Best handgun for wilderness trecking?

Question

I Like guns. I was wondering what is the best handgun to carry for devence aginst bear, hogs... my little sis lives in colorado and I am headed that way soon. I was thining 44 magnum. I am a big guy and am familar with weapons but i was concerened about the kic and second shot ability..

Answer 1

Nothing smaller than a .44 mag.  Smith and Wesson recently came out with their .500 S&W magnum.  Designed just for last ditch defense against bears.  Big, heavy and fast, just the remedy for a grizzly with a case of the munchies

Answer 2

Be careful about the applicable firearms laws.  In many national parks and other federal lands, you might be committing a federal felony by carrying a gun, concealed or not.  You need to check for each place you'll be going.  Where guns are illegal, you may wish to carry a large cannister of powerful mace/cayenne spray.

Hogs are not going to come flying out of the Rocky Mountains to attack you.  The black bears aren't likely to bother you if you exercise common sense.  Every day in the summer, about a million Coloradans and tourists trek through the wilderness there without being attacked, Colorado isn't the wilds of Alaska.  Colorado doesn't even have a significant grizzly population.

That being said, a nice .45 acp provides enough stopping power and is lighter to carry, and easier to shoot well than a 44 mag.

Answer 3

By your information about the question above you don't have much handgun experience. Before your talking Magnum this and that, you should learn about the outdoors and how to shoot handguns.

Prevention is number one for wild animal attack. Make some noise and creatures will leave you alone. Don't approach baby critters. That makes Mom MAD. Don't corner animals and they won't corner you.

Before you have any hope of using a handgun in a high stress environment like a perceived attack. You need experience with that handgun. During stressful use you don't have time to get the perfect sight picture or use two handed aiming.

There is an old saying: Just because you own a violin, does not mean your a musician.  

Answer 4

What kind of handgun is more of a personal choice; given it has enough power for any local dangerous animals. Smith and Wesson 44 mag or a Ruger are nice.

I carry a Ruger Super Redhawk or Blackhawk 44 magnum with a 7 ½ in barrel here in Alaska. The reason I don’t carry a 480 Ruger or a 500S&W is because I am far more accurate and faster with the 44 mag. Speed and accuracy at paramount in an attack. You may only have seconds to draw and fire.

I can rapid fire 6 rounds into a paper plate at 30 yards with my Redhawk. Once you get used to the recoil it’s controllable. Practice will allow you to do that also.

But awareness is more important than anything. I knew a fellow who lived in grizzly country. He practiced with his revolver until he was very fast and accurate. He bragged about how he was ready for any bear. Well finally one day he was attacked by a bear when hiking. The bear was on him before his gun cleared the holster. If it were not for his companion shooting the bear, he would have been killed. His mistake? He wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings.

Lions and bears can be very good at blending into the surrounding vegetation or rocks. And if you are not watching your back trail and taking in everything around you, you may not see that animal until its too late. I have had both mountain lions and bears follow me, just out of sight.

When you’re in their environment you have to pay attention. Walking along thinking about your girl, job or anything other than your surroundings is bad medicine! Stop and listen carefully now and then, watch your back trail, be tuned in to any odd movement, look over log rock or stump, never take anything for granted with a fast glance. That brown stump back in the brush could be a bear. Have you clothing out of the way of your holster. If you get that strange feeling something is not quite right, unsnap the holster and keep your hand on the grip, ready to draw. Don’t be paranoid but rather alert and watchful.

Colorado has both lions and bears. Bears attack from the side or head on, lions like to attack from above, they like being above their prey.

A 44 magnum would be great for Colorado, but not a snubie barrel, you want at least 4 in or better yet a 6 in barrel. Practice until you’re accurate with the rounds you will use. Any 44 mag round will kill a lion but bears need heavy powerful bullets for deep penetration.

I also recommend carrying bear spray, it works and killing a bear can mean hefty fines in some states.

I know bear spray works because I have used it here in Alaska.

http://www.udap.com/operate.htm

Here are some links to help you;

http://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/MountainL...

http://www.mountainnature.com/Wildlife/B...

Answer 5

Sure, a .44 Magnum will do you.  Certainly nothing smaller than a .357 Magnum.  If the recoil is of concern to you consider the Glock Model 20 in 10mm.  This one nearly duplicates the performance of the old .41 Magnum and gives you ten more rounds to boot.  Recoil is not vicious since the pistol's Polymer frame absorbs a lot of the recoil.  Both the .44 Mag and the .357 with heavy loads will have more 'snap' than the Glock.

H

Answer 6

357 Magnum is up to the task if you are.*