Sidearm for Protection in the Field

[bs1865]

What firearm do you carry into the field for back-up protection and why? Really interested in your suggestions for bear country. Currently, I am looking at a .357 Ruger SP101.

[texnmidwest]

I would not want to stake my life on a 357mag. I would believe that anyone with experience in bear country would tell you that they would choose at least a 44mag or larger. Angry bears are hard to stop. 357mag is marginal for deer size game.

[nathangdad]

. . . . to be honest a handgun is not much help if you are in close proximity to a large brown or grizzly bear.

However, it is better than nothing. I would recommend a .44 magnum
double action even though there would be a weight and size penalty as you walk for miles on end.

If you can handle the weight and pricetag a double rifle in a major caliber such as .458 Win. Mag would be a really good insurance policy.

[andrew cochran]

Yep, I would use a rifle. But if you have to use a revolver maybe a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull
It would stop a bear.

[Phil Lozano]

IMO, you are so much better off with any rifle cartridge than a pistol in any cartridge.

You will be able to aim a rifle much more accurately than a pistol (generally).

Best,

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by Phil Lozano

IMO, you are so much better off with any rifle cartridge than a pistol in any cartridge.

You will be able to aim a rifle much more accurately than a pistol (generally).

Best,

+1!

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by bs1865

What firearm do you carry into the field for back-up protection and why? Really interested in your suggestions for bear country. Currently, I am looking at a .357 Ruger SP101.

When out & about in the wild, I carry my RIA .45 1911 Officer's Model. It packs a good punch and isn't so expensive that if I scratch it on a rock or whatever, that I am going to be worried too much about it. And, it has proven itself reliable.

[Mooseman684]

I carry a Redhawk Ruger .44 with Barnes solids staggered every other round.
Rich

[jimkim]

For backup in bear country I would carry a revolver. Minimum .41 mag and there is no maximum. I don't think I would trust a .357 mag. It would probably be a single action for me. I dont usually go out with out a wing man.

[Cyrille]

.45 Colt is the smallest I would carry and that would be loaded to the max. .454 would be much better.

[SwedeSteve]

If its a pistol, make mine a 44mag or better. On the other hand, make mine a Ruger Bearcat 22lr with the front sight filed off so it won't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up my.....

[CrazyIvan]

A good addition to a firearm is some good bear repellant (super-pepper spray...lol). No long-term effects and makes them flip out and run away when they get it on their face or in their nose.

[big boomer]

I agree with the Mooseman he lives in bear country (Alaska) and trust his advice on such things.

[Phil Lozano]

If you do take a handgun, make sure you load it up with 6 ! Shoot 5 at the Bear and save 1 for yourself.

As far as muzzle energy goes, the 44 mag. with a 240 grain bullet has 780 ft. lbs. and the 243 with a 100 grain bullet has 1800 ft. lbs.

You do the math.

Best,

[Mooseman684]

Not many .243 pistols around....LOL
If I hit a Bear with 780 Lbs. of energy in the head, something is gonna give !
X 5 rounds = 3900 lbs. cumulative...HMMM
Rich

[oldjarhead]

Something with a good punch and an easy recovery for a quick second shot if needed. I carry my Colt 1911 for the most part. You don't mention whether you're after Black, Brown, Grizz, or Polar...or Panda. (just joshin') That bear can travel a fair distance during your recovery time.
.45 (Long) Colt would work...

[CroMagnum]

When i'm hunting I don't carry a pistol in the field though I do have one in camp. When hiking, backpacking or fishing I carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel and 300 gr hardcast BackPackers. I feel completely comfortable with my 45-70 or 375 H&H in the field and if I can't kill a bear with either of those 2 then a 44 mag won't do me much good.

[oldjarhead]

Originally Posted by CroMagnum

When i'm hunting I don't carry a pistol in the field though I do have one in camp. When hiking, backpacking or fishing I carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel and 300 gr hardcast BackPackers. I feel completely comfortable with my 45-70 or 375 H&H in the field and if I can't kill a bear with either of those 2 then a 44 mag won't do me much good.

That's so true, Cro.
I don't carry a sidearm for what I'm hunting, it's for what I'm not hunting.
(does that make sense?)
I simply can't harbor the idea of carrying around a back-up rifle to the one I'm already carrying. I think it is more with planning than anything else. You know, pick a caliber good for the game you're hunting and up-size the caliber to the game you may come across.
Of course, someone here will bring up hunting rabbit or squirel with a 45/70 is a little over kill. OK, there's exceptions to every train of thinking.

[mwatson]

If it were me I would carry the new Ruger in 454 casull, and when around the house load it with the 45 long colt. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mike

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by mwatson

If it were me I would carry the new Ruger in 454 casull, and when around the house load it with the 45 long colt. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mike

Yep!