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Best pack pistol?

DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
edited October 2001 in General Discussion
I ran into some bears this weekend while deer hunting (about 30 feet away). Although I have my black bear tag, I made a split second decision to go the other way. I wasn't carrying a handgun, but only had a small-caliber bolt action rifle.I only own one handgun. It's a Beretta 9mm 92FS (semi-auto). I carried it the second day, but am now thinking about getting something different for just that sort of circumstance (as backup). Many of you most likely carry a handgun while hunting. Just looking for some good opinions and options. Thanks in advance.
JWhite2399@cs.com Southern Oregon
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Comments

  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Anything in .41 or .44 caliber. The Smith & Wesson Mountain Magnums are pretty nice.
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Oh yeah, don't overlook the Ruger Red Hawk in .41 or .44 magnum. A better-built revolver can't be found for three times the money.
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  • Evil ATFEvil ATF Member Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BAH! Are you all daft! He said BEAR, not POO BEAR!Get yourself a Desert Eagle chambered in .50 AE. Anything less would be uncivilized. Or, just drive a deuce and a half with an M60 mount through the woods. That should get 'em!
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    DUCKFOOT!If you do carry that 9mm, be sure to lube it with bacon grease. That way, after you empty it, you can throw it and hope the bacon scent attracts the bear long enough for you to get away.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • Norman DogNorman Dog Member Posts: 470 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, DaRoosta said bear. In fact, he said black bear. How big do black bears normally get in your area? The Black bears that I have seen in the Sierra Nevada would easily succumb to a .41 or .44 Magnum load. I'll admit to not having seen every bear in every place that has bears, but I think that black bears normally don't require a hand cannon. When hunting, I already have a weapon that is more powerful than most handguns - my rifle! A pistol is nice for around camp or for firing from a camper or sleeping bag should the need arise. When hunting, however, my rifle is in my hand. It would be much quicker than dropping it and unholstering a pistol.
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  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Shootist are you advocating that all time Navy favorite anti-mutineers weapon the multi barreled percussion hand cannon as an anti-bear weapon? What do you do? Hold it side ways pull the trigger once and put one round in the bear's cojones, one round in its chest and the last round in its head? Interesting concept!!! Did I mention to you that I saw a duckfoot pistol at Dixie Gunworks when I passed through there last summer? Beach
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  • Evil ATFEvil ATF Member Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Norman:You're right, amigo. I was just joshin' a bit. On a more serious note, I think that the Raven Arms .25 would make a fantastic bear killer. I myself have dropped many a grizzly from ranges of 1 to 1,498 yards with this little pocket rocket.
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  • HK CoolHK Cool Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    DaRoostaI saw just the thing you on the GB auction--item #2145582 check out this Desert Eagle with both the .41 and .44 Mag barrels! You can carry it loaded with the .41's and if that don't do the job, switch to the .44 mag!
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  • boogerbooger Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll second that vote for a .41 magnum. Yesterday I was out in my yard plinking with a S&W Model 57 4" barrel. I was basically enjoying a new trigger job and trying out a box of Federal 250 grain cast core bullets.One of those skimmed through the side of a hot water heater then went through a 10" sapling stopping 90% outside the tree on the other side. (It was barely hanging there). This bullet was not deformed in any way!!! I was amazed. This load would easily shatter bone and get to vitals. Can you say over-penetration, not an urban load for sure.I'm usually not fan of Federal ammo but this amazed me.
    Them ducks is wary.
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  • Norman DogNorman Dog Member Posts: 470 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Evil - Cool. One day, I'll get a sense of humor!
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  • Mark IIMark II Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How does .400 Cor-Bon compare to the .41?
    "To meet with ill fortune is to meet with good fortune. To meet with submission is to meet an enemy."
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ahh...Norman Dog...are you unaware of the exploits that have been committed by the Almighty Evil and his Jennings .25? Knowing Evil and his style of close combat shooting, he'd probably empty the magazine and then charge with the mini-bayonet that he has affixed to the end of the barrel.
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  • luger01luger01 Member Posts: 230 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Use Garrett ammo or handloads of comparible weight/velocity. Makes a bigger hole than the puny .44 mag. and has kinetic energy close to .454 Casull.I like the 300 grain hard cast flat nose bullets. Makes a big hole - all the way through.[This message has been edited by luger01 (edited 10-01-2001).]
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I either carry a Ruger Vaquero or SW 629 Backpacker in 44 magnum depending on what else I have to carry.I personally like the Federal 220 grain metal case profile (which Federal no longer markets) or any silhouette type load.A silhouette load means no energy is wasted on expansion. All the energy is to be used to take the steel plates down or for penetration on animals.
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  • Evil ATFEvil ATF Member Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Raven Arms .25, not Jennings!Only a MONKEY would put a bayonet on a JENNINGS!
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    HK Cool - I checked out that auction and wouldn't you know it was from our friend Kimberkid.Thanks for all the advice...and keep it coming. Packing a pistol while hunting is not something that I really thought I'd ever do. I consider myself a pretty decent shot with a rifle, but this was the first time I've ever actually been in a bit of a quandry while hunting.Black bears in my neck of the woods go about 350-400 lbs. The little blacktails I was hunting go about 150 lbs. I really like hunting with a .243, but I don't really consider it big enough for bears.
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  • shaneshane Member Posts: 882 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    oops![This message has been edited by shane (edited 10-02-2001).]
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    Beach - just wait until the bear is close emough then you cut him in half!!!I'm building a kit duckfoot now, just a 3 barrel version (can't find a 4 or 5 - darn). Let you know when I finish it. Next time I get to St Louis I might bring it with me.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You wouldn't make fun of ole monkey would ya?
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  • Norman DogNorman Dog Member Posts: 470 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    DaRoosta - Those are serious black bears, but you may be surprised by what the .243 Win is capable of. Of course, I'd rather have more weapons than I needed than the other way around. You know how these things usually work: the bear won't give you any trouble until your rifle is empty!
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  • cpilericpileri Member Posts: 447 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bear country I use a Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull. Can be loaded down to 45 Colt, or up to heavy Cor Bon 335gr Penetrators. May as well be prepared for anything.C
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