Why do we hate bears so much round here?
When we have big game hunters killing enormous bovines with handguns I don’t see how there is any debate. Handguns can work if you know what you’re doing and choose appropriate guns and ammo.
If you think you might need to fend off or put down ANY large animal, a bigger handgun cartridge is better than a smaller one. Choose an appropriate bullet that is designed to penetrate deeply. Done. That’s all that’s to it.
If you want to carry a smaller cartridge, then you still need to pick the right bullet and acknowledge that a smaller cartridge will do less damage and may not stop as effectively. It’s a calculated risk.
Hitting an important part of the animal is the most important part.
Summary of all Bear threads:
Blah blah blah, bear spray. Blah blah blah 10mm is better than 44 mag cuz capacity and lighter gun. No it isn’t. Yes it is. Bicker bicker bicker, 12 gauge slugs are best. Cliche this, cliche that. Mod steps in and says “enough”. Two weeks pass, same discussion.