This article is about using a handgun for defense against large predators, principally bears and large cats. In the New World these would include the cougar and jaguar, and black, grizzly, brown, and polar bears. A wolf pack constitutes a somewhat different type of deadly threat. The individual animals are smaller but attack as a group, a very dangerous situation, indeed. All of these predators hunt deer and other (sometimes much larger) game that is the same approximate size as an adult human being. Being the same approximate size as the predators' usual prey is highly undesirable; the implication is that we are at risk when in proximity to these large predators.

So that we have a realistic appreciation of the size of these predators, I am going to use the figures developed by Edward A. Matunas and published in the 47th Edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook. These are the approximate live weight ranges of full grown males of the species: gray wolf, 75-170 pounds; cougar, 150-250 pounds; jaguar, 200-310 pounds; black bear, 300-650+ pounds; grizzly and brown bear, 700-1600+ pounds; polar bear, 900-1550 pounds.

A powerful rifle is superior to any handgun in killing power, of course, and is the only sensible choice for protection against large bears. But a rifle may not be very handy inside of a tent, or on a trout stream, or for a nature lover or mountain climber to carry on a strenuous hike. For outdoorsmen not engaged in hunting but never the less exposed to the threat of attack by large predators, a handgun is probably the only firearm that offers the requisite portability and leaves the hands free for other activities when not in use.

I know of no database on stopping large predators with a handgun. Such encounters are quite rare, and I doubt there have been enough of them documented since the development of the magnum revolver in 1935 to create a statistically valid database. This is a pity, for without such data we can only estimate, based on our own research and experience, which calibers and loads offer a realistic level of protection. Always assuming that the shooter is capable of doing his or her part, of course, by getting the bullet into an immediately incapacitating place.

Although infrequent, attacks on humans by large predators do happen, and they are increasing in number in North America due to continued human encroachment into wilderness areas, and unwise "endangered species" policies protecting potentially dangerous predators from sport hunting. After a generation or two of not being hunted these large predators lose their fear of man and revert to viewing our species as potential prey.

Because large predators have much tougher hide, muscles, and bone structure than human beings, it is generally felt that increased penetration is necessary compared to successful anti-personnel handgun loads. This favors bullets of robust construction and high sectional density (SD). In addition to powerful ammunition with plenty of penetration, a very reliable repeating handgun is clearly desirable, which eliminates all single shot pistols from consideration. The choices basically come down to an autoloading pistol chambered for some sort of magnum cartridge, of which there are very few, or a revolver chambered for a powerful magnum cartridge, of which there are many.

The most commonly available, reasonably portable, autoloader that might serve our purpose is the Glock Model G20, chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge. The G-20 is as reliable as a powerful auto gets, and relatively compact. This pistol comes with a 4.6" barrel, is 7.59" in overall length, and weighs only 26.28 ounces. In recent years Glock has promoted the G20 as a hunting pistol. The EAA Witness DA autoloader is also offered in 10mm Auto, and the Colt Delta Elite version of the 1911 Government Model used to be. There are probably others of which I am unaware.

The potential problem is the 10mm Auto cartridge itself. Powerful for a true auto pistol cartridge, it is not particularly impressive when compared to the popular magnum revolver cartridges. The Federal 10mm factory load with a 180 grain high antimony lead bullet has an advertised muzzle velocity (MV) of 1030 fps and muzzle energy (ME) of 425 ft. lbs. This load probably offers about the best penetration that can be had from a 10mm factory load, short of a 200 grain (SD .179) full metal jacketed bullet that offers no possibility of expansion at all. The sectional density of the 180 grain 10mm bullet is only .161, however. Hornady offers a 10mm factory load using their 200 grain jacketed hollow point XTP bullet (MV 1050 fps, ME 490 ft. lbs.). Hornady recommends this bullet for "medium game," which would presumably include wolf, cougar, jaguar and black bear but not grizzly, brown and polar bear.

There are a many makes and models of magnum revolvers in the marketplace chambered for powerful handgun cartridges. The reliability of any good revolver is unquestioned. Thus, my choice for protection in the field would be a magnum revolver with a 5.5" to 7.5" barrel. This barrel length is necessary to achieve the requisite ballistic performance from magnum cartridges. A revolver with a short barrel may be handy to carry, but a short barrel simply does not allow a magnum cartridge to reach its full potential. The three widely distributed magnum handgun cartridges are the .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. Another possibility is the even more powerful .454 Casull, which has increased in availability in recent years.

