Good cheap bear gun for Grizzly country

[Cataula]

Cheap + Grizzly = DEAD....

 

[bmerrell41085]

Hey guys, taking the family out west in July. We're going to be exploring a lot of Western Montana and coming down into Wyoming & Idaho. My daughter is 10months old now and will be in the child backpack for day hikes. Anytime I went out there in the past(before I had a kid) I just had bear spray. Since we have a little one now I want to carry a firearm in addition to bear spray.

It needs to be: a handgun for size/convivence
large enough caliber to do some damage on a big animal if worst case scenario
it needs to be affordable(like under $500 or) (this trip is adding up quickly)


I've always like .44 magnums. I don't know what alls out there but want to read your opinions and what you'd carry. thanks

Check my .357 out in my listings

 

[Moondog1]

M92 PAP with a sling. It's technically a handgun.

 

[Xcaliber]

No way, no how.
30-06 and up. Armor piercing 7.62x54R in Soviet calibers, not x39.

poachers use it for elephants and rhinos, I'm sure it'll do. I would not feel under gunned at all, esp w/multiple rounds.

 

[Jeddak]

Go ahead. Sneaking up on a unsuspecting elephant is not the same as stopping a charging bear who covers 20 feet in two steps. If you are lucky, you will get off a shot. Really lucky, two shots to stop it.

But you go ahead and try.

 

[K79540]

Strap 8 honey buns to a rc car...for a diversionary tactic

 

[jaxyaks]

Go ahead. Sneaking up on a unsuspecting elephant is not the same as stopping a charging bear who covers 20 feet in two steps. If you are lucky, you will get off a shot. Really lucky, two shots to stop it.

But you go ahead and try.

That right there seems to be the most misunderstood thing about a bear defense firearm, and a firearm that will kill a bear. You can kill a bear with a 22.....you most likely will not stop a determined charging bear with said .22....(substitute .22 multiple calibre's that I have seen mentioned for bear defense).

You always gotta remember, a charging grizzly can kill you even after he is technically dead....

 

[wildbill1973z28]

Hey guys, taking the family out west in July. We're going to be exploring a lot of Western Montana and coming down into Wyoming & Idaho. My daughter is 10months old now and will be in the child backpack for day hikes. Anytime I went out there in the past(before I had a kid) I just had bear spray. Since we have a little one now I want to carry a firearm in addition to bear spray.

It needs to be: a handgun for size/convivence
large enough caliber to do some damage on a big animal if worst case scenario
it needs to be affordable(like under $500 or) (this trip is adding up quickly)


I've always like .44 magnums. I don't know what alls out there but want to read your opinions and what you'd carry. thanks

Better safe than sorry ! 10 mm double stack

 

[jaxyaks]

poachers use it for elephants and rhinos, I'm sure it'll do. I would not feel under gunned at all, esp w/multiple rounds.

I would bet those same poachers wish they had more gun when those unsuspecting Rhinos and Elephants charge....same principle, charging Rhino/Elephant is totally different than unsuspecting Rhino/Elephant.

There is a reason that there are calibre minimums in Africa.

 

[Xcaliber]

Go ahead. Sneaking up on a unsuspecting elephant is not the same as stopping a charging bear who covers 20 feet in two steps. If you are lucky, you will get off a shot. Really lucky, two shots to stop it.

But you go ahead and try.

well then, we shouldn't recommend hand guns then, as they're mostly inferior to rifles. oh and I don't think a human can out run a charging rhino nor elephant neither....