Can you defend yourself against a bear with a 9mm?

A 9mm parabellum is woefully under powered to stop a bear. The cartridge was never designed for use against animals as large as a bear. The short answer is no. It will not stop a bear.

Will a pistol scare a bear?

Using a pistol to defend against bear attacks seems to be a viable option. The often cited Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska by Tom S. Smith, Stephen Herrero, and others, included 37 instances of a handgun being present when a bear attacked a human. The instances collected were from 1883 to 2009.

Will the sound of a gun scare a bear?

Shooting into the ground on the vicinity of the bear is more about utilizing the sound of the gun shot to scare the bear enough that it flees. Animals aren’t typically accustomed to such loud noises, so it is possible to use that to your advantage.

What pistols are effective against bears?

Large-Bore Revolvers:

• Smith and Wesson 460V. Smith and Wesson call this pistol the most versatile large-bore revolver, and there is a lot of truth in that statement.
• Ruger Super Redhawk – . 454 Casull.
• Taurus Raging Judge – . 454 Casull.
• Smith and Wesson Model 29 – . 44 Magnum.

Will bear spray stop a grizzly bear?

“There are reasons why bear spray should be the first choice for anybody recreating in bear country,” he says, pointing to Smith’s research in Alaska that showed bear spray to be 92 percent effective in deterring attacks by grizzly, black and polar bears.

Do air horns scare black bears?

Air horns are generally reliable for scaring bears. They will work in most scenarios because they’re extremely loud and a bit startling. The best way to be bear safe while hiking or backpacking in the national parks, however, is to use multiple layers of bear safety.

Do fog horns scare bears?

“Air horns are unproven in their effectiveness. High-pitched noises can arouse curiosity or irritate a bear.” However, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife did recommend using air horns while hiking to scare aggressive bears away.

What is the best gun to carry in bear country?

Best Bear Defense Firearms

1. Remington Model 870 Express. The Remington Model 870 Express is a classic pump-action shotgun with a whole lot of power.
2. Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan . 44 Rem Mag.
3. Glock 20.
4. Marlin Model 1895 Guide.
5. Mossberg Model 500.
6. Ruger American Predator.

What is the best pistol for bear protection?

Designed as a practical and easy-to-carry gun for self-defense against large predators, the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is a great choice as a bear-defense gun. Available in . 44 Magnum, . 454 Casull, and .

What smells do bears hate?

Bears Dislike the Scent of Anything Pine Related – Including Pine Oil. While bears love anything sweet (yes, even honey) they have often been found to steer clear of anything pine-scented. Bears dislike the scent of any pine-scented cleaners that contain pine.

Why is the 9mm so popular for bear hunting?

There are two, it seems. Firstly, higher penetration seems to be key — that would be why 9mm came out ahead. Secondly, the caliber of the firearm used seems to matter less than the ability of the shooter under pressure. A .357 Magnum is formidable as hell, but that doesn’t mean anything when you can’t hit a charging bear.

Would you trust a 357 Magnum to kill a bear?

A .357 Magnum is formidable as hell, but that doesn’t mean anything when you can’t hit a charging bear. For my money, I wouldn’t trust a 9mm, even though it seems to pass the test here.

What is the best handgun for Bear Country?

The author’s well-worn, and well-loved Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt is a perfect handgun for bear country. Now before we take a look at particular models and calibers, let’s get one basic premise out of the way: when the excrement hits the oscillator, any gun is better than no gun.

Can a 9mm cartridge defend against a grizzly bear?

If you want to look at the full archive of the events, just click here. Firstly, and most surprisingly to yours truly, there were four cases in which the 9mm cartridge was used to defend against bears — every single one of them was successful, and at least three of the four were against grizzly bears.