We only have Drop Bears to worry about over here. Don't know if it's true but I have read reports of Parks and Wildlife Rangers over there that were mauled to death after putting 6 good shots of 158gn from .357 Mag into a Boer. If this is the case I personally wouldn't feel safe with anything less than a Howdah pistol in a chest worn holster.

 

We only have Drop Bears to worry about over here. . . /QUOTE]

I had to look up "Drop Bear". Glad I did. In the process of so doing, I also learned about the Spaghetti Tree and, in the U.S., the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.

 

I have been close to two large bears in my life, both times I was carrying a .357 and both times felt under gunned. Neither time did i ever have to find out.

 

For years I carried my 629 as you. Then I found this little beauty. I had mine ported and it is terrific. Be sure to hang on if you shoot one of these.

Model 329PD | Smith & Wesson

www.smith-wesson.com

 

With a Scandium Frame and titanium cylinder it must carry well. Holding on with it and shooting may bite a bit! AC

 

We have a fair amount of black bears in the blue Mtns where I go recreating and backpack most years. You hear all the time that you need a big ass gun for bear defense. I carry a 357 magnum with 158 grain hard cast lead bullets. Usually an SP 101, 3 inch. I don't have a fear of the beasts, and it sure beats a Swiss Army Knife.

 

.44 special with either a 250 grain Keith bullet or the 255 grain Thompson GC and a stiff dose of 2400 . Think Elmer Keith stout . Only bear I ever saw was while fly fishing in Cherokee .

 

I carry my .45 1911. Years ago I was trout fishing in Michigan's UP. We all went separate ways for the day. Really beautiful. I was heading down the stream via a wide trail that came to a clearing. There was a brush pile. I heard something rustling and took off about 20 years. I saw something lift up and my mind assumed bear cub and get ready to meet your maker. Turned out it was a porcupine.

 

I see bears a lot. a few yrs ago one tryed to get ME! trust me! not a good experience! I dont think I will ever have a problem again. BUT! I always carry a rifle in the woods. sometimes a 44 mag hand gun. the problem, if mr bear wants you its at close range and FAST! I feel better with a shotgun with slugs or buckshot. a rifle is fine. I carry my rifle in my hand not on a sling. if you carry a handgun. a 44 mag in a shoulder holster would be my choice. I hope you never have to use it! if you do dont make the mistake I did. keep it to yourself! people will wont believe you! say things like well what did you do wrong! suggest where you should have shot the bear. etc.

 

For years hiked the Appalachian trail daily as a fitness thing. Twice I had good size blackies following behind me down the trail huffing, shaking head, snapping their teeth. Both times in the early summer during mating season, and I drew the pistol both times and fired once to scare one of them off. Got between a mom and cubs once, and have all but stepped on bears laying in cool springs. I carried a Glock 10mm 29, powerful but diminutive, it carried well. Shot different weights of FMJ into pole timber to figure out which penetrated the best, then alternate loaded the magazine FMJ/hollowpoint. Reloaded hot, the 10 mm is the most powerful handgun cartridge I can fire fast and accuracy. Still hike some, but now carry a Ruger SR1911 in 10mm.

 

When I lived in Alaska, I carried a 5" S&W 29 loaded with 300-grain hard cast bullets at an honest 1350 fps at the muzzle while hunting and when working around meat. When packing meat out, I carried a 12 ga 3" magnum riot gun loaded with Brennekes and 000 buck.

In black bear country, a 357 Mag loaded with 158 or 180 grain hard cast bullets loaded to full 357 capability will work fine. They work on grizzlies too. There was game warden that had to kill a large grizzly during a trap and relocate operation several years ago and his 357-mag service weapon worked fine in terminally stopping the charge.

 

000 buck is serious business up close with entire pattern striking. Hit deer with it, the pellets go completely thru both shoulders and exits, blast hair all over the place and the deer just crumpled. Use 00 and #1 the deer crumple to, but it does not penetrate and blast thru like those big .36 balls do. 000 for bear makes a lot of sense.

 

The 10mm auto by glock has become very popular throughout Alaska over the last few years, including Kodiak. High reliability in a simple gun with Buffalo bore or similar cast bullets that pack a wallop.

The composite is frankly hard to beat for corrosion resistance, as well as temperature changes, expansion and contraction, and condensation that could freeze parts up going from indoors, to outdoors.

Just remember, the best use of a handgun in bear country is to provide you an escape to safety, or to a bigger gun.

 

Btw, I carry a .44 Redhawk in a shoulder holster w/ cast alaska backpacker ammo. Never had to shoot it in defense, but came close once with an enraged and surprised moose near Delta.

