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9mm Bear killer?!?!?!?!?!?!?

PalantirionPalantirion Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
edited September 2002 in General Discussion
I have heard from several sources lately that one might consider carrying a 9mm or 10mm pistol (full-jacket rounds) as bear protection. One story involved a man who downed a charging grizzly with five 9mm rounds through the head! That's some impressive penetration, impressive enough to make me skeptical of a repeat. Has anyone here had pistol experience against large bears, and if so, what have you found to be effective protection?

www.ebsart.com
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Comments

  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would feel comfortable with the 10mm as a defensive measure.It compares pretty close to the .41 Mag.The 9mm would only be a matter of life and death.Im not saying a couple of well placed 9mms wont put a Bear down,because it is known for its penetration ability's.But I wouldnt go Hunting for one with either caliber.Any thing under 44 Mag is insufficient for Bear.

    Best!!

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When I leave on my black bear hunt Sat. I can assure you my Colt 44 mag will be at my side. I agree, I want more than a 9 or 10.
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  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How do you tell the difference between black bear sh*t and grizzly bear sh*t?

    Black bear sh*t has digested seeds, berries and leafy plants.

    Grizzly bear sh*t has whistles, pepper spray and...44 magnums.

    Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    DancesWithSheep; That is a good one. LOL

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • doomsknight62doomsknight62 Member Posts: 239 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know if I could hit a charging bear in the face with a 9mm five times before it was mauling me. It seems simple, but under stress....I just don't know. Personally, if I were hanging out in the woods, I would have the biggest shotgun I own with me, along with slugs and shot in a variety of flavors. Or at least some HUGE hollow-points.

    " God is in His Heaven, All is Right in the World. "
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  • PalantirionPalantirion Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is a .44 enough to fell a pissed-off Grizzly? I own a Super Redhawk, and I doubt I could get more than 2 shots off before the bear would close the distance. With a 10mm, I could probably get off 6-8 shots in the same amount of time.

    Which would penetrate more bear meat, the .44 or the 10mm? Could either punch through that thick skull?

    www.ebsart.com
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should maybe look into a bigger gun, something like a .25acp or a .22short. A REAL BEAR STOPPER...

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is easy. Carry anything thats comfortable, because the only time you're going to need protection against a bear is most likely when you have no gun on you what soever, aint that how it always works?? I bet the guy with the 9mm only brought it to make himself feel better, and never dreamed he'd shoot a bear with it.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    I believe the bear shot with the 9mm was just unlucky enough to get one in the skull cavity. After the bear fell, it was then shot several more times. I'd like to see someone put five rounds into a swaying head.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • STEERZ@NDSTRIPESSTEERZ@NDSTRIPES Member Posts: 370 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would definatly want a 10mm at the most. Besides most bear charging occours when a bear is spooked or startled I would not fire a pistol at one unless it was acctualy going to attack. A lot of bears are just trying to scare you off because you first scared them off which pissed them off. If you can stare down a charging grizzly without sh*ting yourself and placing 5 to 10 shot into the bear to effectivly turn it around go ahead, just remember that if you only hit him a couple times in the side or put a hole in his ear...
    you just turned a bear that was about to show you his territory by trying to make you relieve yourself into a bear that wants every bit of your blood.

    JUSTICE WITHOUT MERCY
    IS TYRANY, MERCY WITHOUT
    JUSTICE IS WEAKNESS.
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  • njretcopnjretcop Member Posts: 7,975
    edited November -1
    I agree that a 9 or 10mm gun is good for bear protection. It won't kill the bear........so it will protect him, lol.

    Charlie

    "It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com
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