Bear attacks are the stuff of nightmares, which is why people in bear country are wise to carry powerful handguns for defense of themselves and their companions. Dean Weingarten over at The Truth About Guns blog has for some time now kept track of people who have used that holstered hardware to protect themselves and others. Here is his latest update on the matter.
We see, from the linked article (above), that (as usual) mindset is a critical part of effective self-defense.
It is clear, in all three cases where handguns “failed”, that the real failure was one of mindset. The defenders had handguns but were not, mentally, really prepared to use them against an aggressive bear.
Mas has long said that a handgun is not a “Magic Talisman”. It cannot protect you just by carrying it. You have to have the mental mindset to effectively use it. This is true whether you are engaging in self-defense against an attacking human or an attacking bear.
One problem with classic bear defense firearms is that they are heavy and/or bulky. Consider those that are usually recommended:
1) Pump or semi-auto 12 gauge shotgun – heavy and bulky both.
2) Large caliber centerfire rifles (perhaps lever-action or semi-auto) – heavy and bulky both.
3) Large caliber revolvers – .357 Magnum or larger – more portable than long-arms but still (typically) heavy with stout recoil.
4) Full size 10 mm semi-automatic pistols – Probably lighter than a heavy revolver but still a full size pistol to carry.
Probably the 10 mm is the current best compromise between power and portability. However, for black bear, it may be possible to go even smaller.
I have a Kahr CW-40 chambered in 40 S&W caliber. It has a 3.6 inch barrel and is small and light enough that I can carry it in my pocket. Its capacity is 6+1 rounds.
I have actually carried this Kahr CW-40 when hiking in black bear country. When doing so, I loaded it with the Underwood 200 gr. coated SWC load. See this link:
https://underwoodammo.com/40-s-w-200-grain-hard-cast-flat-nose/
This load is rated for 1000 fps with a 200 grain bullet (444 ft-lbs. of muzzle energy). I don’t know what barrel length they used to obtain this velocity. I am guessing that it was a 4″ or 4.5″ barrel.
From the 3.6 inch barrel of my CW-40, I have chronographed the velocity as 932 fps (measured 12′ from the muzzle). This would give about 386 ft.-lbs. of energy at 12′. Still a powerful load. It shoots very well from the Kahr too.
I figured that, with such ammo, my CW-40 would serve as a defensive tool against both threatening humans or black bears. So far, I have not have to put this theory to the test!
I hope to keep it that way! 🙂
I remember that Jeff Cooper wrote that .357 Magnum is probably the minimum that should be chosen as an effective cartridge against bears.
Gratefully Dean Weingarten demonstrates effectively that handguns can be adequate for deterring bear attacks. Forgive me for speculating that mishaps involving all kinds of firearms and bear encounters may have occurred over the years, where negative results have not reached much public notice, especially when a predator killed a lone shooter, whose body may never have been found. The 10mm round generally has more impressive ballistics than the Jeff Cooper-valued .357 Magnum, so is not bad. .40 S & W has shown to be close enough to .357 in lethality to be adequate when used by law enforcement in dispatching bear, depending on bullet choice and shot placement. The semiautos tend to give firepower advantages over revolvers against outlaws, and are extra valuable in that way.
My EDC is a Browning High Power classic Belgian made. Crusty but handy and reliable. Some years back I came aross a BHP in S&E 40, resonably priced, and bought it. I have no plans to be in bear country in the near future but who knows? I’llmprobably just pop that forty into the same holser I use every day. This one is a newer series, has some “safety” features the older Belgian models lack (none of which I miss at all) but for the most part is is the same arm. Under such circumstances I doubt the additional recoil from the more powerful round would change much. I’d be too excited about other things to notice….. probably.
I have a Karh K 40, six and one I think, but after the front sight started travelling about the coutryside I retuired it. I’d been thinking of moving to a piece with a higher round count anyway which just accelerated the switch to the BHP. One of these days I’ll deal with that roaming frnt sight on the K 40 just to bring it back up to usefulness, just in case…..
