Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Alaskan side arm

7x Leather is a favorite of mine (www.7xleather.com).

A lot of folks up here like this stuff.

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/

It's not Alaska here, and the bears are not as big, but the rig I carry when in the woods and not armed with a rifle is a 4.62" SuperBlackhawk loaded with Beartooth 300 grain LFN DCG GC at 1.725" oal.

I carry it in a Diamond D Guide's choice, and it makes carrying my revolver much more comfortable than a hip holster.

The load is accurate and powerful, and though I am not primarily hunting when carrying it, if a decent target of opportunity presents itself, I can take it.

I've sighted numerous bears in the last few years, but they have never been anywhere near any trouble to me. It's the feral dogs that can be troublesome.

NICE rig there! I've got a El Paso Saddlery Tanker rig for one of my Bisleys. Might have to have one of those 7x leather rigs' too.

I use the Diamond D. I have several of them. Great people, and are local to me so that is also a plus to me. I have had them make accommodations for a RMR on one revolver, and modifications to their standard product line on another or two.

I have an El Paso Saddlery Tanker for a 4-3/4 Freedom Arms, but use a Diamond D for it. Nice rig, as is the 7x products, and several other makers.

My holsters usually stay wet through-out the moose season, take a muskeg bath or two, and receive little to no maintenance ever (other than wiping off putrid and staining muskeg). If I am not in the tent, the holster is usually on and accessible as possible, not covered by rain gear. I have had very good serviceability from the Diamond D. Definitely not the fanciest but very functional holsters.

To me chest type holsters are a Huge improvement over hip holsters !! They are much more comfortable, allow me to adjust / position the revolver to accommodate bino chest harness and my day pack.

I would, if I still had one or ever purchase another, 41 mag revolver to my carry list with Hard Cast bullets.

Nice to see someone who is "there" also thinks the .41 is up to the task.... It is the one round of some power, other than 10mm in a semi-auto, that I can shoot both fast and accurately... Have had both the .454 and .475 in SA guns and have just found the recoil very unpleasant. Would love to try a Super Redhawk in .480...

Bob

It was mentioned but does the S&W 69 work for these needs?

We all have opinions, and different ones abound in Alaska. My opinion is the 41 Mag is an outstanding round and pleasant to shoot (as a larger bore can be). I do believe the appropriate 250-260ish grain hard cast should penetrate well. And some unfriendly large animals have been killed in timely fashion with less horse power in tense situations.

Wanted to post a quick review of the Man Gear Alaska chest holster. I wore it yesterday for about 4 hours with a Glock 17 and a spare mag while working on my logging trails. It was very comfortable, kept the pistol and the mag completely secure and easily accessible, and did not impede any of my activities. Would give it 5 stars so far.

I have an El Paso Tanker and a Diamond D chest rig for a couple handguns. I think I'm gonna order a Man Gear Alaska rig for my 5.5" bull barrel Ruger MK III Hunter. The price is right compared to the other two rigs and Cabela's has them in stock.

If you get it from Cabelas, make sure it is the latest model.

I hear that argument a lot, but when you are actually walking around where big bears walk, you don't leave your gun at home, or even in the truck.

During my last stint there, when I did carry a handgun it was a Glock 22 loaded with 180gr cast bullets.


If I was back there tomorrow it would likely be the Glock 23, same load. 40 S&W is about as big as I can go and count on a decent 'double tap'


When I lived in Kodiak, I carried a 7 1/2 Redhawk, but I was 18.


Regardless, it would be a Glock of some flavor. I want to like a 10mm/45 Glock, but they are just enough bigger to not fit me right.

I see there is a Gen II holster. I'll certainly check it out... I may get one for my 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk .41 also.

In the past I've carried this one... FA .454 with 335 hard cast.



Funny thing... my wife's family homesteaded Alaska before statehood and aren't overly concerned about bears, but really worried about rattlesnakes when visiting here in Arizona. I'm just the opposite.

Agreed, I've never left a gun in the truck or at home because it was too heavy. Either I pack a gun, typically a 480 srh, or I don't.

Guess you can count me in the foolish / stupid / moron category when it comes to handguns and bears.
As you can see from this photo my first line of defense is the camera around my neck, then the bear spray in my hand and finally my S&W 44 Mtn Gun with hard cast bullets - in a full flap holster at that.






And if all of those fail I still have my ability to "grin them down" just like Davy Crockett

Yikes Phil! How much did that bear skull measure?

I don't remember exactly which one that is but it looks to be in the high 28's or low 29's. the largest we ever took was measured by F&G at 30 8/16".