Handgun or Pistol Defense Against Bear Attack

[GilpinGuy]

Link: https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/han...-96-effective/

I almost posted this in in the Hunting forum, but it applies to anyone in the forest.

Interesting, but hopefully I never have to test this.

[Irving]

I think the way that he handled the information was well done. You hear about people not being able to effectively use guns in a moment of panic, which is understandable, but not really the guns fault or evidence of the efficacy. Good find.

[encorehunter]

https://sangrechronicle.com/raton-man-attacked-by-bear/

I will leave this here. It doesnt mention in the article that the bear died while still clamped down on his leg, or the fact they had to cut the bears head off and transport it with him to the hospital.

[Bailey Guns]

The article certainly doesn't "prove" anything but it does provide some interesting data.

I was especially surprised at the effectiveness of the .22 in the cases mentioned.

Good stuff to think about.

[Gman]

I was scanning through the article and was a bit miffed that they weren't talking about what type of bear. A black bear is not the same as a brown or polar. I'm glad they included the bear species in the details at the bottom.

[glocktoberfest]

why not just use bear spray? i'm no Davy Crockett but supposedly it's way more effective than a firearm. Btw, i do carry a 10mm pistol as the backup to the bear spray

[Irving]

Bear spray has problems when it's windy. Just like pistols have problems when your buddy is in the way, like in the bear's mouth.

[Ramsker]

Bear spray has problems when it's windy. Just like pistols have problems when your buddy is in the way, like in the bear's mouth.

This is why I always try to hike with a slower friend.

[ChickNorris]

... because 9 year olds run pretty slow.

[ray1970]

Bear spray has problems when it's windy. Just like pistols have problems when your buddy is in the way, like in the bear's mouth.

If I?m ever being eaten by a bear you have my permission to take the shot. Hopefully you?ll hit the bear and not me but at that point does it matter to me either way really?