I am a 76 year old outdoorsman with property in Idaho that I am being told the Fish and Game folks are starting to find Grizzly signs. I typically carry a .357 in a chest holster when in the back country but it has been suggested that I consider at least a ,44mag. Since we spend quite a bit of time hiking, stream fishing and riding in the summertime, I am considering moving up to that .44 mag. My .357 has never failed me, so I want to stick with a revolver and S&W. Any advice on a model that this old fart might be able to carry and handle?

If you already shoot your .357 well and have confidence in its reliability, here's some food for thought;

Update of Pistol Defenses Against Bears 123 Cases, 98% Effective - AmmoLand Shooting Sports News

Alaska Outfitter Defends Fishermen from Raging Grizzly with 9mm Pistol | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Woo hoo! Bear thread!

This guy’s trusty .357 Smith worked for him.

Montana Grizzly Attack Caught on Camera | Field & Stream

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Personally, I would try and find a M629 Mountain Gun, which is a stainless .44 Magnum with a tapered barrel. Carry it with the stoutest load you can handle well.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I fairly recently saw a bear attack story where the person attacked was using a semi-auto, 10mm pistol. He suggested that had he had only six shots, he wouldn't have survived. I've always been told that a 12 gauge with slugs is the best bear defense. They make some really compact ones these days.

BE Mike’s suggestion of a 10mm is sound advice. The Danish Sirius Patrols in Greenland carry the Glock model 20 in 10mm for defense against polar bears. 15 + 1 shots of Buffalo Bore or Underwood performance 10mm ammo is a serious deterrent for all manner of predators. If I could only have one handgun it would be a Glock #20. I turn 71 next week and don’t find the recoil uncomfortable in the G20.

Best Regards,
ADP3

I carry a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 44 Magnum w/PPU 300gr. SJFP. I also have a S&W 629-6 Deluxe 3" bbl. The Ruger seems to have less recoil. I do change out my rotation of the two for really no reason, just to change handguns. These are my two favorite revolvers.

For a 44 mag in bear country (lower 48), I carry one of my MGs in 44 mag/45 Colt or 5’ 629 Classic. In Alaska I carried a 4"
500 and 375 H&H.

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213th FBINA

A good friend is a Tribal Fish and Game officer on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. They routinely deal with nuisance grizzlies. They carry 10mm Glocks. During the Great Chicken Little Ammo Panic they couldn’t find ammo anywhere. I found enough of these to fill his mags and mailed them off.



He did say they don’t get out of the truck on bear calls without the 12 gauge.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I carry a 3" 629 loaded with Buffalo Bore "Lower Recoil .44 Magnum" rounds (Lower Recoil .44 Magnum). They are loaded with hard cast 255 grain Keith style gas checked semi-wadcutters and are still plenty stout, but safe to fire in S&W revolvers. If there was a high likelihood of meeting up with a coastal brown bear, however, I would be carrying my 870 loaded with Brenneke Black Magic slugs.

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Model 29. 4” never failed me in Montana Beartooth wilderness

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V/r,
Markham

Muskox too. The DS Patrol have killed at least one polar bear with a pistol that I know of.
A lot of knowledgeable people in brown bear country have traded their heavy revolvers for 10mm pistols. I don't claim to be an expert but have made the same transition myself.
The advantage of fast, accurate and plentiful follow up shots is undeniable.

The other side of the equation is you are trading .44 Magnum ballistics for those that fall somewhere in between a .357 and .41 Magnum. In a grizzly charge scenario you are probably not going to get off six rounds, let alone 15. I suppose it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

I may the only guy on this forum who has never faced a grizzly charge, but I'll offer my opinion anyway, which is similar to my position on the 9mm vs. .45 and J-frame vs. 100 round snail drum mag debates.

Don't stop going to the woods because you "only" have a "puny" .357. If you have, or want, a .44 or a 10mm or a .500 and can shoot it as competently as you can your pea shooter, enjoy yourself. If you don't or can't, don't sweat it. If you have to shoot you'll do more damage with a well-placed .357 than a miss with a 105mm howitzer The more what-ifs you layer on an already unlikely situation the more likely the fear-mongers will either scare you out of going outside at all or you will be constantly upgrading until you're walking to the mail box with a .458 Lott while your wife covers you from the doorway with a LAWS.

Well, there goes the "no sarcasm" resolution. Happy New Year y'all!

(Seriously, I have been very pleased with my 629-2 Mountain Revolver. It is nimble, no heavier than an N-frame .357 and accurate as I can manage. They call them Mountain Guns now.)

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I really like my model 69 4.2". I would be comfortable packing bear loads in it and practicing with lighter loads.

