Concealable Revolver for Black Bears?

[Krull]

1-get some bear spray.
2-ether a 2 1/2 686 or a 3 60 loaded with some heavy .357,ether 158 or 180 gr will suffice on most blackies
3-don't shoot it unless it's trying to eat you,bears will run off more then anything but they can be mean SOB's if they decide to harm you.

I've been in WV almost twenty years and have seen one bear and he was going the other way,doesn't stop me from always having a gun on me!

BTW I feel fine with a .45 auto loaded with some older-type 230 gr JHP in the woods.

 

[kbm6893]

1-get some bear spray.
2-ether a 2 1/2 686 or a 3 60 loaded with some heavy .357,ether 158 or 180 gr will suffice on most blackies
3-don't shoot it unless it's trying to eat you,bears will run off more then anything but they can be mean SOB's if they decide to harm you.

I've been in WV almost twenty years and have seen one bear and he was going the other way,doesn't stop me from always having a gun on me!

BTW I feel fine with a .45 auto loaded with some older-type 230 gr JHP in the woods.

I've been in Pa for less than 2, and I have seen 6 blackies, at least. Two of them were in my driveway last fall.

 

[feralmerril]

 

[scooter123]

Frankly, I think the 357 Magnum loaded with a heavy 180 grain hunting round would be a better choice than the 45 ACP, you'll get much better penetration from the smaller diameter faster round.

I would also suggest a 4 inch gun as apposed to something shorter. With the right holster it's possible to conceal a 4 inch revolver without much problem. If you want one example of how to do this, just watch Dirty Hairy again. Yeah, you'll have to commit to wearing some type of cover garment but even a light windbreaker will work and if you make it a habit for yard work nobody will really notice. If anyone asks, just tell them your allergic to bee and wasp stings and the windbreaker is just for a bit more protection.

BTW, I understand why you don't want to carry openly, IMO Open Carry is an invitation to a burglar, especially with some of today's teenagers.

 

[Matt C.]

Do You know this from personal experience??



OP...Get some bear spray.....it WORKS.

We live in bear country, 99% of the time black bears, but we have seen Grizzlies.

One of the main ways to keep your contacts down to a minimum is by keeping a clean property; no garbage, pet food out , bird feeders, etc.

FN in MT

Yes, I witnessed a Black Bear killed with a .357 (with available loads I expect a 2.5" to perform like the 4" that killed this bear 30 yrs ago.)
OK?

 

[kbm6893]

A local gunshop near me has a few PD trade-in Ruger Police Six and Speed Six .357's with 3" barrels. Kind of grungy, but feel solid. You think this a better choice over a much more pricey (yet much nicer) S&W 66? The Rugers are going for $345.

 

[BlueMax_VMF114]

Ive got Black Bears in my back woods,they come into the yard alot.When im out back in their woods i carry my Ruger Alaskan 454 with 300grain HPs.They have seen me and ive seen them so far its been no worries.Its the Bear ya dont see that scares me

 

[Matt C.]

here ya go

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[PeterCartwright]

I'm certainly no bear authority, but I live in a high black bear population area. I assume bears are frequently in the area, almost exclusively at night, but I don't worry about them. Guess I think of them as very large racoons. If I began seeing bears close to human habitation in the day time with any kind of frequency, I'd start snooping to discover the attraction, (read: food). Bird feeders up? Trash cans or dumpsters available? (Of course, this goes for neighbors as well as one's own place). Once bears learn food is available, they can be a royal nuisance. Like you, I'd not be happy about having bears too comfortable with people.

A couple summers ago, my secretary and her husband agreed to keep watch on a remote cabin for a friend. The cupboards were filled with canned goods. One enterprising "Yogi" discovered he could knock the glass out of the window to gain access to goodies. Yogi then tore all the cupboards off the wall and chewed open cans to his heart's delights. My secretary discovered a blood covered floor (from glass cuts) and "nuclear winter" throughout the cabin. After she painstakingly cleaned up the mess, Yogi repeated twice more. Ultimately, the owner got permission to send Yogi to that great Jellystone Park in the sky.

The point is, food was the culprit. If your bear(s) has discovered a rewarding food source, it may be necessary to contact your wildlife authorities for relocation (in the here or hereafter).

There are, of course, predatory (towards humans) black bears, but thankfully, they are very rare.

PC

 

[feralmerril]

Scooter, I see you live in detroit. If I lived in detroit from what I have read, I probley would mow the lawn with a thompson on my back, and two .45 autos on my belt while the wife covered me from a block wall bearier. However most of us feel safe in takeing our chances elsewhere without haveing to pack while rakeing our lawn.

 

[WVfishguy]

In West (By God!) Virginia, we have a ridiculous amount of wild animals of every kind in every place, except black bears (thank God!). I'm scared of bears.

While this state has plenty of them, black bears have not invaded WV suburbs, unlike deer and everything else. You generally have to go into the woods to see bear. (But I have spoken to folks with bears in their yards, tearing up bird feeders and eating all their dog food.)

