Choosing the Perfect Semi-Auto Pistol for Grizzly Bear Defense in the Backcountry

If it had to be a semi I guess 10mm or 9x25 Dillon. But there’s a ton of revolvers I’d much rather have

@Robinson revolvers are a great tool. What features in your 10mm?

And he never used his pistol on the grizzly attacking him? I would think something slimmer and lighter would make it packable but also need enough power to really defend yourself from a grizzly. I like the 10mm and a weather proof coating

@Gerald the first attack he didn’t have time after the pepper spray failed. The second attack was a surprise and she shook him so hard it broke the leather shoulder harness and the gun flew out of reach.

@Gerald slimmer means fewer rounds in the magazine, lighter makes it more difficult to handle recoil. What’s more important to you?

10mm with a trigger safety and/or grip safety so it don’t go off while in a possible scuffle until you mean it to

Must be semi-auto? I carry a single 6 .44 cal revolver.

@Corey the revolver market is pretty well saturated and they are a bit too bulky to carry under a bino harness.

@Stephen that’s a good idea

Wow that's crazy.. True I didn't think of recoil I like longer barrels to help with that and accuracy would be more important to me so a little weight wouldn't hurt and it doesn't need to be too light.. I like the extra grip safety idea too. I would say fewer rounds in magazine shouldn't hurt as I'm sure you wouldn't need more than say 5 shots to defend yourself..

44 long colt ruger Blackhawk is what I would use or wish I had have a 357 thou

@James true.

@Ryan understandable, however the big wheel guns are cumbersome when hunting deep backcountry in the inter mountain west where grizzly encounters are likely. This necessitates a semi auto. 10mm will be the caliber, but the specific features of the gun are still flexible.

10mm, Safe action. I’ve always thought about a hip holstered semi that had a grip with an attachment similar to a sling shot. One that would be easy to access, but also made it more difficult to stop or be knocked from your hand, while providing level 2.

@Mike like a brace?

@James yessir, not to narrow to access easily, but tight enough to aid retention.

I’m on the 10mm bandwagon. Definitely a double stack. I’m not a huge fan of polymer frames guns but in this case it might be better.

@Brian maybe polymer frame and a potted barrel to offset the recoil issues? Could also do some modular weight inserts in the grips for balance

@James any way to incorporate a holster into your bino harness. Assuming you use one it’s already there and it would be pretty accessible that way.

@James I carry a Glock 20 for that reason. It's in leather holster. I am blessed with above average hand size so the double stack fits good. I'm thinking that maybe a ported barrel would help control the recoil. But then when thinking about using in a high stress situation, a person might not be thinking about it.

@Brian I really enjoy using my razco holster connected to an FHF bono harness.

@James i figured that be as good as any.

If I were really concerned about a bear attack, I'd pack my 44 mag or a 454, but if you wanted to rock a 10mm Simi auto I think its capable but I would want at least 10 rounds. I would want it to be modular like my Sig p320 where I could change frame sizes

The Glock 19 isn’t a large caliber pistol, but you can get off 15 controlled rounds in a panic situation. Controlled shots are always better than one big shot that you may not be able to recover from. I carry mine in a chest holster and have practiced quick draw and firing over and over should I ever find myself in that situation. Luckily, currently we don’t have any grizzlies here in Oregon. But, we do have a ton of black bear, cougars and wolves.

Not to rehash a 2month old post but I hope he’s doing ok (2yrs later). My wife carries a single action 45lc and I carry a single action 44mag. Both using open carry cowboy-style holsters in the wilderness. Considering this unfortunate attack happened, is there a small consensus here that semi-auto is better? ..large caliber of course. Only asking because my family venture into bear country every so often.

@Ren I hosted a competition on my range today between a bunch of law enforcement officers and myself. One of the gentlemen is one of the most accomplished revolver shooters in our state. He simply couldn’t compete against me with my 10mm P220– even though he is more skilled as a shooter.

@James : thanks for the reply. Oh, yes, I totally get semi-auto is much faster. My wife and I compete 3Gun and other divisions year round. Just wondering if I have to change up mine and my wife’s to our conceal carry gear. Thought it would be cool to open carry cowboy gear around bear/cougar land. But if it’s going to hinder us rather than protect us, I’ll just use the single actions for cowboy shoot competitions instead. 🤠

@Ren I have shot some cowboy action and really appreciate the reliability and mass of the 45LC. The reality of a charging animal is that you have time for one good shot. I encourage people to carry whichever gun hits the hardest that they shoot well.

Good to know! Thanks for the advice @James ! ...I’ll probably not use my Ruger Blackhawk Hunter 44mag (7.5” barrel) for Cowboy Action. It’ll take me longer to whip that sucker out than to even load it. 🤣😂. My wife’s Uberti 45lc I’m going to borrow though! Lol

@Ren Nice rigs!!

@James : thanks Brotha! Happy shooting! Btw- nice rhythm on your recent shooting post.

I’ve seen him in a show and they reacted the scene.