Kodiak Alaska, Self Defense

[Jessie]

I agree but I've used it after I waxed it (Renwax works good) and it stood up pretty good for a few trips down the rivers. Still in good shape.
If I go again I'll get a chest rig though. As small as I can get for a 4" 629.
Being stainless I don't need a flap so much. If it were a 29? Yes. And a clean off every day and wax the gun.

 

[pa5906tsw]

Use a Chest Rig. If you are carrying while fishing in bear country and need to deploy your firearm, having it in a backpack puts you at an extreme disadvantage if you find yourself in a bear charging incident.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I would use the same rig that I have been using for years.

A S&W 329 PD in an El Paso saddlery tanker rig.

 

[jimmyj]

Have you considered a Glock Model 20 10mm ?

 

[Doug M.]

The one poster who made the point about food storage and other things that reduce your attractiveness to a hungry bear (or other wild critter) had the first good answer. The less interesting you are to wild critters, the less trouble you will have. (Kind of like urban survival, but different steps.)

Then: A trustworthy partner with a 12 gauge, loaded with Brenneke slugs. If you do step one correctly, you won't need step two. If you need step two, it better be well done.

When we went to Yellowstone some years back, I paid attention to the stuff about respecting wild critters and giving them distance. I gave the young elk a good bit of room, as much as it was a treat to watch. I did not mess with Bison; even watching them out of van showed how big and strong they are. The videos of idiots being flipped pretty far into the air when they tried to pet one like a dog got my attention. When I saw what I believed to be signs of bears, I went back. It's their home, and they are by far better equipped for it. I live by that rule on the rare occasions I go into wild areas now.

 

[ajgunner]

Diamond D leather---not cheap but also not molded plastic. With the open toe, this one will take my 2.75", 4", 5.5" or even my 7.5" Redhawks. The longer ones sort of poke out there more than is comfortable for full day wear while slinging a fly. It is perfect for the shorter 2. So comfortable you don't even know you have it on. The retention strap on the hammer is only warn when "not in the bush". The rubber deal with the screw for tension adjustment works great without the hammer strap.

 

[Squarebutt]

A short barrel shotgun or carbine slung over your non-casting shoulder, with the stock behind your shoulder and the muzzle down, can be swung into operation pretty fast. Not as good as a wingman with a heavy long gun at the ready, but it's doable.
Enjoy your trip. Alaska is high on my bucket list.

 

[vinn]

On Kodiak ------ the bears --- if you go out of down town, take a .45 " tommy gun with "2 drums". i visited Kodiak island, home of the "big bears". plinking about 3 miles out of town with a .45 1911 colt. a bear came to the sound and stood up. about 20 feet from me, i got to the truck and out of there. just in time in the Breakers bar in town is a skin nailed on the wall -- about 11 feet tall.

 

[Claymore33]

4" model 29 in El Paso saddlery chest rig

 

[JJEH]

I hunted along the Bering Sea in Alaska. The salt air alone is enough to cause a gun to start rusting after a day or two.

A stainless handgun is a good idea. It might also be smart to wax it and seal it in a large ziplock back before holstering.

Are you serious?

That would be no quick access... scary

 

[Kid44]

Zip Lock Bag

I hunted along the Bering Sea in Alaska. The salt air alone is enough to cause a gun to start rusting after a day or two.

A stainless handgun is a good idea. It might also be smart to wax it and seal it in a large ziplock back before holstering.

*** are you thinking, it is a gun for SELF DEFENSE, not a PB&J sandwich

 

[csurp34]

The Diamond D Guides Choice is a very well made holster.


I have one for my Ruger SBH Hunter in .41 MAG.


Also got the optional reload pockets.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Camped on Kodiak a few days in Winter, and never saw a bear, but the ground where we were was like a thick sponge. Layers of wet moss and ferns that made movement completely spooky silent. On that kind of ground cover, beware the stealth bear.

The forest around our campsite on Kodiak Island.

If you take the ferry over, have a beer at the Salty Dog in Homer AK for me.

Thought I'd show a Swiss-made bear-proof RV we saw in Yukon.

 

[SMSgt]

Having lived in AK, I can say any firearm carried in a backpack, sandwich baggie, fanny pack, or most anywhere else other than readily available in a holster on the hip/chest or slung over one's shoulder might as well be left back in the camp. It will do you no good. It's usually not the bear you see coming that gets you.

I sold my .357 Ruger BH and bought a .41 Mag BH. A .44 would have been better, but I shot a .41 Mag much better--with repeated shots. A 12-GA with slugs would be preferred.

 

[SMSgt]

Are you serious?

That would be no quick access... scary

The zip lock baggie is so the bear can take home leftovers.

 

[RCL-09]

The one poster who made the point about food storage and other things that reduce your attractiveness to a hungry bear (or other wild critter) had the first good answer. The less interesting you are to wild critters, the less trouble you will have. (Kind of like urban survival, but different steps.)

Then: A trustworthy partner with a 12 gauge, loaded with Brenneke slugs. If you do step one correctly, you won't need step two. If you need step two, it better be well done.

When we went to Yellowstone some years back, I paid attention to the stuff about respecting wild critters and giving them distance. I gave the young elk a good bit of room, as much as it was a treat to watch. I did not mess with Bison; even watching them out of van showed how big and strong they are. The videos of idiots being flipped pretty far into the air when they tried to pet one like a dog got my attention. When I saw what I believed to be signs of bears, I went back. It's their home, and they are by far better equipped for it. I live by that rule on the rare occasions I go into wild areas now.

You and waffles hit is right on the head.

Having hiked many times in bear country I can attest to the effectiveness of "prevention" as the first and foremost step.

Second to that, limiting it to a double action revolver in .44 mag or 454 casull range caliber in a chest rig would be my choice.

I have often wondered about an AR in .50 Beowulf of .450 bushmaster. But that is a whole different discussion.

 

[ken158]

Your gun must be readily available - no back packs, sandwich bags or any other silliness like that. A chest holster is a must. A bear can move extremely fast and you will be lucky to get a shot off much less a well aimed shot. Just consider an attacking bear is a murderer that is bent on killing you. A Glock 20 in 10MM may be OK but a 329, 69, 629 etc would be my preference.

 

[JJEH]

The zip lock baggie is so the bear can take home leftovers.

Makes sense now

 

[mtgianni]

There is really no reason to remove a revolver from a baggie to shoot it.

 

[Llance]

I have lived in Alaska and agree with those who support the idea of someone on the shore with a shotgun or some other high power hard hitting caliber rifle. 45 Colt, 45-70 Marlin etc. Kodiak has a history of hunters and fishermen not coming home. I once read where a sailor went into the back country with a 30-30 he bought at the PX to hunt bear. They quit looking for him after three weeks. Bears one, sailor zero.