Is a revolver enough gun for concealed carry and defensive requirements?
Yes. Gun guys tend to quibble about capacities, calibers, sights, and holsters, when the biggest obstacle to personal safety is between one's ears.
Unless you're a deep undercover operative being hunted by both the KGB and cartel assassination squads, then a modestly sized gun is likely to suffice.
That's because MOST of them think they are Rambo or something and dream of the day their greatest fantasy comes true and they actually have to use their guns.
But most of them are nothing more than mall ninjas in reality in their drunken Stupers.
Ankerson and others: Related question: What is a list of Revolvers and their calibers that in an emergency situation you would trust to fatally take down a full-sized charging grizzly/brown bear or Kodiak or even Polar bear in one or a few shots? Does such a weapon/tool/firearm exist or is the answer that only powerful, high-velocity long-guns and automatic or machine weapons can do such damage?
I ask because I have heard of experienced cold weather survival people like native Inuits/Eskimos and Arctic people like Lapplanders (Finland) using lower powered guns like .22 rifles to take down such beasts. But there may be other factors involved.
I know in the 19th century the British had a "howdah" gun that took down full sized tigers, allegedly.
Ankerson and others: Related question: What is a list of Revolvers and their calibers that in an emergency situation you would trust to fatally take down a full-sized charging grizzly/brown bear or Kodiak or even Polar bear in one or a few shots? Does such a weapon/tool/firearm exist or is the answer that only powerful, high-velocity long-guns and automatic or machine weapons can do such damage?
I ask because I have heard of experienced cold weather survival people like native Inuits/Eskimos and Arctic people like Lapplanders (Finland) using lower powered guns like .22 rifles to take down such beasts. But there may be other factors involved.
I know in the 19th century the British had a "howdah" gun that took down full sized tigers, allegedly.
None.
As a min for a rifle for that would be the .375 H&H.
Ankerson and others: Related question: What is a list of Revolvers and their calibers that in an emergency situation you would trust to fatally take down a full-sized charging grizzly/brown bear or Kodiak or even Polar bear in one or a few shots? Does such a weapon/tool/firearm exist or is the answer that only powerful, high-velocity long-guns and automatic or machine weapons can do such damage?
I ask because I have heard of experienced cold weather survival people like native Inuits/Eskimos and Arctic people like Lapplanders (Finland) using lower powered guns like .22 rifles to take down such beasts. But there may be other factors involved.
I know in the 19th century the British had a "howdah" gun that took down full sized tigers, allegedly.
A charging polar bear? There is no gun too big. A .458 SOCOM in an SBR AR platform can throw a 550gr slug subsonic at over 1000fps. Or supersonic 300gr at >2000fps. Small and compact and easy to carry. If you are *hunting* polar bear, a .338 Lapua would be plenty. The polar bear might be able to use the .22 for taking small seals if he is still hungry after eating you.
Ankerson and others: Related question: What is a list of Revolvers and their calibers that in an emergency situation you would trust to fatally take down a full-sized charging grizzly/brown bear or Kodiak or even Polar bear in one or a few shots? Does such a weapon/tool/firearm exist or is the answer that only powerful, high-velocity long-guns and automatic or machine weapons can do such damage?
I ask because I have heard of experienced cold weather survival people like native Inuits/Eskimos and Arctic people like Lapplanders (Finland) using lower powered guns like .22 rifles to take down such beasts. But there may be other factors involved.
I know in the 19th century the British had a "howdah" gun that took down full sized tigers, allegedly.
A .44 Magnum using Grizzly/Buffalo Bore/Underwood hard cast 300 grain lead bullets will shoot through a bear. A 480 Ruger is even more powerful and still shootable. There are more powerful handgun cartridges, but they recoil so badly that most people can't shoot them well enough to defend themselves from a bear. One round will probably not be enough.
Big bears have been killed with 9mm and 10mm handguns, but this isn't recommended and not a first choice. Usually, it was a one off case because it was the gun they had at the time. I know of a case where a game warden was killed and eaten after having shot a big brown bear with a .30-06, twice. Handguns are puny in power by comparison. Having lived and hunted in Alaska, I can say don't believe youtube and internet lies.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
What makes Underwood Xtreme Defender good/special/preferred? Asking because I'm clueless here.
Ever since Ghub stepped out of his cave and threw a rock at the head of his annoying neighbor, humans have debated the advantages of different projectiles. The argument continues to this day with rifle and pistol ammunition.
