What handgun to buy?

[RTHolmes]

just out of interest how many mountain bikers been attacked by grizzlys in the last 10 years?

[katanaso]

That is helpful, thanks. The biggest reason I don't carry my .357 is it's weight. How much does your Glock20 weigh?

What rounds do you load for 4 legged and 2 legged?

The weight:  http://www.glockfaq.com/content.aspx?ckey=Glock_FAQ_Glock_Model_Guide#g20

Curious as to what you shoot as well since the Glock weighs so little.  My 10mm is a S&W 1006, so it's a brick in comparison.

[68ZooM]

If it's just for bear defense bring a slow friend 

[gyrene81]

If it's just for bear defense bring a slow friend 

         

[Jebus]

That is helpful, thanks. The biggest reason I don't carry my .357 is it's weight. How much does your Glock20 weigh?

What rounds do you load for 4 legged and 2 legged?

Glock states it weighs 39oz loaded http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm
I put a Stainless steel Guide rod on it and heavier recoil spring so it is a little heavier.  Double Tap is supposed to be very Hot Rounds so that is why i put the heavier spring in it.  What the 10mm is supposed to be at not the water down versions you see in the store.

For 4 legged I have the double tap 200 grn hard cast bullets.
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=105

It will do the job on most critters you will find in the US.  There is on going debate on grizzlies.  Do a google search on it and you will find it is a hot topic.  I feel shot placement and bullet penetration is the key, and think it will do just fine.

for 2 legged I either carry
135 grn Corbon for the house (dont want to go threw to many walls)
http://www.shopcorbon.com/Self-Defense-JHP/10mm-Auto-135gr-CORBON-Self-Defense-JHP/SD10135-20/100/Product

Or when I am CCW or in the woods I carry
Double Tap 150 grn
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=396

I did not know much about the 10mm untill I did some research.  It is a very versital bullet when loaded right will be between .357 and .41 mag power.  Probably my favorite gun to shoot, and I have a 1911 and Sig 228 9mm.  I love the recoil of it which I think isnt to bad.  Like I said I shoot it extremely well.  Not as good as the 1911 (who doesnt shoot it well) or my Sig, but still surprisingly good.

Here is a great website that tells you everything you need to know about the 10mm.
http://www.bren-ten.com/website/id7.html

[Jebus]

The weight:  http://www.glockfaq.com/content.aspx?ckey=Glock_FAQ_Glock_Model_Guide#g20

Curious as to what you shoot as well since the Glock weighs so little.  My 10mm is a S&W 1006, so it's a brick in comparison.

I have a Springfield TRP 1911 which anyone can shoot the center out of with there eyes closed.  I also have a Sig p228.

When I bought my Glock 20 a year ago I was at a very popular gun store in Illinois no one at the store every shot the 10mm except the owner and a couple managers.  So a couple of the sales guys and I went to the range bought a couple boxes of American Eagle 200 gr target rounds.  Now you have to remember those American Eagle Rounds are water down and not the full power stuff the FBI couldn't handle.  We all were waiting for a big kick with it but really it was a comfortable kick.  I dont know if it is the Glock grip angle or the lower bore axis but it was really fun to shoot.

The reason why I went with the Glock and not a revolver is because I can not shoot a revolver for the life of me.  I tried a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan .44 mag, S&W 629 N frame and could not shoot it well.  Even the hotter loads of the Double Tap ammo was a lot easier and more comfortable to shoot.  I went with the Stainless steel Guide rod for a little extra weight and a 20 lbs spring to help with the recoil and wear and tear.  Still with the Glock stock was not that bad.  With those two little mods that cost like $35 total made a pleasant gun to shoot, to making it almost a dream to shoot.  Still nothing beats a well made 1911.

My Glock is my hiking canoeing gun that is why I bought it.  I love it to just as much as my 1911 and Sig.  I dont mind beating up my Glock because it was only $498 NIB (law enforcement discount) hence why I got it.  Where as if I scratch up my 1911 or Sig It bothers the hell out of me.

[SmokinLoon]

someone drank the Glock kool-aid.                    

Glock does not offer a gun that fits what the O/P wants. 

I still stand by my SW 686+ (.357 Mag) w/ a 4in barrel. 

[Jebus]

someone drank the Glock kool-aid.                    

Glock does not offer a gun that fits what the O/P wants. 

I still stand by my SW 686+ (.357 Mag) w/ a 4in barrel. 

Oh trust me I did not drink the Glock Kool-aid.  I hate Glock never thought I would own one.  I think there is nothing special about them.  I bought it because it met my needs.  Which was a less expensive gun I can take to the woods and be reliable and fired a good powerful round.

I did drink the 10mm Kool-aid and it tasted good. 

[SIK1]

Must... not... rant....

Well, I can't hold back... here comes my rant.  



I just as big a gun nut as the next guy here, I own several...

BUT...  carrying a handgun in the backcountry for "bear defense" is just plain silly and stupid.

First point... bears, be they Grizzly or Black are just not that aggressive.  I would dare say I've spent more nights deep in bear country then most here, I worked as a backcountry guide in Yellowstone for 2 summers and the Wind Rivers for 5 summers, along with dozens of personal backpacking trips.   I've been up close with black bears and grizzlies many times, and I've never had them act aggressively at all.  (Moose are a different story however. )

Contrary to popular belief, bears don't spend all day wandering around looking for hikers and boy scouts to eat, many bears will quickly vacate the area when they sense humans near (through smell, hearing or sight).  The bears that don't leave, also don't seem to be bothered at all by people.  

