In anticipation of the new National Parks allowing concealed carry and a personal experience with no less than THREE bear encounters while hiking/fishing, I decided to upgrade my arsenal. A present to myself for Fathers Day. This is a Colt 45 Commander that should discourage a bear from making lunch of me or my companions. Of my three encounters, ONE was particularly scary. It was then I decided that not allowing one to protect oneself from bear attack was at least nonsense and at best STUPID. When I fly fish Wyoming and it’s National Parks, I hike into the remotest areas where such encounters are very possible. I intend to harm no animals unless they intend to harm me.
My other concern it this administration’s inclination to disarm even law abiding citizens. The naivete in THAT is beyond MY comprehension.
From what I have read, the 45 pistol round wouldn’t even slow down an angry bear–thank goodness I don’t have any up-close and personal experience. It does look like a nice pistol, though, and should work well on other predators.
Id, take my bear spray over that any day. Why cause Bear spray is a cloud, and you don’t have to be accurate. I have seen on a couple occasions, the bear hit the cloud, stop dead and then turn and run.
I seldom ever post unless I can improve the silence, so here I go. Fwiw, if you’re going to carry something, get something capable of doing the job. A 41/44 mag, 12 guage with 00. I will/do carry either and bear spray, Counter Assault. Would also recommend a book, “Mark of the Grizzly”. Think long and hard and PRACTICE before implementing these tools. Best of luck. And yes I am and do fish grizzly country very often.
Vdub
Don’t know if a .45 ACP would stop a charging grizzly, but there is just something nice about wrapping your hand around a 1911. Great looking pistol. If I had my druthers I’d take one over most any other pistol.
Good on ya, Marco. I would probably have Hydra-Shoks in it instead of the hardball, but…
I would much rather carry a handgun I could shoot well, even if it is not the most powerful one in the world, than a hand cannon I am not completely comfortable shooting. I wouldn’t hesitate to use my .40 on a bear if the need arose. I would prefer a shotgun but it is apain to carry when you are flyfishing…
In bear country, we usually carry Winchester defenders, 12 ga, … 00 or slugs. 7 in the magazine.
With a side arm, … practice make good, … experience is the road to perfect. Practice isn’t plinking at the dump. Practice is a couple THOUSAND rounds gong down range coming out of the holster, … double taps. Use range rounds to practice and that hottest loads you can find or load for real life.
Some think a side arm is too small for bears, … then again, … it is handy to put one in the leg of your buddy when worse come to worse
Bear spray is sort of effective … IMHO, prevention is the best tool for the job. Be aware … Be Bear aware.
Gentlemen et al,
Thanks for the comments. My experience with this weapon in the US Army and firing perhaps many thousand rounds with the Army issue version played a major part in my decision. A “few” years ago, I was able to fire two magazines into the “point rings” of a standard target at 25yds in 15 seconds. ( The “good guys” could do it in less than 10). I’m sure I’ll need to do a few more “plinking at the dump” sessions to recover that skill and I intend to do just that.
At this point, I am not familiar with loads and bullet types so I do appreciate the suggestions given so far. I intend to try several loads and determine their effects on accuracy etc.
Also, I agree it’s not the “best” choice for my ultimate intended use BUT, as suggested by some, a cool head and accuracy in it’s use will even the odds considerably.
Also ( again) my canister of UDAP will always be with me.
Nice idea, wrong caliber. I have a 1911 style gun, but it’s in 10mm. Double Tap makes a 220gr hard cast lead load for the 10mm that should take care of any black bear, could probably take out a grizz with a head shot. And I highly suggest getting a laser sight grip. They make them for 1911s.
Just think that model is the sharpest ,most timeless handgun going .
I know almost nothing about that model (Army time meant rifles or other “toys” for me) but have been itching to get one for myself for a long time. My Dad built two of the military versions quite a while back and has promised one to myself and brother ( now that we are mostly grown , me =53 & bro=42 a cop for the last 21) and might be responsible enough to not put our eye out with one.
No bears where I fish but that is the gun for me to take to some of the places I fish. I’ve checked the ballistics .
Pretty darn good for a nearly 100 year old design .
Gentlemen,
As I stated earlier, I have NO idea as to loads for my intended use. The rounds in my photo are “Aguila” 45 cal. 230 grain full metal jacket. This whole weapon purchase episode was somewhat of an impulse without much study. Basically, I liked the gun and as aforestated, had some experience with it. But that was a “few” years ago.
I would appreciate information regarding loads for this specific caliber and my intended use. I’m confident that under certain conditions I will hit my target and depend on THAT to make up for any caliber deficiencies .
By the way, this model was the cheapest Colt 45 “off the rack” in the shop at $799.00.
I have been following this thread with interest. It keeps coming back to me that I hope the bear is not between you and me when you start shooting. I’d rather get a couple whiff’s of bear spray than one round with a “full metal jacket.”
John
P.S. Hoping this does not violate BB policy on talking about war, “Full Metal Jacket” does bring back some memories.
For advice on loads, talk to your local law enforcement types. There are a LOT of decent loads out there designed for poking large holes in things. I personally prefer Federal Hydra-Shok loads. So far they have killed everything I ever shot with them (both 9mm and .40), and the exit wounds are…impressive. However, your weapon may like certain loads and not like others, so check out several if possible.
You may have to tweak your piece a bit to get it to function well with hot loads. There are no end of aftermarket parts, including springs, etc for 1911-style weapons.
A gun is always better than NO gun.
No gun means you are an instant victim.
So ask yourself, Am I a Victim? Or am I a Survivor?
And frankly, it’s those two legged varmints that are more apt to bother you than some old bear. 8)
Hiya Marco, … that (imho) is the important part. When you LIKE a weapon, you take care of it, practice with it … it will be your “go to” toll of choice. You’ll be comfortable with it.
When I “reach for” a Colt, it just feels like a stranger, … I’m just not “used” to them in hand.
Good idea to check with the local cops. They could point you in the right direction for a “stopping” load. ShurLock has always been a good stand-by, but a local club may have some custom rounds to try.
The speed of an angry bear is astonishing. Even the “good guys” would be lucky to get a single shot off while the bear covered those 25 yards and that one shot would have to be very accurate to do any good at all.