You're probably familiar with copper jacketed lead projectiles that everyone has been using for well over a hundred years. In the old days it was ok. Modern computers and whiz-bang technology have greatly improved performance of all types of ammunition. The modern bandwagon upon which many are jumping is "monolithic" projectiles. Underwood bullets are a single chunk of copper that is supposed to be superior to an old-school jacketed lead hollowpoint.
The Underwood claim is that it provides the optimum 12"-18" of penetration in ballistic gelatin, even when shot through barriers such as drywall, sheet metal, and automotive glass.
Ankerson and others: Related question: What is a list of Revolvers and their calibers that in an emergency situation you would trust to fatally take down a full-sized charging grizzly/brown bear or Kodiak or even Polar bear in one or a few shots? Does such a weapon/tool/firearm exist or is the answer that only powerful, high-velocity long-guns and automatic or machine weapons can do such damage?
I ask because I have heard of experienced cold weather survival people like native Inuits/Eskimos and Arctic people like Lapplanders (Finland) using lower powered guns like .22 rifles to take down such beasts. But there may be other factors involved.
I know in the 19th century the British had a "howdah" gun that took down full sized tigers, allegedly.
A .44 Magnum using Grizzly/Buffalo Bore/Underwood hard cast 300 grain lead bullets will shoot through a bear. A 480 Ruger is even more powerful and still shootable. There are more powerful handgun cartridges, but they recoil so badly that most people can't shoot them well enough to defend themselves from a bear. One round will probably not be enough.
Big bears have been killed with 9mm and 10mm handguns, but this isn't recommended and not a first choice. Usually, it was a one off case because it was the gun they had at the time. I know of a case where a game warden was killed and eaten after having shot a big brown bear with a .30-06, twice. Handguns are puny in power by comparison. Having lived and hunted in Alaska, I can say don't believe youtube and internet lies.
If I lived in an area where dangerous game like large bears are I would opt for like I said before a .375 H&H, preferably a double rifle.
Same goes if I lived in Africa.
Remember you are not hunting, you ARE being hunted, there is a massive difference here.
I have had lots of talks with guys who went to Africa on Safari every year back in the day. Used to help my gunsmith get them ready for Africa every year. The guides are not carrying pea shooters believe me.
.30 caliber is an absolute minimum if you are defending yourself from a bear, but bigger is better, especially if we are talking polar bear territory. If there was a possible but unlikely chance of encountering a bear, .308 or .30-06 could be considered, but if there is a high likelyhood of encountering a bear, you should have at least one person in your party, or be carrying yourself, a bear stoping rifle in the most potent caliber you can handle. Many Canadians who live in the woods never leave their house without a shotgun loaded with slugs. Shotgun slugs have excellent stopping power.
A revolver is enough for most law abiding citizens but I will say the criminals around here get caught with full size 17 round Glock 17’s with the auto switches on them. Some have the happy stick extended magazines that are like 30 rounds. If this person set upon you for violence and was committed, a 5 shot J frame would seem incredibly underarmed. I moved to a Glock .380 for summer carry as it shoots better than a J frame and I always take a reload. Likely still undergunned vs a high round count committed assailant but that is a more unlikely scenario for the average dude.
Also a 12 gauge loaded with slugs would stop a lot of dangerous animals. I have heard that’s what the guides carry as backup to the hunters
Shot placement matters more than round count (not saying that round count can't be important sometimes).
A lot of guides carry a 45-70 loaded hot. Some used to like the .350 Rem Mag in the short carbine, but those can't be found much anymore, nor the ammo. The .358 Winchester is a good caliber, but I think a hot 35 Whelen would be an adequate round for big bears. It has magnum punch without the magnum kick in a rifle. A .338 Win Mag would be a good choice, but it kicks a bit more.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
What makes Underwood Xtreme Defender good/special/preferred? Asking because I'm clueless here.
Ever since Ghub stepped out of his cave and threw a rock at the head of his annoying neighbor, humans have debated the advantages of different projectiles. The argument continues to this day with rifle and pistol ammunition.
You're probably familiar with copper jacketed lead projectiles that everyone has been using for well over a hundred years. In the old days it was ok. Modern computers and whiz-bang technology have greatly improved performance of all types of ammunition. The modern bandwagon upon which many are jumping is "monolithic" projectiles. Underwood bullets are a single chunk of copper that is supposed to be superior to an old-school jacketed lead hollowpoint.
The Underwood claim is that it provides the optimum 12"-18" of penetration in ballistic gelatin, even when shot through barriers such as drywall, sheet metal, and automotive glass.
Interesting, sounds like the Underwood promises superior penetration but without overpenetration (?).
If there is a modern bandwagon, then I need to jump on it. I'm a bit behind the times, still arguing with Ghub about the relative merits of quartz vs granite.
