looking into purchasing a handgun, looking for suggestions...

[zackmioli]

i am looking at buying a handgun sometime in the next couple months to carry with me while i am out hiking/scouting and during bow season this year. just trying to get peoples opinions on which direction i should go. looking to have it for protection against bear/cougar in case i need it mainly.

[Jburke]

If you are mainly looking for bear protection I would suggest a good 44 revolver.  The only drawback is the recoil may be a b*tch depending on the gun/loads/shooter.  Also it may be heavier than what you would prefer as well.  I personally have carried a few different pistols.  I have carried a couple of different 40's, a 357, and a 45.  My 357 isnt ideal with a 6 inch barrel but a 4 inch 357 would be a good choice. I would steer towards a quality revolver though, it's hard to beat the reliability of a good wheel gun.   

[FC]

Try some guns out and find one that you shoot well in at least .40S&W for black bears, next get yourself some good hard-cast loads for it from Buffalo Bore or the like.

How/where do you intend to carry it on your person? Think about how much weight/size you are willing to deal with and what might be banging against it while you are scouting or hunting. In my experience a heavy gun hanging from your belt while you are hiking is a pain in the ass.

[MikeWalking]

I've got my current companion in a holster on my day pack's hip belt and even with 18rds I don't feel it much.  I've carried a 629 .44 in a home made rig on the hip belt of my  Backpack and not felt it.   If the pack you use has a sternum strap you can use something like a cell phone carrier, done that too.   Worked very well with my Glock 30 & SP101...   I'd rather have a little extra weight than not enough gun..

As much as I like the 629 .44 and want another one if I had the $$  I'd also think real hard about a Glock 10mm, add a heavy recoil spring  and pack 15+1 of Buffalo Bore Hard Cast

[Huntbear]

Ruger SP101 in .357 mag.   Will perform flawlessly and is an easy pack gun.   

[MikeWalking]

Ruger SP101 in .357 mag.   Will perform flawlessly and is an easy pack gun.   

Had one of those too...

[zackmioli]

thanks for all the advice so far. ill be looking more into all of these.

[carpsniperg2]

357mag is always great.

[Bofire]

An S& W 357, 4 inch stainless, 6 shot revolver just might be the best all round single handgun there is.
It will do everything well. open carry, somewhat concealed, fairly acurate to about 100 yards, good power, huge bullet and load selection, durable and depenable.
Carl

[Crookedknife]

Back where I grew up in Alaska, .44 magnum is considered the minimum for bears. A few popular models are the S&W 329PD (lightweight, good for hiking but kicks hard) and the 629 Mountain Gun (a good compromise between light weight & manageable recoil, usually for sale at Cabela's).

I've carried .44's before during hikes, and they get too heavy after about a day. My preference is to pack something small, like an SP101 or 642, and a can of bear spray. I'll never go back to lugging around three pounds of steel I probably won't use.

Hardly anybody there prefers automatics for the woods, but some people like 10mm.

[bare.hunter]

not a bear gun but I wont leave home
without my smith 317 lite in 22cal love that little
gun and it shoots great and fun and cheap to shoot
ever time I go out I shoot it great fun

[coyotewallace]

This is and easy one
In the field-for me hands down  Glock G20(15 rounds 10mm)
everywhere else- 357 LCR

[ghosthunter]

Well I carried a lot of different hand guns over the years hunting. Bears in this state do not need much to change their minds. I finally settled on a gun that can serve several purposes. I now carry a Taurus Judge 2 1/2 . I can shoot snakes,bears,grouse and have different loads in it at the same time. PDX1 loads, .410 shot, 45 long colt. I love it. Now S&W has come out with the governor. Check them out. If you live in an apartment it is a great home defense weapon too. I keep mine in my pillow case at home and hunting camp.

[satchel3006]

Ruger gp100. Doesn't everybody need a 4" .357?

[BallisticsNut]

I just had this same conversation with a friend of mine yesterday.  I am a semi auto fan personally, carried a revolver for many years in the Military some time back.  Here is my two cents.

First off, the Glock 23, reliable reliable reliable.  Great compact version for short range.
Second the CZ P07, great accurate reliable .40 cal. 
Third, my favorite the SigSauer P250 compact.  No need to say more.
Lastly, the S&W M&P40c with built in crimson trace laser. 

These all will do you just fine for personal carry and for backup while hunting.  All compact versions, lightweight and designed for concealed carry.