642 for woods defense?

[THE PILGRIM]

Speaking of shooting bears - my old Buddy Milt shot one with his Colt Trooper 357.
The bear was treed and he shot it multiple times, I think 3-4.
The problem was the Winchester Silver Tips he was shooting did not penetrate.
That was up on the Jicarilla Reservation up in North NM.

 

[a_finelli]

You don't say where you live. How often do people in your neck of the woods have to take a shot at a bear? If you're just risk managing the worst case scenario (there are bear in the bootheel, but the last one around here got hit with a car, and some people have said it may have been killed a couple counties away and drug onto the highway at night. It's not something we worry about), I'd stick with the 642 and buy some Hornady Critical Duty or Critical Defense. If people take a shot at a bear more often than, say, once or twice a year, I'd step it up . . .

I'm in northern New York, Adirondacks...definitely black bear here but rarely seen unless your near a dump. I don't know of a single attack in the area, a couple encounters with mama's and cubs from time to time but usually just posturing. I've hunted for years and only seen one beat and it split as soon as we locked eyes...there not aggressive here at all and all the encounters I've heard a little yelling and fighting back does the trick so that's why I considered the 38. I have a large 357 that would be plenty but it's very heavy and I want something small for hiking

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[wolverine]

I'm in northern New York, Adirondacks...definitely black bear here but rarely seen unless your near a dump. I don't know of a single attack in the area, a couple encounters with mama's and cubs from time to time but usually just posturing. I've hunted for years and only seen one beat and it split as soon as we locked eyes...there not aggressive here at all and all the encounters I've heard a little yelling and fighting back does the trick so that's why I considered the 38. I have a large 357 that would be plenty but it's very heavy and I want something small for hiking

Afternoon a_finelli

Lot of Black Bears in my state (upstate anyhow) so there
have a been a few reported bear injuries (no deaths that
I personally know of anyhow)

Over the years I have had a couple of close encounters
(black bear within my 15 meter circle with me on the ground).
As you mentioned they are usually more afraid of me than I am
of them (fortunately).

But! it just takes one irritated bear, or mother protecting a cub,
or hungry bear that thinks you are after it's food source.

I do a lot of back country dirt biking with camping at remote
locations so bear encounters are an ever present possibility.

My favorite back country carry gun is a Glock 29 (10mm) with
Underwood ammo. Not too awfully heavy, easy to carry all day
(even when riding a motorcycle off-road) & has enough power
to handle most back country problems. The Glock is also not
very expensive so I can beat & bang on it without trashing an
expensive gun.

 

[blues7]

I'm in northern New York, Adirondacks...definitely black bear here but rarely seen unless your near a dump. I don't know of a single attack in the area, a couple encounters with mama's and cubs from time to time but usually just posturing. I've hunted for years and only seen one beat and it split as soon as we locked eyes...there not aggressive here at all and all the encounters I've heard a little yelling and fighting back does the trick so that's why I considered the 38. I have a large 357 that would be plenty but it's very heavy and I want something small for hiking

I've spent a lot of time in that area in years past (before moving from NY.)

Mostly went in from Keene Valley up to the Slant Rock lean-to in both winter and milder climes. My love of the area is the reason I moved where I have in the mountains of NC. (With somewhat less snow and frigid temperatures, ordinarily.)

Have had many bear encounters up there but never a hostile one. Unless you count the one that went into my camp, climbed a tree, cut the paracord to dump my food and supplies, and took off with everything but a bottle of bourbon and some chili sauce. (Smart bear. )

I tracked him the next day to see what I could recover but he punctured everything he couldn't consume.

 

[a_finelli]

I've spent a lot of time in that area in years past (before moving from NY.)

Mostly went in from Keene Valley up to the Slant Rock lean-to in both winter and milder climes. My love of the area is the reason I moved where I have in the mountains of NC. (With somewhat less snow and frigid temperatures, ordinarily.)

Have had many bear encounters up there but never a hostile one. Unless you count the one that went into my camp, climbed a tree, cut the paracord to dump my food and supplies, and took off with everything but a bottle of bourbon and some chili sauce. (Smart bear. )

I tracked him the next day to see what I could recover but he punctured everything he couldn't consume.

We had one come into our camp in Indian lake, yelled and it took off.

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[blues7]

We had one come into our camp in Indian lake, yelled and it took off.

This one just flipped us the bird and went on about its business.
Couldn't care less how we tried to divert it from its task.

Up in Algonquin Park I saw one enter the tent of a newlywed couple out camping on their honeymoon. You never heard such holy hell. I had to paddle across to their site and get them out of there.

Bear came back as I was getting some of their belongings into my canoe. I have a blurry shot of the bear somewhere in one of my albums.

 

[ColbyBruce]

If you have the desire and the funds to purchase a gun for hiking, a lightly used .40 S&W such as a Glock 27, Shield, Sig P250sc would be easy to tote and inexpensive enough to use without worrying about it.

 

[old&slow]

Several years ago a guy I knew had a job of taking care of unwanted varmints and pests around the city.
One day he had a run in with a feral collie. He wasn't very impressed with the performance of the 38 special.
Neither was the collie.

Don't remember what load he was using, but the firearm was a 4" K frame.

 

[haywood]

A 2" 38+P is fine in my Woods. There is nothing there that's bigger or nuttier than me.

