Question: Bear Defense Gun?

OklahomaKi_yi

OklahomaKi_yi

New member
I work for a forestry company that is headed to the Alaska
coastline for a few months! I happen to be the fat kid on the crew and wanted to pick the forums brain about a possible bear defense gun. We get gun money and i want to make it count! I am shying away from a rifle because i will have to cover about 10 miles a day through some thick stuff!
We travel in groups and all have to wear bells as it is, but i would like to feel that i had some serious iron on my side! Any ideas? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I've always heard... and I agree whole heartedly... that you shouldn't get a pistol for bear defense unless you're very used to shooting a pistol. Don't get a pistol for bear defense unless you can shoot it... shoot it well... and that under extreme duress!! If you're used to shooting a handgun, then by all means. But if you're not, then I sure don't recommend it. Keep that in mind.
 
12 gauge pump with extended mag. and short barrel with cylinder bore. Stuff it with 000 buck. That's a recipe many guides use. Some make their backup loads load rifled slugs. It wouldn't hurt if you got a stainless model to protect against the elements. Good luck!
 
the wife cousin is a bear guide up in alaska .i asked him once what was a good pistal to take with me .an he said didn't matter as long as the front sight was taken off. i asked him what he ment by that . he said so when the bear takes it away from you and shoves it up your a$$ that it wouldn't hurt as bad.he told me to have a shot gun

icebox
 
i would have to agree with the shotgun. i have also handled the guide gun from marlin. this would be my next choice. my dad has one in 45-70 with a 1.5x5 on it and it carries good and shoots good as well. nice and compact. granted these are only opinions. sounds like an awsome trip. good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Winchester 1300 Stainless Marine Defender would be a decent choice. Load it with 0000 3 inch buck. You could most likely sell it to an Alaskan when you headed back home and break even on the deal.
Redeyeddawg was right on in calling it, in my opinion.
Hey, have fun up there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
If it were me, I'd use a Marlin guides gun in 45-70. No scope...just the ghost ring sights. And a good leather sling that won't slip off my shoulder.
 
I would second the comments on a handgun. Unless you are really experienced in stress shooting situations, a shot gun is much better.

I've spent the last 30 years as a LE firearms instructor and try to keep up with high stress shooting situations that circulate through the law enforcement community and it doesn't take long to realize that even 'proficient' officers can freeze-up in stress situations and really make a mess of a deadly situation through panic reflexes.

I don't have any kids around the house and my 'bedside' security is still a Winchester 1300 Defender open cylinder with 00Buck.

Think about the advantage of length, if for some unlikely reason you let a bear get close enough to reach you. At least with a long gun, you can use it to get the muzzle up against the animal without getting your body committed so far into it's reach.

I can tell you from experience, a shotgun with a sling is not much more of a problem to carry and access than a 6" .44 Magnum handgun. It might be easier. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I wonder what everyone thinks i am doing when they see me driving down the road with a howler in my mouth ! "Hello my name is garrett and i am an addict".....

Okie Kiyi,

If you call that bear up then shoot him it is NOT self- defence! LOL
 
Redeyeddawg,

I am going to be camped out in the middle of a national forest that has the largest population of glacier bears in the world. Not to mention the very healthy coastal griz that roam about looking for fat kids wearing bells, the calls are staying home! If the gun goes off it will be in self defense!!!
 
Personally... I'd double up.

I'd be carying a 45-70 revolver under my shoulder... and I'd have a .338 lapua slung over my other shoulder. Rifle first, then if I unload it and still have problems...

... then I can climb a tree with the revolver in tow. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
When I went to Alaska fishing a couple years back, a friend of mine from Alaska heard that I was going to be carrying my Taurus 608 .357 revolover for Bear defense. He gave me this advice "file down the front sight as much as you can, this way if you shoot a Bear.. when he takes the gun off you and shoves it up your a*s it won't hurt as much. Be a real man and carry a .44"

I still took my .357 but that story always stuck with me.
 
Come on Garrett,i know what you smell like.SO if you taste like that he's more likely to bury you than eat you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
You might try one of the new rugers, in I believe .460 with some cast loads.

I would always have my 10mm with some REALLY hot loads, 16 of them, if it were me.
 
If you get the guide gun, get the 450 marlin. Much more knockdown than a 45-70. It has a higher taylor knockout rating than is required for elephant. (has 45, suggested for elephant is 40)
 
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