Concealed Carry in Bear Country? 357 Mag, 41 Mag, or 45 ACP + P

[SteadyD]

As a good friend of mine, with decades of hunting black bear in North Carolina once told me: if you think you’re a bad$&@, let me lock you in a room with a 50-lb black bear cub and we’ll see who comes out in worse condition...

I personally prefer to prepare for worst case scenarios, therefore I would opt for the biggest caliber you can competently shoot.

I saw that one of the fellows who attends the bovine bash with you (Tradmark perhaps?) say that a 357 Magnum with a Swift A Frame Bullet outperformed a Ruger 480 with hard cast. Do the A Frame bullets upgrade the 357 Magnum to be sufficiently adequate for bear defense? I realize an A Frame bullet in a superior caliber would be better, but does the A frame help elevate the capabilities of a 357, much the same way newer hollow points have elevated the performance of 9mm?

 

[WisBorn]

I would like to thank you all for your votes and responses! The vote was a tie between the 357 and 41 mags. I was little surprise that the 45 didn't do a little better. If it would have been a 10 mm it would have been a three way tie or it may have been above the other to handguns.

The 41 mag would have been the overall winner if it was in a different manufacturers firearm. I understand why Taurus gets a bad rap compared to other manufacturers. If I would have had problems with mine it would not have been on the list

The Smith and Wesson was the favorite gun maker on the list. A few people liked its capacity over the 41, but many liked the manufacturer.

Overwhelming voters wanted a larger caliber for western states where Grizzlies are on the list of threats.

I will be going to the Smokies next week and several more times in the next six months .

For the trip I will be taking my 41 mag. I voted for it to break the tie. Mainly because I have not been able to find hard cast or full copper cartridges for the 357. I have 230 grain hard cast for the 41. I will continue to look for 357 rounds that are suitable and may carry it OWB once the temps cool down. On future trips.

Our trip out west has been postponed until next year.
I have been wanting a reason to buy a new handgun for hiking and hunting. This may be the time to fill that want!

I will be looking for help and advice in the near future and putting up another poll with options that I would consider. If there something that you feel I may like, but is not on the list please mention it in that thread.

Thank you again and watch for the new hike gun poll.

 

[CraigC]

I saw that one of the fellows who attends the bovine bash with you (Tradmark perhaps?) say that a 357 Magnum with a Swift A Frame Bullet outperformed a Ruger 480 with hard cast. Do the A Frame bullets upgrade the 357 Magnum to be sufficiently adequate for bear defense? I realize an A Frame bullet in a superior caliber would be better, but does the A frame help elevate the capabilities of a 357, much the same way newer hollow points have elevated the performance of 9mm?

No way. The A-frame is a good bullet but it ain't magic.

 

[SteadyD]

No way. The A-frame is a good bullet but it ain't magic.

Would a 480 Ruger with hard cast be considered sufficient?

 

[CraigC]

Absolutely!

 

[SwampWolf]

The 41 mag would have been the overall winner if it was in a different manufacturers firearm. I understand why Taurus gets a bad rap compared to other manufacturers.

I don't. I have the very same revolver as you and I'd count on it with my life. Lots of people criticize Taurus who have never owned one. Every manufacturer turns out a lemon every so often and Taurus sells a lot of guns to a lot of people. I'm not an apologist for Taurus (I only have two of them out of the many guns I own) but I think they get an unfair rap from some people who have little real experience with them (this is a dinner bell for those hungry to chime in to cite their terrible personal experiences with Taurus).

In spite of what has been alleged and what common sense might have you believe, I found the Model 415 surprisingly controllable when firing quick, repeat shots. The ported barrel may have helped some. Taurus did make a lightweight, titanium version of this revolver that I can well imagine being a mite feisty in the hand. Bet it carried well though, which is all most of us will ever do with our guns when hiking, even in bear country.

 

[WisBorn]

I don't. I have the very same revolver as you and I'd count on it with my life. Lots of people criticize Taurus who have never owned one. Every manufacturer turns out a lemon every so often and Taurus sells a lot of guns to a lot of people. I'm not an apologist for Taurus (I only have two of them out of the many guns I own) but I think they get an unfair rap from some people who have little real experience with them (this is a dinner bell for those hungry to chime in to cite their terrible personal experiences with Taurus).

