9mm for Mountain Lion?

[Glenn R. McMannly]

In my area there are no bears at all, but there are mountain lions and coyotes/wild dogs.

Without going into the likelihood of being attacked by either, would you consider a 9mm (Glock 17) enough gun for defense against this wildlife?

If so, what load would you recommend for that purpose?

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[RMFnLA]

I’ve never shot a mountain lion but for some reason I’d want a bit more stopping power.

.357 Magnum comes to mind.

 

[lihpster]

Mountain lions aren't really very big, especially when compared to lions and tigers. A big, big cat might go 200 lbs. If you trust the 9mm for defense against people, then you should trust it for mountain lions. Their bodies aren't as big as a bear's so really deep penetration isn't as important. I would use what ever self defense round you'd use on people. As far as the canids go, 9mm is more than adequate.

 

[Claymore33]

No, .357 or .44. However .41 mag would be perfect.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Mountain lions aren't really very big, especially when compared to lions and tigers. A big, big cat might go 200 lbs. If you trust the 9mm for defense against people, then you should trust it for mountain lions. Their bodies aren't as big as a bear's so really deep penetration isn't as important. I would use what ever self defense round you'd use on people. As far as the canids go, 9mm is more than adequate.

Agreed. Actually, the typical adult mountain lion is probably closer to the 90-120 lbs. range. Skeletal structure is not massive, thin skin without heavy fur covering, not enough body mass to cause much (if any) bullet expansion or upset. Just about any handgun caliber or bullet is most likely to punch right through, side to side or end to end.

I knew a guy years ago who guided mountain lion hunts in Colorado, typically ending up with the lion in a tree or other elevated position and surrounded by hounds, taken at very close range. His preferred firearm was a Ruger Single-Six .22 revolver.

Powerful critters, very fast, wicked silent stalkers, but not all that hard to kill or disable. As long as you can get your 9mm working before the cat has your head or neck in his jaws it will probably do as well as anything else.

 

[Biggfoot44]

For course it is cliché that shooting ( whatever) when it is tree ed , and you can pick a shot placement, isn't quite the same thing as on the ground rapidly attacking.

But as noted , rapid, precise first shot hit with a reasonably suitable gun is most important. Moreso than gradients of extra power .

On the occasion that I ended up in proximity to a Mountain Lion , it was a surprise to me , and I wasn't expecting then to be there .

Coincidentally, I was otherwise armed with .45 auto with 200 gr JHP . In retrospect I felt I would have been sufficiently prepared thusly.

 

[smithra_66]

In my area there are no bears at all, but there are mountain lions and coyotes/wild dogs.

Without going into the likelihood of being attacked by either, would you consider a 9mm (Glock 17) enough gun for defense against this wildlife?

If so, what load would you recommend for that purpose?

Thanks,

Glenn

I certainly wouldn't. My standard woods gun is a 4" 29-2. I'm also known to tote a 4 5/8" Old Model Blackhawk Flat Top in 357 Magnum.

I personally wouldn't carry a 9mm in the woods. I'd want something more, especially for things that could kill me, like a Lion or Bear.

 

[Barbarosa99]

9 mm with a good hollow point is more than enough, with good shot placement

 

[MG34/bar]

Never hunted MT. Lions in my area (though there are a lot of them) but some professional guides who hunted (using hounds) in the eastern part of my state told me that they used small carbines in .22 Mag caliber. Again, they likely were just shooting them out of trees.

 

[RobertJ.]

My woods gun is a .44 Magnum, but if all I had was a Glock 17, I certainly wouldn't feel unarmed.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I personally wouldn't carry a 9mm in the woods. I'd want something more, especially for things that could kill me, like a Lion or Bear.

Plenty of Urban and Suburbanites who own/ carry primarily for self-defense have not unreasonably standardized on 9mm .

Those people might well occasionally decide to go camping/ hiking . So in that context discussion of " woods loads " for 9mm is relevant.

A while back had such a discussion with a friend ( a very dedicated 2A advocate). Started out talking about outdoor stuff . Turns out he and wife were going to go backpacking , exactly in the same place in neighboring state where I had had an upclose and personal encounter with a bear .

My advice was 124 gr NATO, aim for the head , don't miss .

 

[biku324]

Mountain lions are FAR more afraid of you than you are of them. In the extremely unlikely event you see one, clap your hands amd it will simply disappear into the nearest cover. House dogs tree them easily.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I can get 500+ ft/lbs of energy from my 9x19 125gr JHP (+P+) handloads out a 5" barrel.

Carrying two dozen JHP rounds in your magazine tallies over 12,000 ft/lbs. of energy.

If you can just hit him a few times you should be good.

.

 

[petepeterson]

Mountain lions are FAR more afraid of you than you are of them. In the extremely unlikely event you see one, clap your hands amd it will simply disappear into the nearest cover. House dogs tree them easily.

Mountain Lions have killed or injured people, often times unprovoked. Much like human predators have.
Apparently, those particular lions weren't so afraid. Like certain human predators aren't.
I would take a 9mm over a hand-clap for both.

 

[biku324]

Oddly, I've lived in lion country 44 years. Not one person has been attacked by a cougar while moving, although one boy scout was bitten by one while sleeping in a tent with food by him. In the 1980s.

 

[murphydog]

Lots of differing opinions. At least we are not talking about ursine predators (again).

I would guess multiple accurate shots of a medium or larger bore handgun would suffice, so it comes down to how good you are with what you have, be it 9 mm, .357, .40, .41, .44, .45, .700 Nitro Express...

 

[chief38]

While 9mm would not be my first choice for Mountain Lions, it should work if enough hits were placed in the right places. If walking through the woods, a 357 magnum or 44 magnum would be a better cartridge, HOWEVER there is also the very important factor of how well you shoot and can handle a certain firearm. 3 hits from a 9mm sure beats 0 hits from a 44 magnum!

In general...... while maybe not optimal, a 9 should be sufficient.

 

[Shibadog]

Mt lions are comparatively small and are soft skinned critters. (Completely different than tough beasts like a bear). A good 9mm SD round should work ok. As with anything else, shot placement is what counts. I wouldn’t be concerned about capacity-1 or 2 shots is all you’re going to get. You’ll either kill it, scare it off, or be wrestling with it after than. I usually carry either a 3” 60 .357 for outdoor activities (or a 3” 69 or 4 5/8” Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 if where big beasties live). I’d think anything that would reliably stop a two legged goblin would work equally well on a cat.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My family has lived in the middle of prime cat territory for nearly 40 years, with numerous encounters requiring drawn weapons and a single firing event to stop an attack. I would consider a 9mm adequate when coupled with your preferred deep penetration load.

 

[robvious]

if you are in mountain lion territory... they will see you before you see them... if it is actually hunting you, you probably won't know until it is too late.. if it is a reaction attack, then the 9mm should help based on the volume of fire and low percentage hits that will probably occur... just a guess but it sounds good.. while I am technically in mountain lion territory (one shot by police about a mile from our house)... they are not even a thought.