Sidearm for Black Bear.

[jasnt]

Personally....at 40 yards I would be high ready but probably not yet shooting, the odds are still very good it's a mock charge. 

  spray and pray is always a bad idea!  Like I said earlier practice under high stress conditions.  I've been mock charged by quite a few critters( moose, angus and Hereford and cross bulls ect.) and out right charged by a few as well including a wounded cougar.  A lot of times standing your ground will stop the charge but ya got to be ready for it to not stop too.  After a while ya learn to ignore the panic and focus on what ya need to do.  I'll take my 9 over bear spray any day!  9mm ammo can't catch the wind and come back in my face

[Natas5150]

30-06 to the chest you betcha, bear down.  I would not argue with that at all. All I am saying is I wouldn't carry anything less than a .357 for bear protection. I hear what you all are saying about how many charge only half way and stop. So maybe 40 yards allows you to aim, good for you. I just watched that video on the 3 guys on the river and that bear charged and was less than 20 feet. The guy that fired didn't have time to aim he just shot and luckily for him the bear turned and ran. Imagine if it hadn't though. I just don't feel a 9mm or 45ACP wouldn't  be enough. I didn't over think anything here. I just wouldn't carry anything less than a .357 for bear protection. You can carry what you want. Carry a .22lr for all I care I just said remind me to move as far away from you as possible if a bear charges and you decide to shoot with a caliber smaller than .357. We agree to disagree it is just my 2  and that is all it is. I just hope I never I never come across a bear that decides to charge.

[Jonathan_S]

Personally....at 40 yards I would be high ready but probably not yet shooting, the odds are still very good it's a mock charge.

40 yards is way too far out for me to be shooting (self defense)...I'm ready and trained on the target though 

[NSAECHIN]

My sidearm is a Glock 20 10mm. 15+1 rounds loaded with DoubleTap 230gr hard cast ammunition.

How many of those rounds have you put through that gun?  Any feed issues?

I also had a Glock 20, I put approximately 500 rounds through it before some financial issues forced me to sell it. I never once had a feed issue. I love Glocks.

My Glock 20 eats anything I've tried and has never jammed.

Mine is a Gen 3.........   I was unaware of any issues until reading this thread.

Rather than threadjack, can someone point me to a good Glock 20 Tutorial to learn differences between Gen 3/4?

I think some differences are the mag release button on the Gen 4's are larger then the Gen 3's and its ambidextrous. With Gen 4's you also have interchangeable back straps and Gen 4's has a dual spring guide rods. I am sure there is more but that's the biggest differences I believe. I love Glocks

Here are some links for you.

[BULLBLASTER]

40 yards!!?? Give me a break. I am still hunting a bear that is 40 yards out. Heck that's just getting into good bow range. This entire thread is becoming laughable.

[superdown]

I think i will get one of these in .480 Ruger when i can afford it.I plan on using it as my primary weapon next year after i have had time to practice with it.  http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LipseysBisleys.htm

[KFhunter]

What's laughable is the miscommunication on this thread.

For instance I never once mentioned bear spray nor did I say a 9mm was too small, nor did I "laugh" at anyone.   

For self defense you use what you have available, if it's a 9mm then use it.

[mountainman]

Personally....at 40 yards I would be high ready but probably not yet shooting, the odds are still very good it's a mock charge.

40 yards is way too far out for me to be shooting (self defense)...I'm ready and trained on the target though 

Here's a couple that came in fast with angry thoughts on their mind..blonde was stopped at appx. 15 paces with a 444 Marlin. Total charge, first seen to a dead bear maybe 5 seconds??
Second bear at 3 paces with a 30-30, maybe 3 seconds??
Not a lot of reaction time..

[RadSav]

blonde was stopped at appx. 15 paces with a 444 Marlin. Total charge, first seen to a dead bear maybe 5 seconds??

Is that a 24" 444?  Sure looks longer than a 22"

[4fletch]

I read a story of a contractor in Alaska that preferred the 357. I'm no expert on what calibers to use on a bear but I would not carry a 9 if I had a 357. My thoughts would be which I have is a tarus titanium 44 m because I sometimes hunt where there is some talk of Griz around. It's super light which is nice but I usually carry a glock 40.for the cougs n wolves

[mountainman]

Late friend Larry Kelley's huge alaskan brownbear, at VERY close range!

[tgomez]

Sorry for the loss of a good friend mountainman. What a MONSTER BEAR, nice!