OP
Going up to Black Bear country, What caliber just in case?
- Thread starter Rule3
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Wheelgunner840
Member
I love a good bear thread! 
First on a serious note, and to answer your question. Like most folks here, I personally would not feel real comfortable with anything less than .44 mag. If you are most comfortable with your H&K USPc in .40 cal. I would buy some solid bullet ammo for it.
I didn't look, but Cor-Bon or Buffalo Bore may make a 180gr. solid like a JSP, or a JFP. They do not suggest that you use all lead bullets in a polygonal barrel, but I have the exact same gun that you have, and I have shot total lead bullets out of it with no problems.
The important thing is that you buy enough of these solids so that you can test fire a bunch and make sure they work reliably in your USP. I don't think you will have a problem though, because mine has eaten everything I have ever put through it without a hitch.
If you won't take a magnum, this will have to do.
On a funny note, on one of the many bear threads that have been posted, a guy asked how he could tell the black bear from a brown bear (other than the color, because some black bears can be brownish in color.)
The guy that answered him gave one of the best answers I have ever heard. He said, " If a bear is chasing you, quickly climb a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it was a black bear. If the bear knocks down the tree and eats you, it was a brown bear."
Good luck on your trip.
First on a serious note, and to answer your question. Like most folks here, I personally would not feel real comfortable with anything less than .44 mag. If you are most comfortable with your H&K USPc in .40 cal. I would buy some solid bullet ammo for it.
I didn't look, but Cor-Bon or Buffalo Bore may make a 180gr. solid like a JSP, or a JFP. They do not suggest that you use all lead bullets in a polygonal barrel, but I have the exact same gun that you have, and I have shot total lead bullets out of it with no problems.
The important thing is that you buy enough of these solids so that you can test fire a bunch and make sure they work reliably in your USP. I don't think you will have a problem though, because mine has eaten everything I have ever put through it without a hitch.
If you won't take a magnum, this will have to do.
On a funny note, on one of the many bear threads that have been posted, a guy asked how he could tell the black bear from a brown bear (other than the color, because some black bears can be brownish in color.)
The guy that answered him gave one of the best answers I have ever heard. He said, " If a bear is chasing you, quickly climb a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it was a black bear. If the bear knocks down the tree and eats you, it was a brown bear."
Good luck on your trip.
Evil Dog
US Veteran
Keep it simple.... 44 Mag as a minimum.
OP
Well I have a 4" 629 but really do not feel like lugging that around, besides I do not have a holster for it. I wear shorts and Polo or T shirts 11 mths of the year so I pretty much only pocket carry a small 9mm or a J frame. I have holsters for most of my large semi autos but it's hard to conceal a 45. I could put it in my day pack but by the time I get it out I'm lunch. I really do not expect a problem as they never bothered us before. My Wife hikes faster than me, so I let her blaze the trail.
They can be tough, bank on it.Not always. For me it would be my 5'' 44 mag.
sheriffoconee
Member
according to my patrol deputies, using a car is effective.....I was at my dad's house when the zone deputy called me and told me a car had hit a bear in front of my house...
according to the driver, the bear ran off, and has not been found...
according to the driver, the bear ran off, and has not been found...
keith44spl
Member
OCD1 said:
OCD1 Sir,
My first post was kind of in jest, as a lot of my post are in general. But, seeing how this is a sincere question I should have given an equally sincere reply.
So here goes. I've spent a fair amount of time in the backcountry that has a good population of black bears as well as grizzles. With scores of contacts, I have only killed one black bear that took exception to my trespassing in his territory and it took two pretty good placed shots from a medium bore rifle
(.348 Win. 250 gr ST) at spittin' distance (10 or 12 feet) to turn him and I'm not all that good a spitter.
I have bumped into bears on the trail while packing supplies into our camps...I give them critters full right of way, with no regard to size, color or species, they get a free roll if'n they will let me be. A bear of any size is a lot better at his business of maulin' & killin' than I am.
After a close encounter with a 'big' bear I kinda re-thought the whole sidearm for bear protection...A big ol' boar stole a whole caribou from us and covered it up in the willows and was a layed up right close just wainting for it to ripen some. That bear rested his case on possession being nine-tenths of his law, we yealded to his authority. That little .300 Win Mag I was a totin' felt more like a skin't sapling that a deadly weapon.
Back to your question of calibre, I have personally carry a revolver the likes of a 24 or 624 3-5" with stout handloads while just going about my business in 'bear country' for years. Your 9mm with +P FMJ will penatrate good enough at close range (read at distances from a few feet to muzzle contact) while ya slow the carnivore down some by feed it a foot, leg and or what ever your not usin' to try to repel it off'n ya, if you catch my drift.
If I have other folks in my charge to look out for or livestock to protect, I carry a rifle. Namely the one pictured below...
'86 Winchester 20" Take-Down .45/70
Hope this helps.
Su Amigo,
Dave
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It would seem to me that this would justify buying a holster for the 629. This is exactly the situation it is meant for. Why have it if you're not going to use it?
Is it really that much heavier than the .40 you plan to carry?
jlynch34
US Veteran
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
A menstruating woman is not at risk for ANYTHING
OP
Keith44,
I enjoy your posts and writing style. No need to explain. I like your pics also.
cp1969,
I only have it to impress people at the range
I like shooting it but as it is 4" I can not use it to hunt here in Florida, got to be 6". I have a 44 Mag Marlin lever action, could carry that .
