Wheel guns! show us your woods protection

[badweatherbiker]

Picked this one up recently as a camping/ hiking/ kayaking carry piece.

Taurus 605 defender, what are you using?

I have a big bore wheel gun for the northern hikes for anything larger than me.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

I carry a 2 inch version of the same. That 3" looks pretty sexy though

 

[AwDang]

357 isn’t enough?

 

[badweatherbiker]

Most of the time it is, but when it's not there's always .45 colt

 

[badweatherbiker]

I carry a 2 inch version of the same. That 3" looks pretty sexy though

I also have an 856 ultralight CH, I pocket carry it alot it's a pretty sweet 6 shot

 

[AwDang]

All the 2” Taurus revolvers are under appreciated.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

357 isn’t enough?

Some of them critters up north get big and toothy.

 

[badweatherbiker]

Some of them critters up north get big and toothy.

Yes they do

 

[AwDang]

Some of them critters up north get big and toothy.

Maybe out west....but 9mm has been cited as a highly successful in close encounters with bear per studies.
Back east, a 357 will deal with anything in a close encounter.

 

[Pdsmith505]

This is my one and only wheelgun... A S&W Model 57 .41 magnum target.

Old man bought it when I was 9 years old or so... so I could chase mountain lions in the four corners region... It predates a lot of the S&W shenanigans, and thus has no safety lock hole.

Still have the wooden box and accouterments.

It came with dies, bullets, and a suggested loading for accuracy as well.

I've run the same 20 casings through it for 25 years now.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

Maybe out west....but 9mm has been cited as a highly successful in close encounters with bear per studies.
Back east, a 357 will deal with anything in a close encounter.

That's good info as for the 9mm and a bit surprising actually. I carry one of those once in While as well

 

[Gravelcruiser]

This is my one and only wheelgun... A S&W Model 57 .41 magnum target.

Old man bought it when I was 9 years old or so... so I could chase mountain lions in the four corners region... It predates a lot of the S&W shenanigans, and thus has no safety lock hole.

Still have the wooden box and accouterments.

It came with dies, bullets, and a suggested loading for accuracy as well.

I've run the same 20 casings through it for 25 years now.

A beauty and a treasure as well. Once had a 586 that I still kick myself for letting go.

 

[badweatherbiker]

This is my one and only wheelgun... A S&W Model 57 .41 magnum target.

Old man bought it when I was 9 years old or so... so I could chase mountain lions in the four corners region... It predates a lot of the S&W shenanigans, and thus has no safety lock hole.

Still have the wooden box and accouterments.

It came with dies, bullets, and a suggested loading for accuracy as well.

I've run the same 20 casings through it for 25 years now.

Nice old Smith!

 

[Pdsmith505]

A beauty and a treasure as well. Once had a 586 that I still kick myself for letting go.

Nice old Smith!

Interestingly enough, the original owner happens to be my uncle... and he's been interested in getting it back for many years now.

He'll be disappointed though, because I'm looking for a lever-action in .41 magnum to complement it.

 

[AwDang]

That's good info as for the 9mm and a bit surprising actually. I carry one of those once in While as well

The study only looked at documented encounters. The story is out on the web somewhere, i don’t remember all of the details. But the jist I got was; it seemed to be the gun they had vs the optimal gun.

Here’s the study

Handgun or Pistol Defense Against Bear Attack: 73 cases, 96% Effective

Another ten cases have been added to the cases where pistols or handguns were used in defense against bear attacks. The total now is 73 cases. There were 3 failures. Handguns were 96% effective.

www.ammoland.com

It points to the fact, any caliber is better than nothing.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

The study only looked at documented encounters. The story is out on the web somewhere, i don’t remember all of the details. But the jist I got was; it seemed to be the gun they had vs the optimal gun.

Here’s the study

Handgun or Pistol Defense Against Bear Attack: 73 cases, 96% Effective

Another ten cases have been added to the cases where pistols or handguns were used in defense against bear attacks. The total now is 73 cases. There were 3 failures. Handguns were 96% effective.

www.ammoland.com

It points to the fact, any caliber is better than nothing.

An interesting read and I think most of us that pack truly hope we never need it.

 

[Pdsmith505]

An interesting read and I think most of us that pack truly hope we never need it.

I think most owners of fire extinguishers also hope they never need it.
Then again, I hope I never need to use my spare tube on a ride.

 

[Alan F.]

I think most owners of fire extinguishers also hope they never need it.
Then again, I hope I never need to use my spare tube on a ride.

I wish I could hit LIKE twice on this occasion, both are damn good points you've made here! Being prepared may seem extreme and sometimes unnecessary, but for that one time the odds are unfavorable....
I need to order a tube & irons for my Enfield.

 

[WECSOG]

Taurus Tracker .44 Mag.

 

[High Country Herb]

There are 1000 lb bears in Alaska. I have read about hunters finding .44 mag bullets wedged in their fat layer while skinning them. In general, I think a few well placed shots with a magnum should work, but there isn't always time. I read about this encounter where a .454 Casull was just enough.

Charging Bear Killed in Alaska

The story (and photos) of Greg Brush's near-fatal bear encounter near Soldotna, Alaska.

www.fieldandstream.com

He used a Ruger Alaskan snubnose, which I think is about the smallest .454 Casull. It also has the benefit of being able to shoot the cheaper .45 Long Colt rounds. There are bigger calibers, but not with the option to shoot cheaper rounds.