I need some recommendations on a quality cartridge & DA revolver for grizzly protection (cost and weight factored in if possible).

I usually take my G20SF into the backcountry when bear encounters are possible, but I’ll be passing through Denver on my next trip, and it looks like Denver’s bump stock ban also eliminated any legal posession of 15+ round magazines previously permitted by a state law grandfather clause.

I guess the silver lining in this is that I finally have a good reason to get a proper revolver for grizz protection.

What’s your budget?

44mag in nice heavy revolver works well

Ruger Blackhawk


44 mag
45 colt properly loaded.

$500-600

Ruger Alaskan

454

480

44 mag

$7-800

Mos berg 500 12 ga & slugs.

$300 or less

Under $700-800 including holster rig & ammo. I’m happy to entertain more expensive options, though.

All-weather finishes would be a plus too.

My vote would be a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 mag or .45 Colt. For the .45, load up some Ruger only loads with a heavy cast bullet (300 gr + WFN), or buy some Buffalo Bore or similar if you don’t handload. Standard Blackhawks can be found for less than $500 used, and they are built like a tank. The plow handle grip is not pleasant to shoot with the heavy loads, but is the most economical model when compared to the Bisleys and double actions from Ruger. Charter Arms makes some inexpensive double actions in .44 Spl and .45 Colt, but I don’t have any personal experience with them. It really comes down to what you want to spend.

Having worked on a Charter Arms or two, I would recommend NOT EVEN considering them for the intended purpose. I'm sorry, they're just cheap and no better than a Rossi IMO.

Excellent advice so far guys keep it coming.

Looks like the Blackhawks are single action only, correct? I’m thinking that could be an issue when SHTF if I don’t have the training / muscle memory to remember to [censored] the hammer between shots.

Damn language filter

Yes, single action only.

Just carry bear spray and save your money. $40, much easier to carry/deploy effectively, and works better when the SHTF during a grizzly charge anyway.

Granted, this is coming from someone who has only entered bear country once, and that was dead of winter...but I would personally feel better with a big honkin piece of lead than a bottle of spicy liquid. My personal opinion only. Other than that, I have absolutely nothing to add.

NG I’ll pass on your suggestion. FWIW I also carry bear spray, but the peace of mind proved by a firearm can’t be overstated.

My group encountered a mama grizz with two cubs in Glacier NP two years ago. We were smart enough & lucky enough to be able to keep enough distance between us to avoid a conflict thankfully. I promise you I was not wishing that I’d left my gun at home.

I’m not going to argue about it. That’s the way I expect almost everyone on a Texas rifle forum to feel. But the facts say otherwise. Spray will stop most charges. Lead will stop only those where the CNS is shut down. Watch a grizzly destroy everything within a 20’ radius after being shot in the boiler room with a .375 and you may feel differently - and that’s without him having a defined threat/prey objective.

I get it though. It ain’t macho.

Ruger Alaskan or similar. Heavy enough to manage the recoil some but not so heavy it’s like carrying around an anvil.

Look up what happened to Brian Murphy in Glacier a few years ago and you’ll see where I’m coming from. Bear spray did nothing. His .357 did.

Edit double post

What would you want in your hands? I can tell you a can of pepper spray would feel very inadequate when that big sob turned toward me.

Look, I’m not clueless. I’ve spent a ton of time in grizzly country. I’ve hunted them. I know grizzlies are dangerous. That’s not the point here. Neither is the point to kill a grizzly for your trophy room.

The point is what gives you the best odds to stop one from killing you during a charge. The best grizzly protection (budget or otherwise) is bear spray. I posted the studies that prove it.

Glock 29-- 10rd capacity, smaller overall package than your 20.

Also-- check the actual statues on the magazine ban-- lots of exemptions to that law AND if you were in possession of the magazine prior to 2013 it is still legal... and the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cbi/firearmstatutes

Odds are one thing. Clearly you’re willing to dismiss an outlier and play the percentages. I am not. Simple as that.

Save your arguing for the Bunker

I don't think I'd trust my survival to what I read in a single research paper. There are too many papers out there that "prove" things that just are not true.

From what I’ve found it looks like Denver city ordinance 38-130 removes that grandfather exemption within the city. 38-130 i 3 would give me a defense from prosecution since I’m a non-resident, but it wouldn’t keep me from getting arrested for posession if a LEO on a mission really wanted to cause me some trouble. Highly unlikely, yes, but it’s not really a risk I want to take.

I'm a belt and suspenders guy when it comes to things that will eat me, so I would carry both. When we're in Alaska, we never leave the house to go walking, fishing, or hunting without my son taking his bear spray. He usually also has his 10mm, but even if he doesn't have the gun he has his bear spray. That stuff is wicked and it has been proven to work, but I would still want the extra insurance of a firearm whenever possible.
BTW, I'm not saying a 10mm is the best choice, it's just the best hand gun choice he has. I'll probably take my .44 mag with me this year.