New to this forum & have a question

[finalcut]

Hello everyone from Alaska

I'm new to hand-guns, and I just picked up an XD-40.
I set out to get a .45 semi-auto and ended up getting the Springfield XD-40 cause I like the way it feels in my hand....

First off I want something for home protection, and secondly a gun that I can use when packing if a black bear comes at me or a perhaps a griz, and I wanted something light and compact.
Before you all scold me - I know that a .45 or a .40 is not the first choice for bear defense - but this is secondary....

My questions are:

Is the XD-40 going to have close to the same stopping power as the .45
I was told that they are very close.

I heard a rumor that a .40 is harder to hit your target and group shots than a .45 because of the different ways that they kick. Any one out there found this to be true.

I'm kinda thinking about taking the XD-40 back and trading up to the XD-45 because of the stopping power issue while packing - but if a .45 isn't ganna get me that much more I'll just by a second gun for the bear.....

 

[shooter1]

Welcome to the forum!
As you stated, neither the .40 or the .45 would be any sane person's first choice for bear defense. If I were FORCED to use one or the other, I'd go with the .45 with the 255gr hard cast lead SWC over a healthy charge of Unique. The recoil of the .40 is snappy, while the .45 is more of a push. Neither one is difficult to control. You mentioned the possibility of a second handgun. I think that might be a better option. Perhaps one of the DA Rugers in as large a caliber as you can tolerate. Still not a rifle, but worlds better for bear than either the .40 or .45! Good luck and stay safe.
str1

 

[98C5]

+1 with Shooter. A 40 or 45 will just piss off that bear. If you are looking for a smaller pistol for bear, I would suggest a 460 in 4". I believe S&W makes a "survivor pack" for this possiblity of a bear. The grip is bright yellow as well as the box. Or even a 10mm auto with doubletap ammo would work.

 

[CalamityJane]

I really like my XD 40 and found it to be extremely accurate with paper targets. The kick is quite snappy but the gun is a good fit for my hand. I enjoy mine, hope you do too!

 

[Mad Magyar]

I will assume, probably incorrectly, that being in Alaska you have all the space to practice. With your yearly state-oil rebate check have the funds to purchase your ammo needs. I would jump up a caliber for your bear...Empty the entire mag.....

 

[Autolycus]

The .40 will serve you fine against human predators. So would the .45 as well.

Against a bear your talking something completely new. I myself prefer the .40 over a .45 for general carry and defense against human threats.

 

[N3rday]

Bears can weigh up to 1,500 lbs, and can sprint at 35 miles per hour. That .40 won't do a darn thing.

Bears do not usually look for confrontation, they attack when they are surprised or are defending their territory. Ironically, it is probably safer to play dead than to fight back, because many bears stop attacking once they realize you are not a threat; only rarely does a bear sustain an attack, and "predatory" attacks by bears are a rarity. If you are being attacked by a bear in a predatory attack, that's the time to bust out the firearm. Then again, if you are attacked in such a fashion, I'd have to argue that you're pretty screwed, handgun or no.

Also, make lots of noise while hiking. If the bear sees you, he is much, much less likely to attack you than if you accidentally surprise him. Some places sell "bear bells" for this very purpose.

If you encounter a bear, put your hands up to make yourself appear bigger. Do NOT run, as the bear will attack you. Speaking softly to the bear may help, as it will help the bear identify you as a non-threat.


This advice brought to you by Google.

 

[phantom45]

I would trade up for the XD .45 AND get a strong revolver for the bears hehe.

 

[M92FS]

by finalcut : a gun that I can use when packing if a black bear comes at me or a perhaps a griz, and I wanted something light and compact.

how about getting a 12 Gauge Pump Gun ? Can you carry a 12 Gauge Shotgun when you go packing ? ( check with your local authorities. )

 

[todd-45]

Reminds me of a story:

Maybe he'll be a Christian bear.....

A hiker was walking thru the woods and stumbled upon a Grizzly. The bear started chasing him. As the man ran he tripped over a log and fell and found the bear lunging towards him. As the man was about to meet his maker he thought, Hmm, maybe he's a Christian bear and he'll have compassion on me. Sure enough, just as the bear was about to pounce he stopped, folded his front paws and bowed his head and said, "Thank you Lord for this food I'm about to receive..."

Just a little humor.

+1 for a large caliber revolver.

 

[Ala Dan]

You will notice sharper recoil and more muzzle blast from the .40, than you
would from the .45 ACP. The .40 S&W is a bit smaller in diameter, travels
a little faster, and shoots a little flatter; as the .45 ACP is larger diameter
wise, slow (at 'bout 900 fps), a crowd favorite, and was first used against
man; not beast. Quite frankly, I would not recommend either for fending
off a bear attack; as this is better left up to the S&W .460 and .500
magnums~!

 

[Chuhhuniban]

An old guy in Montana once taught me that if I was going out in bear country, I needed to learn to identify bear scat on the ground. He said it was fairly easy. Black bear scat is filled with berries, seeds and, sometimes, small bits of fur. If you're going to meet a bear, they are the preferred ones. Grizzly bear scat, on the other hand, generally contains little bells and smells like pepper.

That said, he carried a 10 mm loaded with Double Tap 200 grain hard lead cast bullets — called them "bone breakers."