I have a project coming up that will require me to be spending a lot of time on the shores of the Yukon river in AK by myself. I am gun shopping for my bear protection needs. the question is, what to get.

I would like either a .44 or a .454, but they are running about a grand. is it a decent option to put a pistol grip on my rem 870, and an 18" slug barrel? The idea here is to make it easily packable.

I like the pistol because I can wear it, but the shotgun would only cost me a few hundred to shrink down in size and I can just strap it to my backpack.

so, what should I do?

 

Its your life your talking about...dont let the money scare you off. Not sure what it takes for a bear, but seems like a pistol would be better for carrying and having on your person all the time.

 

True.

I hear a .357 can take a bear down. its what my grandma used to use in ruby, AK

I have a buddy who is a guide who recently took down a charging grizzly with a 454 casull, so I KNOW that works. haven't heard much on a .44

 

A 44 will do the job, nice piece to pack on the hip. I would go with a Ruger as they will handle hotter loads, I pack 320 gr solid brass rounds in bear country. If out by myself I also pack my 45/70 which IMHBAO is the best to back.

 

I don't know which one will work best, but I'd like to know what the project is!

chaikwa.

 

The .500 S&W seems to hold a slight edge in ballistics over the 454 Casull.

I personally like the idea of a pistol grip riot shotgun and using Brenneke Black Magic 3" magnum slugs. Side sling and carry it Israeli style (hanging from the front).

MikeyB

 

The handguns may look cooler, but they will not have the stopping power of a 12 ga shotgun! Take out the plug & you'll be able to put 5 or 6 2 3/4 inch slugs in the magazine. The diameter of the slug is .73 & it weighs 437.5 grains. I did a little research & the muzzle velocity of the .454 is about the same as the 12 ga. The shotgun may be a little more inconvienient to carry, but it should provide more protection.

 

Why not get a Co pilot from Wild West Guns in Alaska? If your looking at a .44Mag then a Mares leg mite interesting as well.JBCustom makes a legal version of it. As for me a Copilot is what I would take.

 

I woudln't count out a Taurus Judge. You can get it all the way down to 3" barrel and the new 3" chamber ones will allow 3" .410 slugs/shotshells and.or .45 long colt. Either round will save your life against a bear. They can be had for less than $600 market price and are easily packable and/or concealable for "other" projects.


http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...adcrumbseries=

 

its a documentary project I am working on. can't say much more than that for the time being.

I should have mentioned that, seeing as it adds to the equation. I will be carrying a camera, tripod and back pack, so that's why I was looking at a handgun. but I figured if I could save some money and just modify the rem 870, I could just strap that to my backpack.

I have been looking at taurus, the local scheels had one in stock, are they pretty reliable?

I was looking at this one online:
http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...rumbseries=RB2

 

I wouldnt strap any gun to your backpack... bears can run 30-40 mph. You wont have enough time.

 

I'm a huge fan of the 870 but in this case, you'd be better off with a handgun. An 18' shotgun strapped to your back pack doesn't do you any good against a charging bear. .44 have been bear protection for a long time and work. The .454 is also a decent choice. Either way, get a chest holster so you can get at it easily while wearing a backpack or whatever else you are wearing at the time.

 

ok, so revolver it is.

Another gun I was looking at was the ruger super redhawk alaskan, .454 2 1/2" barrel.

it looks like it would be perfect to keep me safe, but also stay out of the way.
is that 2 1/2" barrel gonna be a problem?

 

A double-action revolver in .44 magnum with a 4" or 6" barrel would be my choice, carried in a low holster so it doesn't get wrapped up in your coat.

 

You won't be going for distance and won't have a lot of time to "aim" so the barrel length shouldn't be a problem. Now, if you were going for more than 20 feet with accuracy in mind then you may want to go with at least a 4" barrel and longer the better. You will be shooting at distances less than 20 feet with a point and shoot like mad until the carnage is over so barrel length shouldn't matter in my opinion.

I still would consider the Judge. I looked at the store that usually do business with here locally and they have about 10 of them ranging in price from $425 to $460 for the new 3" chambered guns. Barrel lengths vary from 2.5" to 6". They sell alot of them for grizzly protection around here.