So Ernie. What say you on a backup for Brown Bear in the thick stuff.
I chose my .45's as I already have them. I am very familiar with them,trust them,and know what they will do and what I am capable of doing with them. Riding crossdraw the 4 5/8th is my constant companion in the woods.The 7 1/2 in .480 Super Redhawk is just too heavy and just dosen't point as quick or as well for me.

Sorry guys but I just can't see a "backup" gun being an X-Frame hanging off your chest. Or anything in a chest holster for that matter. No matter if your primary is a rifle, another pistol or bow. Chest rigs get in the way of binos, shirt pockets, etc. If your moving, stopping, putting on and taking off raingear they are a pain. I think a backup gun belongs on the belt with a 4-5.5" barrel. Strongside or crossdraw either way. It's NEVER to be taken off until you crawl in the sleeping bag and then it come out of the holster goes in the bag with you! Otherwise it's not a backup!

My backup/fishin/berry patch gun is a a 4" Redhawk converted to 454 magnaported. Load is a 355gr WFN hardcast that I cast. 1300fps. I pack it strongside in a Simply Rugged pancake so all I have to do is give it a yank and out it comes.



Latest config is with UncleMikes grips and high viz front site. So far so good.

To be considered is whether or not one will be wearing a backpack while in such country as you might need such armament. Many backpacks have waist belts to help distribute the load on the hips. If such is the case, a hip mounted sidearm is right out in regards to options. There is just no comfortable and practical way to wear a hip holster and a pack's waist belt at the same time. In such a case, a centerline chest rig makes the most viable sense in utility and location. Even a cross draw won't work with a pack's waist belt.

Food for thought.

I agree. I don't think I am at some disadvantage with a chest or shoulder rig as far as quickly accessing my firearm is concerned. But, that's just me.

When I had the encounter with the bull I was wearing a hip holster. With a chest rig or crossdraw my gun may have been trapped as he hit me in the chest .Once on the ground I was still laying on my chest and he was on my back pounding me. Have no idea when or how I drew the gun but it was in my hand.What ever you wear, or how you wear it practice with it.Some times you do not have time to think, just react. Bear country isn't the only place you may NEED your gun.It needs to be a heavy enough caliber to get the job done yet light enough to pack ALWAYS .Leave it in camp to go to the john or the truck because its heavy and you are unarmed. You never know when you will need it.

Amen brother!

my s&w model 69 310 grain hardcast 1150 fps

Ernie I'll be the odd man out here. For back up I'll take the S&W model 57 in .41 mag loaded with a Barnes XPB that I have hand loaded. I am extremely confident in my shooting ability with the mod. 57 and the Barnes bullet.

Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For guys who don't reload, what would be some of your top recommendations?

Can't go wrong with Buffalo Bore or Grizzly Cartridge have many suitable loads in the calibers being discussed. Double Tap also has a 320 grain WFN load (in .44 Mag) that would be great for backup duty. I would steer clear of expanding bullet loads for defensive duty as you want unparalleled penetration.

That is one reason I like the Barnes bullets. I have always got excellent penetration.

I agree they are great bullets, but for defense, I personally want a bullet that will go deep.

The gaping hollowpoint and relative light weight of the Barnes XPB makes me very leery of its use against dangerous critters. That is, those bigger than mountain lions.

For a non handloader the .475 5in {if you can handle the recoil] with a hardcast or punch bullet or the .480 Ruger for less recoil and still a .475 bullet also 5 in.. But I sure wouldn't feel under guned with a 5 in .44 and the same hardcast or punch bullet. Buffalo bore makes a heavy load for the .45 colt also and I would still prefer that ,just a high comfort level with my .45's carried crossdraw.

Taurus 5" Professional Hunter in .454 Casull. Matte Black Stainless with a J-Point Red Dot. Carried in a Simply Rugged "Chesty Puller" chest holster. Ammo would be WW Black Talon Partitions (still have a few) or the CPBC 335 gr. WLNGC.

Underwood ammo is another good brand. Chrono tests usually live up to their claims, although I found their 10mm 200 grain lead ran slow in my gun. The 180 JHP was as advertised.

Worth a look, anyway.

A lot of good comments here. Whitworth always has good advice. Penetration is everything when defending ones self against a bear attack. No place for hollow points. It's really difficult to best a good hard cast heavy bullet regardless of the caliber.

On some occasions I carry a Redhawk 4" 45 Colt with 300 grain bullets in the same rig as Snyd, only on the correct side. Quite often I carry a Ruger 5.5 inch Bisley flat top in 44 Special with either 250 grain SWC or 300 grain WLN bullets cast 50/50 WW/lino. I have 7.5 inch Bisleys in 357, 41, 44 and 45 but really prefer the 5.5 inch 44 or the Redhawk for every day carry. For years I carried nothing but a 6.5 inch Blackhawk in 41 mag with 280 grain WLN's and never felt undergunned.

I see a lot of guys show up at the range, new to Alaska, with way more handgun than they are capable of handling effectively. After watching some of them shoot the only thing I can say is, "Lord, please don't let them have to defend themselves against a bear."

I'd much rather see guys carrying a 44 Magnum with a 300 grain hard cast bullet at 1100-1200 fps they can shoot well than something more powerful they cannot effectively handle.

Well said. But, make mine a 45 ;-)