Talked about before!!!!

[JustEd]

As it happens; a friend of mine recently got into handgun shooting.  He acquired a Rock Island 10mm, I own one myself.  His job takes him into the Smoky Mountains and he is concerned about bears.  Have taken him to my gun club a few times and he can shoot quite well.  Ran through some defense drills with him.

Just yesterday he sent a pic of a black bear about 15 yards from him as he approached a house in Gatlinberg.  Fortunately, the bear went on about its business without any "convincing."

We reflected today how the 38 spl +P and 380 I often carry wouldn't have been much use against a bear.  Against people?  Would have said yes a few years ago.  Not so sure anymore as bullet protective clothing is becoming more popular even with perps.

A 10 might not penetrate a vest, but it would probably incapacitate the person long enough to run away.  A bear might or might not be stopped, depending on size and shot placement.

So here I am 75 years old and feeling like a .357, 10mm or 45 acp are minimum carry calibers. 

Wow, how times change.

Edited 10 hours ago by JustEd

[threeshot]

On 6/6/2025 at 10:10 AM, Will Carry said:

Baby Face Nelson was shot 17 times with 45acp and 00 buckshot. He still managed to kill two G-men, get in a car and make it to a safe house, where he bled out.  Sometimes the bullets just don't hit the right places.

Hi Will,

I agree with your point.

Just a clarification regarding Baby Face Nelson was shot 17 times is a misquote from the press due to a misunderstanding of the statement from J. Edgar Hoover stating "seven to ten wounds" to Nelson's body.

In reality, Nelson received one .45 slug from an FBI agent Crowley’s machine gun to his lower abdomen that would eventually kill Nelson later that evening. Nelson also received 8 buckshot pellets to his legs by FBI agent Hollis.

Unfortunately, both FBI agents were killed. Agent Crowley died at the hospital from his wounds and agent Hollis died at the shootout scene when he was shot in the head by Baby Face Nelson.

The details of the shootout event are at the link below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Face_Nelson#Death
 

Edited 6 hours ago by threeshot
Insert URL link.

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I have been carrying a 7 shot 357 for years now, JustEd. In my pocket as we speak. I bet my life on it.

Did carry my Bodyguard last 2 weeks camping but had a 9 MM close by and at hand. No bears where I was, that I seen.