Glock 20 Ends Bear Attack, Just Barely

[osprey]

I could never get the Buffalo bore 220 gr hardcast loads to be reliable or accurate out of my Glock 20. I now use a 200 gr wfn hardcast in a stout hanload it is much more accurate and cycles reliably with no failures.

 

[OldBroad44]

Its not just that he wasnt carrying deep penetrating bear loads. Its that he didnt go for head shots. In handgun against grizzly, only a head or spine shot is likely to incapacitate instantly so you don't get chewed up and maybe killed while the bear dies.

 

[osprey]

Without a follow up necropsy it Is all conjecture but the bullet he used definitely limited penetration. It is hard to say whether some shots may have reached the bears cns had they been of a better design.

 

[DirectDrive]

There are a couple of deep penetrators on the chart...
10mm Auto Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

 

[Mister Bisley]

I've read this story a few times and have come to the conclusion that this guy isn't the smartest. Out running hunting dogs and gun isn't fully loaded...not smart. First reaction when seeing the bear fighting with his dogs, is to take a video or pic. I bet his dogs appreciated that...not smart. Not using a caliber or load that is suitable for for bear defense and placing non-lethal shots. Personally, I would never use 10mm for bear. IMO, this guy did everything wrong

 

[osprey]

There are a couple of deep penetrators on the chart...
10mm Auto Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

The hornady critical defense load actually penetrated pretty good in this test. It may be that carrying this vs other self defense rounds that don't offer deep penetration, may have saved his life.

 

[MrMillspecer]

They need some bear hide in front of the ballistics gel. With long hair.

 

[Mister Bisley]

They need some bear hide in front of the ballistics gel. With long hair.

And a bit of dried mud on it

 

[DirectDrive]

and bear skull

 

[Pops1911]

Wow! As the old mountain man Jim Bridger allegedly said to Hugh Glass who recovered from a Grizzly attack, "You got the hair of the bear in ya". It seems so does this guy. Great article. Thanks.

 

[Mister Bisley]

I could never get the Buffalo bore 220 gr hardcast loads to be reliable or accurate out of my Glock 20. I now use a 200 gr wfn hardcast in a stout hanload it is much more accurate and cycles reliably with no failures.

I've read in a review that Glock recommends not shooting lead hard casts through their factory barrels and also the Buffalo Bore page recommends using a stiffer recoil spring of at least 21lbs in the Glock, to achieve advertised velocities. Could be the reason behind the inconsistencies?

 

[osprey]

I've read in a review that Glock recommends not shooting lead hard casts through their factory barrels and also the Buffalo Bore page recommends using a stiffer recoil spring of at least 21lbs in the Glock, to achieve advertised velocities.

I tied the BB ammo out of two aftermarket barrels as well as the factory barrel with dismal results. I also have a 22# spring. The glock warning is for those that don't pay enough attention to what leading looks like in a barrel and the causes of it.

 

[DirectDrive]

I've read in a review that Glock recommends not shooting lead hard casts through their factory barrels

Yep, supposedly Glock's polygonal rifling does not do well with lead bullets.
Gen 5 is supposed to have conventional rifling, but no 10mm Gen 5 yet.

and also the Buffalo Bore page recommends using a stiffer recoil spring of at least 21lbs in the Glock, to achieve advertised velocities.

That I could see, to protect the frame.
I didn't know that the recoil spring affected velocity.

 

[Mister Bisley]

I tied the BB ammo out of two aftermarket barrels as well as the factory barrel with dismal results. I also have a 22# spring. The glock warning is for those that don't pay enough attention to what leading looks like in a barrel and the causes of it.

Good to know. I'd probably stay away from the BB in my Glock then. The BB rounds work like a dream in my big framed Ruger revolver.

 

[MrMillspecer]

This was an interesting read. GUN WATCH: AK: .45 vs 9-Foot Brown Bear

 

[Mister Bisley]

This was an interesting read. GUN WATCH: AK: .45 vs 9-Foot Brown Bear

And a Hi-Point at that!!

 

[osprey]

Good to know. I'd probably stay away from the BB in my Glock then. The BB rounds work like a dream in my big framed Ruger revolver.

They also make a 200 gr hardcast load that is probably gtg but I have not tested it. The 220 gr has marginal stability in a stock length G20 barrel. A G40 or a longer aftermarket barrel in a G20 may help stabilize the heavier bullet. As far as feeding problems, I never tried to diagnose because of their inaccuracy.

 

[DirectDrive]

They also make a 200 gr hardcast load that is probably gtg but I have not tested it. The 220 gr has marginal stability in a stock length G20 barrel. A G40 or a longer aftermarket barrel in a G20 may help stabilize the heavier bullet. As far as feeding problems, I never tried to diagnose because of their inaccuracy.

The 200gr BB is FMJ
Betcha that might shoot out of a G20 OK

 

[MrMillspecer]

I've read in a review that Glock recommends not shooting lead hard casts through their factory barrels and also the Buffalo Bore page recommends using a stiffer recoil spring of at least 21lbs in the Glock, to achieve advertised velocities. Could be the reason behind the inconsistencies?

And that's a good reminder for Sig owners with polygonal rifling. No bare lead. I think the 2022 has normal riflng so that's an option, for me anyway.

 

[Koda]

Doubletapp ammo makes a solid copper penetrator for bears that works in a polygonal bbl....

Over 700ft lbs from a Glock 20

10mm 200gr FMJ-FP 20rds.