Chuck2

First plan on several years of pratice, as a handgun is not a bear gun, even for small ones. Worked for a guide once, his theory on handguns and bears of any kind, "Great to shoot over shoulder when running away, with last shot ready, coat it in bacon, drop it, hope bears blows head off trying to eat it"

Note bears, even small ones have a great tendency to keep coming, even when already dead. 357 is a bit lite for such things, amusing how many feel handgun is great for bear but often think 30/30 is a bit light up close to stop them. Check out energy levels for both and guess what hit harder and is more accurate shooter for most?

Crusty Deary Old Coot

GOOD one Chuck2!!!!!!!!

I still say, and this will count in well over 95% of the cases, whatever is your primary hunting arm should be your go to gun.

As I stated much earlier in this thread, I like guns, I like hand guns and do have a number of them.

There have even been times when a handgun was my primary firearm.

Back a long ways, I even carried a side arm along with my primary arm.

Like to think a certain measure of wisdom has come with the age.

So, if you like guns, and enjoy carring a sidearm just cause you like to have it along, fine with me, not a problem.

But at the end of the day, seldom if ever has that secondary firearm performed any function other then making it hard to get your pants back up after answering a call of nature.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

rogueleader

Besides my 06 Hawkeye, this is what I carry. It's a Taurus Tracker in .44 magnum. It's lightweight and easy to put into action if need be.

Trad Archer

Colt SAA 4 3/4 nickeled 45.

Roarin 54

When carrying a rifle I have my 4 5/8" SBH on my side. When I carry a handgun only I plan to use my new Bisley .45 colt.

Wake County Glockman

The Pythons eat Rats and the Komoda Dragons eat everything else probably at the top of the food chain along with the Gators.

Crusty Deary Old Coot

If my primary weapon is a rifle, I still come down on using that and no need for carring the extra weight unless it is just for the pleasure of doing so.

However, recently a lady bow hunter here in Idaho, spotted a wolf some distance away and chose to retreat.

Good move, except the wolf was not reading the same play book!

The nasty four legged critter was down wind, so it would have known that it's prey was something other then a deer or elk, but it kept coming to the point where the lady dropped her bow and hauled out the .44 that her husband and highly encouraged her to pack.

She dropped the wolf at about 10'.

Made a "good" wolf out of that one and surely puts another prespectve on "pack'in".

The lady did have a tag, but had planned to wait until it was a bit colder so the critters would have had a nicer/heavier coat. The wolf made the choice for her.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

Marine Division Two

38 snub.lite to carry but always there

JRICKARD81

I hunt deer in south Arkansas, SKS Or my 308boltgun, i carry my P90 or lately my 1911, both of which have legal length barrels for deer, but i carry the sidearm for the crazy folks who may be out there aka.poachers, meth cooks, etc.

Durangogun

As of a couple of weeks ago . . .

Ruger Security Six loaded with .357 mag 125 gr. JHPs

Crusty Deary Old Coot

Just an Ol'Coot's thought Durangogun, but the 125 grainer is pretty much limited to use of a "personal" nature, like against 2 legged varmits.

If you are thinking about bigger 4 legged critters, well a boolit of proven integrity or a good 160 or so grain hard cast slug is a much better choice.

I have owned a Security Six for years. One good and tough gun.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

Durangogun

Thanks for the info Coot--
I appreciate the thought behind it.

Highhawk1948

I share a stand with one of my Nephews Sons so don't carry a rifle anymore. I want them to do the shooting. I used to carry a NM Blackhawk .41 mag. Now I carry an Old Model Blackhawk, .357.

Akboater

When I used to hunt with a muzzle loader, I hauled along a Super Blackhawk...had occasion to pull it out one time when I (unintentionally) pulled the set trigger on a black bear about 50 yards uphill and had a bit too much pressure on the trigger before the sights settled down...bear came blasting downhill and I was blasting away with the .44 uphill through a cloud of black powder smoke...bear ran off and wife called over, "What are you shooting at?" "Bear" I yelled back. "Which way did he go?" she asked. "Dunno, but I bet he's as scared as I was!" I replied. I actually got accused of fanning the .44 but after I tried peeling my palm off on the rear sight one time, I figured I was just cocking and blasting away one-handed...probably a good thing the bear turned off when he got powder burns at about 5 yards or he'd of run me over for sure! Now, I just carry a couple extra rounds for the old .375 and call it good.

Crusty Deary Old Coot

Great story AKboater!!!!

Have heard another bear tail or so, and they have always turned out funny with no one hurt.

Some friends who have run an outfitters in this area, went to Alaska about 3 years ago for a Spring Brown Bear hunt.

Arla wanted a big and beautiful bear for mounting in their hunting lodge, but that is not quite how it turned out.

They were hunting the islands by boat, and spotted something swimming toward one of the islands.

The guide said he didn't think it was a bear, but Arla, who used to live in Alaska said it was and she had seen the same thing before.

Well they beached the boat, and sure enough here comes a huge bear.

Only problem is he's mad and slapping the water when he comes out and imeadiately charges.

Arla empted her 338 and the guide did likewise with his 375 and they were wanting more ammo which all happened to still be in the boat.

Andra, Arla's husband says he never wants to be in that situation again, unarmed!

Anyway, the bear decided he had a lead overload and died before he got to them.

BIG!!!!!!!!!! ugly Ol'boar with bad/infected teeth, no wonder he was mad!

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot