Hiking in Alaska, which sidearm? - Page 2

jben · February 13, 2013, 10:51 PM

Right now in my inventory I would carry my 657-4 41 mag Mountain Gun loaded with Federal 250 grain Castcores, or the Buffalo Bore 230 grain Keith load. This is from my current available handguns that I have. I must say that I also have a S & W 629 Classic 44 mag, but I think the Mountain Gun would be handier, but I could be convinced to re-think that. jben

jackpine · February 14, 2013, 03:46 PM

double 12 ga with 000 buck and hardcast slugs and a 22 adapter for small game

Deaf Smith · February 14, 2013, 10:41 PM

jben,

If it's to heavy you will leave it at home. A 4 inch N frame is fine, .41 or .44.

But if I was in REAL bear country, I'd take that shotgun to. And if the scattergun is to far away, then that .44 (or 41) comes in real handy.

Deaf

montanaoffroader · February 15, 2013, 12:04 AM

I've never been to Alaska, but if I went I would probably take the same handgun I carry in bear country here, my Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum 5.5".

It's what I'm used to, and I am comfortable carrying and shooting it. Can't see any reason to change.

Salmoneye · February 15, 2013, 08:06 AM

Most of us have two hips, so why limit yourself to one gun?

ClydeFrog · February 15, 2013, 03:51 PM

That's a valid point about the Taurus Judge models. Their QC is iffy sometimes. I owned a NIB model Protector Ti .357 snub in 2004. It worked okay but the overall fit & quality were lacking.
I did hear + reports about some big Judge revolvers.
The Ruger AK snubs in .454 or .44magnum are robust & hold up too. They also had Crimsontrace laser-aiming grips(red dot).

To tote a full size auto pistol & a subcompact 2nd pistol of the same format makes sense. You can use the extended or full size magazines in either pistol & you can conceal the compact sidearm.

Clyde

alaskabushman · February 16, 2013, 04:44 AM

I live in Southeast Alaska on an island with no brown bears, so I pack a Taurus .357 and am comfortable with it. A 12 gauge with slugs is the best bear medicine.

EdInk · February 16, 2013, 09:22 AM

I would want a lever gun in .45-70 but would settle for my Redhawk .44magnum

Hook686 · February 16, 2013, 10:23 AM

This is where the S&W 329PD shines in my opinion. A light weight .44 magnum to carry that may be a bear

to shoot, but can be used if needed.

Sgt127 · February 16, 2013, 01:36 PM

Likely this....460 XVR. I got it as a package deal. A Bushmaster AR and this thing for $1400. Included 10 AR mags...about 400 rounds of .223. I have no idea what to do with it, but, its very immpressive at the range. The fact that it will shoot three calibers is kind of cool.

This would be option #2, with a set of rubber grips on it, these are just for show. A 629.

I love a nice SA revolver, but, for me anyway, if I was really facing a moving bear, like, moving towards me, I think I would prefer a DA revolver. Actually, I would prefer something belt fed.

February 14, 2013, 10:41 PM	#28
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	jben, If it's to heavy you will leave it at home. A 4 inch N frame is fine, .41 or .44. But if I was in REAL bear country, I'd take that shotgun to. And if the scattergun is to far away, then that .44 (or 41) comes in real handy. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

February 15, 2013, 12:04 AM	#29
montanaoffroader Member Join Date: February 12, 2012 Location: Big Sky Country Posts: 60	I've never been to Alaska, but if I went I would probably take the same handgun I carry in bear country here, my Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum 5.5". It's what I'm used to, and I am comfortable carrying and shooting it. Can't see any reason to change. __________________ No longer trapped behind the Redwood Curtain......

February 15, 2013, 03:51 PM	#31
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Valid point... That's a valid point about the Taurus Judge models. Their QC is iffy sometimes. I owned a NIB model Protector Ti .357 snub in 2004. It worked okay but the overall fit & quality were lacking. I did hear + reports about some big Judge revolvers. The Ruger AK snubs in .454 or .44magnum are robust & hold up too. They also had Crimsontrace laser-aiming grips(red dot). To tote a full size auto pistol & a subcompact 2nd pistol of the same format makes sense. You can use the extended or full size magazines in either pistol & you can conceal the compact sidearm. Clyde

February 16, 2013, 09:22 AM	#33
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	I would want a lever gun in .45-70 but would settle for my Redhawk .44magnum __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

February 16, 2013, 10:23 AM	#34
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	This is where the S&W 329PD shines in my opinion. A light weight .44 magnum to carry that may be a bear to shoot, but can be used if needed. __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.

February 13, 2013, 10:51 PM	#26
jben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 216	Right now in my inventory I would carry my 657-4 41 mag Mountain Gun loaded with Federal 250 grain Castcores, or the Buffalo Bore 230 grain Keith load. This is from my current available handguns that I have. I must say that I also have a S & W 629 Classic 44 mag, but I think the Mountain Gun would be handier, but I could be convinced to re-think that. jben

February 14, 2013, 03:46 PM	#27
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	double 12 ga with 000 buck and hardcast slugs and a 22 adapter for small game

February 15, 2013, 08:06 AM	#30
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Most of us have two hips, so why limit yourself to one gun?

February 16, 2013, 04:44 AM	#32
alaskabushman Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Location: S.E. Alaska Posts: 146	I live in Southeast Alaska on an island with no brown bears, so I pack a Taurus .357 and am comfortable with it. A 12 gauge with slugs is the best bear medicine.

February 16, 2013, 01:36 PM	#35
Sgt127 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2002 Posts: 1,053	Likely this....460 XVR. I got it as a package deal. A Bushmaster AR and this thing for $1400. Included 10 AR mags...about 400 rounds of .223. I have no idea what to do with it, but, its very immpressive at the range. The fact that it will shoot three calibers is kind of cool. This would be option #2, with a set of rubber grips on it, these are just for show. A 629. I love a nice SA revolver, but, for me anyway, if I was really facing a moving bear, like, moving towards me, I think I would prefer a DA revolver. Actually, I would prefer something belt fed.