I will say this to the un-initiated. Appears to me from real experience you've got somewhere between 1.5 and 2 seconds to draw your sidearm and shoot. I've been charged by a Griz cub that was bigger than any Black Bear you've ever seen.

No thanks.

Carry enough rifle that you won't need the pea shooter unless your left arm is already in it's mouth. That's my position. Roll out there with your little 7-08 and get your foot chewed off.


If I am fishing in griz country I take a shotgun. I ever don't want a handgun if I can avoid it.. You'll grease your pants either way. Over-plan to avoid that situation.

Hk45C with 45 Super sounds great

That certainly makes sense to me.

I wouldn’t hunt a brown bear with a handgun BUT I would certainly be wearing a handgun 100% of the time while in brown bear country.

Y’all argue all that want about calibers, actions, etc. I know what I’ll be toting and it holds 16 rounds of 1 Centimeter.

That certainly makes sense to me too.

The modern take on back country handguns.

I have no experience wirh grizzlies. Though I have seen a couple near yellowstone. But I was close enough to the car. He did get within 60 yards at one point, but by then I was watching through the sunroof with motor running.

Anyway, I would think a 12 guage would be my gun. Probably an 870 with rifled sights and a 20 inch (or shorter) barrel. At least then I'm almost positive I would hit where I was aiming even on the move. The real question is if my underwear could handle the load.

yeah ,,,, thing is gonna be ,,,, hitting them on the move . most hunters these days only shot and targets and standing broad side animals . hitting some thing running in a hurry aint the same thing . lol

FWIW: The 40S&W that I love to hate on for defensive use, actually fills a good niche here. The 200gr hard cast factory stuff is nothing to sneeze at, and (if you’re adventurous with loading your own) can actually be loaded beyond 10mm performance, due to having a stronger case because of primer pocket. I’ve seen some chrono data beyond 1400fps with 200s IN FULLY SUPPORTED, custom reinforced barrels…..caveated: don’t ever try in your gun.

The 40 makes for a good outdoorsman round in many places. The truth is, a handgun is usually nothing more that extra weight that is rarely used. I often find myself carrying an M&P Shield 40 for that reason. It has decent ballistics and is a small pistol that is still easy to hit with. Not suggesting it as a bear country option but it would be better than throwing rocks...

That is the most important thing is being to hit with what you have . Biggest Magnum in the world is no good if you can hit with it . That goes for shooting at any thing .