Question for the firearms afficianados out there.

[AUS]

Ok I can't comment on the bear thing, about the only things that want to eat you here are crocodiles Mosquitos and sharks (discounting snakes and spiders that just want to bite you, and things like kangaroos, buffalo, camels, and cassowary that just want to hurt you).

Yes a little strange seeing people just going out and buying a handgun, here you can only get one after you join a pistol club, have a police check, own a safe, and then you can only carry it between the club and your house and that's it.

I was a shooter for years (no longer licensed though) and used to own a .44 mag lever action rifle. I remember the recoil was bad compared even to my .308 probably because the thing was so light. I'd hate to feel the recoil in a handgun...

 

[TheReddish]

use to hike in AK if the are just black bear a shot in the air will have them running for the hills, if a bear is going to come at you, you want a rifle. Not a hand gun, large brown bears are fast, they have thick skin a thick skulls, you may not have time to epmty a clip from a hand gun, but it should not take more than one round from a 308 or larger, 338 ultra mag comes to mind. I never once had to chase a bear off, I saw many but they wanted nothing to do with me. But all it takes is one bad bear, just like ppl some bears are bad news.

 

[sesam]

My own favourite is the "Baby Eagle" and I use it with 9mm.
I have been doing some "practical shooting" earlier in my life so I know a little about
handguns.

If I were to go into bear country I would at least buy a .44 or .454 revolver,
the Desert Eagle .500 is nice also but it's a little heavy and it can take a while
to align the bear with your sight.

If you can use a rifle instead I would go for that, there are some good
rifles out ther with shorter barrel.

Most important is that you practise a lot before, cause you want have time to think
if you will be atacked by a bear!

 

[Seoul_lasers]

Ok I can't comment on the bear thing, about the only things that want to eat you here are crocodiles Mosquitos and sharks (discounting snakes and spiders that just want to bite you, and things like kangaroos, buffalo, camels, and cassowary that just want to hurt you).

Yes a little strange seeing people just going out and buying a handgun, here you can only get one after you join a pistol club, have a police check, own a safe, and then you can only carry it between the club and your house and that's it.

I was a shooter for years (no longer licensed though) and used to own a .44 mag lever action rifle. I remember the recoil was bad compared even to my .308 probably because the thing was so light. I'd hate to feel the recoil in a handgun...

Actually I have shot a .308 cal handgun. It was a lever action. Yes, the recoil is insane.
Same with the 7mm mag handcannon made by the same company. If you fail to hold the gun properly (leaning into it) you'll be eating the butt of grip in the back of your head!! I thought the Desert Eagle .50 was hard on recoil.. actually not too bad, just hard on the pocket book.

 

[sesam]

The desert Eagle uses the gas from the explosion to reload, that's why it's quit nice
and does not recoil so mutch as some others