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Front sight and squeeze

Grizzlies are bigger and tougher. It seems like the most important thing is to have immediate access to your firearm and use it without hesitation because most situations seem to be very quick and close up. If you go the .44 Mag. route, get the best ammo available. Underwood and Buffalo Bore have good reputations and I'm sure that there are others. I would pick a cartridge with really good penetration qualities. I personally would opt for a handgun that is quick to get into action. That would eliminate single action revolvers for me, but if you are highly skilled and experienced with single-action revolvers, you may find them best. Here are some interesting cases: Handgun or Pistol Defense Against Bear Attack: 73 cases, 96% Effective

What type of 357 do you have? Getting a 44 the same frame size and barrel length as your 357 would a good option since you are used to the way it handles.

My 686 with a 4 inch barrel and 69 with a 4.25 inch barrel feel very similar and can use the same holster. The biggest difference is the 69 kicks harder with magnum loads than the 686 so I put a pair of Hogue grips on the 69 to make the recoil more manageable.

If I lived where grizzlies were a threat I would carry my S&W 69 loaded with hard cast bullets instead of a 10mm pistol. If you go over to the M&P sub-forum you will see some threads about how people are having a reliability issues with the 10mm M&P loaded with really hot ammo from Underwood or Buffalo Bore. And that problem is not unique to the M&P, I have seen a lot of similar complaints about other brands also not working well with that same ammo. A 44 revolver just works.

I'm 76 have lived in MT for over 30 yrs and my current go to 44 mag is a 2.75" M69. They make a 4.2" which I shot the snot out of before the 2.75" was introduced.

I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with a 357 Mag loaded with Buffalo Bore 180gr Outdoorsman ammo.

Refer to early poster above ref 98% effective on 126 bear encounters.

People tend to trivialize "bear" threads but bear encounters happen here in Montana every year with people mauled and even killed.

You are not likely to see a grizz. If you do, it probably won't be a threat. If a threat it better be at contact range or you will be in BIG TROUBLE for a long time. If on the ground fighting for your life a double action that can be used with either hand and rubber grips if hands are bloddy/slippery is preffered.

FWIW

Paul

1) You need to know the signs of a bear.

2) If you see such signs, go a different direction.

3) If I had no choice and had to shoot a bear, a handgun would not be my preference. A 12 gauge with slugs would be my preference, but only because a 10 gauge with slugs would be too unpleasant for my aging body.

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NHI, 10-8.

Our hosts in Alaska had a 629, 6in. with hot, hard cast bullets. That was used by whoever had the most moose meat to pack out. I assumed that someone else in the party would have a rifle. A pistol would not be my 1st. choice for Griz.

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I'm thinkin' the best 44mag would be S&W 500
I don't have one, but I have a bunch of 44's so I'm definitely not knockin' 'em...

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And in other news here in Alaska, a pile of bear scat was found outside Anchorage containing a set of gold teeth and a 10mm Glock missing 3 rounds from the magazine.

Everyone in Alaska who has been charged by a Grizzly says the same thing, the bear was on me almost instantaneously. Thankfully many are false charges either stopping short of you or running past you.

Shot placement and emptying a Glock magazine? I don't think so. Even Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game Heavy in 10mm is 190 Grain at 600 ft. lbs. of energy. Not really for Alaska. As a side-arm I now carry a S&W 460 loaded with 454 Casull Buff Bore Dangerous Game 300 Grain mono-metal with over 1,800 ft. lbs. of energy because at that power one can still be quick in DA. Big .460 XVR Buff Bore making 2,400 ft. lbs. is just a bit too hot; and the 2,800 ft. lbs. lead loads no thanks.

When our company went to Admiralty Island, Alaska, with 1,600 brown bears on one million acres this past May I had a .375 H&H loaded with 300 Grain Federal Premium Sledge Hammer at 4,200 ft. lbs. at the muzzle; and, I wore an oversized 10mm Glock. On the counsel of many, next trip will be the .460 with the 454 Casull Dangerous Game. The last bear shot there was a 900+ lbs. male in a dumpster.

Next to the .460 in the picture are two .460 cartridges next to a 10mm.

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This sequence was posted on a display board at the HQ Bass Pro in Springfield, MO not long after it occurred. What the Field & Stream article doesn't say, as I believe it is the same attack, is that it took every round in the .357 Magnum to subdue the bear with the bear remaining active until the sixth shot. With a semi-auto it would have almost certainly jammed in that close contact as happened to a buddy trooper who's semi jammed when his slide hit the patrol car's window during an incident at an intersection while he was in the car. This is why on my hip I wore the state mandated Glock .40; but on my steering wheel was mounted a 7 shot 586L revolver in case someone ever charged my car with me in it.

