BEAR THREAD ALERT!!!!

[CAJUNLAWYER]

New bear thread posted recently in the 1980-present revolver forum. Probably should be here for maximum exposure.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/703904-you-have-grizzly-20-yards-out.html

FWIW, a friend had this type of thing happen on a Elk hunt last year-only it was a grizzly poking around camp. He said the scariest tihng was how quiet the bear was. If the guide had not pointed it out, nobody would have heard it and it was only about 30 feet away The guide was packing a 10mm Glock as were two of the hunters-one hunter had a large frame 500 that was all but useless for the situation. Luckily the bear decided to go elsewhere after some shouting and bear spray. My friend, an experienced hunter and gun guy who was brought up on revolvers told me that the guide had told them the preferred gun if they were bring one was te Glock. he bought one, practiced with it and said he was glad he had it instead of his 29.

 

[SMSgt]

The Norwegians chose the Glock 10mm for protection against polar bears. Must be something to it.

 

[SmithNut]

Uh-oh

Where's my popcorn.....

 

[cmj8591]

Why was the large frame 500 all but useless?

 

[Rule3]

The Norwegians chose the Glock 10mm for protection against polar bears. Must be something to it.

Just splitting hairs Danish
But they also carry 30-06 rifles

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol used to be operationally under the Greenland Command, and administratively under the Royal Danish Navy and also represents Denmark's military presence in northeast Greenland.

Equipment




M1917 Enfield rifle introduced during World War I






Glock 20 pistol


Because of the special nature of the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol operations, a wide range of unique equipment is required that is not normally used by the Danish armed forces.[3][12]
The weapons carried also reflect the harsh conditions. Among the equipment used by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is the M1917 Enfield bolt-action rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield, known in Danish service as the Gevær M/53 (17), and the Glock 20 pistol chambered in 10mm Auto.[13][14][15]
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol uses the standard .30-06 Springfield 163–168-grain (10.56–10.89 g) M2 armor-piercing military rifle round (normally intended for use against lightly armored vehicles, protective shelters, and personnel, and can be identified by its black bullet tip[16][17]) and also civilian hollow-point rounds. The patrolmen feel that the M2 armor-piercing military round is best against aggressive polar bears at long range, but that the hollow-point rounds are better against an enraged musk ox. Typically, the patrolmen arrange their magazine so every third round is a hollow-point.[18]
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol formerly used Pistol M/49 sidearms chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, but they proved insufficient as a last resort defence against the polar bears encountered.[19]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_Dog_Sled_Patrol

 

[Buford57]

Why was the large frame 500 all but useless?

It only holds 5 rounds. Just a big J frame, really. Anything worth shooting should be shot at least 15 times. [Sarcasm mode off]

 

[Alk8944]

It only holds 5 rounds. Just a big J frame, really. Anything worth shooting should be shot at least 15 times. [Sarcasm mode off]

I guess then that by your stated standards that my 9+1 capacity Kimber 10mm pistol would be totally worthless too? Sarcasm ON. That said, my preference under the circumstances in the original "20 yards" thread would be nothing less than my .458 Winchester Magnum rifle!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Why was the large frame 500 all but useless?

It only holds 5 rounds. Just a big J frame, really. Anything worth shooting should be shot at least 15 times. [Sarcasm mode off]

Too big and unwieldy the guy said. Plus he had it strapped in a cross draw tanker style holster

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Why was the large frame 500 all but useless?

IN the original thread, they talked about the second and third follow up shots verses the time allotted in a 20- or 30-foot encounter. The X frame rounds have the power, but recoil can be a bear!

Ivan

 

[cmj8591]

It only holds 5 rounds. Just a big J frame, really. Anything worth shooting should be shot at least 15 times. [Sarcasm mode off]

So I guess I should leave my 375 Holland & Holland rifle home and take my 9mm when I go back packing in Alaska. (I love sarcasm!)

 

[twodog max]

Having hunted with a guide before taking what a guide tells you as gospel is at your own risk. They may know the country but guns is altogether something else. Personally the only place I would carry a glock is somewhere to sell it.

 

[ace22]

but recoil can be a bear!

Ivan

was that an intended pun?

 

[handejector]

was that an intended pun?

Of course it was intended. It couldn't be that bad by accident!