 

A couple years ago I was bow hunting for deer off the ground and in a weeks time had a big bear, a medium sized one and a sow with 2 cubs around me. These were just black bear. I carried my .40 S&W and felt good about it, maybe I was naive maybe not. Would you guys that hunt and shoot black bear feel safe with a .40 caliber sidearm?

 

I have a Glock 30 with a 10mm conversion set up and a S&W 629 original Mountain Revolver and believe either is just fine. Also have a few 357's that I would feel fine with a designated "bear load" Brown Bear and Grizzly country, I'll be packing large mace can and a 20" 12 gauge pump.

 

I believe the standard in places like Alaska is now an X-Frame S&W. I carry a 6.5” .500 Magnum. I use 375grn double bonded hollow points. It should stop any bear

 

I carry a 1st Gen. Colt SAA .45 Colt w/no worries.

Old Creek

 

That's how you do it. Most people overlook 45LC, but it'll still roll up 250-300 pounder in a hurry. I'm fond of 225 gr SJSP. They seem to work well for just about everything.

Thanks Old Creek.

 

Both your options are good choices. I always carry a 6" GP100 357 with Double Tap 180 gr hardcast. I don't feel under gunned. But I'm not in brown or grizzly country.

 

The commercial bear loads in 44mag, 454... name the gun types they are safe in. S&W is not one of them, also the stupid hex key lockout on S&W, is a no - go for dangerous game... Since it can accidentally engage itself after shooting!!!

 

The Xframe is way stronger than an N which is what I think a 44 magnum is. I have a few hundred rounds out of my .500 and more out of my 686. They both have the undesired safety and have never locked themselves. I am a member of the S&W board and there is not one report of an accidental locking. The lock is not favored there either but not feared either. I have shot some. 700grain .500 magnum hard cast that made a boom heard for miles. No locking. No worries

 

Most places I carry a 3 inch Smith and Wesson 29 Nickle. If I am in Grizzly, Brown Bear or Polar Bear country, I carry a 6.5 inch Smith and Wesson 500 or my Marlin 50 Alaskan.

 

I have to say that I have never seen the S&W lock mechanism. I have two older Smiths. How does it work and why is it there? Everybody else seems to make do without them. As far as the thread subject ...Pennsylvania Black Bears have never been a problem for me. I leave them alone and they do the same. I don't hesitate to walk in the woods armed or empty handed. The bigger bears such as the grizzly I think I would carry my 1895 SBL 45/70.

Padraig

 

It’s a turn key thing. They send a hex thumb wrench. It just locks the hammer. I’ve never used it. It’s a liability thing I think.

 

Some years ago, 4 Delta Airlines pilots changed up their annual Alaskan fishing trip to fish in a very remote area. After arriving in Anchorage, the friends took a float plane for a three hour flight to the fishing camp. They were met at the dock by an older guide who helped load their gear on the Jeep for the short ride to the lodge. The guide remarked that on of the fisherman was toting a pretty nice, long barreled revolver. "Yes, that is in case a grizzly gets too interested." replied the sportsman. The guide said, "You will find a vise and a big file on the back porch at the lodge, and you can do the "Grizzly Mod" before we go fishing. "What is the "Grizzly Mod" asked one of the friends? The guide replied, "You file off the front sight of the gun, so that when you fire all six rounds, and the bear crams it up your butt, it makes it easier for us to pull it out. True story.

 

Few things are worse than an ignorant guide! Much like politicians....I hate paying for stupid! memtb

 

When in the woods I carry this: https://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkBlued/specSheets/0405.html and it is loaded with these rounds: https://www.underwoodammo.com/41-remington-magnum-265-grain-lead-wide-long-nose-gas-check.html

 

I have always carried a rifle in bear country - 45-70, 376 Steyr, 338 RUM. That said, I have two revolvers that I would consider bear capable - both in 454 Casull.
Taurus Raging Bull

Ruger Super Redhawk Talo Edition.

As always, what is most critical is bullet construction and placement.

T.S. View attachment 873296 View attachment 873297

 

Live in Bighorn Basin, in Wyoming plenty black bears and grizz, carry glock 10mm and use Dawson Precision sights. Buffalo Bore loads, fast accurate hard hitting loads.

 

This Utube covers the 10mm vs 44 Mag for bear defense debate very well. Basically a 44 Mag with the same brand hard cast load will penetrate one additional sheet of plywood compared to the 10mm, but in timed rapid fire, 3 second strings, the 10mm had twice as many effective hits.