A friend in Alaska has asked me what’s the best 4” 629?

[fyimo]

One with the endurance package is the best for shooting heavy bullets and stout loads but in the end even in a fair fight where you see it first the bear usually wins even if it staggers away and dies after the encounter.

 

[1973Glenfield25]

This is a little bit off topic but a question for you guys up in Alaska. Assuming that you can't just shoot these things at will, how close does a brown bear have to get before you can legally pop the thing out of justifiable self defense? I imagine they can cover a lot of ground pretty quick.

 

[SuperMan]

Since this is a backup to the primary self-defense gun, the shotgun, I would go the 629-3 or -4 with Federal CastCore 300 grain hard cast ammo. The Federal loads are not as hot as the Buffalo Bore or CorBon so recoil will be less but penetration should be more than enough.

One big difference between the -3 and the Mountain Gun is balance. I find that the MG series gets on target faster and the round butt fits my hand better...

Bob

 

[dla]

The S&W329pd was specifically made for this application. If you really want a trail gun - this is it. Weight matters and heavy revolvers get left at home, rifles get left leaning against a tree, etc.

A 44mag is not an amazing death ray.

 

[J-FRAME]

I agree a 329 pd is the trail gun with 310 Garrets. Try to find one in Alaska now- the word is out.A handgun is a last ditch effort at best. Big bore rifles and shotguns with proper ammo is what kills a bear before he kills you.

 

[Mike McLellan]

This is a little bit off topic but a question for you guys up in Alaska. Assuming that you can't just shoot these things at will, how close does a brown bear have to get before you can legally pop the thing out of justifiable self defense? I imagine they can cover a lot of ground pretty quick.

You'll have to show bite marks or skid marks. Just kidding. There's no definitive distance. It must be reported, and the report must convince Fish & Wildlife that you were acting in defense of life or property.