With respect to the use of the 357 magnum for defense, including bear defense, here is an interesting article:
https://alaskagunsite.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/the-case-for-the-357-magnum/
This article makes the case that the 357 Magnum is “enough gun” if (a) the right ammo is used and (b) shots are well placed. YMMV.
Huh – just as with human predators, if you use an ineffective cartridge and/or hit a non-vital area of the body, or if you miss completely by poor marksmanship or thinking warning shots will scare off the predator, you might not like the outcome. I thought Dean’s comments on cubs being killed by adult bears made sense, as did the ones on management of the species to avoid over population.
This is a really facinating article. To be perfectly honest, if I ever find myself around Brown bears I’ll be carrying a rifle not a handgun.
My father gave me his S&W 41 mag mountain gun that he would carry in mountains above Salt Lake, along with 2 boxes of Buffalo Bore Bear loads. Your basic can of whoop ass.
One of the several well-known lines from JAWS comes to mind: “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”
Best wishes! HAPPY 4TH!
Interesting article, Mas. I’m no bear expert, but if I had to venture into bear country for an activity such as fishing, I believe I would carry a Glock in 10mm. The large revolver calibers like 454 Casull are lethal, but only if you get a hit – and the recoil is fierce. I believe that you would not notice (probably) the recoil during a bear charge, but the recoil would prevent you from practicing with your hand cannon to become sufficiently proficient.
The speed of a bear charge is a factor that surprises many (they can run faster than a horse) and a single action revolver will limit how many times you’ll get a second chance. I figure that I would need as many second chances as I could get which is why I would choose the Glock in 10mm. Reduced recoil of a semi-auto, a serious caliber, and a generous magazine to allow you to keep on shooting. I guess I would aim for the nose and just try to empty the magazine before the bear reached me. Trust me when I say that I wouldn’t sacrifice myself for any bear cubs. Charging at me was mama’s choice.
I’ve heard that one way to practice for bear charge is to take a 10″ paper plate and clip it to the target holder at an indoor range and have your partner move it all the way out (usually 50 yards). Then (while facing down range with a holstered handgun) engage your partner in the kind of conversation you would have over a beer. Your partner (when he thinks your distracted enough) will yell “Bear!” and immediately start the target towards you. You must draw your handgun and hit the target sufficiently before it gets to you.
BTW, there is no guarantee that a bear charge will start at 50 yards. You might surprise a bear on the other side of the bush you’re standing next to. Rest assured that the bear will surprise you back.
In most cases polar bears need no provoking. They see you merely as food. To them you are just a strange looking seal. If you climb into a cage out on the ice to observe polar bears , they will walk over to observe you. Most will just sit down and relax to out wait you. They assume you have to come out sometime. Don’t forget the 12 gauge pump with extended magazine.
BTW, what ever you choose for your handgun, be sure to feed it Buffalo Bore (or comparable) ammo.
In my area we only have to deal with (an ever increasing number of) black bears, though some can run quite large. So far, all I’ve had approach the house have been scared off by a yell or rubber ball shotgun rounds. I’ve not had any problems while bow hunting but prefer to carry a 4” Model 629 with Grizzly 260 gr. WFN 44 Special loads. 44 Magnum loads would be more effective but recoil recovery from double-action shots is slower. Around the homestead I prefer an 870 with Brenneke slugs backing up the non lethal rounds.
Unless you are foolish enough to go to a national park where they are habituated to humans and protected, black bears aren’t really very aggressive. I have seen people do some incredibly stupid things with no ill effects. I have also seen a large black bear lose a fight with a Yorkie. (Using the military rule about possession of the battlefield.) Yorkie was yapping and zooming, leading to intense frustration on the part of the bruin. Exception would be if cubs are present.
Griz are more unpredictable but the cub rule seems to apply. On the other hand, I once walked around a bush and encountered a grizzly cub about 3 feet away. Cub itself was no threat but I didn’t know where mama was. I retreated rapidly to a safe place and watched while mama collect the cub and another one I hadn’t seen and boogied. No attempt to attack. Another time there was a griz in the immediate area of camp but didn’t approach. It may have had something to do with the 20 large dogs owned by the various campers. I do know a man who has been mauled by griz twice. One time it was the cub thing but the other one was a deliberate attempt to kill and eat him. Totally unprovoked.