If I was going to get a .357 snub, the Speed Six would be my choice, as it is a very strong little gun.
The top gun is a custom Service Six with a true 3" barrel and round butt. The bottom gun is my wife's stock Speed Six, with a 2-3/4 inch barrel:

To the OP - if you can get a Speed Six for $350, I'd snag it. Those little Rugers are getting very expensive - I've seen them sell go for more than twice that price.
If I was carrying a .357 for bear, I don't think I'd use 158 JHP - I'd use a heavier, hard lead SWC bullet, or at least a full metal jacket. And you'll want rubber grips for full house loads out of a Speed Six.

 

[mtscout]

Prey runs, so don't run. Group together to appear larger than the bear, and make plenty of noise. Bear spray works, according to everything I have ever read and several park rangers in north Georgia, where we have a home and many black bears.

However, I would not pass on the opportunity to purchase a new (or used) handgun while the wife is scared, so I suggest you go shopping. When we are picking blackberries in the mountains I usually carry a 4" S&W #629 .44 mag, #657 MG .41 mag, #58 .41 mag, or a recently acquired #1076 10mm.

Dana Safety Supply in Columbia, S.C. has a used S&W #325 .45 a.c.p. revolver for around $700.00 if you want a lighter gun that shoots big bullets.

True words,
Never pass an opportunity to purchase a new gun, and lots of ammo for it.


We also live where black bears frequent the back yard.
I have manufactured a 'bear grenade', made of 2inch firecrackers wrapped up in a ball (about softball size), using duct tape to keep everything together. The effect is about four seconds of fireworks going off at your 'too close' visitor.
However, with a young child in your home a pump action 12 gauge is the best thing, always keeping it handy.
SW's 629 is my favorite. Don't be concern with concealment. It's your property, and you are only defending your family.
Bear spray does work. I have friends who have turned a charging Grizz with pepper spray.
Black bears do have a route they travel, usually in the same direction, and about 3 days in length. Perhaps you can watch and possibly predict when this bear is due to return.
Remember to take photo's of the bear on your property. Might come in handy if you have to put him down.

I had to put one down a few years back. The FWP was looking at me pretty hard, it was a big good looking male, and it was a month before the season open. I shot it at the back door, it staggered back and died in the yard. Long story short, a neighbor 1/2mile away had been feeding him table scraps off his back porch.
FWP was pissed! And they kept the bear.

 

[AKsRule]

Ok.

It's fun to talk about guns and Doomsday scenarios but there
is also reality.

As a responsible PA citizen and rural resident/hunter I feel I
should post the following.

PA Game Commission

Subchapter C. Destruction of Game or Wildlife in Self-Defense

2141. Killing game or wildlife to protect person.

(a) General rule. - It is unlawful for a person to kill any game or wildlife as a means of protection unless it is clearly evident from all the facts that a human is endangered to a degree that the immediate destruction of the game or wildlife is necessary.

(b) Report, safekeeping and investigation. - A person killing any game or wildlife under this subchapter shall report the event to an officer as soon as possible following the incident but in no case later than 24 hours, provide for safekeeping of the game or wildlife intact at the place where it was killed and be available for interview by the officer. The person killing the game or wildlife shall answer, without evasion, any pertinent questions of the officer making the investigation.

(c) Exoneration. - At the conclusion of any investigation when any game or wildlife is allegedly killed as protection to a person, the officer may exonerate the person for the otherwise unlawful killing of the game or wildlife. In all cases the officer shall seize and dispose of the game or wildlife as required by this title or upon instructions of the director.

(d) Prosecution. - Any officer making an investigation when game or wildlife was allegedly killed as a protection to a person shall proceed with prosecution as though the game or wildlife was unlawfully killed if the officer is dissatisfied with the explanation of the person killing the game or wildlife or if the physical facts of the killing do not support and sustain the facts alleged by the person killing the game or wildlife.

(e) Penalties. - A violation of this section relating to:

(1) Threatened or endangered species is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first degree.

(3) Deer is a summary offense of the second degree.

(4) Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third degree.

(5) Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

(6) Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

.

 

[kbm6893]

Ok.

It's fun to talk about guns and Doomsday scenarios but there
is also reality.

As a responsible PA citizen and rural resident/hunter I feel I
should post the following.

PA Game Commission

Subchapter C. Destruction of Game or Wildlife in Self-Defense

2141. Killing game or wildlife to protect person.

(a) General rule. - It is unlawful for a person to kill any game or wildlife as a means of protection unless it is clearly evident from all the facts that a human is endangered to a degree that the immediate destruction of the game or wildlife is necessary.

(b) Report, safekeeping and investigation. - A person killing any game or wildlife under this subchapter shall report the event to an officer as soon as possible following the incident but in no case later than 24 hours, provide for safekeeping of the game or wildlife intact at the place where it was killed and be available for interview by the officer. The person killing the game or wildlife shall answer, without evasion, any pertinent questions of the officer making the investigation.

(c) Exoneration. - At the conclusion of any investigation when any game or wildlife is allegedly killed as protection to a person, the officer may exonerate the person for the otherwise unlawful killing of the game or wildlife. In all cases the officer shall seize and dispose of the game or wildlife as required by this title or upon instructions of the director.

