handgun help !!!!

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Hi All,

I am a 44 year old and going to alaska in june to the kenai peninsula backpacking for 4 or 5 days in the back country with 3 friends . I am a skilled hunter and have been hunting for 15 yrs or so I UNDERSTAND GUNS, my problem is I don't know hand guns, and I want one with me just in case that unfriendly grizzly walks up on us ( i am the shortest and fattest, and run the slowest) I need stopping power. I did read about a ruger alasken stub nose that could stop a ford pickup at 90 yards dead in its tracks but the author said it did not handle for shit! Can any of you recommend managable stoping power for my trip?


thanks for all your help
Bill

[Wandering Man]

Welcome to the forum. I'll let the handgun hunters answer your question.

WM

[Shipwreck]

Hey, welcome to the site!

I like that Alaaskan. They make a 45/454 version, but just came out with a 44mag version. That is nice - if I wanted a 44, I'd buy this one. U could also practice with 44 special rounds. I've read some reviews of them, and it seems to be a good gun. But admittedly, I have not tried one yet. But, Ruger makes nice revolvers.

[2400]

Welcome to the forum, glad you're here! New guy buys cigars.

It sounds like you don't have enough time to buy a big Bear stopping handgun. Then shoot several thousand rounds so you'll be good enough to shoot and kill a Bear before it kills you.

If you insist on using a handgun, make sure your insurance is paid up and your will is up to date.

If you really want realistic bear protection, get a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 or a 12 GA loaded with #1 Buck.

[tnoisaw]

I am familar with the area were you are going having lived in Anchorage for ten years. I would carry nothing smaller than a .44 magnum (I carried a Ruger Super Blackhawk). Personally, I never had a problem with bears and would be more cautious of a moose. They can have an ill temper and those long legs will stamp the sh%* out of ya and there are more of 'em.

[big dutchman]

being faced with the same question myself, quite a few posts have helped me out in this forum recently. if you are on a budget like me, i ruger super redhawk or alaskan should do nicely. the 44mag version was described nicely by shipwreck. ruger also chambers it in the slightly higher powered 454 casuall which also excepts the lower powered and cost 45 long colt. if you can afford the $1000 range, s&w also makes snubby versions of the 460 magnam and the .500 mag. both are meaty rounds and cost a bit more. the 460 mag chamber will also except the 454 and 45 lc.

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First of all thank you for all your input. I do have a rem 870 shot gun that I was planing on taking I am just trying to reduse the weight of my pack. I really don't think I will need it but i just want to be safe. There are hand guns made for a close encounter like bears ! isn't there? if a hand gun is not the tool for the job please let me know.

thanks again all

[2400]

There are hand guns made for a close encounter like bears ! isn't there? if a hand gun is not the tool for the job please let me know.

thanks again all

If you insist on using a handgun, make sure your insurance is paid up and your will is up to date.

If you really want realistic bear protection, get a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 or a 12 GA loaded with #1 Buck.

I am a skilled hunter and have been hunting for 15 yrs or so I UNDERSTAND GUNS, my problem is I don't know hand guns

This is why I recomended a 45-70 Guide Gun or 12 GA with #1 Buck. If you aren't used to shooting big magnum handguns (460 S&W, 500 S&W) then they won't be a good choice for what you want.

Think about it for a second, a Bear pops up 30 feet away pauses a second then heads for you. Is this really the time for a handgun you're not used to and don't shoot well?

It takes time, money and dedication to learn to shoot a big handgun well, not to mention fast and on target. If something happens, you're betting your life and maybe your buddies lives on what ever gun you're carrying.

Click on the link to see what an Alaskan Bear looks like. I know the story has been repeated over and over, forget the story and look at the Bear!

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/bearhunt.asp

Still think a 44 Mag is the answer?