Most of the time when I hike and fish here in Alaska, the Marlin 1895 SBL is out front to defend against large predators. It holds 6 rounds of .458 cal 45-70, is stainless and laminate making it nearly impervious to rain and temperature changes, has XS ghost ring sights, and a large lever for quick and accurate first and follow on shots. A rifle is always your best choice outdoors around here.
I also carry the Glock 20 in 10mm Auto as a woods backup and general carry companion. In fact, i own two of them. With a full magazine and 1 backup mag, I have 31 rounds of 10mm (.40 cal) producing around 900ft/lbs of energy each from my 6" barrel making it the most powerful Glock by a wide margin and arguably one of the most powerful handguns in the world by potential energy. It is accurate, very flat shooting, and utterly dependable in rain, dust , or mud and snow. With a barrel change, you can shoot 40 S&W and 357 SIG. I have found it to have little more recoil in the Glock package than some snappy 9mm's. It is certainly adequate for moose, wolf, and bear as long as you do your part with shot placement......which is true of both more powerful handguns and rifles too. It is also small enough and light enough to carry all day outdoors.
There are certainly more powerful handgun rounds out there but they require extremely large and heavy revolvers to deploy. Most people cannot shoot them well either. Their weight makes it about easy to sling a rifle all day. The full whack 10mm provides impressive penetration in hardened lead and produces quite a mess on softer targets using hollow points. Bullet weights range from 135gr to 230gr and are produced by a number of manufacturers. I have a nice Ruger 44mag but 9 out of 10 times, I am carrying the G20. It's lighter, I shoot it better, and its plenty powerful enough. Also, at least here in Alaska, anyone using a handgun as primary bear protection, is making a mistake. Anywhere else in the US, the G20 in 10mm is more than powerful enough for large cats, and black bear.
It is considered somewhat of an oddball round in the lower 48 which is surprising given the popularity of its short and weak offspring.....the 40 Smith and Wesson. Here in Alaska though, I see them all the time and for many good reasons. Thank you for reading.
I also carry the Glock 20 in 10mm Auto as a woods backup and general carry companion. In fact, i own two of them. With a full magazine and 1 backup mag, I have 31 rounds of 10mm (.40 cal) producing around 900ft/lbs of energy each from my 6" barrel making it the most powerful Glock by a wide margin and arguably one of the most powerful handguns in the world by potential energy. It is accurate, very flat shooting, and utterly dependable in rain, dust , or mud and snow. With a barrel change, you can shoot 40 S&W and 357 SIG. I have found it to have little more recoil in the Glock package than some snappy 9mm's. It is certainly adequate for moose, wolf, and bear as long as you do your part with shot placement......which is true of both more powerful handguns and rifles too. It is also small enough and light enough to carry all day outdoors.
There are certainly more powerful handgun rounds out there but they require extremely large and heavy revolvers to deploy. Most people cannot shoot them well either. Their weight makes it about easy to sling a rifle all day. The full whack 10mm provides impressive penetration in hardened lead and produces quite a mess on softer targets using hollow points. Bullet weights range from 135gr to 230gr and are produced by a number of manufacturers. I have a nice Ruger 44mag but 9 out of 10 times, I am carrying the G20. It's lighter, I shoot it better, and its plenty powerful enough. Also, at least here in Alaska, anyone using a handgun as primary bear protection, is making a mistake. Anywhere else in the US, the G20 in 10mm is more than powerful enough for large cats, and black bear.
It is considered somewhat of an oddball round in the lower 48 which is surprising given the popularity of its short and weak offspring.....the 40 Smith and Wesson. Here in Alaska though, I see them all the time and for many good reasons. Thank you for reading.
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