I usually carry both a firearm and bear spray. Firearm appropriate to the type of bear in the area. If griz are seen the 12G comes out. Plan is to use the spray at distance if the bear is not being especially aggressive. Supposedly, a bear will back off if they have encountered the stuff before. If a charge ensues, I will drop spray and move support hand to gun.
Growing up in Minnesnowta we had black bear encounters while fishing/camping up north. Black bears (at least when I was young) were hunted and were very shy of people, and could be driven from camp just by shouting and banging things.
Living in NW Wyoming surrounded by grizzly country (not where we live, but within 20 miles in any direction) we’re very bear-aware. i’ve seen grizzlies go from zero to FAST in a split second; they don’t start by running, they BOUND, with both front legs between their rear legs and accelerate faster than any car could possibly do. They can run amazingly fast for a big critter, and can keep it up for a couple of hundred yards when wanted.
When stream fishing in grizzly country I carry my usual (1911A1 in .45 ACP) in a shoulder rig to help keep it clear of the water, and I’m not worried about concealment so it’s right there in front of G-d and everybody. I’m not willing to start yet another caliber so I’m going to stick with the .45, and I figure that a 230-grain HP round probably won’t expand much through fur so I’ll get at least a foot of penetration. I’ve read a lot about rounds bouncing right off the bear’s skull, but he’ll end up with one heck of a headache by the time it’s eating me.
What’s interesting to note is the number of times I’ve left an area just because of scent…bears have a distinct odor, and you will often smell ’em long before you’ll see or hear them. You smell that bear stink, you leave. No, “I think I’ll wait until I see the bear”, or “Gee, maybe that’s something else.” Just noisily make your exit, singing at the top of your lungs your favorite “Hope I Don’t See a Bear Today” song, since you really don’t want to surprise them.
One of my favorite memes is the one about wearing bear bells and carrying bear spray, and distinguishing between black bear and grizzly poop: “Black bear droppings will consist mostly of berries and insects, while grizzly scat will smell faintly of pepper and contain small bells.”
Perhaps one tactic for going into bear country would be to bring your own herd/horde or chihuahua doggies.. a couple dozen or so would suffice. They were developed as a breed in Chihuahua Mexico for the express purpose of hunting bear. Very keen sense of small and hearing, they can detect bear from quite a distance, then chrge after him. Once the horde breaks upon the bear, their yapping and yipping and darting and dodging does a fine job of totally capturing the bear’s full attention.. driven nuts by the racket and activity. While Mr. Bear is wholly engrossed in fending off this eruption of madness, Señor Cazador calmly saunters up, the bear utterly unaware of his presence, and dispatches said bear. The doggies get their reward, calm down, and they all go back home happy, except for the bear.
I have two rifles, one shotgun, and two handguns for bear/human defense.
45-70 with Buffalo Bore hardcast lead, .375 Ruger with Hornady DGX load, 12 Gauge with 3” Brenneke slugs, 10mm pistol with Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman and a .41 Magnum also with Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman load. These are listed in my order of preference.
Nowhere on my list will you find a “less lethal” option. My life is more valuable than ANY bear and I’m not going to play. I’ve been charged, bluff charge, by a bear. Learning bear behavior, as well as hunting bears, and spending a lot of time in bear country has taught me that bears can be, like humans, unpredictable.
You will always find me with a handgun, in bear country or not, and a determination to survive mindset. My defensive tools are equipped with lights, optics, and proven reliable. I much prefer a longarm for bears but can’t always have one handy.
Recently there was a guy killed in Prescott, AZ by a black bear. My first question was, “He was in bear country so why didn’t he have a gun?” Too many urbanites think all they need is bells on their shoes and bear spray. I personally consider these folks the human taquitos of the bear world.
Too many unprepared folks that think it won’t happen to them. My thought process is, “When it happens……”
Just my early morning rambling. I get tired of reading and folks that become bear snacks when they don’t have to be. I’m also tired of people that attempt to humanize the enemy once the Rubicon has been crossed. The enemy can be a bear, human, or the face staring back at you in the mirror.
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