(d) Prosecution. - Any officer making an investigation when game or wildlife was allegedly killed as a protection to a person shall proceed with prosecution as though the game or wildlife was unlawfully killed if the officer is dissatisfied with the explanation of the person killing the game or wildlife or if the physical facts of the killing do not support and sustain the facts alleged by the person killing the game or wildlife.

(e) Penalties. - A violation of this section relating to:

(1) Threatened or endangered species is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first degree.

(3) Deer is a summary offense of the second degree.

(4) Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third degree.

(5) Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

(6) Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

.

I'm not looking to shoot an animal. I swerve my car to avoid squirells in the road. This thing was just too close. It decided it wanted nothing to do with us, which I am grateful for. This isn't fun and doomsday scenario. My 3 year old son was playing with his Big Wheel in the driveway, and I was unarmed. if that bear chose to attack any of us, I was defenseless. As a retired cop, I am aware of the legal BS that people have to go through when they fire a shot. if Ranger Rick wants to come over and ask me why I shot a 300 pound bear with teeth and claws 25 feet from where my son was playing, he's more than welcome to. I'll worry about that later.

No offense at all to you. i appreciate the heads up on the laws, but the last time I saw a bear on my property, we were all on my elevated deck and in no danger. i would NEVER even think to get a gun at that point.

 

[old bear]

Why?

I still want to know why a black bear, or any bear for that matter, would have a need for a concealable revolver of any kind, and where would the bear conceal it?

 

[scooter123]

Ok.

It's fun to talk about guns and Doomsday scenarios but there
is also reality.

As a responsible PA citizen and rural resident/hunter I feel I
should post the following.

PA Game Commission

Subchapter C. Destruction of Game or Wildlife in Self-Defense

2141. Killing game or wildlife to protect person.

(a) General rule. - It is unlawful for a person to kill any game or wildlife as a means of protection unless it is clearly evident from all the facts that a human is endangered to a degree that the immediate destruction of the game or wildlife is necessary.

(b) Report, safekeeping and investigation. - A person killing any game or wildlife under this subchapter shall report the event to an officer as soon as possible following the incident but in no case later than 24 hours, provide for safekeeping of the game or wildlife intact at the place where it was killed and be available for interview by the officer. The person killing the game or wildlife shall answer, without evasion, any pertinent questions of the officer making the investigation.

(c) Exoneration. - At the conclusion of any investigation when any game or wildlife is allegedly killed as protection to a person, the officer may exonerate the person for the otherwise unlawful killing of the game or wildlife. In all cases the officer shall seize and dispose of the game or wildlife as required by this title or upon instructions of the director.

(d) Prosecution. - Any officer making an investigation when game or wildlife was allegedly killed as a protection to a person shall proceed with prosecution as though the game or wildlife was unlawfully killed if the officer is dissatisfied with the explanation of the person killing the game or wildlife or if the physical facts of the killing do not support and sustain the facts alleged by the person killing the game or wildlife.

(e) Penalties. - A violation of this section relating to:

(1) Threatened or endangered species is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first degree.

(3) Deer is a summary offense of the second degree.

(4) Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third degree.

(5) Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

(6) Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

.

In a way it's odd that the animals that can pose the greatest threat to a human carry the most severe penalty for a "bad shooting". However, they are also probably highest on the list for disireability as trophies so it's probably fairly practical.

Fortunately for me in one way, I am close enough to the city of Detroit that bears aren't an issue, criminals on the other hand are a concern. It's why I never leave the house without my gun. While my home is in a good area with a good PD, at about 1 mile north of the Detroit border stuff does spill over.

 

[kbm6893]

Well, I just bought this very nice 686 2.5" for $575. Not much more than the 66 I was looking at, and a bit more stout.

 

[Stillwater788]

I still want to know why a black bear, or any bear for that matter, would have a need for a concealable revolver of any kind, and where would the bear conceal it?

I was just going to post that very same question. Here in NC, bears are not eligible for a concealed carry permit.

 

[Frank237]

Yes, I witnessed a Black Bear killed with a .357 (with available loads I expect a 2.5" to perform like the 4" that killed this bear 30 yrs ago.)
OK?

I was simply wondering if YOU killed a black bear with a 2.5" magnum.
As well as the circumstances.

FN in MT

 

[shawn mccarver]

This from Col. Jeff Cooper, March 2004:

"For bear defense the "Co-pilot" stands by itself, but though it is very handy, it is still a rifle and must be managed with two hands. Various outdoor jobs call for the use of both hands, and the big pistols - 44 Magnum and up - may be worn on the person with both hands free. A 12 gauge shotgun with proper slugs may deal with this job, if that is all you can lay your hands on, but you should not count on it.

Remember then the Gunsite Bear Rules:
1. Be alert.
2. Remember that bears are not cuddly.
3. Never enter bear country without a powerful firearm and the skill to use it well.
4. Never camp on a bear thoroughfare.
5. Be alert."