I was in a swimming hole in a river in the Winds once when a black bear walked right up, and sat on the opposite bank watching us swim, then after about 10 minutes he got bored and wandered over to a log to dig some grubs.  Another time I had a grizzly walk right through our camp at dawn, I woke up when I heard something knock over some gear by my tent, I thought it was one of the boys gonna drop my tent, so I rolled over, unzipped the door and stuck my head out to find it less then 3 feet from a grizzly bear shoulder.  I was pretty shocked,  but I lay back down quietly and listened to the grizzly wander around camp a bit, soon enough he left without doing any damage except to a can of deet.  These are just two of a dozen or more bear encounters I've had.

Point is that you have a better chance of death or serious injury in the backcountry from dozens of other causes (falling, hypothermia, hyperthermia, poison plants, lightning, bee stings whatever) then from bear attack.

Second point...   In the unlikely event that a bear does become aggressive, bear spray is much more effective at stopping a charging bear of any size then any handgun.  (bonus is it's non-lethal as well)  I know people won't believe me, but I've seen personally what that spray can do when a stupid boy scout decided to let some loose, it is NASTY stuff, several times more potent then the pepper spray the police use.  Several accounts tell of bears taking several bullets without stopping, plus when you're scared poopless with a large bear charging at you how accurate is your aim gonna be???   Bear spray however has been very, very effective, and you don't need to aim it, just point in the general direction and let it go.    When I was guiding in the Wind Rivers, I was required by the USFS to carry bear spray, fortunately I've never had to use it.  But it is lighter and easier to carry then a handgun as well.

If your backpacking in USFS designated wilderness land, or National Parks they usually have their own laws against firearms anyway.  (which I don't agree with but that would get rule #14)  Besides who wants to carry that extra weight anyway.

Summary... if you really want protection from bears and other wild animals in the backcountry, be smart, give wildlife plenty of space, don't get between a sow and cub (or food), store you food and smellables properly,   AND leave the gun at home and spend $70 on a  can of bear spray instead.  

I've lived around bears for most of my life and fortunately have never had to defend myself from one, but if I did have to, I think I would rather have the .357 over the bear mace. That and I'm more concerned with the two legged animals. I did have to leave a beach on the lake once because a bear wanted to join our picnic. It can be difficult to give the wildlife a wide berth when they come to you. I will say I have great respect for what a bear can do even a small one, and have no desire to needlessly kill any wild animal.
Also the USFS ban on firearms was lifted a while back.  
BTW the blacks around here are closer to 40 mph and they can clear a three wire fence without breaking stride.

[skorpion]

desert eagle is my reccomendation (NO NOT REALLY)

for revolvers try a .357 or a .44 magnum

for a semi-auto pistol id try a .45 or a 9mm.

[doomed]

Depends on what ya want it for really. For target practice go with a 22 for basic home defence i use a 9mm( cheap and affordable ammo and leathal at close range) if you just want to overcomensate for something get a desert eagle or 45 etc lol.

I have over 30 weapons of differnt makes models etc but my hand gun of choice for basic use is the 9mm.

[Carrel]

My cousin does outfitting in Idaho and Montana for elk hunts. Bears are a problem, and he carries no less than a 44 Magnum. He also carries industrial strength pepper spray. If a bear is after you any handgun is a feeble attempt at deterrence because a bear would close the distance so quickly if it decides to get you - he actually had to use pepper spray on a black bear once that was rummaging in his camp, he says had it been a brown bear he'd have been toast.
 

[katanaso]

Interesting on the 200gr round.  That wasn't around when I last bought my share of Doubletap Ammo.  I'm a bit of an ammo hoarder, so I stockpiled a bunch when it was $20-$22 per box from them.

My first experience with the 10mm was my friend's Delta Elite, and what's not to love about shooting a 1911 style in 10mm?   I almost purchased a Dan Wesson 10mm a few years back, but stopped short of doing so.

I really like my S&W 1006.  I have 180gr Doubletap Gold Dots in it now, but I'm going to change.

The 10mm is probably my favorite round to shoot, besides 5.56.

(Sorry for the brief digression from the OT)

For 4 legged I have the double tap 200 grn hard cast bullets.
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=105

It will do the job on most critters you will find in the US.  There is on going debate on grizzlies.  Do a google search on it and you will find it is a hot topic.  I feel shot placement and bullet penetration is the key, and think it will do just fine.

for 2 legged I either carry
135 grn Corbon for the house (dont want to go threw to many walls)
http://www.shopcorbon.com/Self-Defense-JHP/10mm-Auto-135gr-CORBON-Self-Defense-JHP/SD10135-20/100/Product

Or when I am CCW or in the woods I carry
Double Tap 150 grn
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=396

I did not know much about the 10mm untill I did some research.  It is a very versital bullet when loaded right will be between .357 and .41 mag power.  Probably my favorite gun to shoot, and I have a 1911 and Sig 228 9mm.  I love the recoil of it which I think isnt to bad.  Like I said I shoot it extremely well.  Not as good as the 1911 (who doesnt shoot it well) or my Sig, but still surprisingly good.

Here is a great website that tells you everything you need to know about the 10mm.
http://www.bren-ten.com/website/id7.html

[MarineUS]

We are all over looking it....

the true answer is FLAMETHROWER! - duh

[AKHog]

We are all over looking it....

the true answer is FLAMETHROWER! - duh

The newest thing in shops around me is the "Bear Flare". It looks a lot like the little road flares that come in your car's safety kit, but costs a lot more. It's sold by the same company that sells the bear spray.

I really think they should sell a combo pack with a holster that conveniently positions the flare directly infront of the bear spray nozzle.