which 9mm would you prefer

[twyacht]

couple of friends had a run in with a a couple of bears and a mountain lion near my claim.

Uh, could I talk you into a larger caliber? Something like at least a .357 or something that begins with a "4"?

[1911 Junkie]

None of the above.

For bear and mountain lion, get something bigger.

[GUNS-R-US]

well to let yall in on what i want it for I do recreational gold prospecting in some remote parts and this past summer a couple of friends had a run in with a a couple of bears and a mountain lion near my claim. I am looking for a side arm to be able to carry and  switch mags easily  , as long as they let us be I will do the same but as we all know the nature of the beast  he makes his own calls and i want to be prepared to answer that call  just in case since I usually have my family with me

In a simi-auto you should think about something more like a 10mm Glock 20 for the four legged defense, most 9mm's would just piss a Bear off!

[ericire12]

+1 on the bears = larger caliber thingy

[tombogan03884]

 Same as they said, the only thing a 9mm will GUARANTEE with Bears and mountain lions is that you can put yourself out of your misery while they go look for a garnish.
.357 is absolute minimum, if you want an auto loader that is a rock and will do the job go for the Glock 20 10mm under $500.

[Sponsor]

[fullautovalmet76]

Welcome Au_Some!

Like the others here, I strongly recommend you consider a much more substantial caliber for mountain lions and bears. Michael Bane usually carries a .44 mag revolver (Ruger I believe) for hiking on the trails in the mountains near his home.

And here is something you should consider as well, no matter which caliber/pistol you choose, can you shoot the gun accurately and rapidly with your support hand alone? If you can't do that, consider changing one of the variables = caliber/pistol.

-FullAuto

[GUNS-R-US]

Same as they said, the only thing a 9mm will GUARANTEE with Bears and mountain lions is that you can put yourself out of your misery while they go look for a garnish.
.357 is absolute minimum, if you want an auto loader that is a rock and will do the job go for the Glock 20 10mm under $500.

just my .02 worth, but I think the 9mm would do okay for the lions. Their fast and dangerous but not very big! Bears on the other hand have a much bigger build to them.

[twyacht]

9mm just won't cut it...Sorry.

Large caliber pistol, shotgun with slugs, or tactical buck,/ carbine/ rifle backup, with a partner(s) equally armed.

Hope you strike it rich, remember not all the "critters" around your claim may be on 4 legs.

[GUNS-R-US]

9mm just won't cut it...Sorry.

Large caliber pistol, shotgun with slugs, or tactical buck,/ carbine/ rifle backup, with a partner(s) equally armed.

Hope you strike it rich, remember not all the "critters" around your claim may be on 4 legs.

Shotguns are harder to carry than a pistol but still a very good Idea for the all around performance!!! Bear, Lion, Man good for all

[Pathfinder]

I voted for SR9 based on 2 things:

1. MB and The Pincus' recommendaitons
b) I know nothing about the Taurus, the M9 Beretta is too big for my hand, so by default - SR9

Depending on use and purpose, I would go to Glock for cheap, large capacity badness, or Sig for style, elegance and just coolness. When I thought I might be working in Minneapolis (I'm not), I was looking to a Glock 17 in 9mm with the little Kel-Tec folding rifle that uses the Glock mags so I wouldn't have to worry about which mag went where. Strictly a GOOD scenario and weapons.