handgun for bears, snakes, etc

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  • ehall

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Mar 19, 2020
    40
    I go into the mountains of VA and PA somewhat often. I know there are bears where I go, because some of the places are only open in bear season. There are snakes and such too. I am looking for a handgun that I can carry that will be good for everything. I was leaning towards a 9mm for subsonic and hideability but now thinking I would benefit from more power. Not necessarily The Judge but maybe a step between. Also open to things like AR pistol, or SBR, or anything that qualifies as a handgun for carry.

    I'm interested to hear what folks suggest.
     

    Speed3

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    7,816
    MD
    I'd say 44 mag or 10mm. The 10mm is down on power but way up on ammo capacity. You better aim those 6 shots well in the 44 mag. I have both and would probably carry 10mm for the round count
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,160
    Carroll County
    handgun for bears, snakes, etc

    For bears, I think they would require a large grip, and an especially large trigger gaurd to get that toe in there.

    I think the snakes are just SOL tho, no way to hold and fire at the same time. ;)


    I would think you would want a shotshell for snakes, and something like hardcast or FMJ for bear, right? If the bear is coming at you, you're either hitting skull or bony shoulders, with vital organs well behind that. You need much more penetration than defending against a human.

    So if you see a venomous snake, will you be changing the mag and rechambering? Or perhaps keep one shotshell in the chamber followed by something more substantial... and use it as a warning shot if a bear charges you?
     

    crolfe1984

    Enthusiast
    Oct 21, 2007
    562
    Baltimore City, MD
    When I go back country hiking out west I carry a 4" S&W 500 stoked with Hornady 500g XTP rounds. Right side holster setup with a VTAC 1 5/8" cobra belt. Everything about it is weather/sweat resistant, secure, and robust.

    This rig has seen many miles of remote trails with many more to follow!

    On a side note, if you're gonna carry a 500 or other big bore pistol, make sure to PRACTICE with it!
     

    Jimbob2.0

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 20, 2008
    16,600
    My cabin carry is a Ruger Red hawk .45 long colt with heavy Ruger loads. Hogue grip soaks up the recoil. Plenty and controllable for black bear and not bad with snake shot. Cool for WV right now (non lawyer) open on my property in PA. That said I have never ever felt the need to unleash a gun on a snake not am I typically loaded up for such, been up close and personal with many of the venomous kind and have (sadly) had to dispatch a few, nothing a good solid hiking snake stick and a knife cant do efficiently.
     

    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 2, 2017
    32,179
    Sun City West, AZ
    While I really like and enjoy the 10mm I have to believe the minimum power level is a .44 Magnum. If you're attacked by a bear no power is too much but you have to have something both powerful and controllable. If you can both afford and can handle something more powerful then do so.

    As strong and good as the Ruger Super Blackhawk is, I would opt for a double-action revolver. Under the stress of being attacked the extra manipulations required for shooting single-action would be a handicapped unless you're extremely cool under pressure and well practiced.

    Winchester does sell a .44 Magnum load for bears...others probably do as well. That would be a good place to start looking.
     

    budman93

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 1, 2013
    5,267
    Frederick County
    I'm having trouble envisioning a situation where you would need to shoot a snake in the woods. Its a snake not a bear, why not just walk away from it? Whenever i have come across a venomous snake i just walk around it. Usually after poking it with a stick. For science...
     

    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 2, 2017
    32,179
    Sun City West, AZ
    I'm having trouble envisioning a situation where would you need to shoot a snake in the woods. Its a snake not a bear, why not just walk away from it?

    I agree...my feeling is if I see a snake I'll avoid it...promptly as I've always been snake phobic. My concern...my woods is very heavily wooded and with undergrowth...is if I see a snake next to my feet and I jump and miss a tree limb either on the way up or coming back down...that I'll land right back in the same place.
     

    Mike3888

    Mike3888
    Feb 21, 2013
    1,125
    Dundalk, Md-Mifflin,Pa
    All snakes in Pennsylvania are protected by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission regulations. ... Endangered or threatened species cannot be caught, killed, possessed, imported to or exported from Pennsylvania. The Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Copperhead are protected under additional regulations.
    Don’t know about Virginia, as far as bears they are gone before you see them. Call the department of natural resources in the states and ask them. You probably won’t like their answer.
     

    TopTechAgent

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 30, 2012
    991
    Mooresville, NC
    Carry some bear spray IF and I mean IF you ever have that type of encounter. I’ve backpacked many a thousand miles in PA,MD, and VA and the bears I’ve see aren’t interested in human interaction. Practice safe food/smell able guidelines at night.

    Honestly the creature id worry about more on the trails are the two legged varieties.

    Snakes ...walk around.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I carry a Taurus .44 mag tracker with Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game ammo in it and a speedloader. I also practice shooting double action as fast as possible at a six inch paper plate at 20 yards. My plan is to empty it into his head as fast as I can.

    As for snakes, know where not to put your hand or foot and go around the ones that you see. Shot loads even in a .44 are very iffy because the rifling throws the shot all to hell. I experimented at different ranges starting at 3 feet to 9 feet with shot loads and the patterns were not reliable for me to waste a chamber or two carrying them.
     

    StantonCree

    Watch your beer
    Jan 23, 2011
    23,932
    I'm having trouble envisioning a situation where you would need to shoot a snake in the woods. Its a snake not a bear, why not just walk away from it? Whenever i have come across a venomous snake i just walk around it. Usually after poking it with a stick. For science...

    What if the bear is throwing snakes at you?

    I’ve never been attacked by any animal i haven’t F’ed with first and i have encountered bears, bears with cubs, all sorts of snakes, bob cats, and a cougar. When i carry in the woods it’s for people (who mean me harm obviously)
     

    Speed3

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    7,816
    MD
    At my undisclosed location, I usually carry a Ruger .44 mag. First round is snake shot for rattlers next 5 are hard cast "hammer heads". If a bear takes more than 5 of those, I'm dead anyway, and extra rounds probably aren't going to help.

    Remember as blaster says...close the gap to get rounds on target. It will help with the bear throwing snakes at you too....zig zag while closing the gap.
     

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