Well, it happened to me. In the states when I backpack, I always carried my S&W Model 65. Then I had a close encounter with an angry black bear. Long story shortened I almost shot him through the ear, but he backed off after a 30-minute face-off. A close call. Now I carry a S&W 629 5" barrel loaded with 300gr hardcast Fed Hammerhead rounds. We both lived, but I will not go down without a fight. 10mm sounds great, but I don't have one, same with the 500. Don't think I need one either.

If you can find this anywhere it might be a good choice for .44 Magnum...

cybersnow, whatever you decide to carry, if I were you I would load it with cast bullets and not jacketed. Most 44 and 10mm ammo is hollow point because it sells well and looks sexy but they don't penetrate anywhere like a good cast bullet and I don't mean super hard cast. Those stand a good chance of fragmenting on bone instead of breaking it. A good flat point will aid in putting shock in the offending critter and make penetration straight. Your ammo does not to be loaded to the max but for reliability if you handload. 460's and 500's are great power tools IF you can handle the recoil and blast. Only solid hits count and an X frame is heavy for all day carry.
Like Paul said, the rubber finger groove grips is what I use on my 629(they came on it) and when I carry it on the Kenai fishing trips, my hands are always wet and slippery. They give a better purchase on the gun by far. Thankfully, I have not had to use my 629 but I have relinquished a few good fishing spots to avoid trouble. I am the same age as you so I know how much we relish our outdoor time now. Keep it up.

I have already posted that I use PPU 300gr. SJSP in my woods handguns. Has anyone had any real life shootings with this round? I am unable to find any info on actual use. Thanks.

Dang. Very unusual black bear behavior.
If you are ever in the mood to share more details, I'd love to listen.

I'll still carry My .475 Linebaugh. Weighs exactly 48 ounces empty and 56 ounces loaded with 430 gr LBT and 28 grs of H110. I can wear it on My belt all day and much prefer belt to chest carry anyday. .430 grs of hardcast at 1300 fps is a handful and one needs to shoot a bunch in prep before use. I shot over a 1000 rnds before carrying this beast, and I hit 3.5 inch groups off hand at 50 yards with all 5 shots. Doesn't matter what You carry as long as You are proficient with it. Buy a big bore, put 50 rounds downrange and bet Your life on it, I don't think so. Practice, practice, practice.

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I’d buy one thats light enough that you’ll carry it consistently and can shoot it accurately. I’d also carry bear spray as my primary defense.

You have been given several good suggestions but I would say that the best 44 mag for this purpose would be the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan.

Of course you would not want a 9.5" barrel but my Super Redhawk has over a thousand rounds through it and over 1/2 of them have been 300 gr Lee gas check bullets loaded ...uh.. rather stout! Trigger is pretty good right out of the box and she is still tight as new. Super Redhawks have better triggers than std Redhawks, IMHO. I love Smith and Wessons but in harsh environments and a steady diet of heavy loads, these revolvers are as tough AND accurate as it gets.

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I carry a 657 MG with 250 cast. The Federal CastCore rounds that are no longer available in .41 were a 250 at 1100 fps and very controllable.

MGs have great balance and fast from the holster... If you can keep rapid shots on a paperplate at 5-15 yards I'd say you were good to go...

...and carry it where you can get at it smoothly and rapidly.

Bob

I like the smith 69, either the more compact 2.75 or the 4.25. I have been carrying the 4.25 more frequently, recently, but both are good choices/options.

Another vote for 4.25 inch model 69. I remove the lock on mine as years ago I had 329pd self lock 2 times on me. I doubt it would be a problem with a steel frame however since you do not get the significant frame flex that you get with aluminum frame guns. I did it anyway to make me feel better.

That's pretty scary. I wonder if anybody has had that happen with a steel frame gun and what the circumstances?

I've never been in the position of needing to defend myself against a bear or any animal...but trying to put myself in that position as a thought exercise and confine it to the handguns I own rather than a what would I buy for the job...I have to take into consideration several factors:

Caliber...I would give thought to my Freedom Arms Model 83 .454...but with a 7.5" barrel that would be a tough carry comparatively. The OP has also pretty much restricted this question to .44 Magnum so I'll keep it there.

Action...I'll go with double action for quick follow-up shots plus I'm far more experienced with that.

Barrel length...Since it's pretty much accepted this is a backup piece and to keep size manageable...I would choose a 4" barrel revolver.

Personal choice...considering I'm limiting it to what I already own, I would choose my 4" Colt Anaconda. I would prefer one of my 6" Anacondas but size matters...in this case being more portable is a deciding factor. I have a 2.75" Smith Model 29 but I feel the 4" would be better plus it's stainless steel for weather resistance which is more likely to be a factor than running into an angry, hostile bear.

I also have a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag...it would likely be what I would carry with a handgun as an emergency backup.

