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Actually it was 20 feet, not yards where the knife got there 1st. I still think I would be able to get at least 3 shots off at that distance but not saying it would stop a charging bear. Guns make noise that deters most animals unless it's on top of you in which case prayers and screams are your only weapons. I've heard bear spray works well on human threats also. I have only needed to brandish a gun once and that was on two tweakers in New Mexico at a very remote campsite with my family.
That actually attracts the meth heads.
If cross compatability of ammo is important, I'd have to agree that a .357 would probably be the best option. Personally I'd probably go for a barrel in the 4-6" range. IMO the 8+ plus barrel is just too long, but opinions are like...
Depends on the situation. I've never seen it happen, but I know that I'd been dropping deer remains on the established gut pile at the hunting club and had them very excited in close proximity. I couldn't see them due to being dark and undergrowth, but there was a whole pack of them not 10 yards away, probably a good bit closer. Maybe they wouldn't come out and bother me while I was in the area, but it's not a chance I'm willing to take unarmed.
Ok, but that's ignoring capacity difference. You've got 5 shots in your revolver vs 10+ in his 9. I'm guessing at numbers, but you get the idea. You've got to reload twice for every one of his. Your revolver reload already takes slightly longer to reload, then add second complete relaod process int he same number of rounds.
| Revolver | Pistol |
| 5 | 10 |
| 15 | 20 |
| 30 | 40 |
| 60 | 80 |
| ... | ... |
All the more reason to carry.
Keep your .38 snub (that's what I carry--a Charter Arms Undercover--chrome with wood service grips) and get an air horn. Nothing short of that 12 gauge will reliably kill a bear. The air horn will scare it off every time. Shooting it and not killing it means you are engaging it. Blasting it with the boat horn disengages it.
I only honk when horny.
I’ve never really been a .40 cal fan. I’ve shot a number of different ones over the years and found they like to really flick the muzzle which can be a little hard on the wrists. They were kinda built to try and be a “compromise” between the higher velocity of 9mm and the stopping power of a .45acp, and in my opinion are a poor compromise. I’ve found that a good .45acp is more easily controlled and a pretty effective round, especially when used with modern self-defense ammo like the Hornady Critical Defense. Heck, even the commonly found ammo for it isn’t something I’d want to be hit with, 230 grain bullet nearly 1/2” in diameter…
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