Bullet selection for any of these should tend toward the heavy bullets for the caliber, to maximize sectional density and thus penetration. Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) or hard cast bullets are the usual choice. Federal, for example, advertises their CastCore (hard cast lead) bullets as, "excellent for back-country self-protection."

At very close range a full power .357 Magnum loaded with 158 grain (SD .177) to 180 grain (SD .202) bullets will probably suffice, since the target is the animal's central nervous system. Even one of the great bears can be stopped at close range if the shooter can deliver a .357 bullet to the brain. The biggest advantage of the .357 is that most shooters can shoot it more accurately than the bigger magnums. The brain or spinal cord of even a large bear (the biggest of the big predators) is still a very small mark, requiring precise shot placement.

Standard 158 grain .357 Magnum JSP factory loads such as the Remington Express call for a MV of 1235 fps and ME of 535 ft. lbs. More powerful 180 grain factory loads such as the Federal CastCore advertise a MV of 1250 fps and ME of 625 ft. lbs.

Better against large predators would be a .41 Magnum revolver using a 210 grain bullet (SD .178) in full power loads. The .41 is considerably more powerful than the .357, actually treading on the heels of the .44 Magnum. Of course, it also kicks almost as hard as a .44, and is almost as hard to control. But, for those who can master it, the .41 Magnum is a better choice than the .357 Magnum. The Remington 210 grain JSP Express factory load has a catalog MV of 1300 fps and ME of 788 ft. lbs.

The best choice, for the relatively few shooters who can actually shoot it with the required level of precision, is probably a full power .44 Magnum shooting a 240 grain (SD .185) to 300 grain (SD .232) bullet. The big .44 has proven that it can make an impression on even the largest predators. The Remington 240 grain JSP Express factory load drives its bullet at a MV of 1180 fps and ME of 721 ft. lbs. Even fiercer (at both ends) is the Federal 300 grain CastCore load, with a MV of 1250 fps and ME of 1040 ft. lbs.

The even more powerful .454 Casull has become popular with handgun hunters, but .454 revolvers are very large, even compared to standard .44 Magnum revolvers like the Ruger Super Blackhawk and S&W Model 629. The Freedom Arms Model 83 .454 is 14" long and weighs 50 ounces with a 7.5" barrel. The Winchester 300 grain JFP .454 Casull factory load claims a MV of 1625 fps and ME of 1759 ft. lbs. The SD of that bullet is .210.

The problem here is that very few outdoorsmen who are not dedicated handgun hunters are willing to carry an outsize .454 handgun. Similarly, very few shooters can control the recoil and muzzle blast of a .454. But for that tiny minority who don't mind the size, weight, muzzle blast, and recoil, the .454 is an excellent choice for protection against large predators.

In the same general class are the .480 Ruger and .500 S&W. Revolvers for these cartridges are often so large that in many cases one might as well carry (and would certainly be better served by) an ultra-lightweight rifle. The same could be said for the huge (and seldom seen) autoloading pistols such as the Desert Eagle and Wildey, which can be had in calibers up to .50 AE. With 6" barrels the Widley weighs approximately 65 ounces and the Desert Eagle weighs 70.5 ounces!

Because I have received so many e-mails asking the question, I will go where wise men fear to tread and mention a couple of specific handguns. If I were buying a new gun for protection against large predators, I would get a Ruger Blackhawk revolver (6.5" barrel) in .357 or .41 Magnum, or a Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver (5.5" or 7.5" barrel) in .44 Magnum. The Blackhawk is 12.5" long and weighs 42 ounces; the Super Blackhawk is 11 3/8" long and weighs 46 ounces with a 5.5" barrel.

These are large pistols, but very durable, more compact and easier on the hand to shoot (because they moderate recoil better) than most DA revolvers in these calibers. They come with excellent adjustable sights, are highly accurate and are made right here in the U.S.A. They are also reasonably priced, an important consideration for folks who are not handgun hunters. Carried in a high cross-draw position on a wide gun belt, these guns are not too uncomfortable to tote in the field. Goodness knows, I have carried them a lot of miles in just that fashion.

Remember that bullet placement is absolutely crucial, so whatever handgun you choose for protection in the field, make sure that you can shoot it with great precision. You can't miss (or even score peripheral hits) fast enough to come out on top in a deadly encounter with a large predator!