10mm Auto For Bear Defense

The caliber question has definitely gone through the paces but I haven't heard anyone address the firearm size aspect. You mentioned she's not quite comfortable with a large frame revolver so would be looking to the G20. The Glock isn't small either. I've got larger hands and the G20 with 15 rnds is still a handful. Holding both at once, the Glock feels more controllable (magnas on the Smith). Through some Good Years on the Smith and that may change. Below is a G20 next to a Pre-23.
 

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My only experience with bears in nearly 40 years of hiking, hunting, fishing etc. is normally the south end of a black bear heading north of me very quickly so I for the most part don't give them much thought but watching the shows on tv about the really big and bad ones I have to question ones ability to be able to hold a handgun steady, take careful aim and shoot accurately under what might be a very sudden and frightening encounter. Regardless of the caliber unless one had a considerable amount of regular practice I'll bet the chance of a kill shot is in the single digit percentile.
 
Mistered said:
My only experience with bears in nearly 40 years of hiking, hunting, fishing etc. is normally the south end of a black bear heading north of me very quickly so I for the most part don't give them much thought but watching the shows on tv about the really big and bad ones I have to question ones ability to be able to hold a handgun steady, take careful aim and shoot accurately under what might be a very sudden and frightening encounter. Regardless of the caliber unless one had a considerable amount of regular practice I'll bet the chance of a kill shot is in the single digit percentile.
Click to expand...


Don't be so pessimistic. We do have a number of actual cases where handguns sufficed.


The original need is now moot. My son and his wife bought land in Texas and never moved to Alaska. I think it was a wise decision. They did get a Marlin .45/70, though. Their other guns are well chosen and they are both very capable shots. Just as well, as they have seen cougars where they now live. And wild pigs.


The only need to shoot dangerous wildlife so far has been snakes. One water moccasin with a Colt .45 auto and a big rattler with a H-K 9mm.
 
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When I lived in Alaska and hunted and fished even if you were bear or moose hunting with a rifle or rabbit hunting with a shotgun the weapon always carried was a Ruger 357 with max hand loaded 357's we bought from a trapper in town .. first 2 were 38's to try to scare the bear off and the last 4 hot 357 loads and the hope you can get all four off in him before he gets you .. of course there would be 3 or 4 of us or more shooting if that would have happened .. we never went in the woods with less then 2 or 3 of us together .. someone said they will run 30 mph .. closer to 40-45 mph the first 100 feet then 30-35 the next 1/8th mile .. if its a sow with cubs it will be even faster .. They are much larger then black bears in the lower states .. I've seen scrap marks on a tree close to 12 to 14 feet or higher up and they will try climbing one too if after something ..

the one thing is you need to be an accurate shot .. in a bear encounter there or no 2nd chances .. carrying a big can of the best bear spray you can get was also always carried .. it as the first line of defense before shooting .. we only had smaller cans of spray then .. you can get much larger ones now and stronger spray .. the cans were carried so when they were ripped off your jacked the pin was pulled and they were ready to use ..

In 18 months I saw numerous bears the closest 3 were within 25 feet and the closes one was within 10 feet down a river bank we were standing on .. it had walked up on 4 of us fishing and we went up the bank and each had our pistols cocked and ready .. he walked on past ..
 
10mm is the best all round quick defense for bear in my opinion I'm so glad S&W stepped up to the plate and I sold my Glock today just to get ready to order one. The S&W Stainless Steel black slide and 4 inch barrel is my dream bear defense gun but no optics for me. Optics IMHO are for hunting when things get close they are not needed or wanted.
 
Shieldfun said:
10mm is the best all round quick defense for bear in my opinion I'm so glad S&W stepped up to the plate and I sold my Glock today just to get ready to order one. The S&W Stainless Steel black slide and 4 inch barrel is my dream bear defense gun but no optics for me. Optics IMHO are for hunting when things get close they are not needed or wanted.
Click to expand...

Before you spring for the S&W 10mm do yourself a favor and handle a Springfield Armory XD-M 10mm.
I do not like Glock's 22° grip angle, the XD-M has normal 18° geometry and I assume the new S&W 10mm does too.
I'm happy with my 5.25" XD-M 10mm. It has three grip inserts to assist with fit.
 
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