But as far as weight the revolver is 41 oz, the HK is 27 oz. I have not weighed them loaded. Also have a SA XD 40 sub compact even smaller.
Heck, I'll just bring the Rem 30-06.
I think I will bring "Bubba" instead He's always ready!
I enjoy your posts and writing style. No need to explain. I like your pics also.
cp1969,
I only have it to impress people at the range
I like shooting it but as it is 4" I can not use it to hunt here in Florida, got to be 6". I have a 44 Mag Marlin lever action, could carry that .But as far as weight the revolver is 41 oz, the HK is 27 oz. I have not weighed them loaded. Also have a SA XD 40 sub compact even smaller.
Heck, I'll just bring the Rem 30-06.
I think I will bring "Bubba" instead
He's always ready!
ColbyBruce
Member
"A menstruating woman is not at risk for ANYTHING"
Not true, they have been known to attract sharks. I took scuba lessons many years ago and the instructors were quite plain about this.
Not true, they have been known to attract sharks. I took scuba lessons many years ago and the instructors were quite plain about this.
OP
Great picture and neat history.
Nathan Forrest
Member
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You have higher odds of being struck by lightning and much higher odds of dying in a car crash on the way.
- A .44 Magnum is about the threshold minimum handgun chambering capable of delivering adequate energy and penetration for bear defense.
- A 4" .44 Mag N-frame or equivalent is an ideal compromise platform. Bigger, better, of course...
- The Safepacker holster by The Wilderness, in Phoenix, is a versatile and very discreet carry option that won't alarm or intimidate most "civilians", and is easily attached to pack waistbelts and etc. (I recently encountered a small black bear in Sequoia National Park, on a busy trail, along with many other hiking tourists, none of whom apparently noticed the large frame Glock appended to my pack's belt...)
- The widely-held belief that black bear sows are ferociously protective of their cubs is evidently BS, as reported by former Michigan DNR bear research biologist Al Harger, who live-trapped many sows with cubs, and found that while they huffed and puffed and snapped their teeth and false-charged, they never risked themselves in an attack to defend cubs, advice on which I have relied to successfully shoo a sow with cubs from my campsite (albeit armed with an '06) without unpleasant incident. Grizzlies are evidently quite another matter, but outside my experience...
- A 4" .44 Mag N-frame or equivalent is an ideal compromise platform. Bigger, better, of course...
- The Safepacker holster by The Wilderness, in Phoenix, is a versatile and very discreet carry option that won't alarm or intimidate most "civilians", and is easily attached to pack waistbelts and etc. (I recently encountered a small black bear in Sequoia National Park, on a busy trail, along with many other hiking tourists, none of whom apparently noticed the large frame Glock appended to my pack's belt...)
- The widely-held belief that black bear sows are ferociously protective of their cubs is evidently BS, as reported by former Michigan DNR bear research biologist Al Harger, who live-trapped many sows with cubs, and found that while they huffed and puffed and snapped their teeth and false-charged, they never risked themselves in an attack to defend cubs, advice on which I have relied to successfully shoo a sow with cubs from my campsite (albeit armed with an '06) without unpleasant incident. Grizzlies are evidently quite another matter, but outside my experience...
Wheelgunner840
Member
There is a lot of helpful information here, about the black bears themselves.
Welcome to CoveBear.com! - Black Bear Attacks
Dave, I am so wanting a takedown 45-70 '86 Win. Mine is a full size rifle that is not a takedown. That rifle of yours is beautiful! Nice pics.
WG840
Welcome to CoveBear.com! - Black Bear Attacks
Dave, I am so wanting a takedown 45-70 '86 Win. Mine is a full size rifle that is not a takedown. That rifle of yours is beautiful! Nice pics.
WG840
I only have two that I would trust my bad eyesight with a .450 Marlin and a .45-70 Marlin.
A menstruating woman is not at risk for ANYTHING
Being recently married if I had to tangle with the bear or the woman I would opt for the bear. I am married to a woman who is better armed than me.
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Superflywimpy
Member
I would pack a flamethrower,they don't like fire
If you are really serious about bears a 5 inch 460 or S&W 500 will fill the ticket. They are no longer made ,but You can still find them. Just the thought of a bear trying to munch on me,makes me want to pack a bazooka if I could,or the flame thrower. But thats not possible. I own 2 S&W 44's a 29 8 3/8 and a 629 4 inch and a 300 grain bullet would come to mind for Bruins and lots of speedloaders at least 3 at the ready.
If you are really serious about bears a 5 inch 460 or S&W 500 will fill the ticket. They are no longer made ,but You can still find them. Just the thought of a bear trying to munch on me,makes me want to pack a bazooka if I could,or the flame thrower. But thats not possible. I own 2 S&W 44's a 29 8 3/8 and a 629 4 inch and a 300 grain bullet would come to mind for Bruins and lots of speedloaders at least 3 at the ready.
Sounds like a guy that knows his business........
Now thats what I'm talkin' about.......A .45 Colt is just the ticket. I have a few Mtn guns and a Blackhawk and a Model of the 1989 that would love to go on Bear duty. I'm in Alaska and have been since I was a younger guy in the US Army (Infantry), and I'll not be around ANY species of bear with anything less. JMHO
Now thats what I'm talkin' about.......A .45 Colt is just the ticket. I have a few Mtn guns and a Blackhawk and a Model of the 1989 that would love to go on Bear duty. I'm in Alaska and have been since I was a younger guy in the US Army (Infantry), and I'll not be around ANY species of bear with anything less. JMHO
