Compact 40 vs 357 snub for woods carry

I don't need 14 shots to hit a charging bear.

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You might, if your power is limited to 550 ft.lbs give or take 70 ft.lbs.

If we're talking about unlimited power, then we'd just agree on carrying a 454 or 500 S&W, and be done with it.

Bears are fast. You'll be lucky to have enough time to get off ONE shot let alone more. Besides, my 180 grain load puts up 660 ft lbs in a 2" barrel, a bit more in a 4". My chrony don't lie.

Check it out.....

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

1. 3 inch S&W J frame

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1302 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC (jacketed hollow cavity) = 1299 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1398 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1476 fps

2. 4 inch S&W L frame Mt. Gun

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1375 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr JHC = 1411 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1485 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1603 fps

3. 5 inch S&W model 27

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast =1398 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1380 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1457 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1543 fps

4. 6 inch Ruger GP 100

a. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1707 fps

5. 18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!

The .40's no slouch and that M&P 40C should be a very good carry option. Not sure if you reload but Power Pistol will throw a 200gr JHP to 1050 from my 4" G23, and would easily be doing 1000 or better from a 3.5" 40C, or if you wanted penetration a 200gr WFNGC can be driven a bit faster still so that would penetrate a LOT.

MCgunner said:

Bears are fast. You'll be lucky to have enough time to get off ONE shot let alone more. Besides, my 180 grain load puts up 660 ft lbs in a 2" barrel, a bit more in a 4". My chrony don't lie.

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Yep. The chances of getting one good shot off on a bear going full charge are close to zero. Mountain lions stalk and attack from behind. You'll never know what hit you.

Personally, I'd always take the revolver. I'm much more comfortable with it and I've never had a revolver FTF or FTE on me in cold weather.

I always hear that "bears are fast". Maybe so, but have you ever been charged by a bear? I have. Once from approx 35 yards, and I had plenty of time to get off 2 shots from my slow bolt action 30/06. One other time closer and still 2 or 3 rounds from my .357 Combat Mag - could have fired all 6 if it were needed. In my experience this 'not time' thought is highly overrated. Keep cool and you will have plenty of timel

It depends on what I'm planning to do for the day. If I'm at home or going into town to do some shopping, I usually carry a 6 round S&W 66, or one of my other .357's. But if I'm heading into a particularly bad part of town I'll keep a high capacity AL in my vehicle, which is usually one of my 9mm's and a couple extra mags.. My wife and I also keep a self defense shotgun (SB) at our bed side.

But if I'm camping out in the middle of no where, I arm myself to the teeth. I keep a large capacity 9mm or 40 cal. in my pack, and a .357 or 44 mag. on my hip. At night time I'll keep the 8 shot 608 .357 next to me loaded with 158 gr. Gold Dots, a short barreled shotgun with 3" 00 buck, and then 3" slug or two behind the buck shot in staggered in the magazine laying on the floor next to me. Then under my pillow is either a large capacity .40 cal. or 9mm, and a couple extra mags at my disposal. We always use trip wires with empty soda cans hanging from the trees to alert us to any intruders, and they go off every night.

But in my neck of the woods we encounter mexican drug smugglers on a daily basis, they're almost always armed too. Over the last week we had them coming through or right next to our camp every night. Most of the time they don't want to draw attention to their selves and will just go about their business as casual as possible. But now and then they get hard up for food and water and will take some. But now and then they get rather bold and will steal your vehicle and what ever else is easily carried off. They sometimes do get dangerous, but mostly because they may suspect that you are a rip crew.

GS

Dang if I was encountering drug smugglers on every night of every camping trip, I'd be camping somewhere else or not at all.
Just saying.

Well this thread along with my inability to pass up a deal got me to finely dip a toe into the 40 water. LGS and range had some G23 trade ins and the counter guy pointed out the one with night sights OTD with 3 mags for $400.

The 23's my favorite, imagine that. You should like it, it offers a lot especially if you handload.

The 23's my favorite, imagine that. You should like it

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I'm trying, Glocks don't fit me very well, but the size, weight and capabilities has my attention, there may be a FNS or P229 40 in my future.

Dang if I was encountering drug smugglers on every night of every camping trip, I'd be camping somewhere else or not at all.
Just saying.

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On a trip to Big Bend Ntl Park a few years ago, I chose to carry my 4" .357 in a fanny pack because my 6.5" Blackhawk wouldn't fit it and I thought if I run in to mules or coyotes (two legged) in the park, I want something I can conceal, yet hit at rifle ranges with if I'm forced to shoot. If I could have carried a rifle, sure, but it's a national park.

I have shot that Blackhawk at 100 yards a lot. With my 180 grain load, I can put 5 rounds into 4" at 100 yards from a good rest. It's only 5" high at 50 yards doing that. I've shot it a lot at these ranges because I occasionally hunt with the gun. But, I needed about 2" more fanny pack to get it to fit. Bummer.

There's warning signs throughout the park, but we never saw any bad guys out there along the river. It was a fun trip. I've been out there multiple times over the years, an amazing place. It's a little more dangerous now days, but at least we can conceal carry in the park legally, now.

Try a trigger undercut from Cold Bore Customs

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I'm not sure that would help, my problem is my short fat trigger finger drags on the bottom of the trigger guard. I've pretty much decided to sell my P239 9mm to fund a P229 40. I already have dies and ordered some ammo I'll put them thru their paces and I know I'll end up with a couple 40s just may not be the 23.

mavracer said:

I'm trying, Glocks don't fit me very well, but the size, weight and capabilities has my attention, there may be a FNS or P229 40 in my future.

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I felt the same way about Glocks. I've had several but they all got traded away after I handled an FN. The FNS-40 is my go to striker fired gun. Super comfy.

There are a bunch of dealers selling FNS for ~400 and they come with 3 mags, I would prolly only want one more

I always hear that "bears are fast". Maybe so, but have you ever been charged by a bear? I have. Once from approx 35 yards, and I had plenty of time to get off 2 shots from my slow bolt action 30/06. One other time closer and still 2 or 3 rounds from my .357 Combat Mag - could have fired all 6 if it were needed. In my experience this 'not time' thought is highly overrated. Keep cool and you will have plenty of timel

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35 yards is way too far away to be shooting a bear in a self defense situation. The poor thing could of been bluffing for all you know. Here's a more realistic scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUG8UPsgE3U

35 yards is way too far away to be shooting a bear in a self defense situation. The poor thing could of been bluffing for all you know. Here's a more realistic scenario.

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I don't care what the charging animal is or if it is a bluff. If it's charging and I am armed, it is getting shot if I can pull it off. I don't care if it is bluffing, and how long are you supposed to wait to find out?

I have no ill will towards any animal, but my life means more to me than any possible feelings of remorse over a case of mistaken aggression. I do deliberate things though, like making noise so they are aware that I'm coming. If you really care about animals, be noisy. If an animal charges you, be ready to protect yourself.