theicemanmpls
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 297
Is everything bigger in Texas??
Do I really need any other caliber than 9mm?
- Thread starter GratefulGuy1234
- Start date
- Status
GratefulGuy1234
Member
This. Ha!Everyone telling Scott to carry his 9mm and a can of bear spray, you are of course correct, but you are missing the point. Scott wants to tell his significant other, "Honey, I asked on THR and they said I NEED to buy a .45 or magnum revolver."
So Scott, yes, you NEED a new gun!
Oops, I mean you NEED TWO new guns, because you have to get a .22. Maybe you can start a Mark III (22/45) versus Buckmark thread
Lots of good input!
Thanks.
armoredman
Member
I've heard that...
Certaindeaf
member
I certainly wouldn't run away from a critter (well, you never know) if all I had was a 9mm, but when you're talking critters that weigh up to 550 lbs (I think like 1100 is the record), I'd prefer something with a bit more authority. I think the 9mm is fairly fine for critters around 200 lbs. If I were to pack a 9mm under especially those conditions, I'd give the ammunition carried/chosen some serious consideration.
It's better than a sharp stick, but if you can afford something bigger, why not?
Those itty bitty black bears and cougars seem so cute and harmless compared to the famed aggression of the grizzly until they are ripping your neck open. It's unlikely you would ever have a problem with any of them, but have we ever let that philosophy stop us from packing whenever we can?
Those itty bitty black bears and cougars seem so cute and harmless compared to the famed aggression of the grizzly until they are ripping your neck open. It's unlikely you would ever have a problem with any of them, but have we ever let that philosophy stop us from packing whenever we can?
EatnBullets
Member
A 9 with good ammo. Iis better than bear chow. My wife carries her Taurus 45 acp with tap ammo (btw pt145 melenum pro) and 4 10rnd mags. Edc. And she is in her 50ty something's. So a good smoth 45 isn't as bad as it seems. Me I take my ruger sr9 every where even to the new job interview. It's a little big but fits me.
A mountain lion is a thin skinned animal. 9MM is fine protection for cats. You should be more worried about seeing them first, and situational awareness than what kind of gun you have.
Forgot about hogs. Yes, if you are in Wild Hog country, something bigger is always better.
For Griz, yes get pepper spray. You'll want to be seasoned before he eats you.
Forgot about hogs. Yes, if you are in Wild Hog country, something bigger is always better.
For Griz, yes get pepper spray. You'll want to be seasoned before he eats you.
LeonCarr
Member
A handgun is what you use to fight your way to the rifle or shotgun you shouldn't have laid down in the first place.
For handguns, unless as stated you are in bear country, a 9mm should handle most two and four legged threats you may encounter. If you need something more substantial than a 9mm, I would suggest a medium/large caliber rifle or shotgun loaded with buckshot and/or slugs.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
For handguns, unless as stated you are in bear country, a 9mm should handle most two and four legged threats you may encounter. If you need something more substantial than a 9mm, I would suggest a medium/large caliber rifle or shotgun loaded with buckshot and/or slugs.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
armoredman
Member
So maybe neck armor might be a better idea...
theicemanmpls
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 297
Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh my!
Come on.
With proper precautions, one can back pack anywhere in the CONUS. It is places like Yellowstone where the one has to be extra cautious. That is because of the abundance of people who have no idea what the food they bring does to the bears. It attracts them!! In BC, or AK, I probably would bring the 12ga. More brown or white bears.
Regarding the lions, the only recent documented attacks have been from hungry lions. If the deer and bunny population is up, chances are you will never see a lion. If I am backpacking where the terrain is not flat the last thing i would want to do is 360, to check my back trail.
Wolves do not care for the scent of man. Very few if any documented wolf attacks.
The only animal to fear is man. As seen in the flick 'Deliverance' one does not know whom he/she will encounter in the deep woods. I have no issues about open carry a 9mm while in the wilderness. It is not my desire to be tied to a tree, or squeal like pig.
Come on.
With proper precautions, one can back pack anywhere in the CONUS. It is places like Yellowstone where the one has to be extra cautious. That is because of the abundance of people who have no idea what the food they bring does to the bears. It attracts them!! In BC, or AK, I probably would bring the 12ga. More brown or white bears.
Regarding the lions, the only recent documented attacks have been from hungry lions. If the deer and bunny population is up, chances are you will never see a lion. If I am backpacking where the terrain is not flat the last thing i would want to do is 360, to check my back trail.
Wolves do not care for the scent of man. Very few if any documented wolf attacks.
