Most of the time, bears are content to ignore humans. This is good for both us and the animals, since it improves all of our chances of getting home in one piece. Unfortunately, when bears are very hungry or feel threatened, they’re more than capable of attacking. Pro tip: in a one-on-one fight with a bear, you lose.
So what’s the best bear gun for self defense?
The short answer: the most powerful gun you can safely handle.
The long answer: it depends on what you’re doing. While hunters may already be carrying a bear shotgun or a rifle capable of stopping a grizzly, backpackers, campers, and anglers aren’t going to want to carry a rifle or shotgun. If you’re one of those people, you’ll probably want to find the best bear pistol, to reduce both weight and bulk.
Are you ready to find the best bear gun? Let’s get started!
12 Best Bear Guns For Self Defense
The Smith & Wesson Model 629’s 5-inch barrel provides more recoil reduction than you’ll get from a shorter revolver or an automatic.
Key Features
- Chambered in .44 magnum
- 5-inch barrel
- Double action
- 6-round cylinder
- Weighs 2.85 pounds
- Black rubber grip
The Smith & Wesson Model 629 is a .44 magnum revolver with a 5-inch barrel. A general rule of thumb with guns is that the longer the barrel, the less recoil you’ll experience. As a result, this revolver is easier to handle than a shorter model, especially with regards to taking follow-up shots.
Needless to say, this is an essential feature on any grizzly gun. Unless you’re Annie Oakley, you’re liable to miss your first shot at a charging bear, particularly when you factor in the adrenaline that’s coursing through your veins. Hell, even if you are Annie Oakley, in the event that you’re being charged by a bear, we recommend shooting until the bear stops running or your gun is empty, whichever comes last.
A longer barrel also has another advantage; it makes the gun ever so slightly front-heavy, which is a good feature on a pistol.
Pros
- Good recoil reduction
- Well balanced
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
For the average shooter, this .44 magnum revolver is the best handgun for bears.
2. BRN Retro Rifle
The Brownells BRN-10 is a powerful, AR-style rifle that’s suitable for hunting any kind of big game.
Key Features
- Chambered in .308 Winchester
- 20-inch barrel
- Semi-automatic
- 20-round removable magazine
- Weighs 8 pounds
- Polymer stock, pistol grip, and fore-grip
- Pre-installed flash suppressor
Normally, when you think of an AR, you’re thinking about home defense. But what if someone designed an AR for big game? Enter the Brownells BRN-10, chambered in .308 Winchester for maximum stopping power. You can load it with up to 20 rounds, and if you can’t stop a bear with 20 .308 rounds, you’re clearly dealing with some kind of prehistoric monster that was resurrected by mad scientists.
The BRN-10 is based on the original AR-10 design, and, as you might expect, it’s a little bit pricier than your average hunting rifle. But it’s very easy to handle, with an ergonomic pistol grip. Moreover, it’s also well-engineered. Instead of a cheap stamped receiver, you’re getting a fully machined receiver that will stand up to decades of regular use.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Large magazine
- Ergonomic pistol grip
- Fully machined – not forged
Cons
- A bit pricey
The BRN-10 gives you enough power to stop a bear, in a convenient AR-style package.
3. Smith & Wesson – 329PD
The Smith & Wesson 329PD is a compact revolver that packs a lot of punch.
Key Features
- Chambered in .44 Magnum (also accepts .44 Special)
- 4-inch barrel
- Single/double-action
- 6-round capacity
- Weighs 1.66 pounds
- Wood grip
The Smith & Wesson 329PD is one of the smaller revolvers on the market. With a 4-inch barrel, it’s not quite a snub nose, but it’s still easy to carry. And let’s be honest; when you’re staring down an angry bear, a snub nosed revolver is going to be too inaccurate. With a powerful .44 Magnum cartridge, you’ve got plenty of stopping power. And if you prefer the .44 Special, you won’t need to make any modifications.
The 329 PD is also attractive. It has an ergonomic wood grip that’s easy to hold and easy on the eyes. The action is easy to work. You can use it as either a single action or a double action. That said, it’s a bit expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable gun, move along.
