Bear attacks are on the rise, especially in the Rocky Mountain West. The resurgence of the native grizzly bear population is nothing short of miraculous, and these apex predators are extending their range well beyond Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Backpackers, anglers, hikers, and hunters now encounter bears, both black and grizzly on a much more routine basis.

While black bears are passive and shy, grizzlies are not. They are the apex predator of the North American Continent with no rivals. It is important to realize that you are no longer the dominant species when traveling in “bear country.”

Thankfully, bear attacks are rare, but being prepared in the backcountry is much better than being on the menu. Pepper spray, loud noises, and making yourself appear larger remain the best deterrents, but at times, your final defense is often a reliable, high-powered gun that can stop the largest bruin.

What to Do If You See a Bear

Bears, even smaller black bears, are incredibly strong animals. A mature male grizzly can take the head off a 1600-pound Angus bull with a single swipe of his gigantic paw. As a human, you don’t have a chance against any bear if you’re unarmed. You can’t outrun them either, and neither can your horse for several hundred yards if you encounter one on horseback.

Common sense and a few precautions can drastically reduce the risk of being attacked by a bear.

If you see a bear, give it plenty of space. Solitary males are usually not a threat, but if a sow has cubs, she is the ultimate “mama bear” and will defend them viciously. Most fatal bear attacks occur when a sow with cubs is surprised, feels threatened, and then attacks. No amount of shouting, or bear spray will deter a mother bear if she feels her cubs are in danger.

A high-powered shot to the brain is the only guaranteed method of stopping a charging bear in its tracks, but well-placed heart/lung shots are effective as well. The problem is you won’t have time with a standard bolt-action rifle to acquire a target and then hit it when that target is closing in on you at 35 miles per hour. That’s why a high-powered, large-caliber handgun, a pump shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot, or a lever action guide rifle, with iron sights, are much better choices than a standard hunting rifle.

Yes, a .300 Win Mag or .338 Win Mag will drop a bear, but you are hiking, not hunting and a large rifle like this is a detriment in the event of a proximity bear attack.

10 Life-Saving Bear Defense Guns

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan

Check Price

This weapon was designed with predators in mind. The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan was engineered to be a practical, easy-to-use firearm for self-defense against animal threats. The weapon is available in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, and .480 Ruger calibers, all of which boast plenty of stopping power.

The revolver-style handgun features a 2.5” barrel which is compact and portable. This shorter barrel does increase recoil and muzzle blast, but the gun is still an effective bear defense solution. This is a powerful handgun with a powerful recoil, requiring two hands for most people. Take the time at the range to learn how to use this weapon. It is deadly effective at close range.

Smith & Wesson Model 629

Check Price

The .44 Magnum remains a standard in bear defense calibers, and the Smith and Wesson Model 629 is a popular platform for delivering this powerful cartridge. Available in a variety of barrel lengths from 2 5/8 to 7 ½ inches, experienced outdoorsmen prefer the longer 5, 6 ½, and 7 ½ inch barrels for their greater accuracy.

Personal preference is the key with this hard-hitting handgun. The various lengths allow the shooter to find a model that is well balanced for their use, and balance is the key in a panicked situation with 600 pounds of snarling muscle charging at you.

Ruger GP100

Check Price

“Don’t shoot him, you’ll just make him mad,” says the Waco Kid to Sheriff Bart in Blazing Saddles as they face the bandit, Mongo. That’s the reaction many outdoorsmen have when the 10mm and .357 Magnum cartridges are discussed as bear defense calibers.

The .44 Magnum is considered the minimum defense against grizzlies, but all bear attacks aren’t made by grizzlies. The GP100 is a .357 Magnum, which means it’s ideal for defense against black bears as opposed to much larger brown or grizzly bears.

The Ruger GP100 is a well-designed firearm with a smaller caliber that allows people to shoot faster, with less recoil, and more accurately than a .44. In the right situation, the GP100 is a great option for bear defense.

Taurus Raging Bull

Check Price

The Taurus Raging Bull chambers only five rounds in many configurations, but those rounds are the most powerful common handgun caliber on the market. The .454 Casull packs a wallop, delivering 1,500-foot pounds of energy at 50 yards, rivaling high-powered rifles. In the shorter 2 ¾ inch barrel length, it delivers a wallop in terms of recoil too.

