they find agreeable to their chances of shooting a sheep. I'd be absolutely amazed if he had his rifle loaded and in hand, vs a pistol which was kept ready for exactly this purpose.
 
waffles said:
It makes plenty of sense when you consider the kind of hunting involved. He's hunting 15 miles into the brooks range. Western hunting (and even moreso Alaskan) is a different beast than hunting in the southeast and involves a lot more distance to travel, more elevation gain/loss, and rougher terrain, so you will often see rifles strapped to packs until they get to a spot they find agreeable to their chances of shooting a sheep. I'd be absolutely amazed if he had his rifle loaded and in hand, vs a pistol which was kept ready for exactly this purpose.
Click to expand...

As someone who worked, lived and hunted Alaska, I'd say you're spot on. To be that far off grid, he had to have a pack which would make it difficult to shoulder a rifle, so it was likely strapped to his pack while hiking. Although I have a 296, I carry either my 629-4 MG or 4" 500 in a chest rig. The 296 isn't a bad choice, but it's not my first choice. Nonetheless, kudos for being able to successfully TCB during a definite SHTF situation. :)
 

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I had intended to post this in the FORUM section but obviously goofed. Anyhow, wish I could have pointed everyone to the original Brownells post as it contained an excellent picture of the author's 296 with the grizzly engraving he added post-incident, along with a handsome folder and 10 of our favorite cartridges.
Like each of you, wish more info regarding the exact circumstances had been included (especially shot placement and ammo used) but I'm guessing the author's input was probably edited by Brownells to fit their space requirements, etc. Still and interesting story and info worth reflecting on regarding the 296 and it's potential to keep one safe & sound. Tony
 
<<free range cattle>>

Ok, I have a FRC story... it's even from AZ!

Was hiking in the Dos Cabeza's, going across the divide (from the park on the east side into the stronghold). Part way up the hill I ran into some milling cattle near a tank, and standing on the trail. They didn't see me thru the trees.

I wondered what to do... didn't want to try to bluff them, didn't want to just hope they'd move... so I thought hey, I'll lob a snowball over and see what happens.

So I make a snowball and throw it in a high mortar-like trajectory. And dang if it doesn't land square on a cows forehead! The cow is startled, moo's, and takes off down the canyon, and the other cows run with it. Trail clear! :)

Glad it wasn't a grizzly!
 
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CNS, TCB, SHTF, FRC.
Feel like i entered some kind of acronym twilight zone here.
I got the FRC / free range cattle and the obvious SHTF, but what in the world are CNS and TCB?
Too old to be trying to translate acronyms.
 
Chukar60 said:
CNS, TCB, SHTF, FRC.
Feel like i entered some kind of acronym twilight zone here.
I got the FRC / free range cattle and the obvious SHTF, but what in the world are CNS and TCB?
Too old to be trying to translate acronyms.
Click to expand...


CNS = Central Nervous Systems


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Chukar60 said:
CNS, TCB, SHTF, FRC.
Feel like i entered some kind of acronym twilight zone here.
I got the FRC / free range cattle and the obvious SHTF, but what in the world are CNS and TCB?
Too old to be trying to translate acronyms.
Click to expand...

Old people are the ones that should be getting TCB! How many younger Elvis fans are out there?
 
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Glad he came out the victor. I carry my 629-4 6" loaded with Hornady 240 grain XTP JHP in a side holster when venturing into the woods. However, I am in Alabama and I likely would've had my .308 rifle in my hand and ready. Our Black bears aren't really interested in humans though. Their diet consists of fruits, nuts, and seeds mostly. Rabid wild dogs, Bigfoot, and feral pigs could potentially be a problem though. I still feel better knowing I've got a sidearm with some power to it!
 
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FRC is not one you'll have to remember, I only did it because it was quoted directly above. But yeah, probably bad writing choice.

TCB was new to me; you can give an acronym to Google and it will find something for you. YMMV, but AFAIK IMO Elvis was GOAT at TCB. LOL...
 
This illustrates that in up close and personal bear defense , that round count isn't the limiting factor , time is .

Would be curious what the load was , but obviously it worked .

We can monday morning quarterback about having a larger handgun , but it's a good supposition that James W. placed priority on weight for his backpack hunt in the Brooks range .
 
Chukar60 said:
CNS, TCB, SHTF, FRC.
Feel like i entered some kind of acronym twilight zone here.
I got the FRC / free range cattle and the obvious SHTF, but what in the world are CNS and TCB?
Too old to be trying to translate acronyms.
Click to expand...

Sorry about that. Guess you're not a BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive) fan. :D TCB = Taking Care of Business.
 
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