Pros
- Plenty of stopping power
- Compact and easy to carry
- Attractive wood grip
- Works as single or double-action
Cons
- Expensive
If you want a discreet gun that can still stop a bear, the 329PD is a solid choice.
4. Ed Brown Special Forces
The Ed Brown Special Forces 45 ACP is a premium pistol with a top of the line design.
KeyFeatures
- Chambered in .45 ACP
- 5-inch barrel
- Semi-automatic
- 7-round removable magazine
- Weighs 7.1 pounds
- G10 faux wood grip
- Fiber optic sights
The Ed Brown Special Forces 45 ACP is a semi-automatic pistol with a 7-round removable magazine. As pistols go, it’s very well-engineered. The trigger breaks like glass, and your shots will land where you’re pointing at. It’s available in two different finishes: black and stainless, so you can choose the aesthetic that appeals to you. Moreover, the G10 nylon grip has a faux wood finish. This makes it both attractive and durable.
The Special Forces 45 ACP is chambered in .45 ACP, just as you would expect. It’s also well-suited for low-light shooting. The fiber optic sights offer plenty of visibility. So if you get surprised by a bear during the twilight hours, you won’t have any trouble finding your sights.
Pros
- Exceptional craftsmanship and accuracy
- Comfortable, ergonomic grip
- Great for low-light shooting
- Soft, clean-breaking trigger
Cons
- Expensive
If you’re willing to pay top dollar for one of the most well-engineered automatic pistols on the market, you’re looking at a solid choice.
5. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Sub Compact
The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Subcompact is designed for easy concealed carry, and is still powerful enough to bring down a grizzly.
Key Features
- Chambered in .45 ACP or 9mm Luger
- 6 or 4-inch barrel
- Semi-automatic
- 12 or 8-round removable magazine
- Weighs 1.56 pounds
- Polymer grip
- Optional safety
The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Subcompact packs plenty of bear-stopping power into a subcompact package. It comes in two different chamberings: .45 ACP and 9mm Luger. The 9mm variant has a higher magazine capacity and smaller frame. However, it’s not well-suited for bear. Go with the .45 ACP variant, and you won’t have any issues.
The M2.0 Subcompact is very lightweight, at just over 1 ½ pounds. It’s also ergonomic, with a polymer grip that’s easy to hold and aim. That said, it’s not as accurate as some more finely engineered pistols you might find. But there’s still plenty to like. The optional safety is an excellent feature. You can either have a built-in thumb safety, or carry it like a Glock with a round in the chamber.
Pros
- Compact and easy to carry
- Plenty of stopping power
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- Dubious accuracy
Provided you choose the .45 ACP variant, the MP2.0 Subcompact is an bear-stopping pistol.
6. Savage Arms AXIS II XP
The Savage Arms Axis II XP is very reasonably priced for a gun with gorgeous walnut furniture.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
- 22-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 4-round removable magazine
- Weighs 8.08 pounds
- Hardwood stock and furniture
- Includes a scope
- Adjustable trigger
The Savage Arms Axis II XP is primarily designed as a hunting rifle. With a bolt action and pre-installed scope, it’s ready to rock right out of the box. It’s suitable for hunting deer, or even big game like elk or grizzly. Obviously, it’s not ideal for carrying “just in case”. But if you want a hunting rifle that can also be used to stop an aggressive bear, you’re looking at a solid choice.
The Axis II XP has an attractive hardwood stock and furniture. And, surprisingly for such an affordable rifle, it also comes with an adjustable trigger. It doesn’t break like glass, but it can be adjusted to at least give you the weight that feels best to you.
Pros
- Includes a scope
- Ready for hunting right out of the box
- Powerful and accurate
- Affordable
Cons
- Heavy
This rifle is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a gun that’s trail-ready right out of the box.
7. Henry Sidegate 45-70 Lever 4+1
The Henry 45-70 is a classic lever action rifle that dates back to the days of the Old West.
