About to Buy a Heavy Duty Handgun

[Ruger4Life]

ANY Ruger .44 magnum, except the Vaquero (t’s a bit light and not quite as strong as the others), is more than adequate to take any large game on the planet (with appropriate loads and proper shot placement). Larry Kelly (Magnaport founder) did so decades ago with a .44 custom Super Blackhawk (including Kodiak Grizzly, Polar Bear, and the African Big Five). It’s a good read if you check out the articles. Of course, using a .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, and .500 S&W and such calibers are more efficient, but the recoil can be punishing

 

[Forte S+W]

A Heavy Duty Handgun that can drop a Grizzly, you say?

You just described the H&K USP45!

The H&K USP45 is one of the most Heavy Duty semiautomatic polymer-framed pistols in current production. Designed based on the stringent specifications of the US Navy SOCOM, the USP45 is an evolution of the Mk23, a handgun intended to fire the absolute hottest .45 ACP loads for the purpose of serving as a primary weapon for USMC SpecOps. Both the Mk23 and USP share an almost legendary lineage of surviving some of the most grueling torture tests ever performed, as well as holding up to extreme conditions on the field.

The H&K USP is one of the very few pistols in current production that can handle .45 Super and even its hotter cousin the .450 SMC right out of the box without any need for modifications. In terms of ballistics performance, .45 Super/.450 SMC are roughly on par with 10mm Auto, but with larger diameter bullets and substantially lower peak operational chamber pressures.
Sure, it's no .44 Magnum, let alone a .500 Magnum, but it's substantially lighter in weight and therefore easier to carry in the field at 33oz with substantially less recoil as well.

 

[Ruger4Life]

I understand the appeal of the semi-autos in.40 and 10mm, but you would be hard-pressed to find any dangerous game hunters that use them when hunting deadly animals. Most go for .44 cal and up

 

[2wheelwander]

My first thought was a .357 mag. Get a GP100 4" barrel and smile all day long.

Of course a matt finished Taurus or other vaiant would be cheaper, but the mountain lions wouldn't think you are as stylish.

 

[JustJake]

I understand the appeal of the semi-autos in.40 and 10mm, but you would be hard-pressed to find any dangerous game hunters that use them when hunting deadly animals. Most go for .44 cal and up

Reading comprehension?

The OP wasn't talking about the handgun hunting of dangerous game. He's wanting a sidearm for personal protection in the great outdoors.

As far as the 10mm, and specifically as chambered in the Glock model 20, it's currently the military sidearm of Denmark's Sirius Sledge Patrol soldiers. They patrol the arctic regions of Greenland where occasionally they run into aggressive Polar bears.

The Sledge soldiers are not out there hunting Polar bears. Their G20s are carried for immediate personal protection to stop or turn a charge when they can't get to their 30-06 rifles in time.

More here: https://www.guns.com/news/2019/11/06/glocks-m1917s-the-redoubtable-arms-of-the-greenland-patrol

 

[Forte S+W]

I understand the appeal of the semi-autos in.40 and 10mm, but you would be hard-pressed to find any dangerous game hunters that use them when hunting deadly animals. Most go for .44 cal and up

According to Elmer Keith, an accomplished hunter, rancher, and the man responsible for the creation of Magnum Cartridges, any game in North America can be taken with a 255gr bullet @ 1000fps. In fact, that was what his original load for .44 Magnum called for, but cartridge companies decided that they could do better, so they spiced it up significantly. Obviously, 255grs @ 1000fps isn't exactly a tall order, in fact .45 Long Colt Black Powder loads accomplish that kind of performance, as do full SAAMI Spec .45LC Smokeless Powder loads or .44 Special +P.

Don't get me wrong, I'm generally of the opinion that if one anticipates a Grizzly Bear encounter, then they ought to carry the biggest, most powerful firearm that they can possibly carry. (My first choice would be my Mossberg 590 Shockwave loaded with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs.) However, not everyone can shoot .44 Magnum let alone more powerful Magnum Cartridges efficiently, and with proper loads a wide variety of cartridges will get the job done.

 

[Drm50]

I think the guy with mountain lion record kills used a 7.63mm C96 Mauser. A 357mg would be my choice for both. 357 is not my favorite but will do the job, and lighter to carry than my favorite a m25 S&W 45Colt.

 

[Jack19]

Read this.

Carry what you can shoot well and hit with.

https://www.ammoland.com/2020/03/up...r-attack-93-cases-97-effective/#axzz6sCxRXwI6

 

[totaldla]

Ok, I know I'm going to get flamed here. But as an option a G19, loaded with Lehigh extreme penetrators.

2nd choice would be a 44 wheel gun, probably a super redhawk

3rd choice, Glock 10mm with full power loads (underwood)

Extreme penetrators don't - much better off with 147gr hardcast.
https://general-cartridge.com/2019/06/09/underwood-xtreme-penetrators-clear-ballistics-gel/
https://general-cartridge.com/2019/06/11/underwood-9mm-40-sw-hard-cast-in-clear-ballistics-gel/

 

[RETG]

Old thread, but I'll jump in...
Since you are worried about black bears and mountain lions, I would ask the size of your black bears.
Example, when I lived in SE UT, the blacks up in the Lasal Mountains were small, the .40 I carried loaded with 200 gr Buffalo would take one down; however, never had a problem with them; they would rather run than stand their ground.

As for mountain lions, the ones I KNEW OF that I ran across, were easily chased away with three rounds in the ground just in front of them.

However, I'm pretty sure a 200 gr .40 would take them down with no problem. However, it's their home, I prefer to get them running vs. shooting them.

 

[osbornk]

A few years ago, I asked the president of the local bear hunting club what they used to hunt bears with. They use dogs to chase them up trees and then use Ruger 357 Magnums to shoot the bears out (a few use 30-30s) I figure if it is good enough for them, it is good enough for me so I carry a 3576 Magnum snubby (they use longer barrels). It onlu holds 5 but I'm not sure I could shoot more than that with the recoil I get. We have black bears here.