Lots of experience in that 45 minutes. I don’t watch too many videos on the ‘net but that one is worth it. I’ll never get to bear hunt but it’s fun to hear, especially if the speaker knows what he’s talking about.
Last edited by navlav8r; 04/20/24.
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
Somehow I had gotten the impression that Mr Shoemaker had shot the bear around the head and neck and that the handgun was of a more recent compact design. From the source himself we get that it was a first generation (??) single stack S&W 39.
The manufacturer doesn’t matter so much but the barrel length might; 4”, same as a Glock 19.
Turns out he hit that bear right in the engine room, heart/lungs, from the side. Interesting to speculate if he he been firing at a charging bear head on.
Mr Shoemaker’s experience with bear spray on bears is the same as mine using bear spray on inbound aggressive dogs, it was the sudden PSSSSH and burst of spray that startled them rather than getting hit by the capsacin.
Best video in a long time, tks to those who mentioned/linked it.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
Through the lungs was the surprise. Debunked all the innerweb stories. If Phil recalls accurately Buffalo Bore no longer makes the 147 grain hardcast @ 1300 ft/per second. Only 1100 now. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=155 The Alaskan brown bears being well fed, thus less dangerous than grizzlies, was interesting. He shook his head when saying grizzlies are always hungry. They gonna take your fish with hot sauce spray is the message.
A fascinating, excellent video. I've heard of that incident with the bear & the 9mm but never knew all the details. Always wondered about that shot angle because it's frightening to think of a head on bear charge while holding a 9mm. Thank God Phil is so experienced with where to place shots, and got that opportunity for the heart & lung area. It's also a great testament to that Buffalo Bore ammo he was using. I've only seen black bears in the wild but never close enough to be of any concern. I'm occasionally in an area that has them and sometimes a .357 Mag. with 180 gr. hard cast comes along. Nice to hear Mr. Shoemakers favorable comments on that.