In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.7 (232)
$432.96
Capacity: 5 | Barrel Length: 2.0
Home / Bear defense
Bear defense guns
Handguns, rifles and shotguns people carry where brown and black bears live — sorted by caliber, with live price and stock.
There's no single right answer. What the common choices share is heavy, deep-penetrating bullets and a gun you can reach and fire quickly while carrying a pack, fishing a river or working. Start with the guide that matches how you'll carry:
Bear-country handguns
All big-bore revolvers →In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.8 (154)
$575.56
Capacity: 7 | Barrel Length: 4.0
In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.7 (141)
$413.99
Capacity: 5 | Barrel Length: 2.0
In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.8 (114)
$589.94
Capacity: 7 | Barrel Length: 4.0
In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.8 (112)
$575.56
Capacity: 7 | Barrel Length: 6.5
In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.7 (104)
$618.11
Capacity: 5 | Barrel Length: 4.0
In stockShips to FFL
Ruger
★ 5.0 (101)
$982.66
Capacity: 6 | Barrel Length: 6.0
In stockShips to FFL
Taurus
★ 4.8 (98)
$704.94
Capacity: 6 | Barrel Length: 6.5
Big-bore rifles
.45-70 guide guns →In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (12)
$785.44
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 4
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (11)
$560.04
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 5
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (9)
$492.76
Caliber: .300 Win Mag | Capacity: 4
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.7 (9)
$456.54
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 5
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (8)
$635.36
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 5
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (7)
$610.64
Caliber: .300 Win Mag | Capacity: 3
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.6 (7)
$711.84
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 4
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.7 (6)
$491.04
Caliber: .350 Legend | Capacity: 4
12-gauge slug guns
All defense shotguns →In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (143)
$538.19
Gauge: 12 Gauge | Capacity: 5
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.7 (59)
$567.51
Gauge: 12 Gauge | Capacity: 5
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (57)
$338.66
Gauge: 12 Gauge | Capacity: 6
In stockShips to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.8 (48)
$538.19
Gauge: 12 Gauge | Capacity: 6
Common questions
What is the best gun for bear defense?
The one you will actually carry and can shoot quickly and accurately. A rifle or a 12-gauge with slugs hits hardest; a big-bore revolver or 10mm pistol is what people carry when their hands need to be free for fishing, climbing or work. See the caliber guide for how they compare.
What handgun calibers are used for bear defense?
The most common are 10mm Auto, .41 and .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .460 S&W, .480 Ruger and .500 S&W, usually loaded with heavy hard-cast or deep-penetrating bullets.
Is a 12-gauge good for bear defense?
Yes — a pump shotgun loaded with slugs is a common camp and boat gun in Alaska. It is powerful and simple, but it is a long gun, so it has to be carried in hand or on a sling to be useful.
Should I carry bear spray instead of a gun?
Many people carry both. Spray and firearms work differently; carry what you have practiced with and can deploy quickly.
Before you carry in bear country
- Practice with the loads you'll carry. Full-power bear loads recoil much harder than range ammunition. Shoot them enough to hit quickly under stress.
- Carry it where you can reach it. A chest holster keeps a handgun clear of a pack's hip belt and waders.
- Consider bear spray too. Many people in the field carry both; they solve different problems.
- Know the rules where you'll be. Carry rules differ on federal land, in parks and on private land — see our Alaska gun laws guide.
- If you do have to shoot. In Alaska, a bear killed in defense of life or property must be reported to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the hide and skull salvaged and surrendered. Check the current ADF&G rules.
Every firearm ships to a licensed FFL dealer for your background check. Handguns require buyers 21+. How shipping works