 

[MP1SG]

A Slung Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 a Mossberg shockwave OR any pump 12 ga. really not to cumbersome and provides more energy velocity etc etc than any pistol. Those would be my choices if I was milling around a camp fire.

 

[Kinman]

Natives have killed more bears with 30-30's and even .22's for easily 100 years, use what you have and use it well. As my grandmother used to say about her little .22 Hornet, "Nothing I ever shot in the eye or the ear did not go down right away."
I still lean towards a high capacity 12 gauge, OO Buck and Slugs. Never have been a pistolero and however confident I am with them would still rather have a 12 gauge slung over my shoulder. I also have more faith in 45/70 in carbine style than handguns. One thing I learned hunting with Winchesters was the great thing about packing one around is that when you get into the habit of always carrying it, its always right at hand. If you have to slog up a steep hill or navigate through fallen trees, etc. sling it, otherwise keep it at hand.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Courtesy of Paradise Road.

 

[Skeet 028]

M-1 Super 90 ext mag slug bbL holding a full load of foster slugs...in camp. To h with buck shot...or in regular carrying hunting my M-70 375 H&H with my backup 41mag

 

[SweetMK]

M-1 Super 90 ext mag slug bbL holding a full load of foster slugs...in camp. To h with buck shot...

NINE (9) shells in this,,

Mine is the "Turkey Hunters Special",, so I have screw in chokes.

I have loaded alternating slugs and 00 Buckshot when we have a wandering bear around,,,

I think most local sightings are from people with bird feeders,,,,

 

[Doug M.]

A Glock 10mm is not perfect, but a decent compromise. The ability have one with an RDS is worthwhile, if you train with it; 15+1 rounds of stout 10MM and hard/flat bullets is nothing to sneeze at (no matter if you consider it a glorified .357 ballistically), and it is easy to shoot fast. My last issue pistol was a G21, and while I actually prefer the M&Ps, I would be very satisfied with a 10mm Glock for any realistic woods scenario.

A friend with a big rifle or 12 gauge loaded with slugs is a good choice, too.

 

[twodog max]

I know a couple of Alaskan guys and one even operated a salmon fishing camp. Big bear problems are not at all unusual for them. They keep 44 magnums at ready reach always but when trouble shows or is expected 12 gauge slugs are the go to weapon. The 44's are for tents while sleeping and daylight trips to the outhouse.

 

[bullmack]

I asked a friend who was an avid hunter the "what gun for bear protection". This was in 1999 before I joined this outfit. He said the choice in Alaska was usually a 12 ga. pump. I bought a Mossberg 500 Mariner. Never had to use it but happy to carry it. This was in interior British Columbia.

 

[Skeet 028]

I too had a Mariner...SS too. Only Stainless one I ever saw. It was a pretty slick operating pump. It was pretty heavy though. Probably why I never saw more. I did not like the top safety though. my finger would slip right off. . I sold it to a fellow that caught sharks

 

[Echo40]

I've said it before and I'll say it every time the subject is raised...

If I were to venture into Grizzly Bear Country, then I would be carrying my Mossberg 590 Shockwave with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs.

With my USP45 Elite loaded with Buffalo Bore 230gr .45 Super FMJ as backup.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The Cincinnati Zoo is a gun-free zone. That's the closest I will ever get to Ursidae.

 

[lihpster]

The Cincinnati Zoo is a gun-free zone. That's the closest I will ever get to Ursidae.

How bout the circus? They let you pack there or what?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Sadly Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey have folded their tents.

The bears headed for the hills and the clowns headed to the Beltway.

 

[SmithNut]

Sadly Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey have folded their tents.

The bears headed for the hills and the clowns headed to the Beltway.

Pretty much correct, except I'm not sure about the bears....

 

[OLDSTER]

Bear country--protect yourself at all times.

 

[Skeet 028]

If I were to venture into Grizzly Bear Country, then I would be carrying my Mossberg 590 Shockwave with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs.



With my USP45 Elite loaded with Buffalo Bore 230gr .45 Super FMJ as backup.

]

You'd better learn to shoot that pump with no stock extremely well. They are hard to hold shooting slugs ...even harder to hit with. If you have to shoot at a grizz...it's gonna bee close...really close and you will know the power of pucker. I don't even want to get that close ever again. I happen to know 6 here locally that visited with grizzlies. I even know a fellow in Pa that got up close and personal with good sized Black bear