3 Best handguns for Grizzlies – Bear Defense Guide 2020

Spending time in the great outdoors is a hobby loved by all true-blooded Americans. However, while nature offers itself as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it presents risks such as dangerous wildlife against which you should always be prepared. In this short guide, we list the 3 best handguns for grizzles currently available on the market. 

1. Taurus Tracker .347

Dependable, ergonomically designed and packing enough energy to deliver fatal penetration, the Taurus Tracker is an excellent choice to consider when in the market for handguns you can employ against dangerous wildlife. While its .347 Magnum rounds may be less powerful than other big game cartridges such as the .50 Action Express and .44 Magnum, the milder recoil and more controlled shooting gives it greater edge over the others. With its compact size and high accuracy, the gun also makes a great self-defense sidearm in the urban environment as well. 

Pros

• Accurate 
• Dependable 
• Mild recoil 
• Good against both wildlife and human targets 

Cons 

• Not exactly the most powerful 

Verdict 

If you want to pick a safe but versatile option, the Taurus Tracker is a handgun worth purchasing. 

2. Ruger Super Redhawk

The Ruger Super Redhawk is one of the most popular sidearms in the Alaskan country, and that is for a good reason. Extremely rugged, dependable, and powerful, this revolver is great for defending against dangerous and large wildlife. Producing a loud bang, a warming shot from this handgun would be more than capable of changing the mind any bear charging at you but if that doesn’t do the trick, its hot-loaded .454 Casull rounds are than capable of putting down the beast for good. Provided you can shoot it well, this handgun is as excellent as it gets. 

Pros

• Powerful 
• Dependable 
• Accurate 

Cons 

• Not good for beginners 

Verdict 

Its recoil may be a bit too much for inexperienced shooters but otherwise, this is definitely an incredible wilderness sidearm.

3. Smith and Wesson 500

The Smith and Wesson 500 is a mighty, serious handgun that, when properly wielded, can take out even the toughest of large bears with ease. The .500 cartridge that the gun carries are massive, around 42% larger than the standard .44 Magnum. Needless to say, they pack a lot of power and would make a quick job of any large beast brave enough to charge at you. Because of its bulk and recoil, this gun isn’t a good option for beginners or smaller individuals such as your teenage kids. 

Pros 

• Very Powerful 
• Dependable 

Cons 

• Not good for beginners or small individuals 

Verdict 

If you are an experienced shooter and want a wilderness sidearm that’s good for both defense and hunting, then this is definitely the gun for you.  

If you are planning a trip to the wilderness, be sure to bring along one of these best handguns for grizzlies, just in case you come across an angry bear or some other big predator that is out to make a meal out of you.