Topic: The Best Bear Defense Handguns of 2023 (Read 36 times)
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The popularity of the 10mm Auto as a backcountry and bear defense handgun cartridge has brought a lot of attention and diversity to the offerings in this particular category. One of the most versatile 10mm pistols in the pack is the XD-M Elite 3.8-inch co*pact OSP. Its model name is a mouthful, but this co*pact 10mm brings the goods.
As the name indicates, it’s a co*pact 10mm pistol with a 3.8-inch barrel. It features a removable magwell and co*es with 11-round magazines. It’s also co*patible with Springfield’s sleeved 15-round magazines to match the capacity of the G20. In overall dimensions, it’s nearly identical in size to Glock’s co*pact 10mm, the G29. However, the Springfield is much more forgiving to shoot. It co*es standard with an optics cut and removable plate, but is also available with Springfield’s Hex Dragonfly red dot sight. I’ve settled on a Leupold Delta Point Pro for mine.
After reviewing this pistol, I bought it. You can read the full review here. I’ve carried it since then and have around 2,000 rounds through the gun without so much as a hiccup. I removed the magwell and found that it improved the grip for me. The gun is very controllable with full-house 10mm loads, especially using a GoGun Gas Pedal takedown lever, and I found that I only lose about 75 feet per second of velocity co*pared to a 5-inch aftermarket G20 barrel with hot bear loads.
A 10mm addition to the Smith & Wesson M&P line is a welco*e sight for M&P fans looking for a bear defense handgun. Built on the M&P 2.0 .45 ACP frame, the M&P 2.0 10mm features a full-size grip, 15+1 round capacity, and a 4-inch barrel. It features excellent grip texture and ergonomics, an ambidextrous slide stop, and reversible magazine catch button, making it lefty friendly. This gun also co*es optics-ready and includes several mounting adapter plates.
I tested and reviewed the M&P 2.0 10mm, then ran another one hard at our Best Handguns of 2023 test. It’s accurate, reliable, and has probably the best grip contour and texture of any factory polymer 10mm. For optimal fit, it includes the standard interchangeable M&P grip modules for a thinner or fatter grip. The stippling texture doesn’t slip easily, even with sweaty hands.
The M&P 2.0 10mm has a bit snappier recoil than the G20, but the secure, co*fortable grip makes it manageable. A big advantage for a practical bear defense handgun is training and familiarity. If you’re already carrying or shooting an M&P pistol, this is a great option for the backcountry.
This past year, FN USA brought another robust, dependable 10mm semi-auto to the market: the FN 510 Tactical. The 510 is based on the smaller 509 series and is a full-sized pistol that’s versatile, user-friendly, and totally ambidextrous. It co*es with a standard 15-round and an extended 22-round magazine that gives it unparalleled capacity for a 10mm.
I tested the 510 extensively and wrote a full review, but shooters who are familiar with the 509 series won’t find any surprises here. The pistol has a long-pulling double-action trigger and tall sights—the rear sight is protected from impact by a wing on each side. The 510 Tactical has a 4.71-inch threaded barrel that can acco*modate a suppressor or co*pensator, and the slide is optic ready. It’s a big pistol, but practical for the woods, especially for anyone who already shoots FN pistols well.
Along with polymer pistols, the field of good 1911 pistols chambered in 10mm Auto has grown in recent years. High-end 1911’s aren’t cheap, and many quality ones in 10mm will cost well over $1,000. Some of those are still finicky. Taylor’s & Co. has been importing some budget 1911 pistols that have impressed us—specifically in our 2023 1911 test. I’ve had the chance to shoot their 10mm M1911 A1 FS Tactical II model, and have been pleased with its performance.
I haven’t had a single malfunction with the pistol yet, and its basic feature set is in line with the budget price. It has Wilson co*bat-style grips, a magwell, ambidextrous safeties, a Novak-style adjustable rear sight, and a bull-profile barrel. The trigger is pretty good and the finish is better than other 1911 imports in this price range. Mine handles a variety of bear defense loads well, and for someone who is a 1911 die-hard, this is a solid option.
Variety is a good thing when it co*es to bear defense handguns, and Sig Sauer’s new P320 XTen is a welco*e addition to the market of 10mm handguns. The P320 series features mostly 9mm models, and has beco*e a big winner for Sig. This is partly because of its versatility. The XTen is an up-sized version that brings the P320 traits that many shooters like.
The XTen matches the capacity of most popular 10mm bear defense pistols and co*es with two 15-round steel magazines. The polymer frame is slightly larger than the full-size 9mm X-frames but features the same co*fortable ergonomics and grip texture. It has a flat trigger shoe and no trigger safety. Mounting a light on your bear defense handgun is a huge plus, and the XTen has a long 5-slot accessory rail. The 5-inch barrel gives a slight boost in velocity and a longer sight radius than most other polymer 10mm’s.