In spite of what has been alleged and what common sense might have you believe, I found the Model 415 surprisingly controllable when firing quick, repeat shots. The ported barrel may have helped some. Taurus did make a lightweight, titanium version of this revolver that I can well imagine being a mite feisty in the hand. Bet it carried well though, which is all most of us will ever do with our guns when hiking, even in bear country.

As I mentioned I have had good luck with my Taurus 415 and owned a 66 for many years. Like many companies there customer service is a big part of the quality. I had a pin break on a Taurus 1911 45 sent it in and had it back in less than three weeks. Could a pin break in a Colt? Or Kimber? The gun shot great. I traded off on something I thought that I needed more.
I bought the 415 for a great price it's not leaving me and yes it shoots!

 

[Siscowet]

If Wiseborn is on a boardwalk around any of the popular attractions I can see why he'd rather carry concealed. I would too. Hundreds (if not thousands) of Japanese/German/Californian tourists standing around are really going to be put off by someone strolling around while open carrying.

To add more clarity to Yellowstone's policy on guns: you're allowed to bring a firearm into the park but not discharge it. If a bear is shot the shooter better have an empty or half used canister of bear spray close by. And preferably a couple of chew marks on an extremity. The park authorities 'might' look at that in a favorable light vs NO canister and gun used as the FIRST and only option in a self-defense situation. Guaranteed they won't if there's a wounded Grizzly free ranging after the encounter. The Park Administration/Rangers do not want people showing up with guns thinking that bear defense is an acceptable premise to use one before spray etc.. Its a NATIONAL park and the fines will be steep.

I've concealed carried every time I've ever gone through Yellowstone. I'm only 4 hours away and have been there many times. In fact, I might be riding on Beartooth Pass Sunday/Monday. I've backpacked just outside the park along its southern border and open carried both a handgun and bear spray there. Saw a lot of signs but never a bear.

I'd carry the .41 mag out of the given options.

Wisdom in this post. Agree. In the mid 70’s I backpacked a lot in The Hebgen Lake and Spanish Peaks area West of Yellowstone. I carried a S snd W Model 28 357 because that is what I could afford. Carried nothing in Yellowstone as that was the law then. I now pack either a Model 29 or 629 in 44 Mag in Alaska when I salmon fish. But I ALWAYS carry bear spray as well. In alder thickets you may walk up on one literally 6 feet away. You can smell them before you see them. We always make a lot of noise and never have had a problem. Still think two legged vermin are generally more of a threat.

 

[Sistema1927]

Oh boy, another "what gun for bear" thread. These always end well.

 

[Siscowet]

Oh boy, another "what gun for bear" thread. These always end well.

Consider it an intellectual exercise, as in black bear country I never carry anything. I have bears in my property every year, really don’t worry about them. Grizzly’s more of a threat, but your odds are still ridiculously low.

 

[mnrivrat]

I was not aware that the Smokies had grizzlies; I thought only black bears - and that was the only place i have - to date - seen a bear in the wild

I have hunted and taken bear in northern Minnesota. It is unusual but you can tangle with a Black bear, and I have seen one taken who was right at 500 pounds. I came across the guy in the woods who was trembling while lighting a cigarette. The bear lay a few yards away and their was blood and brush knocked down in a 20 foot circle. Even the 325 pound bore I took I would not want to mess with unless I had some efficient firepower.

 

[FFGColorado]

planning a trip to Yellowstone.

Why not open carry??

Yes, guns are permitted in Yellowstone National Park
Park visitors are able to openly carry legal handguns, rifles, shotguns and otherfirearms per a federal law approved by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in February 2010.

Ha, ha, that's gonna drive some guys nutz...

 

[WisBorn]

In those areas that you can walk miles and not see anyone, open carry, yes. I do like the consistency of concealed carry. It works for me.

 

[Antihero]

Taurus does a good job with big bore snubs. I had a 44c for awhile, which is the big brother of the 415 in 44 mag. The ribber grips and porting do wonders