I am browsing around for a good survival handgun. This would be taken on hikes and camping trips to fend off any types of animal and/or crazy human threats. I've researched the types of animals in my area and the worst things I came across are black bears and wild boars. I have a Henry US Survival .22 and a Mini-14 .223 that I use to get food. I dont think those calibers would have much effect on a bear at all. I don't want to be toting two rifles around either so I've narrowed my choices down to handguns. Right now, the only one that's sticking out to me is the Glock 30 compact .45 - It's a glock so it can get a little dirty and few shots from a 45 should stop or deter a bear. I don't want to have to do the trick that Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins did in that one movie..can't recall the name....and let it get that close. Anybody have suggestions or reviews from firearms they've used in situations similar to this? Thanks.

In before the lock? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just offhand, I imagine your Mini-14 would be sufficient for the majority of your concerns. Obviously ammunition used can have a factor, but 5.56mm can be expected to penetrate deeper and do more damage than a .45. Looking at energies, a .45 might have ~350 ft lbs at the muzzle, and a 5.56mm will have somewhere around 1,400 ft lbs. There's just no comparing them.

There was a reply I heard one time when somebody asked what kind of pistol they should use to defend themselves from bear.... the reply went something like "it doesn't matter, just make sure you file down the front sight so it doesn't hurt so bad when the bear shoves it up your ***!" <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In all seriousness, if you are dead set on a pistol, I'd be looking into the high powered revolver range.

For years, Smith & Wesson has put out a line called the Mountain Gun. It comes in a different caliber every year, rotating among .357mag, .41mag, .44mag and .45Colt. It is specifically designed for backpacking as they have lightened the weight by making it a half lug underbarrel, and decreasing the outside diameter of the barrel. It is not designed for 100,000 rounds of hot magnum loads. It is a great gun to shoot. My g/f has the .357mag model. Personally, I am waiting for the next round of .44mag to come out. I don't know what this year's model will be.

I second the Mountain Gun. I have had the model 29-8 MG (.44 mag) for about a year. I have put about 500 rounds of hardcast through it and I love it. Here's a picture: MG

As far as bears go Mekanik, there is a world of difference between the average 200 lb. blackie we have around here and some of the 600 lb. monsters they grow in PA. Depending on the size of bears in your area, you might be OK with the .45--I personally would opt for something bigger. But it's about perfect for the human vermin you are more likely to encounter anyway.

Regards, Vince

I was in the gun store a few weeks back and looked at a Smith and Wesson model 329. It is a 44 mag made out of titanium. Amazingly lightweight. I will probably get one for the same reason you are looking.

I have a model 29, which is a 44 mag made out of blue steel. It is heavy, but is still a handfull to shoot. I can imagine that the 329 would be PAINFUL to shoot. But if you are looking at a charging bear, adrenaline will kick in and you'll likely not notice the recoil. (I've experienced this while big game hunting, after putting an animal on the ground I stopped and wondered why my rifle had no recoil).

Nice thing about the 329 is that if you ever decide to carry it in an urban setting, you can use 44 Special ammo. The 44 Special has less energy, which will minimize over penetration on human predators.

I know where I live, there is a requirement that any handgun that you hunt with have 500 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards. The 44 mag is the smallest round that meets this requirement. The 45 ACP comes no where near that.

Also, a revolver does not leave empty casings all over the place. This is real nice if you reload for it.

A couple of things to consider:

If you're facing a grizzly or a big brown, you might consider using the 45 on yourself instead, as it will only affect the big bruin by enraging it further. In fact, I can't imagine any production pistol (short of an exotice big bore single shot) that would be an effective deterrent against big bruins in a confrontation. Average sized black bears are a different story. Many of them have been taken on a regular basis using 44 mag penetrating loads. I have a 300 grain stiffie that is devastating on moderate sized blackies at typical pistol ranges.

223s have more energy than a standard 44 mag load, but lack the momentum to effectively thump big game. They are well capable of taking deer sized game, but I would hesitate using them on big predators, as their performance characteristics do not fit the profile you would desire.

The comparison is similar to hitting them in the ribs with a sledgehammer thrown at them at about 60 mph (the 44 mag load) vs pushing a 5 foot long 8mm drill bit through them quickly, or slapping them in the ribs with a big wooden spatula. In order for a 223 to penetrate enough, it must be designed so it won't open up on impact much, if at all. If it opens up quickly, it won't make it to the vitals, and will only sting the beastie.

The name of the movie, btw, is "The Edge". A 44 mag is more like the big spear that the bear falls on at the end of the fight.

Speaking of cartridge selection in a handgun, if a stiff heavy 44 load (300 grain flat point at 1,330 fps in my case) won't do the job, I doubt anything else is gonna do any better. A handgun is just not a reliable tool in dealing with griz. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I like burncycles post, just no comparrison hand gun to 5.56

As far as handguns I like Glock 40 caliber and my Springfield XD40.....but there are more human threats than bear threats in my area.....and I like bears more than people anyway.

It says you are in Hawaii so I am a little confused were you worried about native bears or bare natives??

"... just no comparrison hand gun to 5.56"

Depends on what hand gun. For defense against black bears I'd pick a .41, .44, or .454 mag over a .223. I'd think what you would want would be penetration and I have my doubts as to whether a bullet from the .223 would hold together long enough to keep your head out of Yogi's mouth.

An interesting but mostly academic question though, since bear attacks are right up there with alien abductions on my list of things to worry about. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

And then there is the 500 S&W Magnum it will produce almost 2600 ft.-lb

They had an article written from the 2003 SHOT show but I don't know if it is still available or if the anti gun folks put a stop to .50 caliber cannons