Sd9ve for bear protection

[a_finelli]

I've been talking about this in the revolver forum about 38 special and I figured I'd ask about 9mm. I really don't have the money for a hiking gun so I'm trying to stay with what I have. What do you think about sd9ve loaded with buffalo bore ? Would I have to change the spring for a 9mm+p load?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[k22fan]

Get serious. Used Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnums are common in my local gun stores for $425 to $450. If you need bear protection dump the 9mm and buy bear protection.

On the other hand, we are lucky to even get a glimpse of our local black bears. They are hunted so they are terrified of humans. If your local black bears have lost their fear of humans you can almost eliminate the likelihood of them being a problem by not leaving out garbage, pet and bird food or anything else for them to eat.

If you live where there are carnivores that might actually hunt and eat humans wait for another member to offer advise. I doubt any will recommend sticking with 9 mm.

 

[a_finelli]

Guy killed a brown bear worth 9mm not to long ago, so let's get serious...I don't need a 500 for black bear and I don't have money for another gun

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Highhawk1948]

I think you shoot them with what you got. My experience with them is they run first. But on the one that doesn't follow bear procedures. If I listed them I'd probably miss one. Google them. They are different for black bear and grizzly.

 

[Rpg]

If you decide to use a 9, use fmj ammo, not any expanding ammo.

Lots of bone to get through to reach bear vitals.

Ballistic gell isn't a useful comparison to heavy boned animals.

 

[k22fan]

The Alaskan professional guide who killed a large bear with a 9 mm killed it in extremely unusual circumstances. It was standing over his two clients who, thinking it was their best option, had laid down. The bear was standing still and paying no attention to the guide who fired from 15 feet behind the bear's shoulder. A bear charging at 25 mph is a lot harder to drop.

Can't your 9 mm be sold for at least $300?

 

[JJEH]

When the time comes you can buy a bigger gun. Until then I'd use the 9mm with BB Outdoorsman ammo

 

[Mark IV]

Guy killed a brown bear worth 9mm not to long ago, so let's get serious...I don't need a 500 for black bear and I don't have money for another gun

With a perfectly placed shot, you could probably kill a bear with a .22, but that doesn't justify making it "Plan A".
And, if all you have is your 9mm, and you can't or won't get something else, then what are we talking about here? You're using what you have, and hoping for the best, end of discussion.
And, as recommended above, I'd go with the penetration of a good FMJ over HP's.
BTW, here's an interesting story of an Alaskan guide that killed a grizzly with a single-stack S&W 9mm, coincidentally, using Buffalo Bore ammo ! (so you may be onto something,LOL! )
9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol and Handgun Bullets Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
(scroll down a little ways after clicking the link)

 

[a_finelli]

The Alaskan professional guide who killed a large bear with a 9 mm killed it in extremely unusual circumstances. It was standing over his two clients who, thinking it was their best option, had laid down. The bear was standing still and paying no attention the the guide who fired from 15 feet behind the bear's shoulder. A bear charging at 25 mph is a lot harder to drop.

Can't your 9 mm be sold for at least $300?

Yeah it can but I don't want to sell it, I like it for range shooting, I was hoping I could possibly load it got for hiking

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[JJEH]

And, if all you have is your 9mm, and you can't or won't get something else, then what are we talking about here? You're using what you have, and hoping for the best, end of discussion.

The original question was .38 or 9mm over at the revolver section.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/503933-642-woods-defense.html

 

[garddogg56]

I thought you only had a 642now with a 9mm I still say the right tool for the right jobI have a SW9VE and I'd want 17 round of Buffalo bore WELL placed

 

[garddogg56]

All 17 ROUNDS

 

[a_finelli]

I thought you only had a 642now with a 9mm I still say the right tool for the right jobI have a SW9VE and I'd want 17 round of Buffalo bore WELL placed

I have a gp100 357 with a 4 inch barrel but it's heavy and on a long hike it takes a toll. I carry it during hunting season and my shoulders hurt from carrying it in a shoulder holster for 10 hrs

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[sigp220.45]

I'd say your 9mm and some Buffalo Bores will serve you well. I don't believe you'll need to swap out any springs.

 

[cooperduper]

weight issues

Hmmm. 22.4 oz automatic with 17 rounds of ammo or a 36 ounce GP100 with six rounds. I wonder if the difference is noticeable. But, carry whatever you want and hope for no encounter, which is the norm...

 

[garddogg56]

I have a gp100 357 with a 4 inch barrel but it's heavy and on a long hike it takes a toll. I carry it during hunting season and my shoulders hurt from carrying it in a shoulder holster for 10 hrs

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Come on now for the weight difference IF your strong enough to hike 10 hours that weight difference should not bother you...Use the .357... I carry a model 66 4" no problems at all

 

[a_finelli]

It's concealability, if I'm hunting I don't really need to worry about it, but outside of hunting season in ny you have to keep the gun concealed without printing and I'm stuck with what I have right now, believe me I'll be picking up a small 357 once I can afford it but for now I'm stuck with what I have

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Muss Muggins]

Is a black bear attack really that big a concern for you?

