I own several semi-autos, shotguns and rifles but not one revolver. I'm going to Alaska and need a good go-to side arm, and I want it to be a great revolver. My life might depend on it. What's the difference: in penetration of thick skins/bone, stopping power, effective range. What's a good barrel length, I'll be carrying it in an outside holster(any recommendations-comfortable for long walks). Also, what do you think of the Anaconda and Python ??
Please help and thanks
2006-08-04 13:20:29 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The .357 Mag is a borderline man stopper, don't think I would trust my life that one would stop a big brownie in its tracks...The 44 Mag can and has brought down large game, even Cape Buffalo and Brown Bear. Under the right circumstances, the S&W 629 or Colt Anaconda would be nice choices, IMHO more for black bear than brown... Both are great revolvers, well made and accurate...I have owned many S&W and Colts in both .357mag and 44Mag...I prefer the 629's...And if you said you wanted something for the lower 48, the 629 would probable be enough...Alaska that's a whole other ball game...
You can answer your own question, imagine a 1,000lbs of angry brown bear charging you from 50yds away, you are going to have about 4 seconds..If my life were on the line, personally I would chose a rifle, the 300 Weatherby Magnum at a minimum,or a 375H&H, 378 WBY Mag, 458 Win Mag, and my choice the 460 Weatherby Magnum...If you are determined to trust your life to a revolver then take the biggest baddest mother possible, the S&W 500, I like the 6in barrel best but they are hard to come by, the 4in would be my second choice...A shoulder holster if your walking and plan to fish...If you're going to be in a Kayak or Canoe I like to wear a holster, "cross draw"...
Effective range? - not to worry, if you need your revolver, the bear will be coming to you...How good a pistol shot are you? If a car was coming at you(fast) could you shoot out both headlights before it ran over you...That's pretty much what you would be up against...The only place you can shoot a bear and put it straight down is in the shoulder. Break the shoulder the bear goes down...You shoot that bear anyplace else all you're going to do is piss him off, oh he might die later, after he gets finished with you...Even with heavy caliber rifles, Alaskan bear guides "suggest" not to shoot any brown bear that is within 50 yards of you...A wounded bear isn't going to be very happy...That said I'm sure you're going to find out all you can about how to avoid bears...
P.S. Ignore all advice from NY Yankee fans
2006-08-04 18:41:52 · answer #1 · answered by jack 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Be more concerned about what ammo to use.
The .357 is a Strong gun but the .44 is a lot bigger and the 454 Casoul.460 .480 500 S&W are even bigger.
My S&W 629 Classic 6" barrel 44 MAG would be my choice it has quite a punch and is light compared to the larger magnums.
I have a 454 with 8" stainless barrel. It is like carring a cement block .
Ammo that expands will not penetrate bone very well.
Ammo that does not expand might go right through without much stopping power.
I also have the Python w 5 3/8 barrel
Practice shooting the gun-you may need a second shot and large heavy bullets in a magnum revolver have a lot more felt recoil than your semi-autos.
A friend shot my 454 and missed 2 days of work because of the pain in his harm.
2006-08-04 16:52:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Alaska definitely go with the .44 Mag. Forget the Anaconda, it is not made to Python specs. Go with the S&W 29 or 629, or the Ruger Super Blackhawk or Redhawk.
The Glock G-20 is another good choice. It is ballistically identical to the old .41 Magnum and holds more rounds. It is durable, reliable and holds more ammo.
I'd only go with the .357 Magnum if I couldn't handle anything bigger. Then I would pick the Python, if possible, with the 6" barrel.
H
2006-08-04 18:56:45 · answer #3 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The .357 Mag is a borderline man stopper",The stupidity of that statement taints the respondent s entire article. A 357 Mag loaded with Double Tap or Buffalo Bore ammo,(125 g,. 158 gr, 180 gr) will stop any man no matter how big and stop them very very quickly. For Alaska I carry a 375 H&H Magnum Savage over my shoulder and a 357 Magnum on my hip. Very few people can hit anything with a 44 magnum or larger and the short barrel .50 S&W will likely break your wrist if you pull it fast and don t support it very carefully. I don t understand how this site determines expertise.
2016-02-13 20:11:10 · answer #4 · answered by Doug 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
44 Magnum Python
2016-11-09 23:09:30 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.44 are 2 times as powerful as a .357
2016-03-26 23:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go for the S&W 500. It was designed for a grizzley and the kodiak bears. I think the you have a two hundred yard range from what I've read. They make a 4 in barrel and 12 in barrel I would carry either length
2006-08-04 18:57:56 · answer #7 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My go to side arm is a S/W 41 mag in a 6" barrel. I have never shot a finer handgun. Also I have hunted with it as primary weapon, has harvested several animals up to Elk
2006-08-04 13:50:38 · answer #8 · answered by Maxwell Smart(ypants) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
how much do you have to spend ???? 357 cheaper guns but 5 or 6 to a bear...hope your a good shot...454 casull very powerfull verry adequit, very pricey 44 mag decent not to much money....if i had the loot check out smith wesson 460..it also shoot 454 and 45 lc
2006-08-04 18:50:00 · answer #9 · answered by Heidi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out Ruger's new Alaskan series revolvers. they are short barrel's in big calibers. you'll probably just have to carry that heavy pistol, and hopefully not shoot it. lighter and more comfortable.
they do have the 2.5" barrel in .44Mag. sounds like a perfect match.
see www.ruger.com and go to the revolver section.
2006-08-04 13:28:35 · answer #10 · answered by more than a hat rack 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