Is the 1911 the Ideal Woods Gun?

[UC_Guy 1971]

If I know I'm heading into the woods? I'm okay with a 9mm but I would probably either take my .40 (G23) or, more likely either of my Taurus .357 mag revolvers. When hunting I take a 4" Tracker 627. For fishing or hiking it would be the 3" 605 Defender (this has replaced my 605 Protector, the poly model).

Load	Typical Barrel	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Expansion (in)	Penetration (in) bare/denim		Notes
.40 S&W 165 gr Federal HST (Glock 23)	4.0″	1130–1140	465–475	0.74–0.78	13.5–15.5
9mm +P 147 gr Winchester Ranger T (P-07)	3.75″	1020–1040	370–390	0.69–0.74	14.5–17.5
.357 Mag 154 gr Federal HST (4″ revolver)	4.0″	1350–1400	620–650	0.70–0.75	16–19
.357 Mag 135 gr Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel	2″–2.5″	950–1000	270–300	0.68–0.74	12–14		Designed to expand at lower velocity

While I know .45 would be fine. I would prefer one of my wheel guns.

 

[somorris]

In my state (Arkansas), we have had two men killed this year by black bears. In the past, I have been okay with .22 LR, but I am starting to think that is a little under gunned. My preference is a stainless revolver in 357 or 44 magnum.

 

[southtex]

A 12ga tactical with a sling loaded with slugs would work as well.

 

[MrMichaelActual]

I am not any kind of fanboy, but in this particular case I carry my Gen 5 G20 MOS with a Green dot Holosun... love that 10mm punch. While I prefer my Sig P320 X10, if I fall into mud and am covered in clay and it is raining during the apocalypse, that dang Glock will still fire. Heck, just wee on it to rinse it and go...

 

[southtex]

The performance need for griz is deep penetration, and with a hard cast bullet the 10mm out performs the .45acp.

He stated the 10mm has deeper penetration but the .45+P penetrates deep enough to hit the vitals of the bear. He chose the diameter of the .45+P hole over the deeper penetration of the 10mm through nothing vital.

 

[HayesGreener]

I am not any kind of fanboy, but in this particular case I carry my Gen 5 G20 MOS with a Green dot Holosun... love that 10mm punch. While I prefer my Sig P320 X10, if I fall into mud and am covered in clay and it is raining during the apocalypse, that dang Glock will still fire. Heck, just wee on it to rinse it and go...

I would be glad to help with rinsing your Glock if it falls in the mud...

 

[MrMichaelActual]

I would be glad to help with rinsing your Glock if it falls in the mud...

You can pee on my Glock anytime!

This is just weird now... Don't pee on my Sig cause it will rust.

 

[MrMichaelActual]

You can pee on my Glock anytime!

This is just weird now... Don't pee on my Sig cause it will rust.

I had to look back to remember how the heck we got here...

 

[OldGrunt]

Interesting fact...Hy-Point owners drink their own urine. So, Glock owners shouldn't ask them to wiz on their pistols.

 

[powerboatr]

well. most of the 1911s are range babies

in the woods the xd service 9 mm or 45
why you ask? because they have been dropped, swamped, muddied, etc and hide the wear well
my 1911s would bug me to no end if they got dropped

 

[Talyn]

He stated the 10mm has deeper penetration but the .45+P penetrates deep enough to hit the vitals of the bear. He chose the diameter of the .45+P hole over the deeper penetration of the 10mm through nothing vital.

What vitals? A side shot into the heart/lung area, or directly into the brain thru the skull in a frontal shot?

I see no language in this (the featured) article about the 10mm, nor the 45+P, penetrating deep enough.

Keep in mind a fatally wounded griz/brown bear will still kill someone if you don't shut down the CPU.

In his OP article it's the author's opinion is a standard velocity .45 FMJ is adequate for deep penetration. But in the "linked-to" Buffalo Bore states a couple of their loads are designed for deeper penetration, and there's nothing in the Buffalo Bore linked to page about the .45+p being better..

Since the author lives in Texas where there are no Griz, his opinion is pretty weak outside of the conditions that he's used to encounter in TX.

 

[HayesGreener]

What vitals? A side shot into the heart/lung area, or directly into the brain thru the skull in a frontal shot?

I see no language in his (the featured) article about the 10mm, nor the 45+P penetrating deep enough.

Keep in mind a fatally wounded griz/brown bear will still kill someone if you don't shut down the CPU.

In his OP article it's the author's opinion is a standard velocity .45 FMJ is adequate for deep penetration. But in the "linked-to" Buffalo Bore states a couple of their loads are designed for deeper penetration, and there's nothing in the Buffalo Bore linked to page about the .45+p being better..

Since the author lives in Texas where there are no Griz, his opinion is pretty weak outside of the conditions that he's used to encounter in TX.

I'll just be in the truck....

 

[Anchorite]

Both the 10mm and the 45ACP are, in reality, marginal, against a charging bear, but the proper bullet, that is moving just fast enough, will penetrate, and perhaps expand if a JHP, otherwise a good SWC will punch a wide enough hole, to create blood loss and affect blood pressure.

I think BOTH are those choices that you use carefully, on close shots, when properly loaded and in the hands of a disciplined shooter who will refrain unless given the right presentation.

It’s all going to be reduced to a few precious heartbeats of time if you find yourself in an unfortunate encounter. You better be confident in what you’re carrying and how you are positioned for presentation when that moment comes.