Handgun for Black Bear

[Mike Bravo]

What would be the the smallest handgun caliber and loads for defense against black bear and cougar while backpacking in the  mountains? 
Any suggestions on what type of holster or how to carry a handgun while wearing a backpack?

Thanks for your time!

[jdb]

i'd say .357 or 10mm

[bobcat]

44 Mag would be the minimum I'd want for bear. For cougar a 38 special or 9mm would be fine.

[carpsniperg2]

i would agree, 357 will do just fine i would go no less and no less than a 40 sw for a auto. that is what i use as a standard 90% of the time i carry a 357 or 40 sw as my hunting backup and my every day carry gun. but one thing i will say get a load with good bullets that will hold up don't run light bullets like the 110g personal pertection loads get a heavyer bullet i like the hornaday 158g xtps and 180grain in my 40 sw they have a bit more stoping power and knock down factor and will hold up and penitrate well and not open to fast like allot of the designated personal pertection rounds. hope this helps

[jdb]

I will agree for lion those would be fine and If i were to HUNT bear with a handgun 41 mag would be my minimum but for self defence I think a .357 or a 10mm with aleast a 180 grain bullet

[hillbilli]

greetings to all as i am new here, Military move to whidbey island. I'm new to the northwest so i'm sure i'll have some questions for youall. most of my experience with a backup defensive handgun for critters is in areas where i'm likely to run across a 400lb wild hog than a bear, but here's my opinion. I'd recommend .44 magnum, or .41. I use a ruger super blackhawk .44, the cylinder diameter is smaller than most .44's and the 4 5/8" barrel is carryable. The .357 works, and i'm fond of it, but the only hollowpoint (with the exception of 180 partition-which hits way high in my gun)that i've tested that holds together well enough even for deer is the gold dot 158gr.
  as long as what you carry is .357/.40/10mm- or larger, then bullet selection and your ability to hit are the most important thing- remember that most hollowpoints in these calibers are made to open and NOT overpenetrate a human. A round fired at a large cat or bear that doesnt hit the skull had better penetrate a lot.. the .41 and .44 are nice because you can get a round that makes a big hole, and still penetrate pretty good.
    but hey, thats just my opinion, nobody listens to me.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

HillBill welcome to the site,  and some will listen here...    stop by the intro and say hi and tell everyone a little about yourself if you haven't yet.  Oh by the way Welcome to beautiful Whidbey Island. 

[high country]

however big a gun you can shoot well everytime. a 9mm in the eye is better then 5 500smith rounds all around it but not in it. black bears are not tough to kill but they are lightning fast.

for me its a 45super or 44mag. for my wife 38sp or 40sw for my kids its a bell and pepper spray. caution is your best defense.

[cohoho]

however big a gun you can shoot well everytime. a 9mm in the eye is better then 5 500smith rounds all around it but not in it. black bears are not tough to kill but they are lightning fast.

Well said.  Too many times I knew of guys that took out their .500/.460/.454 and missed bears off bait stations at close range due to not being able to shoot large calibers..  Shoot what you can, but make sure you can hit your target all the time...  I used to shoot alot competitively with the AF and can shoot, but shooting the .500 I sucked with it bad and now stay stricky with my .44 or .357....  .357 would be fine as stated above Black Bears aren't extremely hard to kill with a well aimed shot...

[NWBREW]

44 mag.

[Cylvertip]

44 mag.

Boy - I would have hoped he'd gotten better looking with age.....   To bad you boys never kill anything

[NWBREW]

44 mag.

Boy - I would have hoped he'd gotten better looking with age.....   To bad you boys never kill anything

Yeah it took him two shots to kill it (Hit him both times and I don't think the second one was nessecary). Murdy was in his climbing tree stand limbing a tree on my place over east. He got about 20' up and had to rest (the limbing was kicking his butt) and just happened to have his pistol with him . After about five minute rest this bear walks out below.....with a bear tag in the pocket what else can you do.