Good cheap bear gun for Grizzly country

[Jeddak]

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

My bear gun, when I lived in Alaska, was Taurus Raging Bull in 454 Casull.
Sold it before I left Alaska. Wished many times that I had kept it.

PS Center mass shots for bears. Their skulls are sloped, so pistol rounds do not penetrate head, only 30-06 and up calibers do.

 

[jaxyaks]

You probably won’t find cheaper than this. Ruger Blackhawk for $500.

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www.theoutdoorstrader.com

That would be a good choice for the OP. If I didn't already have one with a 5.5 inch barrel I would have bought that one a few days ago and given myself a reason to drive to Clayton.

 

[palmettomoon]

 

[Plinker66]

hang something noisy from your pack so you don’t walk up on a momma bear and surprise her.

 

[Jeddak]

hang something noisy from your pack so you don’t walk up on a momma bear and surprise her.

How do you tell a difference between brown bear scat and grizzly bear scat?
Grizzly bear scat smells like pepper spray and has bones in it. Brown bear scat has bones and hiker's bells in it.

 

[LordMDP]

Good opinions guys, Yea I had started to read the 10mm debate and not against that either. Unfortunately sold my Ruger .44 blackhawk years ago on here but I could UP the price some. I'll also keep an eye on pistols on here. i've never owned a Taurus but no opposed to a Taurus .44 of some sort

 

[CTS Tactical]

Having lived in AK for several years and having family who lived there for their whole lives, I would have to say there is no handgun I would feel comfortable with against a grizzly. If that was all that I could have though, a 44 Mag is minimum. Much better off with a 45/70 or a 12 Ga.

 

[teearr]

I understand your dilemma LordMDP , but are either of the following options on the table?

(1) A rifle.
(2) Leave your daughter with a relative/sitter when you actually hike into bear country. If you are planning on camping out then this may not be possible/preferable.

I don't know how avid a hiker your wife is, but when we were younger and did some hiking my wife liked to hike on her terms, and they didn't include mountains or certain parts of our urban environment . North Ga. "mountains" are fine but anything over 5,000 feet or with the potential for black bears and I got to hear complaints. Also, taking a child anywhere except the toy store or ice cream parlor can bring it's own set of problems.

I hate to think what the reaction from a 10 month old would be to a close quarters discharge of a high caliber weapon. And remember, if the worst scenario presents itself the added pressure of protecting two other lives besides your own is going to play h*ll with your self control and muscle memory.

Not trying to rain on your plans brother, but looking at some possible alternatives that could lead to a better vacation for everyone. Good luck.

 

[Piglatinhater]

I think serious bear awareness will keep you safe for 99% of the trip. Seriously think about leaving your sub1 year old infant at home. Nothing like having to deal with a emergency situation AND a baby to make matters worse.

My bear gun, when I lived in Alaska, was Taurus Raging Bull in 454 Casull.
Sold it before I left Alaska. Wished many times that I had kept it.

PS Center mass shots for bears. Their skulls are sloped, so pistol rounds do not penetrate head, only 30-06 and up calibers do.

I'm in the 454 casual camp for this. A grizzly is a huge animal if you've ever seen a wild one up close. There's a reason why Native Americans left them alone.

 

[Xcaliber]

rifle would be my 1st choice, if allowed. a handy 7.62x39 or 308.