I used to have a custom 1911 10mm built around a para ordanance double stack body with 10mm upper. It was a realy accurate handgun but a bit bulky for every day carry. I had 4 15 round magazines that I could shoot faster than anything else I ever owned. I used to shoot pins with it. I wouldn't consider it for bear protection though, too many shims and tolerance was too tight, it was finiky and would jam fairly easy on odd shaped bullets. It got me thinking about the 10mm as a defensive round though. Right now I carry a 4" 629 smith in an excellent chest holster along with occasionally carrying a 2.5" 686 7 shot with a clipdraw. Its what I carry around town and in the nightstand mostly for 2 legged predators. I bet a high cap glock or even dependable 1911 in 10 MM wouldn't be bad for a tent gun.

I have a Glock 20 in 10mm, and it's very comfortable to shoot even with hot loads. It has always worked well for my competition use. I never had to use it for bear defense. Factory Glock barrels have polygonal rifling, so jacketed bullets are a must unless you buy an aftermarket barrel. I'd think that FMJ bullets would be preferred anyway for better penetration. Not the mushy copper plated ones, but real FMJ ones, and they'd function well through an auto. I haven't looked to see if there are any real hard cast bullets available in 10mm.

I also like it because it's as fast as a DA revolver to get into action. There are no extra external safties to fumble with when you're hopped up on adrenaline. It's just point and shoot.

If you like other styles, EAA's Witness comes in two sizes of 10mm as well, and they have pretty good track records.

The hot loaded .357 mag might be 'adequate' to do the job, but you would not find me packing one where I might meet a bear. I would have a hot loaded .44 mag, 454 casull or 500 mag. As I shoot the 44 or 454 as well as a 357. Never yet tried a 500, but it seems a good excuse to buy one.

I recomended a 10 mm Glock to a friend in Juno ... 15 bullets in a controllably package with no foolin around is a good thing...essespecially if you try to put each bullet in the right spot... just keep your finger off the trigger until you need it..

Yes, a 357 loaded with hard cast is excellent for bear protection.

The nice thing about a 357 is that it is easy to carry. I can carry a 357 in my hip pocket or coat pocket all day and never notice that it's there.

Whereas the bigger guns that require a holster tend to get left at home. Or covered up by your coat. Or stuffed in a backpack. Lotsa luck when you walk around a bend in the trail and come face to face with Mr. or Mrs. Bear.

You don't need a particularly heavy bullet. 160 - 190 gr. is fine. Avoid the jacketed bullets as they are intended to expand easily.

I have actually found that the jacketed, FN 180 gr bullets designed for sillouete shooting penetrate best in bear skulls with hard cast second.

Has anyone shot many 358 rifle bullets in their 357 revolver.???

Mr. Shoemaker,

You are very well respected on this forum, and I agree with your (and Joe Nava's) opinions on using the .357 magnum. Others, however, seem to think that making CNS hits on an enraged brown bear is virtually impossible. I'm with Dr B and cold zero -- and would really like to hear the details of how you successfully used the .357 magnum for brown bear defense.

Cheers