I’m in the process of testing and reviewing an XTen now, and I’m liking it. I’ve found it to be very co*fortable and manageable to shoot. I currently carry a P320 9mm daily, and the identical ergonomics and grip angle translate very well across both guns. I haven’t encountered any reliability issues so far, and it’s reminding me why I like the P320 platform.
Read our full review of the Sig Sauer P320 X-Ten.
Despite the contemporary popularity and perceived advantages of semi-autos as the best bear defense handguns, wheel guns still see plenty of use in the field. Many folks still consider them the only reliable option. Although not big by magnum revolver standards, the .357 Magnum has long been used here in Alaska as a bear defense cartridge and was championed by long-time Fairbanks bear defense class instructor Joe Nava. With heavy hard-cast loads, it penetrates deep and is co*parable to the 10mm Auto. I once had to shoot a “dead” black bear with a .357 when he stood up less than 5 yards away, and I’ll say that the performance was plenty adequate.
There are many great options for .357 Magnum revolvers—the Ruger GP100 for example—but my pick would be the Colt Python in a 3- or 4-inch configuration. I reviewed the 3-inch model earlier this year and was smitten. You can read that review here. This six-shooter looks fantastic, but also performs. The new Colt Python models are built to be as close to the original designs as possible, with some added mass in the upper-rear portion of the frame for added strength.
The fit on the new Colt Python 3-inch is tight, and operation is butter-smooth. You’ll lose a touch of velocity on the 3-inch barrel model, but I believe the convenience of carry to be worth it. It rides nicely in a chest holster and is very controllable during double-action shooting.
For big bear defense handguns, the Smith & Wesson 629 is hard to beat. Many laud the .44 Magnum as real bear medicine, and it’s got plenty of power for a bear defense handgun—as long as you remember that it’s still not a rifle.
The 629 is an excellent revolver. Its stainless-steel build is made to be subjected to the elements co*mon in bear country. The 4-inch and 5-inch models are 9.5 and 10.5 inches in overall length respectively, and they have a good balance of barrel length and handling for a .44. It’s a reasonably co*fortable revolver to shoot and holds 6 rounds of .44 Magnum or .44 Special. The rubberized grip is ideal for wet conditions and makes sharp recoil more tolerable.
If you’re willing to put in the practice, heavy .44 Magnum loads can give you an edge in penetration over less-powerful cartridges like the 10mm, but you’ve only got 6 shots, so make them count. The 4-inch Model 629 will weigh about 4 pounds loaded, so make sure you have a co*fortable way to carry it. Although the Model 329 PD is much lighter (and an excellent revolver too), the recoil is absolutely punishing, and you’ll be hard pressed to get anything on-target after the first shot. The Model 629 is a better balance of ease-of-carry and recoil manageability.
If you’re looking for tough and dependable, Ruger’s Super Redhawk revolvers are a good place to start. These double-action big bore revolvers have long been popular in Alaska, and I carried one chambered in .480 Ruger with a 7.5-inch barrel until I got tired of lugging the thing around. The Super Redhawk Alaskan is essentially a chopped-down 2.5-inch barreled version. That makes it significantly more convenient to carry than the full-size model.
Although there are a few bigger revolver cartridges out there, I consider the .454 Casull to be a good top end choice for a bear defense handgun. With rare exception, anything bigger is simply a novelty. The .454 is challenging enough to shoot well, and even the bigger cartridges still aren’t up to the level of a rifle. Like .44 Mag/.44 Special, you can practice with .45 Colt cartridges, and save the hot (and expensive) stuff for the field. Just be sure to hang on when you touch it off.
Although you sacrifice significant velocity by blowing a good portion of your powder out the end of that short 2.5-inch barrel, the ease of carry is what makes this revolver practical. Revolvers that get left in the truck or in the cabin while you’re doing chores are no good. The Super Redhawk Alaskan is one of the most carry-friendly big-bore revolvers. Its rubbery grip makes it pretty damn tolerable to shoot too.
There is no single best bear defense handgun for everyone. It’s important to understand that even the best or most powerful handgun falls well short of a big rifle’s power. A bear attack is guaranteed to be a dynamic encounter with innumerable variables.
What’s certain is that if you want to have a real chance to stop a bear attack with a handgun, you need to be carrying it—even when you don’t expect an encounter. You need to carry it so that it can be drawn quickly and easily. Another certainty is that you need to be able to draw and shoot accurately. Choosing a handgun that you’re co*fortable and proficient with is better than just chasing power. Finally, train with your bear defense handgun like your life depends on it, because it might.
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