Key Features
- Chambered in .45-70 Government
- 8-inch barrel
- Lever action
- 4-round tubular magazine
- Weighs 7.09 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore-grip
- Unique side-loading magazine
The Henry 45-70 is a lever action rifle, which makes it easier and faster to cycle than a bolt action, especially in the standing position where you’re most likely to encounter a bear. It has a 4-round tube magazine, which isn’t enormous, but is more than enough to stop a single animal. And unlike most lever-action rifles, it loads from the side, not the bottom. This makes it very easy to load in the field.
This rifle is chambered in .45-70 government, a rifle cartridge that dates all the way back to 1873. While this is ancient by firearm standards, why mess with something that works? This cartridge can bring down elk, moose, and yes, even grizzly bears. And speaking of old things, let’s take a second to appreciate the Henry’s beautiful walnut furniture. It looks gorgeous, and is a great investment on that basis alone.
Pros
- Plenty of stopping power
- Easy to cycle quickly
- Beautiful, classic appearance
Cons
- Pricey
This rifle is America’s original lever action grizzly slayer, a perfect choice for bear defense.
8. Uberti
The Uberti 1875 Frank 45 Long Colt’s 7.5-inch barrel provides exceptional accuracy for a revolver.
Key Features
- Chambered in .45 Long Colt
- 5-inch barrel
- Single action
- 6-round capacity
- Weighs 2.8 pounds
- Polymer grip
The Uberti 1875 Frank 45 Long Colt is an exact replica of the 1875 Remington used by Jesse James’ brother, Frank James. As such, you’d think it’s just a show piece. But it actually performs pretty well in real-world situations. It has a 7.5-inch barrel, as well as a single action. This makes it one of the most accurate revolvers on the market.
The 1875 Frank 45 Long Colt is chambered in .45 Long Colt. It’s not quite as powerful as a .45 Winchester Magnum, but it’s more than powerful enough to bring down a bear. Not only that, but the pistol has a nickel finish, which makes it corrosion-resistant, perfect for carrying in the great outdoors.
Pros
- Classic 1875 Remington replica
- Highly accurate
- Plenty of stopping power
- Attractive, corrosion-resistant nickel finish
Cons
- Relatively large and heavy
If you want an effective bear gun that’s also an attractive replica, consider the 1875 Frank 45 Long Colt.
9. Ruger American Predator
The Ruger American Predator is a reasonably-priced long-range rifle that’s chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
- 22-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 3-round removable magazine
- Weighs 6.6 pounds
- Flat dark earth composite stock and fore grip
- Adjustable trigger
- Includes a chamber-length Picatinny rail
The Ruger American Predator is an improved variant of Ruger’s original American bolt action rifle. This model features an adjustable trigger, as well as a chamber-length Picatinny rail mount for attaching whatever optics you desire.
While the 6.5 Creedmoor is best known as a long-range cartridge, it’s still just about equivalent to the .308 in terms of short-range stopping power. This is more than enough to drop a bear.
This rifle is well set-up for an affordable firearm. It offers sub-MOA accuracy, so you can legitimately use it as your primary deer gun. The only downside is the very light stock, which needs to be stuffed with socks or other packing material in order to reduce felt recoil to an acceptable level.
Pros
- Exceptional accuracy
- Easy to mount optics
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor recoil absorption
If you’re looking for a good balance of price and reliability, this is by far the best bear rifle on the market.
10. Taylor & Company 1873 Cattleman
The Taylors & Company 1873 Cattleman uses the .45 Long Colt cartridge, an old stalwart that still gets the job done.
Key Features
- Chambered in .45 Long Colt
- 5-inch barrel
- Single action
- 6-round capacity
- Weighs 2.5 pounds
- Walnut grip
The Taylors & Company 1873 Cattleman is another replica revolver, albeit more reasonably priced. It’s a replica of the classic Cattleman revolver that was worn by cowboys throughout the Wild West. At 2.5 pounds, it’s a bit heavy. However, the forward-leaning design does help to compensate for recoil, improving your accuracy. And the walnut grip isn’t just attractive; it’s also surprisingly comfortable.