Steel novice who self-identifies as a steel expert. Proud M.N.O.S.D. member 0003. Spydie Steels: 4V, 15V, 20CV, AEB-L, AUS6, Cru-Wear, HAP40, K294, K390, M4, Magnacut, S110V, S30V, S35VN, S45VN, SPY27, SRS13, T15, VG10, XHP, ZWear, ZDP189
Interesting, sounds like the Underwood promises superior penetration but without overpenetration (?).
If there is a modern bandwagon, then I need to jump on it. I'm a bit behind the times, still arguing with Ghub about the relative merits of quartz vs granite.
The FBI requires 12" to 18" in ballistic gelatin. Not less, not more. That sounds reasonable to me, and that's what all the manufacturers strive for. Is a chunk of copper better than one of lead? I don't know, but all my self-defense guns are loaded with some type or another of lead core ammo. I don't think it will make a big difference if I ever need to use them.
Interesting, sounds like the Underwood promises superior penetration but without overpenetration (?).
If there is a modern bandwagon, then I need to jump on it. I'm a bit behind the times, still arguing with Ghub about the relative merits of quartz vs granite.
The FBI requires 12" to 18" in ballistic gelatin. Not less, not more. That sounds reasonable to me, and that's what all the manufacturers strive for. Is a chunk of copper better than one of lead? I don't know, but all my self-defense guns are loaded with some type or another of lead core ammo. I don't think it will make a big difference if I ever need to use them.
Bro, those Xtreme Defenders are far superior to any Jacket Hollow Point. Period.
They're absolutely lethal.
It's made a believer out a many...
And the rifle ammo is even worse, those **** Controlled Chaos rounds, people say it's like you thru a buzz saw thru a deer
It's wicked stuff - it just is
Back to tye pistol ammo, that's the beauty of these rounds, you want penetration, get the Xtreme Penetrator - I've got 200 grain xtreme Penetrator rounds in 45 auto - you can stack those with the Defenders and your set for anything
I note that at contact "get off of me!" distance most semi-autos will not fire, but a revolver will. I shoot a semi-auto much better, but that ability to shoot through a coat pocket or at contact cannot be overlooked.
I'm curious, have you ever fired a revolver inside a coat pocket? The reason I ask is I've seen the burn marks left on a barricade by the barrel/cylinder gap on my Redhawk. Granted, that's a .44 Mag, but my recollections of shooting +P+ ammo from a Charter Undercover lead me to believe you could set yourself on fire that way.
I note that at contact "get off of me!" distance most semi-autos will not fire, but a revolver will. I shoot a semi-auto much better, but that ability to shoot through a coat pocket or at contact cannot be overlooked.
I'm curious, have you ever fired a revolver inside a coat pocket? The reason I ask is I've seen the burn marks left on a barricade by the barrel/cylinder gap on my Redhawk. Granted, that's a .44 Mag, but my recollections of shooting +P+ ammo from a Charter Undercover lead me to believe you could set yourself on fire that way.
Smith and Wesson designs many of their J Frames for this purpose. Many people have done this and there are lots of videos of people doing it. It will damage/ruin the coat, but so what? If you survive because of it, you can get a new coat. In the old black powder days setting fire to one's clothing was a real possibility. Not with modern smokeless powders.
It doesn't take that much force to put a semi-auto out of battery and it isn't always possible to keep people from getting that close. I shoot a semi-auto better, but I do think about that scenario. A friend, who at the time was a drop dead good looking blue eyed blond woman was at a traffic light. She carried a S&W K Frame .357 mag with a 2.5" barrel. A guy opened her door and got in the car. She shoved the barrel into his nose, hard. He got out and said, "Excuse me" and ran away. A semi-auto would likely have been out of battery. Some hammer fired semi-autos will still function, but they will fire out of battery only if the firing pin is long enough to reach the primer.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
I note that at contact "get off of me!" distance most semi-autos will not fire, but a revolver will. I shoot a semi-auto much better, but that ability to shoot through a coat pocket or at contact cannot be overlooked.
I'm curious, have you ever fired a revolver inside a coat pocket? The reason I ask is I've seen the burn marks left on a barricade by the barrel/cylinder gap on my Redhawk. Granted, that's a .44 Mag, but my recollections of shooting +P+ ammo from a Charter Undercover lead me to believe you could set yourself on fire that way.
I fired one wrapped in bed sheets (for practice) after seeing a video on YouTube of a guy doing something similar with a semi-auto (and having it jammed by the fabric). I used a Ruger LCR loaded with 38 special and did not ignite any of the fabric.