The only animal to fear is man. As seen in the flick 'Deliverance' one does not know whom he/she will encounter in the deep woods. I have no issues about open carry a 9mm while in the wilderness. It is not my desire to be tied to a tree, or squeal like pig.
If you shoot a 9mm well, then I think you're fine. A Glock and a reload will take care of pretty much anything you are apt to run across. A reliable 9mm loaded with quality ammo is probably a gun that would get you through 85% of any situations that arise that need a firearm. Besides, these situations are microscopic in likelihood. I know old woodsmen that have gone out into bear country for decades with nothing more than a hiking stick and swiss army knife.
Despite what you may hear on internet gun boards, bear attacks are not common. Bear encounters are not VERY common. Of those encounters, most bears haul their furry butt in the other direction unless you stumble upon their cubs. Bear spray is the best line of defense. It's more effective on the bear than a firearm, it's harder to miss with it since you basically hose it out, you're more likely to come out of the conflict alive and the bear learns a life lesson about two-leggeds and how they now come equipped with forward facing skunk tails from hell.
Cats are what I fear. They are quiet, they DO stalk people, and they tend attack from behind and up high. Honestly, if you gave me the choice of running off a bear or getting stalked by a full size cougar, I'd take the bear. Cougars aren't dumb. They know face to face that they can't get an angle on a man. From behind and by the neck, we don't have a lot of a chance.
Despite what you may hear on internet gun boards, bear attacks are not common. Bear encounters are not VERY common. Of those encounters, most bears haul their furry butt in the other direction unless you stumble upon their cubs. Bear spray is the best line of defense. It's more effective on the bear than a firearm, it's harder to miss with it since you basically hose it out, you're more likely to come out of the conflict alive and the bear learns a life lesson about two-leggeds and how they now come equipped with forward facing skunk tails from hell.
Cats are what I fear. They are quiet, they DO stalk people, and they tend attack from behind and up high. Honestly, if you gave me the choice of running off a bear or getting stalked by a full size cougar, I'd take the bear. Cougars aren't dumb. They know face to face that they can't get an angle on a man. From behind and by the neck, we don't have a lot of a chance.
Regarding wild animals. Have never been attacked, but I have had numerous close range interactions with bears, both while I was armed and unarmed. I have never had to fire a shot. I can tell you with certainty that armed is better than unarmed, and bigger is better than smaller when it comes to caliber. I have used a 9 as a woods and camping gun, but I feel better with something larger for defensive purposes.
If you load up with some 147gr +P Remington Golden Sabres, I think you be fine for all but the largest of bear in the lower 48. That being said, I would much rather be shooting that round out of a larger, longer heavier pistol, such as a CZ 75B or maybe even a G34. I use a light 124gr in my Ruger LC9, a 124gr +P in my G19 and reserve the 147gr +P for full size guns like 92FS, Sig P226, CZ75. I fit all my pistol NEEDS with 9mm. The other calibers are just for fun I guess. Just my thoughts.
I have been wanting to reply to this thread, but I held off until now. Yesterday I asked a friend of mine who guides mountain lion hunters if he thought a 9mm was adequate for defense against a pissed off mountain lion. His initial response was, "expletives deleted". Take it for what it's worth from a guy that has killed dozens of lions through the decades.
Certaindeaf
member
^
Doesn't he use a .22 LR handgun like most cat hunters?
Doesn't he use a .22 LR handgun like most cat hunters?
Husker_Fan
Member
.22 works great. If you are chased by a bear, shoot your buddy in the knee and take off running. You don't have to out run a bear, just the guy you are with.
armoredman
Member
I'm going to the next Renaissance Festival and having the armor maker put me together a plate gorget and neck lobstertail...
mortablunt
Member
For bears and your NoEuro sized humans (5'9" and taller), a 357 Magnum to a 44 Magnum is advised. However, if you are dealing with bears, then you really should be looking into a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs, or a centerfire 30 cal rifle.
Last edited:
JohnBiltz
Member
I've been in mountain lion country in the mountains of WY. Its a bit chilling the first time you see their tracks. My personal opinion is if one is tracking you a gun is not going to make a difference, not that I would turn one down. I just don't think you would see it until too late. You generally see them in a meeting engagement where you just wander into each other and everything involved is happy to just leave. When I lived in Vegas there were several mountain lions spotted pretty deep into the city. They were spotted very very rarely but they were there always. If I watched nature shows about the big cats my housecat would react when hearing a mountain lion. She was a stray and knew what it was. Very stealthy animals and from what I've been hearing the populations are increasing because they have learned to live on the edge of cities quite well.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
