Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Alaskan side arm

Curious - what would you consider as a sidearm to carry if you were going to spend a lot of time in AK?

I know the typical magazine article will tout some sort of cannon needed as bear defense and while I understand that - I'd have to think most revolvers are carried a lot more than shot and likely never shot into claws and fur or at the least - very rarely. Something you're going to use to plink a bit, targets of opportunity and if necessary - bear/wolf/love sick moose protection...

So - ideas on a general hip companion? Thinking stainless, revolver, probably starts with a .4

And to be clear - this is totally bench racing. I'm not living there, not visiting etc - just thinking.

I'd have to think a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag? 5.5 inch barrel?

Since it is kinda wet there I would go for a stainless 4" .41 Magnum.. S&W 657 or 657 Mountain Gun or the new 4.2" Redhawk.

Load would be a 210-255 grain hard cast at 1150-1250 fps...

Bob

If you want a revolver a S&W 686 3" is nice, also a 629 4" regular or mountain gun. Living remote in AK I carried a lot of different guns, even a Redhawk. The heavier the gun the less likely you will want to carry it. I don't feel totally unarmed with a single action but I got into a horrible scrape when I missed very close with a SBH that lead me down a road of double actions and autos. I carry a Glock 23 often.

I would have said 44 mag, then 10mm but now with recent developments, a 9mm.

Which "recent developments"?

I'd say it depends on if I was traveling alone


If so. The probably a big bore revolver.


If not then a simple 22 mag. Da revolver

Man, I've been waiting on this thread as we have never discussed anything like this on the fire in a very long time. I think I'd use a smith 3rd gen in 9mm.

I still think this would be my favorite gun to pack around the Alaskan bush. With the scandium frame it is very ltwt. But it definitely isn't a good or enjoyable plinker.
Still for sale too, but that is a different thread.

44 Mag and up, heavy loads with heavy for caliber cast SWC or LBT bullets.

This has been most most frequent companion; shot a lot more than used and I hope it stays that way. (4.65" Blackhawk 45; yeah I have the 5.5" Redhawk as well, but this one has more history and is easier to pack)

S&W 57 or 29 4". Heavy WFN loads at around 1,000 - 1,100 fps. Reasonable size, weight, power, recoil, and accuracy. Bullets should drive deep yet recoil ought to be manageable for fast shooting if needed.

For auto pistol people, a Glock 20 would do well.

I don't know...for the longest I felt my Glock 20 was plenty. Then I started talking to Max and John and I read Max's book. I have a single action Ruger Super Blackhawk in .41 Magnum. But, it's a family heirloom. It was my Dad's favorite gun. He used to get it out in the evenings and just wipe it down with his silicone cloth and he would point it out at the Colorado river bank that was about 20 yards from his back door. He probably never put more than a cylinder of rounds through it. So, I have a S&W 500 Magnum Revolver with a 6" barrel, but carrying it would be chore. I don't know. Problems, problems...

A moose attack is more likely than a bear, although both are in the realm of possibility. I would go with a 45 colt and 335 grain WFN at about 1300 FPS.

Uhhhh, I have to point out that you ain't Phil.

Spare tires are rarely used too.., but when ya need one they're really, really handy to have 'on hand'..

That'd work. Or even a SBH in .45LC, using rounds loaded to Ruger capacities; i.e., 250 gr. boolits at about 1500 fps..

How about the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan carried in an external chest rig? It's available in three big bore chamberings, all adequate for big bear defense with the right loads.

The Ruger Alaskan does make sense but that short barrel - are you getting much performance from it? Going to be honest - my pistol shooting is limited.

Buncha 1911's, a New Vaquero in 45 Colt and a G19.

Like I said - just bench racing here. Was watching some outdoor/reality show and they had dudes in AK, most were packing a pistol but rarely discussed. One guy had a lever action 357 Mag but if I'm going to pack a rifle - it's gonna have more hp than a 357 Mag.


Got me to thinking - carried more than shot, needs to do a bit of everything, what would it look like?

Plus I have some Russell Annabel books showing up today so that's on the mind too - thought it might be some interesting conversation without it being specific to Phil going Miami Vice on that bear!

This Alaskan in .480 would be a good choice.

Whitworth1 - I know or believe you're a big Ruger pistol guy - what is the state of the 480 Ruger round?

I remember when it came out - IIRC it was touted as something more than a 44 Mag but not as brutal as the 454 Casull.

Then it seemed to disappear - don't remember the last time I read about it tho I've not really bought many rags lately.

Supposedly a WWII Aircrewman who was parachuting out of a B-24 (or some other similar bomber, I can't recall) used his 1911 to shoot down a Japanese Zero.

What a lot of combat guys literally call the "Golden BB", and far from what most would consider the recommended method of defense against such a beast.

Personally I would not rely on the "Golden BB" when it was my life that was hanging in the balance.