In .454 Casull caliber, the Raging Bull can also fire .45 Long Colt cartridges, making it a versatile option for bear defense. The gun also features the red “Raging Bull” backstrap, which works to drastically reduce the gun’s recoil. For predator and bear defense, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more effective weapon.

Glock 20

Check Price

Many think the 10mm Glock 20 offers too light a cartridge for bear defense, but quantity more than compensates for firepower with this pistol. Coming with a standard 15-round magazine, the Glock 10 can deliver 10mm bullets as fast as you can pull the trigger. The 10mm has nearly the identical ballistics of a .357 Magnum and is an effective bear caliber.

The Glock 20 is an extremely accurate gun as well, making it easy for the shooter to take rapid follow-up shots. It features a large magazine and is incredibly reliable as well. All of this combined with the Glock 20’s portability and ease of use. Spend some time on the range and the Glock 20 will deliver against any bear.

Smith & Wesson 460V

Check Price

With its high velocity .460 S&W magnum cartridge, the Smith & Wesson 460V is equal parts power and versatility. The .460 S&W caliber can also safely and effectively fire .454 Casull and .45 Long Colt rounds. This means that the shooter has a large variety of ammo options and can fine-tune their firearm to their own needs and capabilities. The 1600+ foot-pounds of energy at 50 yards is an eye opener, or an eye closer to a charging bear.

The gun also features a compensated barrel that reduces recoil. The 460V also is perfectly balanced between being lightweight enough to carry, while being heavy enough to shoot with accuracy. For the most versatile bear-defense gun on the market, the Smith & Wesson 460V is an ideal option.

Smith & Wesson 500

Check Price

A 300 or 500-grain bullet screaming down the barrel is a fantastic option for bear defense from Smith & Wesson. The 500 packs a serious punch and will certainly stop any living threat. This is the most powerful production revolver in the world.

This weapon was originally designed for hunting but has since been made with shorter 4” and 6.5” barrels that make it an ideal bear defense gun. The S&W 500 features a compensated muzzle as well, taming some of the otherwise hefty recoil.

Because of the massive bullets and extreme recoil, it can be difficult to shoot accurately. For novice or inexperienced shooters, make sure you regularly practice with this weapon.

Mossberg 500

Check Price

Shotguns and long guns aren’t as easy to carry as handguns, but there is something to be said for the power and ease of use that a 12-gauge shotgun brings. Experienced backcountry guides prefer a 12-gauge pump for bear defense.

It’s generally easier to accurately shoot a long gun than a handgun, which makes a pump-action shotgun like the Mossberg 500 an ideal choice for bear defense. The Mossberg 500 can also effectively serve double duty as a home defense weapon.

Loaded with 00, 000 or slugs, this is a bear-stopping option that is easier to aim and control than a high-caliber handgun.

Rifled slugs work well in smoothbore shotgun barrels and deliver a powerful, easy-to-deliver wallop. Sabot slugs are a more accurate option for many shooters than a handgun and the pump action is quick.

Marlin 1895

Check Price

The Marlin 1895 is a particular favorite of hunting guides in North America, specifically in bear-heavy areas like Alaska and Canada. This nostalgic leap to the past has stopped more bears than any other caliber. The 250 and 325-grain bullets move a little slower than modern cartridges but deliver bear-stopping power at close range.

The Marlin 1895 is chambered in .45-70 Government cartridge and is available with an 18” or 22” barrel. This large gun surprisingly only weighs 8 lbs., making it very portable for its size. The Model 1895 doesn’t excel at long range, but it’s designed for up-close encounters, making it an ideal bear defense gun.

Ruger Guide Gun

Check Price

Despite being one of the newer guns on the market, the Ruger Guide Gun is an ideal long gun for bear defense. Available in .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag., .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 Ruger, and .416 Ruger, this weapon is a versatile and powerful rifle. The .375 and .416 variants are the most ideal options for stopping large, dangerous animals. These two cartridges are designed to offer the power of chambers like the .416 Rigby, while still fitting in a standard-length action.

To tame the recoil of its powerful shot, the Ruger Guide Gun comes equipped with a removable muzzle brake and a thick recoil pad. At just 8 lbs., the Ruger Guide Gun is also very easy to carry.

This is the only bolt-action rifle in our list of the top 10 bear defense guns. It is slower than a lever action guide gun, a handgun, pistol, or pump shotgun, but packs much more energy than they can. For longer-distance work against a rogue grizzly, this is a good choice.