 

[TAC]

I have a 642 and am in need of a woods gun. Mainly for 2 legged animals but coyotes, rabid animals and black bear are a possibility. If I load with +p ammo do you think that's enough? Black bear are normally more scared of you and if they come after you hurting them should make them turn around...what's your opinion? I'd rather not buy a 3" 357 if I don't have to...how hot can I load a 642 with commercial ammo? Buffalo bore?

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You better bring your lunch, and a box of ammo!

Absolutely do not rely on a 642 for black bear! Black bear are one of the most aggressive toward humans.

I would recomend a .44 Magnum, with a 4" barrel as the minimum.

 

[buck460XVR]

I grew up and have lived in Black Bear country most all of my life. Started walkin' in and outta the woods in darkness with nuttin' but a bow since I was 12 years old. Back when I was 12 it was a 35# recurve with wooden arrows. Even then I did not feel threatened by black bear and in the need of a hand cannon to be safe. More times than I can remember, the only thing I saw of a black bear within sight, was it's backside as it was running away. This with nuttin', but the sound of footsteps to scare it away. Black Bear where they are regularly hunted live in fear of humans. Black Bear that are regularly fed by humans and have lost their fear can be dangerous. This is generally close to human habitation and not far out in the woods. IOWs, you are more at risk in your back yard from Black bears than in the woods. Any .38 with loads capable of some penetration on bear size animals is sufficient. While not the first choice for hunting, for defense against them, the sound of the first shot will generally put them running. For a few exceptions and scenarios, the .38 will do all you need it to. With 158 JSPs/hardcast going 750-800 fps, any black bear at point blank range will probably be deterred. Those few that aren't, ain't gonna be stopped with a .44.

 

[Jingles]

Here's the trick for carrying a 642 in bear country: always go with a friend. That way if a bear attacks, pull out the 642 and shoot your friend in the foot and then run like He!!.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Just like buck460XVR said, In the 38- bear scenario, I also prefer a heavy solid bullet.
My top choice would be a set of Howdah Pistols.
70 caliber, and +P.
They absolutely have to be +P!

 

[JohnRippert]

I have a 3in Model 65 that I load with Buffalo Bore hard cast 180gr .357 when I want a deep woods gun. Best combination of size, weight and power for me.

 

[Absalom]

Threads like these always bring out the worst-case-scenario folks. What if you run into a platoon of cartel hitmen armed with AK's? What if you run into an escaped circus elephant? What if the black bear is wearing a bullet-proof vest he took off a park ranger whom he ate yesterday?

I've lived in a region of the country with a very high black bear density for several decades. For health reasons, my days of cavorting in the woods are over, but for many years I carried another variant of the gun you're considering as my outdoor gun, a 649 in .357. It was the perfect package for that purpose.

When being out and about with multiple people, I usually left my EDC ammo in the gun, .38 +P hollow points. In a group, the chance of running into a bear or cougar are less than zero. When I was out by myself, I used to move quietly because I actually liked running into wildlife and maybe getting some pictures; on those occasions, where the chance of a close surprise encounter was a bit elevated, I loaded the 649 with Federal hardcast .357 loads. Now those aren't fun to shoot from a snubbie, but accurate and perfectly controllable; and even from the short barrel they punch through skin and heavy bone like a hot knife through butter. We actually tested that with heavy cow bones and skulls at a friend's farm who used to do his own slaughtering.

So I never felt undergunned. Although, the few times I actually managed to catch a glimpse of a black bear in the woods, I must admit I went toward them going for my camera, not the gun, yet never managed more than blurry pictures of fur patches beating a hasty retreat into the bushes.

 

[Triggernosis]

I live in eastern NC and traipse all over the woods here where world record sized black bear are known to roam. Even if you see one at close range, they will "woof" and bust *** getting out of your vicinity as quickly as possible. 99% of the time I'm in tbe woods I'm carrying a Model 337-1 in .38 Special.

 

[wolverine]

Evening a_finelli;

A few black bear facts, see links below_

Bloodthirsty bear's death makes Wexford County teen 'really happy'


Michigan Hunter Says Attack By 'Curious' Black Bear Wasn't 'Vicious' << CBS Detroit


List of fatal bear attacks in North America - Wikipedia

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Hold on - I don't have to carry that sissy 642.
I also have a 649 (among others), usually loaded with 38 +P.
I have shot 357 in it.
All of my 357 is old. That includes factory and handloads.
But none of it has failed to fire!
But since we are discussing life or death situations, I will get some new big solid bullet 357.

 

[JJEH]

I have a 642 and am in need of a woods gun. Mainly for 2 legged animals but coyotes, rabid animals and black bear are a possibility. If I load with +p ammo do you think that's enough? Black bear are normally more scared of you and if they come after you hurting them should make them turn around...what's your opinion? I'd rather not buy a 3" 357 if I don't have to...how hot can I load a 642 with commercial ammo? Buffalo bore?

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A little revolver in .38 would not be my first choice but if you have/want to stick with it then I'd invest in some Buffalo Bore and a few speed loaders/strips.

Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

38 Special +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[a_finelli]

Ton of great information, v thank you all !! I'm still mulling it over but I'll throw this at you...I know this is a revolver page but I also have a sd9ve, what do you think about that loaded with buffalo bore? I'll ask over on the other page but if you have anything to add about that I'd love to hear it, thanks !!

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