The 1873 Cattleman has a classic, blued steel finish that’s absolutely gorgeous. You’re not going to get these kids of aesthetics from most affordable pistols. Like the Uberti replica we just looked at, it’s also chambered in .45 Long Colt. Originally a black powder caliber, .45 Long Colt now uses standard smokeless powder, and packs more punch than the standard .45 ACP.
Pros
- Classic cattleman replica
- Plenty of stopping power
- Comfortable grip
- Affordable
Cons
- Relatively heavy for a handgun
The 1873 Cattleman is a gorgeous replica pistol that’s still powerful enough to bring down a grizzly.
11. Remington 870 Express
The Remington 870 Express was designed as a tactical shotgun, but its light weight and accuracy – for the size – has made it a popular choice for hunters as well.
Key Features
- 12 gauge bore
- 18-inch barrel
- Pump action
- 6-round tube magazine
- Weighs 5.75 pounds
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Beaded front sight
- Many aftermarket parts available
The Remington 870 Express is a tactical variant of their classic 870 hunting shotgun. It’s more than accurate enough to use for short to medium-range hunting, and can be modified with a large number of aftermarket parts, thanks to the fact that the 870 is such a powerful gun. The main advantage of this shorter variant is that it weighs less than six pounds, very light for a shotgun.
Not only is the 870 Express well-suited for hunting, it’s compact enough to be useful for home defense, which is a useful feature if you’re trying to get as many features as possible out of the same firearm. And of course, it’s plenty powerful to stop a grizzly dead in its tracks.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to customize
- Fires 3-inch magnum shells
- Affordable
Cons
- Too short for waterfowl hunting
Like the 870 Express but want a longer barrel? Upgrade it with an aftermarket barrel, or buy a longer version to begin with.
12. SRM Arms Inc.
The SRM Arms M1228 is powerful enough to bring down any game on the planet.
Key Features
- Chambered in 12-gauge
- 5-inch barrel
- Semi-automatic
- 12-round removable rotary magazine
- Weighs 7.75 pounds
- Polymer stock, pistol grip, and fore-grip
- Half-length Picatinny rail
The SRM Arms M1228 is designed specifically for rapid-fire applications. It’s a semi-auto shotgun with a capacity of 28 rounds. Load it with buckshot or slugs, and you can drop even the world’s biggest, most angry grizzly. Load it with birdshot, and you’re well-equipped for taking rapid follow-up shots at ducks or turkeys.
The M1228 features an ergonomic pistol grip which makes it relatively easy to control. It also has a Picatinny rail mount, so you can easily attach a scope or a red dot sight. Needless to say, it kicks like a mule. But that comes with the territory when you’re looking at a 12-gauge shotgun.
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful
- Very large magazine capacity
- Ergonomic grip
- Easy to mount sights or scopes
Cons
- Pricey
If you want to lay down 12-gauge shells or slugs as fast as possible, the M1228 will get the job done.
Bottom Line
As you can see, the best bear defense gun is going to be different for different people. For hunters, it’s sufficient to know that your hunting rifle or shotgun is also capable of stopping a bear, although it helps if that gun has a large capacity and is easy to cycle quickly.
An important consideration with handguns is whether or not you can handle them. A good example would be the Desert Eagle.
While the .50 caliber cartridge is certainly powerful enough to stop a grizzly in its tracks, the recoil will make it difficult for most people to get off an accurate follow-up shot. For this reason, we focused mostly on .44 magnum pistols, which is the best caliber for bear defense for most people.
And that about covers it. Whether you needed the best handgun for bear country or the best bear rifle, we hope you’ve found the perfect bear gun for your needs.
Check out all the other gun articles put together by our expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
The Review
Best Bear Gun For Self Defense
Read through our review of the best bear gun for self defense on the market today and use it as a guide in finding the best fun that suits your needs.
Review Breakdown
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Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan
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Smith & Wesson Model 629
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Ruger GP100
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Taurus 454SS6M Raging Bull
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Glock 20
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Magnum Research Desert Eagle
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Savage Arms Axis II XP
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Henry 45-70
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Ruger American Predator
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Remington 870 Express
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Mossberg 500 Super Bantam
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Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump
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