Back country carry gun

[Xpraetor]

I will also add that I am in full agreement with those who say a long gun is the best firearm to carry as defense from bear/lion/large ruminating artiodactyls, or anything dangerous & it is certainly my # 1 pick. In addition it is typically a big bore lever-action over a bolt-action or a pump-action shotgun over a semi-auto.
Despite, I carry a revolver in a chest/side harness hybrid and alternate between a .357Mag revovlver w/ 5in Bbl or .44Mag with 6in Bbl., that is my preference over a long gun when straddling a quadraped.

I have a Saddle Horn/Pommel holster for a Shotgun, but it is only practical in open terrain or wide manicured trails. When traveling through thick brush/undergrowth, or unkept trails = 90% of my travel, a long gun carried in that manner becomes a neusance & dangerous as it gets caught or snagged on everything.

Plus, I haven't posted any pictures, as I am hesitant due to the seriousness of the topic, and as I previously stated I am NOT an expert. What I am attempting to convey is NO one should mimic anyone, instead they need to gather information/advice from actual contemporary experts, such as Mr. JJ Hacks who was mentioned in this post, or Mr. Warner Glenn, Mr. Jim Shockey, etc.... also one should educate themselves by reading about historical legends like Holt Collier, Ben Lilly, etc.... but not to mimic , instead to glean insight into the behavior/body language of the aforementioned animals. With that information then make a decision, become proficient with that choice, implement it, and tweak it as revelations are discovered.

When mule/horse back my long gun rides in a scabbard, but when I'm standing on terra firma I have it in my hands or hasty slung.

 

[Jack Stevens]

The handgun part of the debate aside, a lot of AK guides, bush pilots, residents, and (so I’ve read) a few wildlife biologists, keep an old Remmy Model 600 in .350 Rem Mag within reach in Grizz country.

18.5” barrel, light-weight, and very maneuverable. Unloaded weight out of the box was 6.4lbs, but the cartridge will (and has) put the big bruins face-down on the tundra with the 250grn load @ 2450fps.

Below is my aperture sighted M600 with 3-pt Ching sling and a few other custom upgrades, like replacing the warping/cracked 1960-era plastic parts with aftermarket metal parts.

Unloaded weight as shown is 6.8lb.

 

[Hedge774]

Any idea which you shoot best? Rugers are often easier to shoot because they are heavier.
I carry a 357 mag S&W with 180gr or Glock 23 40 S&W with 200gr. Im comfortable with either along with a can of bear spray.
I cannot comfortably control a 44 mag S&W.

I carry a model 66 with Buffalo Bore myself. I get some grief for not carrying a 4 something, but such is life.

 

[HankBuck]

I carry a model 66 with Buffalo Bore myself. I get some grief for not carrying a 4 something, but such is life.

@Hedge774 - S&W .357 w/180 gr quality ammo/bullets is a very practical and easy to carry handgun. Since Bear “Defense” does NOT Require Killing the Bear (just turn it away) there are many handgun calibers that have worked and have been documented to have deterred Bear attacks——some good data has been collected over a 30-40 year period where over 50 attacks defended against with handguns have been evaluated. I have read the Study, it’s available on a google search and I’ll try to look up again to get the details….I believe it’s already been listed on AH before