which 9mm would you prefer

[Timothy]

Western states?

Grizzle bear.......  .454, .44 Mag, S&W 500 minimum for 800 lbs of pissed off carnivore!

Personally, I'd get a guide gun carbine in .45-70....

[Big Frank]

If they're just black bears a .44 magnum is big enough but that would be the minimum caliber for me to feel safe.

[philw]

I have the Taurus 92, which is the fixed site version of the 99. It's a rock. I got it because I prefer the decocker on the frame instead of the slide.

I have the best of both worlds   

I have the PT99   in 9mm  I also have a Slide of a PT92   so I can swap between fixed it adjustable sights   as the Comp I shoot has different classes  and to make it a Class 1 I need to have the fixes sights     I do prefer to shoot it with the adjustable sight though

[philw]

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.

I do agree though    for Bear's I would be NEEDING  something a crap load bigger   

in handguns

.44Mag  or a .454 Casull   

Rifle   a Carbine /  Leaver in the  in the same  calibres 
or a .45/70     

you never want to be under gunned  I personally would not use an 9mm for Bear 
however for personal defence  (CCW) or range shooting  then  yep  good round


there was an attack recently 
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/31/man-kills-charging-bear-with-454-casull/

Greg Brush, an Alaskan fishing guide, was ambushed with no warning by a charging bear. All he had time to do was pull out his .454 Casull and fire as fast as possible, while falling backwards after tripping on a branch. The Anchorage Daily News reports:

He drew a Ruger .454 Casull revolver. There was no time to aim, barely time to squeeze the trigger. He’s not sure whether he got off two shots or three, but one proved fatal.

“Total luck shot,” he said.

“It doesn’t get any closer. He slid by me on his chin when I shot him,” Brush said. “I was backpedaling as fast as I could. I wasn’t even aiming. I tripped over my own feet as I pulled the trigger.”

He estimated that the animal weighed 900-plus pounds, and was 15 to 20 years old. It had grass packed in its molars and little fat on its bones.

“It was starving to death and saw an opportunity,” Brush said.

I sometimes get asked what should be carried in bear country. I always say the same thing: “I know nothing about bears but if I was in bear country I would want a .44 Magnum by my side”. I despair when people say they would rather carry their 9mm or .40 S&W Glock because they can get off more shots! This story perfectly illustrates that you may only get off one or two shots at a charging 900 pound beast! A 9mm round is not going to do much good.

Tom Gresham has an interview with Greg on his Gun Talk show.

[Combat Diver]

I selected the M9 but I'm biased in that regard as I have over 20+ years shooting one for the Army (issued a rifle and pistol every time) and have about 30,000 rds easy through them.  Can easly hit 100m in DA mode and was working on my Distungished Pistol Badge when I retired.  Did carry the M9 in Africa couple of times for protection agaiinst Leopard, Loin, Hyennas, Baboons,etc (also had a M14, only other choice was a M4 carbine).  Learned to carry it concealed as I purchased my own Beretta 92.  The Taurus is built on old Beretta machinery sold after their Brazilian military contract was completed.  Early 92s had a frame mounted safety and mag release was on the butt of the gun.  No experince with the Ruger.  Of the 3 parts, mags and assesories are easier to come by for the Beretta.

 There is one story of an Alaskian fisherman killing a large brown bear in a stream after an attack with a Taurus 9mm.   His buddy had a slung 12ga with slugs was the one immediately attack and went under as the bear charged.  Shooter shot the bear many times with 9mm ball and killed the bear before it could injury the other fisherman.  This was several years ago.  I would think that the attack of bears and mountian lions to be minimal compared to the larger threat of 2 legged vermin.  I would also prefer a large frame Smith starting with .41 Mag on up (seems there is a M58 in the safe  )

CD

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

In one of the spookiest blog posts he ever wrote, MB described being awakened by a mountain lion's cough at 2AM. So what does this gun guy do? Grab his Sig P226 in 9mm - his bedside gun. Better than nothing I guess.

Don Worsham got quote of the day when he said something like "Sig P226 against a mountain lion? You're a braver man than I am" - or something like that. 

[Rastus]

I went with the SR9..but only with tht $20 connector from Ghost that brings it down to 5-6 lb trigger.  I loved the one I had but no so much after the trigger upgrade so I gave it to someone who needed a weapon (returning Iraq vet) as his choice between the SR9 and a CZ 75.  I told him about the trigger so...don't jump on me he picked it out and his use is strictly closse in defense.

I have been waiting for a good trigger so I'm going to treat myself to an SR9 and a connector for Christmas...I have the 5 Shot leather IWB waiting on it.  It's thin, light and reliable and I really like the safety on the SR9.  I put 1,200-1,500 rounds through it with nary...nary...a failure with any ammo I fed it.

[ratcatcher55]

Should add none of the above to the survey.

The M-9 is a decent side arm but too big for concealed carry for someone my size.

[texcaliber]

I am going to respectfully state this, there are much better guns for your choosing for the price range of the 3 guns.

But a Beretta Centurion served me well for personal carry for many years.

tex

[jaybet]

Seems like there are two questions...one- what kind of 9mm do you prefer, and "None of the above" should have been provided with those choices. Second- what to carry if you're concerned about large animals. Again...none of the above. If there are free roaming apex predators in your future you want minimum 45 LC, but you'd be better off with 44 mag, etc. like so many have stated here. These would also work on the two legged predators.

On the 9mm question, the Beretta is a tried and true gun, and a good gun. It may not be everyone's preference, but it's a good choice. The Taurus is a copy of that Beretta. Why buy the copy when you can have the real thing? Also, I have had personal experience with a Taurus that is just not 100% reliable. Third choice, Ruger SR9. I have strong opinions about that particular model which I won't rant about. Suffice it to say I don't see it as a great choice, as evidenced by what they're selling for these days. Nobody is talking about the SR9 anymore.

I have had excellent personal experiences with the M&P9, Sig Pro 2022, and Glock 26.