Remember this profundity about self-defense, which although I was taught it with regard to dealing with violent humans, can easily be applied to other dangerous animals: "A pistol is what you carry when you have no specific reason to expect a problem. If you have reason to expect a problem and can't arrange to be elsewhere, you need to have an appropriately loaded long gun."

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NHI, 10-8.

As many have stated you can kill a bear with many calibers, with a revolver or Semi auto. In 2009 a friend and I went Black Bear hunting near Libby Mt, we both carried SW 629 4" along with our rifles, I also carried a 44 mag derringer, last chance get off me gun, at the time I did not have any SW 500's. I found grizzly tracks outside the cabin we stayed in. I would suggest a 4" SW 629,and 300 gr hardcast lead bullet at standard velocities. I realize that there are some loads that push the envelope, but a LFN over 1000 fps should be manageable and penetrate. I would practice as much as you can. Start off the bench at 25 yards, SA to confirm the accuracy of that round in your gun and your hands. Then I would move to 10 yards and fire off the bench, then offhand and then from the holster. You want to be fast and accurate. When training my wife, after the basics were done I would be screaming in her ears, He's, he's on you,over and over, as loud as I could to try to induce some stress in the situation, since every bear attack can be different, but I would believe every attack would be very high stress. It would be best if you had a friend with a 44 mag to test with, to see how you can handle the gunbefore investing in gun, ammo, and holster. If you would not feel comfortable with the 44 , I would agree hardcast 357's can do the job. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

After the tests I’ve seen plus a guy I know using a handgun in Africa, my choice of bullet would be the Lehigh Bullet either in solid or the penetrator. I’ve seen the results on large hogs and I’m sold. I’m also sold on the Lehigh defense bullets for all my carry guns as well. Bill Wilson liked them so much he bought the company!

Our 629 with 4" barrel is about the same length as the gun below.
The 460 is a bit heavier but:
When loaded to 44 Mag levels it is recoil friendly when firing five rounds quickly and on target.... with 300-350gr bullets.

From there you can increase powder levels and practice.
Weight when loaded will be about 20 ounces more than a loaded 629.

We have a G20 for concealed carry on busy hiking trails in the Rockies.

grip work in progress when pic taken.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

Where I did the majority of my hiking in the woods, moderate sized Black Bear were all over. I carried a 3" M65 loaded with Buffalo Bore hard cast 180 grain LSWC Magnums that do 1,325 fps out of the 3' barrel (personally chronographed and verified that) - which I consider descent for Black Bear in that grain weight bullet. The 3" RB M65 is a pleasure to carry all day and I never went hiking without it. Would I feel the same about lugging a heavy and large M29 all day? As they say...... the gun you have (even if less powerful) is better than the more powerful one you left at home. Now if I were to set out purposely on a Bear hunt - I would of course take a M29!

If I were in a place that had more dangerous species of Bear I would upgrade to a 44 Magnum M29 with a 6" barrel and figure out how to deal with the size and weight.

BTW, if the best (most powerful) 44 magnum round is desired, I'd look into Buffalo Bore Ammunition. Their products have always proven themselves to be reliable, accurate, consistent and in any caliber I've tried them in, they are at the top of the food chain! Before carrying them I'd fire a few to become familiar with. They do have a bit of recoil - lol.

.45/70 Gatling Gun and a really fast car

The ONLY sure fire way to stop a charging Grizzly is to take away his credit card. This only works for male grizzlies, females usually carry a spare.

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Forum consigliere

I think Jimmy posted the Correct Answer.
Was thinking of this Gatling Gun up at NRA Whittington.
But it’s a 30-40 Krag!

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Montana bears are significantly lighter than Alaskan or Eastern Black bears. We have neither the length of a growing season nor the stay in one place bears. In general they move around and it takes a very large bear to push 300 lbs, black or grizzly.

While you might be prepared to shoot at 25 yards it would be a huge disservice. You want to use your gun to get the animal off of you. I have felt OK in the woods with a 40 Short & Weak, but better with a 44 revolver.

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Front sight and squeeze

I know a gentleman who survived being mauled by a grizzly. Though horribly injured he killed the bear with a .41 magnum Ruger of some type. Last I heard he’d switched to a .454 Casull though I don’t know the actual make or model?

Never asked him why the switch in caliber since the .41 magnum worked or why not choose a .44 magnum? Just figured he decided more would be better, a good bit more!

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BCCI Life Member #2068

4" Mountain Gun in 44mag with Garrett Cartridges 310 Sledgehammer loads, Hamilton Bowen reworked mine. Had to find a used one and then he worked it over, even bead blasted the finish. Also added a lanyard ring as when in bear country, I take it everywhere.

It has been my experience....
Most anything heavy loaded in.4 or above,
and placed in the eye and or spine.

The trick is...to have the nerve to stand and deliver the goods.

///

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"