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by HereInWA
I fish, so I've read a lot on the bear/gun thing. There's a lot of info out there form armchair QBs. Full disclosure, I haven't had a bear encounter and only rarely carry when I fish. Plus, I live in black bear country, which is a lot different than the big browns (as the guy notes). I had always subscribed that having someone on "bear duty" with a slug filled 12 gauge would be the right idea in bear country if you were really worried. But I've also believed in the heavy cast bullet .44 plan and have recently felt like the same sort of rounds in a glock 10mm would be a pretty outstanding idea as well. Bear spray is easy to carry and use, but comes with its own trouble (wind direction for one). Overall though, the chances of running into a bear in the places I go fishing is pretty rare. Running into one that actually wanted to hassle me would be rarer still. A cougar is more likely. But on the offchance I ran into one who wanted to attack, I probably wouldn't see it until it was on top of me. A meth'd out tweaker "cougar" is probably the most likely "animal" I'll encounter. And while it's something to think about, there isn't much of a caliber debate for that one.
Bears run fast. Like, REALLY fast. I think if one was charging, you would be lucky to clear leather and get off a shot or two. Now, I have no idea how many serious encounters are full on surprise attacks and how many are where you have some time to see that trouble is coming. I do know that, for a given amount of time, I can empty rounds faster and more accurately with a semi than a similarly chambered wheelgun. You'll also hear a lot about semis jamming if you are trying to fire while an animal is on you. However, I don't hear a lot of actual "this happened" as far as that is concerned, just armchair guessing. I suppose it's possible though. Revolvers probably make better belly guns.
This fellow sounds like he knows what he's talking about though. I mean, it passes the smell test. A hollowpoint stuck inside would seem like it'd cause a lot more distraction than a heavier round passing through. Particularly if you don't hit bone. Even if it just slowed the bear for a second or two, that's enough time for that 2nd 3rd etc shot.
FWIW, I've been looking for both a used Glock 20 and/or a SP101 4" 357 as "woods guns". More for just having the chance to shoot a little when I'm in the middle of nowhere than anything else. But the ability to use it as a noisemaker to scare off wildlife wouldn't be terrible. Nor would the obvious gun-in-holster be a awful thing for giving the random tweaker something to think about. A 4" 44mag might be really nice as well. A friend had one of those polymer s&w 4" 44mags. Probably not much for longevity or hundreds of range rounds (thought 44spcl was actually fun), but easy to carry. I was handed down a Taurus 6" 44mag. But it's awkward to carry/draw for a guy my size. I should practice with it a bit more perhaps and give it another chance.