Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    North of Jim Thorpe, Bear Creek Lakes, Pennsylvania
    (Carbon County)
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    Default Black Bear Defense

    What's the best hand gun for black bear defense?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Washington, Pennsylvania
    (Washington County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Revolver or semi?

    I'm thinking a 10mm or 44 mag. Others with actual experience will chime in.
    FOAC Member, NRA Member

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    North of Jim Thorpe, Bear Creek Lakes, Pennsylvania
    (Carbon County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    revolver

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    N/A, Pennsylvania
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    40
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    The gun you have at that moment you need it.

    But how about 10mm, 44mag, 357mag, or larger...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Feasterville, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    56
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Maybe a Hi-Point in .45 acp? It has at least put down one bad acting bear.
    IANAL MPMO VIVA CUBA LIBRE

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Glockin, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Glock 20

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Consider the nose the 10X and hit it with a 125 grain Hydra-Shok .357 Magnum or larger caliber. They hate that.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Windsor, Pennsylvania
    (York County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Go big or go home in pieces

    .44 Magnum ( revolver and semi )
    .460 Rowland ( semi )
    .454 Casull ( revolver )
    .460 S&W ( revolver )
    .500 S&W ( revolver )

    Or really big ( size ): BFR 45/70 revolver ( May be a little too big to get into action quickly, unless your Paul Bunyun )
    TERRA MAGNUM IMPERIUM

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lebanon, Tennessee
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    I know you asked about a gun, and I'll get to that, but for black bears in PA, the best defense is just letting them know that you're there. They eat berries, not people. Recent attacks involved either getting too close to cubs or startling the bear.

    That said, I carry a .44 Taurus Tracker in a Hill People Gear chest bag when I'm hiking or backpacking alone in bear country. Additionally, I carry bear spray as my first line of defense. Most bears in PA will take off when they see you, and still even more will take off when sprayed. The gun is my last line of defense if I find myself having to actually fight a bear..., or 2 legged creatures.

    Justin
    Life has a melody. Not great, not terrible.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Kutztown, Pennsylvania
    (Berks County)
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    Default Re: Black Bear Defense

    Quote Originally Posted by JustinHEMI View Post
    I know you asked about a gun, and I'll get to that, but for black bears in PA, the best defense is just letting them know that you're there. They eat berries, not people. Recent attacks involved either getting too close to cubs or startling the bear.

    That said, I carry a .44 Taurus Tracker in a Hill People Gear chest bag when I'm hiking or backpacking alone in bear country. Additionally, I carry bear spray as my first line of defense. Most bears in PA will take off when they see you, and still even more will take off when sprayed. The gun is my last line of defense if I find myself having to actually fight a bear..., or 2 legged creatures.

    Justin
    Yell & make noise, yeah. Bear spray as a backup & whatever handgun I have on me at the moment - usually my normal self defense gun, an XDs 45.

    My feeling is that a human attack is more likely than one from a bear, but I do carry spray when going in thick woods.

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