Need Help on a 10 mm ..... Bear issues

[Todd.K]

Too many people overlook a critical part of the equation and just go for more power.

How well do I shoot a .44 Mag? How fast can I make multiple hits? And how much time will I actually spend practicing with it, or with ANY revolver, when the answer to those questions are unsatisfactory?

I believe the majority of people who can shoot a service size pistol reasonably well can go to a 10mm without much extra practice.

I still prefer service caliber with deeper penetrating loads for black bear. I just don’t see them as that much of a threat.

[B Cart]

Too many people overlook a critical part of the equation and just go for more power.

How well do I shoot a .44 Mag? How fast can I make multiple hits? And how much time will I actually spend practicing with it, or with ANY revolver, when the answer to those questions are unsatisfactory?

I believe the majority of people who can shoot a service size pistol reasonably well can go to a 10mm without much extra practice.

I still prefer service caliber with deeper penetrating loads for black bear. I just don’t see them as that much of a threat.

This is the exact reason i went with the Glock 20. Shot multiple large caliber revolvers and didn't like the split times and small ammo capacity, when i could get 16 rounds of 200 gr solids in 10mm. I imagine it would be easy to miss a few times with the adrenaline and fight or flight impulses of a charging bear or moose bearing down on you, so i feel more rounds with more manageable recoil would serve better. And i also spend a ton of time in the mountains here in Utah, and there isn't anything here that needs more than a 10mm IMO.

[Krazykarl]

Does a G20 typically require a recoil spring upgrade for the high velocity hard cast loads?

[robbins290]

Does a G20 typically require a recoil spring upgrade for the high velocity hard cast loads?

No. Unless your planning to pound the hv rounds on it. I put a few hundred thru mine. Gen 3. All stock. No problems.

[SteyrAUG]

Too many people overlook a critical part of the equation and just go for more power.

How well do I shoot a .44 Mag? How fast can I make multiple hits? And how much time will I actually spend practicing with it, or with ANY revolver, when the answer to those questions are unsatisfactory?

Depends how close the bear is.

Every time I've been in bear country, it's been in Alaska so I give them the respect they deserve.

I also think if you are gonna live in bear country, you should put in the time to LEARN to use whatever you carry. It is no different than needing a bolt gun and having greater familiarity with an AR.

I'm not trying to beat Jerry, it ain't gonna happen, I just need to beat the bear. Assuming I see it in time, I could do that with a lever gun if I had to and I'm not a cowboy action shooter.

[comm2679]

Glock 20 is probably going to be the most proven option out there. My second pick would be a Sig 220. There are obviously other options with long track records (Colt Delta Elite, S&W 1006) but they have significant drawbacks in my opinion. Newer offerings include the Sig P320 X Ten, Springfield XD 10mm and S&W M&P10, and the jury is still out on those. I’ve not shot any of them but have handled the M&P and the 320. The S&W, while it feels slim, has what I consider a sub-par trigger and the grip texture is too aggressive for my liking. The P320 feels as chunky as the G20.

[HKGuns]

Y’all MIGHT get one shot off. You won’t be pumping multiple rounds from a semi into him. He’ll be on top of you before you know it, if you even see him.

The most overlooked aspect is what do you do if he’s on top of you? Push your semi into him and the slide will move and not fire out of battery.

Not an issue with a revolver.

[SteyrAUG]

Y’all MIGHT get one shot off. You won’t be pumping multiple rounds from a semi into him. He’ll be on top of you before you know it, if you even see him.

The most overlooked aspect is what do you do if he’s on top of you? Push your semi into him and the slide will move and not fire out of battery.

Not an issue with a revolver.

I've seen footage of bear attacks, if he is on top of you, you might want that round for yourself.

I agree that few people are gonna mag dump a bear, most don't charge 300 yards of open field coming after you. Most try and avoid you and when you wander too close they tend to burst out of their hide and slap all the ass off of you.

Most confrontations are you accidentally wandering into a feed area like a garbage dump, the bear expressing it's disapproval and you slowly leaving. This is why I say a powerful white light is probably as important as the firearm you carry.

[Straight Shooter]

I read OP's post several times. WAY out in the boonies..AWESOME. A HIGH probability of bear/ coyote encounters...check.
So I thought..."What would I/MYSELF actually do if I were in that position?
And I could not come up with any other solution at all. IF I lived there..and had animals i loved & cared about... and of course not wanting any harm to come to myself or anyone else with me, I could not in any way justify carrying a handgun..caliber be damned.
MY thoughts..what would be wrong with carrying a nicely slung SHOCKWAVE in 12 or even 20 gauge? Fit it with a Big Dot and a light...sling it in front ready for bidness,throw some 00 BUCK in it...and I & I THINK you, would feel MUCH MORE secure & safe knowing you had a vastly superior weapon for the task.
I dont mean to go outside of what you asked..but if I were in bear country and they & coyotes, hell there ARE Mountain Lions in NC too, fyi..had lost fear of humans, I wouldnt go any other direction than what I suggested.

[B Cart]

I read OP's post several times. WAY out in the boonies..AWESOME. A HIGH probability of bear/ coyote encounters...check.
So I thought..."What would I/MYSELF actually do if I were in that position?
And I could not come up with any other solution at all. IF I lived there..and had animals i loved & cared about... and of course not wanting any harm to come to myself or anyone else with me, I could not in any way justify carrying a handgun..caliber be damned.
MY thoughts..what would be wrong with carrying a nicely slung SHOCKWAVE in 12 or even 20 gauge? Fit it with a Big Dot and a light...sling it in front ready for bidness,throw some 00 BUCK in it...and I & I THINK you, would feel MUCH MORE secure & safe knowing you had a vastly superior weapon for the task.
I dont mean to go outside of what you asked..but if I were in bear country and they & coyotes, hell there ARE Mountain Lions in NC too, fyi..had lost fear of humans, I wouldnt go any other direction than what I suggested.

It's a good question, and i think the threat level should play a factor in the decision. In Utah, the threat level is very small, so I feel plenty comfortable with a pistol caliber. In Alaska though, if i were hunting or fishing remotely with a very high probability of encountering a Grizzly or agressive Brown, I would honestly probably take my 1301 Tactical shotgun with Brenneke slugs. And probably my G20 as well lol. Portability vs threat level is always a consideration, with the number of people you're with also factoring into the equation.