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

[Todd.K]

Does everyone here understand the OP is talking about black bear?

[robbins290]

Does everyone here understand the OP is talking about black bear?

I dont think they do, Being in the state with the highest black bear population. I can confirm that a 9mm will work with them.

[G woody]

I now have, from time to time, a bear in my back yard. Never thought it would happen here in SW Virginia. Don't expect them to attack, generally, unless cornered. I've taken Deer with .44 magnums & .45 auto. Clearly the same thing will work fine on the average black bear. I think I'd like the 10mm, just haven't got around to buying one. I really don't want to have to set up to load for another caliber. I have been up close to brown bears in Alaska & they are impressive. It would be a piece of luck to stop a big brown in a close quarters encounter. If you get a chance read Phil Shoemaker's account of his encounter with a bear at his digs in Alaska.

[B Cart]

Does everyone here understand the OP is talking about black bear?

I dont think they do

Seems to me like most people who've posted understood just fine. Maybe some conversations morphing to other potential bear situations, like in Alaska etc, where larger guns might be more beneficial.

[Todd.K]

The most compelling thing about a service size 10mm auto is that you don’t have to shoot it much if you regularly shoot a similar service sized pistol. I wouldn’t feel the need to reload for one.

Or shoot some .40SW in your 10mm, bonus you now have a use for the weak RSA that came with your pistol and should have been replaced by a spring appropriate for the full power 10mm you bought to shoot bears with.

[SteyrAUG]

Does everyone here understand the OP is talking about black bear?

So it looks like since 1900 there have been 61 deaths in the US from black bears.

In that same time frame there have only been 21 confirmed deaths attributed to great white sharks in the US.

But I really wouldn't screw around with either one.

More importantly there is LOTS of wildlife in NC mountains and honestly the mountain lions would concern me a lot more. I had a friend who lived there and one jumped out of a tree and walked off when we went out on his back porch. That was pretty eye opening.

If you "think" you are gonna be fine with 10mm then go ahead. I'm personally a lot more comfortable with a little more. Right now there are a bunch of people rolling a Taurus judge who think they are "just fine" and can't be told any differently.

[DG23]

More importantly there is LOTS of wildlife in NC mountains and honestly the mountain lions would concern me a lot more. I had a friend who lived there and one jumped out of a tree and walked off when we went out on his back porch. That was pretty eye opening.

While my Dobermans (rightfully) despise and LOVE to chase little cats -

I bet they would would piss themselves if they ran up on a BIG one that was NOT running away!

Would likely need new dogs after an encounter like that...

[G woody]

So it looks like since 1900 there have been 61 deaths in the US from black bears.

In that same time frame there have only been 21 confirmed deaths attributed to great white sharks in the US.

But I really wouldn't screw around with either one.

More importantly there is LOTS of wildlife in NC mountains and honestly the mountain lions would concern me a lot more. I had a friend who lived there and one jumped out of a tree and walked off when we went out on his back porch. That was pretty eye opening.

If you "think" you are gonna be fine with 10mm then go ahead. I'm personally a lot more comfortable with a little more. Right now there are a bunch of people rolling a Taurus judge who think they are "just fine" and can't be told any differently.

My Daughter & family have a cabin the N.C. Smokies. A couple of weeks ago their porch camera clearly showed 2 Bobcats walking on the porch!! One never knows !!!

[ssc]

I spend time up in the NC foothills and recently , we`ve been having some issues with black bear coming up on people`s decks , front porches etc . Coyotes are also beginning to be a problem with them coming up on decks and porches .... seems they have lost all fear of humans . This is a very rural area with the closet town 20 miles away and a whopping 4200 population , just what we wanted .
However , I have to take the dog out at night before bedtime and really would not wnat to surprise one , but it can happen . Not looking to hunt the bears/coyotes , just want something to stop them if I have to . I`m not looking for trouble , but want to have something to stop them if we can`t get away . Dog is a 100 lb Dobeman who thinks he`s invincible , but we all know better than that ..... also , he`s always on a leash at night and never left alone outside anytime .

I`m familiar with the Glock 10mm , but wondering if there is anything else out there I should consider .

So , you guys that have the 10`s , I`d like to know some pros and cons on what you use ..... all my stuff is either 9mm or .45 ..... thanks

Yes there are other things to consider and a new gun is the last thing to worry about. What is your skill level would be the first thing to ask. How good are you with your current pistol? Can you draw and accurately place rounds under bad conditions? Bad lighting, fighting with your dog and the leash pulling you. An aggressive critter ain’t going to be standing still and you need to be proficient with a rapid strong hand draw and fire accurate rounds keeping in mind where your dog is and possible backstop issues.

Have you practiced enough so muscle memory is built in for your strong hand draw and fire? Have you run your guns strong hand? Do they function one handed? Once you master those skills pick the gun you shoot best under those conditions and run it hard with a proper bullet to check for reliability.

I have been in numerous situations similar to what you are describing. Never had to tango with a bear but had a large pit bull come at me as I was walking my GSD. Had another situation while having my 120 pound rott on a lead. Another situation with a coyote and many situations with hogs and dogs in thick brush. Not to mention a few close calls in Zimbabwe.

You don’t need a new gun. Also, you want a stopper. First you have to hit it, but a “stopper” is a 454 and
I don’t think you need that. A few well placed 9mm rounds with a properly constructed bullet should do the job. YMMV.

Cheers, Steve

[Todd.K]

Yeah but can you stop a bobcat with anything less than a .500S&W?