What Hand Cannon?

[fightingquaker13]

This is a semi-casuall question. I am looking at backcountry defense guns (Dad expressed an interest in Ak. for his big trip). So, here are the parameters. This isn't a CCW gun, so no snubbies need apply. Likewise its not a target piece so no scopes, lasers etc.. Honestly, there isn't a handgun made that will stop a grizzly. I'll settle for just getting its attention in a hopefully lethal (to it not me) way. Basically that puts me looking for a 4" -6"barrel in .44 mag and up. Realistically, what works? .454, .50, .44 mag, what? Post trip, if I don't sell it, it will be consigned to knocking pigs down inside of 50 yards. I want these pigs to not only go down, but bounce when they do. (Otherwise I'd just use a .357). So, under $650, DA and a big bang. Where do I look?
FQ13   

[philw]

so I guess you are not after this one then

[CDR]

FQ,

If money were no object I would say a Freedom Arms Model 83 in your choice of 454 Casull, .500 Wyoming Express or .475 Linebaugh is the way to go.  Large calibers such as these would be a must for me when encountering Alaskan bears, and I question whether 44 Magnum is enough gun for a grizzly.  I would play it safe and go for 454 Casull or above. You would need to go around 2 grand for one of those Freedom Arms beauties, however. 

So given the target price you indicated, I think a slightly used Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan chambered in 454 Casull would be an excellent choice, albeit a 2.5" barrel, and you said no snubbies.

http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/models.html

If you simply can't live with the short barrel, Ruger makes a standard Super Redhawk chambered in 454 Casull with a 7.5" barrel. 

http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/models.html

I would suggest, however, that you reconsider your barrel length requirement as you want a revolver that allows for the quickest draw possible in brown bear territory and the 2.5" barrel would be ideal in that regard.  A charging bear requires that you shut him down instantly so you need to hit him within the triangle formed by the two eyes and the nose.  Otherwise, he will still get to you.


S&W's 500 is also a nice choice (with deactivated lock) but a bit more money.  A guy shot one off at the indoor range I shoot at last year and set off a car alarm adjacent to the range wall.

Good luck in your selection.  Sounds like a great trip.

[BAC]

The 4" Redhawk in 44 magnum should fit quite nicely into your price range.

[Hazcat]

Go with a .454 and you can shoot .45 Colt from it as well.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

FQ,,

A 4" barrel .44 Mag will stop a polar bear.  Your choices are many.....besides, if you're in AK, you'll need a 12 ga as well, no worries!

[tombogan03884]

I would not bother with anything over 44 mag. 4 - 6 inch barrel.
You can get the Freedom Arms BFR in 45/70 if you want, YOU'RE the one who will be toting it all day.
If you pick any of the really big blasters it will be heavy and you will get sick of carrying it around, when you REALLY need it it will be in the truck or back at camp.

[Hazcat]

Get a Redhawk in .45 Colt and ammo from Buffalo Bore.

[BAC]

Get a Redhawk in .45 Colt and ammo from Buffalo Bore.

I've been thinking about saving up my pennies for a 4" Redhawk.  Since I don't reload, isn't .44 magnum cheaper and more readily available than .45 Colt?

[Hazcat]

Cheaper, not necessarily.  I will say finding 'full power' .45 is tough (I get reloads that shoot about 1200fps).  The regular .45 is about 750-800 fps.  So of what you can find easily the .44 is more powerful.