Ok,you just changed the rules. I was thinking "self-defense against thin-skinned 2 legged animals". When you are talking animals like Moose and Bear,but NOT "squivel",you are suddenly talking 44 Magnum revolver with 240 grain hard cast solids and a 6 inch barrel. You ain't talking one of these down. When they come at you they are not half-stepping. They are coming in a rush so quick it will stop your heart. With attackers and conditions like this,you need the original point and click device,not something you might have to fumble with to get a safety released. MY choice would be a double action Ruger 44 Magnum with handloads.
If you can afford it and find one,I'd go for a .444 or 45/70 Marlin carbine in the short "trapper" version,and use the 44 mag revolver for backup. When dealing with a wounded bear,there is no such thing as "too much gun". If you can back off and call in artillery fire or helicopter gun ships,that would be the way to go.
@sneakypete Well, I see you understand my dilemma (hence my nearly made decision to carry a 22LR too, rather than conversion)... As to your further opinion, I'll begin with this:
I stepped on a wolverine.
I know that sounds unlikely, even impossible, but there it is. One moment I was innocently stepping over a log, wherein I felt an unexpected squish... And then, I was quite literally catapulted into a life-changing event of no small consequence...
To cut a long story short, my takeaway from that event left me with sure wisdom.
First, quick-draw artistry is vastly underrated. In an unexpected event, timing is measured in it's most fundamental increment.
Second: Getting that hogleg out and centered is greatly affected by surprise and environmental distractions... As if stepping on a wolverine is not altogether enough, someone seemingly right next to me was screaming like a little girl - Who ought to have her mouth washed out with soap.
Third: You must be able to shoot with your own poop in your eyes.
Fourth: Your opponent might not care whatsoever if he gets your poop in his eyes - He may well press on unaffected in any way.
And lastly (and to your point): One must be able to shoot accurately with one hand, between one;' legs, while performing a cartwheel over a log with one's other hand.
I had a 44mag. I've shot a 50 and a 45/70 pistol too. None of them can be managed with breathtaking accuracy one-handed.
The 44mag comes close, but too much time off target. And I will need that time. That time-off-target, dumping rounds in quick succession may well only be the difference of one shot (I'd say two), but I need that shot. It don't matter as much how many you got, but how many you can use.
If I am able to take stance and measure, I can shoot the 44 pretty well one handed, one-shot-at-a-time. But with a cowboy Colt 45, I can do so offhandedly, and repeatably, with very good accuracy, almost from the hip. Not quite as good with the 1911, but it is a new form factor for me, and I was better with it than the 44mag, right off the get go.
If it wasn't for the extra rounds and clips the 1911 provides, I would go back to wheel guns in a new york minute. But one way or the other, thank you very much, but I'll stay in 45.
