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Best Polar Bear Killer

Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
edited July 2019 in General Discussion
"The last active-duty military unit in the world still using the M1917 rifle is the Sirius Sled Patrol (Sl?depatruljen Sirius) of the Danish possession of Greenland. The M1917 is designated Gev?r M/53-17 by the Sirius Sled Patrol. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century and first decades of the 21st, the Danish military repeatedly offered to re-equip the Sirius Patrol with more modern assault rifles. Every time, the force refused. The Grenlanders feel that no cartridge is better than the .30-06 Springfield for stopping a polar bear. The cartridge has a legendary reputation on the island. Additionally the M1917 rifle is, for whatever reason, impervious to cold and snow and functions perfectly in the worst conditions.

https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/m1917-rifle-in-21st-century-greenland/
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Comments

  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As a sound man in a past life, having a performer drop a mike really sucks. A good microphone is expensive. :D:D
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  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,053 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was thinking global warming or that damned hole in the ozone. Did global warming trump the hole in the ozone? If so bring back Aqua-Net. I love that stuff on women's hair, it makes hair like cotton candy.
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  • llamallama Member Posts: 2,637 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Canadian forces only recently got rid of the old 303 Enfields for artic use, pretty much same reason. Personally I think the C1A1 woulda done the job, but they stopped using those a while ago as well.
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They Traded in their SIG 210's for Glock 20's in 10mm.
    RLTW

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  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,692 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fascinating story. I never heard of this, the .303 rechambered to .30-06, and dogsled teams in Greenland.
    And, a two inch red stripe across the stock with ".30-06" written on it.
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  • bambihunterbambihunter Member Posts: 10,792 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Speaking of Greenland, what ever happened to Peter (HappyNanuq). Is he still on here? He told us way back that semi-auto's were legal for civilian use, but suppressors were. He even made one from a Mag Light.

    I understand the rifle choice, I'd rather have a gun that is slower feeding but 100% reliable. Though I think many of the newer semi-autos have proven to be reliable even in -60 or +120 degree weather.
    I like what Sam06 said above, I think for a semi-auto in this (and most other) terrains, the G20 would be a great choice. If I were going to be faced with polar bears often though I MIGHT opt for one of the 'super mags' revolvers though I do not shoot wheel guns very well at all and they have never felt good in the hand.
    Fanatic collector of the 10mm auto.
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  • lew07lew07 Member Posts: 1,053 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tough environment for a rifle and a soldier.I love Huskies :lol:
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    These guys patrol a huge area that is very desolate. They carry the Enfield in 30-06 and the Glock G20. The have not only Polar Bears to contend with but also drunk natives, musk ox and large sea lions.

    They have been carrying the Enfields since day one but they used to carry a SIG 210 in 9mm. They traded them for the G20 in 10mm.

    These guys operate in 2 man teams and are out on patrol for weeks on end. They are extensively trained in Navigation, survival and field medicine. I went to a school on L3 Harris Radios up in NY and we had 2 of them in our class, great guys and tough as nails.




    BTW I am going to go out on a limb here and really PO a bunch of folks and say; As a combat rifle I think the 1917 Enfield in 30-06 is a better rifle than the Springfield 1903 :shock: One more round, better sights, cock on closing(Fast operation) great safety all add up. Sorry if that blew your mind :lol:
    RLTW

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  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It?s a lot of rifle that?s for sure. The one I just listed on the auction side is very nice with a perfect bore.
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  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When we were supplying the Nord weather station at the top of Greenland in the 1960's, I saw those dog teams come in. I distinctly remember they had a Schultz & Larsen rifle tied on the dog sled. It was scoped. If there was a 1917 Enfield also I did not see it. The team soldiers were very quiet in the chow hall; just sat there and ate and didn't say a word. The best Danish pastry I ever had.
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Neat stuff.
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    Love the 30.06

    So, so versatile.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • truthfultruthful Member Posts: 2,143 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A lot of years ago I spent time in eastern Greenland just south of the national park area. I was amazed at the number of natives carrying small caliber rifles.... .222 Remingtons were considered to be ideal for seals and other game. We would consider them to be severely under-gunned in polar bear country but I never met one Inuit that was concerned.
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have spent time on North Slope of Alaska- Polar Bear Central. Yes, local folks there have been known to use what I consider a VERY light rifle to take bear.

    Bear is swimming, they put bullet in the ear, no mo bear.

    They are an apex predator, have no fear of anything, think you look tasty- and my weapon of choice would be a Browning M2. At about 1000 meters. Anything that is bigger than my refrigerator gets my respect and as much distance as I can put between us.

    You are free to call me a coward, but you can make that Mr. LIVE Coward, thank you.
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mike- I mentioned the Browning M2 because I have a lot of trouble finding 120mm Cannister loads, and a spare M1 Abrams to shoot them!

    https://www.military.com/video/guns/tank-guns/shotgun-tank-round/659487128001

    As a grunt we were taught to shoot tanks until they are on fire or change shape. Same principle applies to polar bears.
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