 

[indigo22]

Between the 9mm and 38spl I would also lean towards the 9 with BB flat nosed bullets.
I was carrying a 22lr revolver when I tangled with three feral dogs. It was the only handgun I had at the time and I had it stuffed with CCI Stingers. It worked well in the moment. After that though, I got to thinking what if I were to run into something bigger. I moved up to a 45acp then later a 44mag.
My advice ... carry what you have but make it as mean as you can with the proper ammo. Plan for the future if you think something bigger may be needed.

 

[a_finelli]

Is a black bear attack really that big a concern for you?

No not really but it is a possibility so I'd rather be as prepared as I can than carry nothing at all

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ColbyBruce]

One of the elk police in the Cataloochee Valley, NC said this was the skull of a 300# male black bear. It was thick, and heavy for it's size.

 

[garddogg56]

In my experience I never take a head shot.

 

[BC38]

Of course you use what you have and make it the best you can with proper ammo.

BUT, neither a 9mm or 38special or even 357magnum would be on my short list for large predator defense.

 

[sgtsandman]

Guy killed a brown bear worth 9mm not to long ago, so let's get serious...I don't need a 500 for black bear and I don't have money for another gun

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

A 9mm is better than nothing but one thing to keep in mind about the particular instance you refer to the guide pretty much emptied his magazine to put that bear down.

Now, I won't dissuade from the firearm you are choosing to use but a 9mm is not the best choice in bear defense. For black bear, I would recommend .357 magnum at a minimum.

 

[tkdguy]

Curious, what is your backpacking experience, and where were you intending to backpack where black bears would be a potential suspected problem?

 

[Arik]

Guy killed a brown bear worth 9mm not to long ago, so let's get serious...I don't need a 500 for black bear and I don't have money for another gun

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

There have been guys who killed bears with nothing more than their knife and a their attitude. So you don't really need a gun at all.

Examples like that are the exception not the norm. While it can work it's not something I'd bet my life on

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[a_finelli]

Curious, what is your backpacking experience, and where were you intending to backpack where black bears would be a potential suspected problem?

Adirondacks in NY, I've hiked my whole life, hunted for years, and only back packed a little. If like to back pack more when my son is older.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[BearBio]

Personally, after 50 years of backpacking, hunting, and working with bears professionally for 20 of those years (including one charge by a 400 lb black bear). I would NEVER recommend a 9mm for defense. If only smallish bears were to be encountered (say, 200-250 lbs max) and I HAD to carry 9mm, I would carry one of the Underwood penetrating loads. My personal experience with Buffalo Bore is that I have had too many mis-feeds to rely on it and accuracy is not the best (I agree that YMMV). I carry the hard-cast Underwoods in my 10mm in grizzly country or I carry a 45 Colt/454 Casull.

In my experience seeing bears running (either towards me or away from me!), you'll only have time for ONE defensive shot. Killing a grizzly with a 9mm was a fluke.

 

[Mister X]

I would honestly be much more concerned with predators of the two legged variety. Much of this "which handgun is suitable for bear defense" is based in theory since bear attacks are such a rare occurance. Since such attacks are so exceedingly rare no matter the location, there are very few examples of defensively using handguns in such a manner or individuals with any actual experience.

I do think the distinction should be made that all bears are not the same...

"Unlike Grizzlies who attack out of territorial and dominance issues and are very difficult to dissuade, black bears see humans as a source of food: black bears can normally be dissuaded easily by hurting them-you don't need to kill them, so any reasonable powerful handgun cartridge, such as a good stiff 9mm load that penetrates deeply will discourage them and probably kill them anyway, if properly hit. Since many folks who frequent the woods already own a good 9mm or .38 special, they can choose proper ammo and be well armed." - Buffalo Boar founder Tim Sundles

"Black bears are generally not a huge issue and you could probably get away with most service calibers. Brown bears need something like a 12 ga w/a deep penetrating slug or a hot .45-70, not a handgun"... -Ballistics expert Dr.Gary Roberts(aka) DocGKR.

I would recommend arming yourself with whatever you feel comfortable with and go and enjoy yourself not being concerned with bear attacks all that much. In your situation, I myself would probably take a 9mm Glock. If I felt that somehow inadequate, I would take a 10mm Glock. In terms of revolver vs auto(642 vs SD9 in your case), I think the capacity advantage and usefulness at greater ranges of the 9mm semi-auto outweighs the potential need for a contact shot(s) where the revolver might be more effective.

Just my opinion, YMMV.

 

[mooosie]

A 22 rimfire will kill a bear if you put it in his ear canal! Are you that good a shot? Bears run about 35 miles an hour bouncing along, are you a great marksman? I am not trying to be a smart ***! I have hunted and killed both black and grisly bears. They both die eventually when shot.the reason they are considered dangerous game is because the may kill you before they die! I don't know if you need bear protection or not, I can tell no bear is going to fall over dead from one shot from a pistol unless you hit him in the brain. They won't fall over from one shot from a 338 win mag , I know that from experience. If in fact you need bear protection and can not carry a rifle you need a large bore pistol with multiple rounds and you need to practice and get good with it[emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk