What would be the best kayak pistol?
 

Just back from a four day trip Kayak Camping near the Diablo Dam area of Washington State. Bear warnings where numerous and each campsite I stayed at was equiped with sturdy steel "Bear Boxes" to stow your food in. Unfortunately previous campers to the sites were lax about packing out food scraps and trash. I was woken several times by bears prowling the area. With storage space in a kayak being minimal I had packed the smallest center-fire handgun I owned. I carried with me a early seventies model Colt Detective Special with Federal +P rounds. And when the bears where around I felt - undergunned. So, just thought I'd ask for others opinions on what would be a better choice. The parameters would be...
1. Small to medium frame handgun. Short barrel.
2. Stainless would be best. Titanium - NOT!
3. Equiped with either a large hole in the muzzle area or having the word - MAGNUM - written somewhere in the vicinity.
4. One that would cause only a modicrum of grief when lost overboard due to operator error. (Worse case senario.)

Never having owned a Ruger (center-fire) pistol before I am considering their SP-101.

Regards,

Base

Base, I'd be more tempted to get a S&W 44 magnum with 2 1/2 barrel.

At the least a Charter Arms Bulldog. For close in like this a revolver is nice to have, and I am an auto guy, but a revolver will usually work.

A S&W 45 ACP is okay, but I'd go with a 44 Magnum, but might be smarter to use some of that pepper spray, spray it into your eyes and you don't have to watch the bear eat your legs! :D

Ed

Base,

I do a lot of boating on the costal waterways and rivers in FL. Local "bears" (monsters) include sharks and alligators. My boat gun is a stainless Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum with a 4 3/4 in. barrel. I think it's a great gun, perfect condition, very accurate, paid $300 for it. As a last resort I would shoot it underwater if necessary.

One that keeps ending up with me on my canoe/kayak/camping trips is a Colt Trooper .357, has a 4 3/4" barrel. I took it out today and fired 100 rounds of .38 and six .357s. No bears down here but its more than powerful enough for anything I'd ever see, is very accurate, cost $250, keep in my a boat between my feet in a small tackle box that floats with other stuff I don't want to get wet on the boat floor, bring along six extra rounds of warmly loaded .38 and six of top end high power hollowpoint .357.

rk

Get a pistol model that is not too large and has no sharp edges or corners. And no hammer spur. With smooth grips and be sure to file off the front sight. That way it will not hurt so bad when the bear shoves it up your posterior. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

For hunting small game you might want to consider the Charter Arms AR7 22lr rifle. When parts are packed up into stock, it will float. For a new, inexpensive, compact .44 Spl, I'd also recommend their Bulldog. TH

I think most of the respondents may be bigger shooters than boaters. You need a weapon that can be COMPLETELY dismantled for cleaning and drying out, assuming that you did not part company with it. A Ruger SP101 would be a fine choice. However, considering the not inconsiderable risk of losing the gun, a cheaper solution would be a used stainless Ruger Service Six. They're available for about $200, can be had in .357 magnum caliber, and can be totally field stripped for cleaning/drying. Your biggest problem is how to keep the gun dry and secure while kayaking, and still have it ready for quick use. I use a small Tupperware container with vaseline smeared around the sealing surfaces. This will usually fit into a canvas military canteen cover attached to an army web belt. You do have to unsnap the canteen cover, pull out the Tupperware, and yank the lid off the container, but with practice this can be done in under 5 seconds. The Ruger Redhawk offers the same field-strippability in a .44 mag package, but the size is too big for kayaking (in my opinion). The Redhawk might also affect your buoyancy. It's a hoss.

Very well said Tac, I know you have thought about this since you have considered moving to Kanadia. Then you would instantly buy those damn ankle bells, so we would then know if you HAD been eaten by a bare, uh, bear. We'd say, oh those were Tac's colors, blue bells...

Ed

PS: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">8. Lastly, don't think that because you are on four wheels you can get away - we were chased at 32 miles an hour in a Hummer by a VERY annoyed bear, and I'm not saying exactly where it was, but it begins with an A and ends with an A. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Anastasia, it's Russian, but not a place...

and I can see that your "hair" is still standing up from the chase!

:D

Ed

A 44 magnum for a black bear is a maybe at close range. A BIG AFRICAN rifle, or a LARGE shotgun loaded with slugs is the ONLY way I would take on a Larger Bear (Brown, Griz, Kodiak (actually same as a Brown)) Killing a bear up and close with handgun is a trick at best.

Ed if you can see Tac's hair stand up... YOU are the one with X-ray vision... :D eh Tac?

His picture senior (is that how you spell the Spanish word, or is that a slip of the tongue?)

:D

Ed

Ed, you have obviously confused "Ig", the guy in his avatar photo, with Tac... while they are longtime friends, they are not related...and don't look alike...

The one photo I have seen of Tac is not high enough resolution to publish here... but I can guarantee you that just like me, his hair doesn't ever stand up! :D

(Tac, this is your cue to send me a new photo in sharp focus...)

Bumper sticker I saw yesterday on a colleague's car:

I used to be schizophrenic...but we are okay now!

:D

Gentlemen, <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" />
There is no question in my mind that given a ten yard head start I can stay ahead of any bear!
If you do not believe it I'll be glad to explain how and why. :rolleyes:
ViggoG

There is a story about a hunting guide and the hunter being attacked by a bear. The guide wore tennis shoes and the hunter said, you can't out run the bear, the guide replied, I dont have to out run the bear, I just have to out run you! (old joke, I know) Ever see the movie "The Edge" excellent bear footage! Just looked up the BIO on Bart the Bear that was in this movie (now deceased) he was 9'-6" tall and weighed 1700 lbs. COWABUNGA...now dat is der big bruin!!! "OUCH....now that is going to leave a mark!"
http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/bartbear.jpg

My very unprofessional choice would be one of the double-barreled 12 gauge "coach guns" that are being sold for the Cowboy shooting games. They reasons are a follows:

It is just for short range use and a side-by-side shoots two shots faster than a pump and has fewer parts to go wrong. There would not be time for a 3rd shot anyway or if there is, the bear was too far away to justify shooting it anyway.

It can be kept in a plastic bag and could be fired without removeing it from the bag if the need arose. No ejecting cases and all that.

A 12 gauge has much more stopping power than a pistol.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Hmmm, Bear 9'-6": weight 1700 lbs.: Me 5'-8" 145 lbs. Handgun??? Hmmm... Me think he smoke to much loco weed... 12 gauge side-by side with slugs for bear
1911A1 for me for when I shoot bear, make bear mad,so I put ME out of misery when mad bear eats me.

Just my 1 1/2 cents worth

MG, you and me are on the same sheet of muzak, <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Ed

Don't worry about it! Get a police surplus .357 Magnum Smith@ Wesson 686 revolver(much more effective than the old stick launched spears of our ancestors). Just remember; you can always eat a bear:? or ? maybe the bear eats you( I don't remember which)? I can tell you from experience, don't cook anything in camp you are not ready to die for. Eat meager stuff, bears like good food. Live off trailmix.

Okay Viggo... I'll bite! (pun intended) How you gonna stay ahead of any bear if granted your ten yard head start?

( I am probably going to regret asking this! )

John, I'll bet it has something to do with slippin' & sliddin' in a matter deposited on the ground behind Viggo at every step! :D

John, :rolleyes:
Somehow me thinkith that "Doubs" has done a bit of hunting in bear country. :D
He knows that the one running up hill on dry ground, is so much faster. <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
ViggoG
PS, Have you by chance been told that,
The Right Swiss Grip is "Right". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
and
The Left Swiss Grip is also "Right". :confused:
and that makes it "Wrong". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

If I'm packin' for bear, nothing short of a 105 howitzer is going to make me feel secure. Just need a bigger kayak

When the Bear attacks, do 1/2 round of boxing. Then after he gives you a real good jab: PLAY DEAD !!

For other possibilities, I'll go for a S & W M29 4in. with 300gr heavy loads...

Kidvett

Has any one given thought to a MAC-10 or 11 in 45ACP? I believe they come with a 32 rd. mag. Might be enough to get the job done, or at least even the playing field...

Hmm..surprised at some of the choices here. Let's assume you are gonna have a chance to do anything (and the chances are slim) then you will probably not do a lot to him with a few shots from any handgun. So you are gonna need multiple shots. So let's count out a revolver. If I had to choose a revolver, for size and power, a Charter Arms bulldog or any short barrel .44 mag would be my choice. However, since I want more shots, and ultimate resistance to rust, I would go for a Glock. More than you want to spend, but the G29 in 10mm will do the job well, otherwise a G27 or 23 for size, even though the .40 is a bit underpowered for this purpose. I vote G29, 10mm with the (preban) G20 extension mag for 13 rounds. Use FMJ for penetration. Hey, just my 2c, but think about it.

Hey Guys! I've watched some programs on poachers in Africa...(taking rhinos!) in every picture where they have busted a poacher, they show an abused and well used AK 47! I think we're missing something here.. perhaps a lot of high energy ball ammo in the head, neck, spine might keep you from getting the unit shoved up your posterior, (as Wes stated earlier).... I'd stake my chances on an AR 15... I know that at the very least, I'll hit him! Till...later...GT

I've never hunted in bear country, but here's my take on it. If you put 20 dudes with short barreled, .44 mags against 20 bears.... likely one of the dudes will get a shot off into the eye, skull, or throat of the bear (at contact distance). Maybe you disagree and put the chances at 1/30, or 1/40, but whatever the chances, carrying something will give you psychological comfort as you navigate the woods. If you are the type of person who thinks, "I will be the one out of 20," it will give you great comfort.

Besides, would you rather spend your last moments in a momentary tactical retreat waiting to spring the last ditch, all-or-nothing counterattack or spend them running down a hill like a scared chicken with sullied pants. When you get to heaven and attend your first "Mauled by a Bear" support group meeting, would you rather be in BDU's or a chicken suit? "Hello, my name is Roger and I ran like a chicken..."

Maybe I watched too many army movies as a youngin' or maybe I haven't run into enough wild bears (none, as of this morning), but that's how I see it anyway.

Most of the bears I run into wear red bandanas and shoot back. I've been fortunate enough never to have to shoot at or be shot at by one of them, but I've run into my fair share of them. I do feel that although my tactical approach will be different if I run into a brown furry one, my mindset will be the same... "I'm going home today."

Jack