I don't currently have any guns that would be my first choice of a handgun to carry while out hiking in the woods. Although I'm saving up for a S&W Mountain Gun in .44 Mag, all I have at the moment are 9mm and .45 ACP semi-autos. Given that either of these calibers will do fine against the dominant likelihood of attack by humans (.45 ACP will do better than 9mm if FMJ is used for both, though), which is the best choice for defense against hairy things with sharp teeth and claws? Here in Washington state, we have cougars, black bears, and the occasional brown bear.
At the moment, I'm leaning toward carrying my 1911 with ball ammo, but I'm not sure if this will penetrate deeply enough in large predators to even give me a chance; I'm sure 9mm ball ammo will fill that particular bill, but the bullet's diameter and weight are not as impressive as .45 ACP.
Does anyone have any insight or thoughts they could offer on my dilemma?
At the moment, I'm leaning toward carrying my 1911 with ball ammo, but I'm not sure if this will penetrate deeply enough in large predators to even give me a chance; I'm sure 9mm ball ammo will fill that particular bill, but the bullet's diameter and weight are not as impressive as .45 ACP.
Does anyone have any insight or thoughts they could offer on my dilemma?