Quote Originally Posted by willywaxer View Post
BS. Peppers spray is not very effective in a predatory attack. You wouldn't stand a chance with an attacking Grizzly. Its kill or be killed in that rare situation. Best to not camp or hike in Grizzly territory. A 12 ga slug will easily drop a bear though. I've done it hunting Blacks in CO. A good bow works too if you have range. A good automatic 45 has value too, as few bears can continue with 10-15 rounds in them. Spraying pepper at them is only useful for deterring curious small bears, not a Grizzly on the hunt. Also, sprays have a short life...after a year or so, they just trickle, not spray so don't rely on them.
First of all, it is EXTREMELY RARE for anyone to be caught in the situation of a TRUE predatory attack from a griz. The vast majority of attacks occur because of a mother defending her cubs. Bear spray is recommended in these situations. The other advantage to bear spray is that it is equally effective in just about anyone's hands. You can be shaking in your boots and pissing your pants and the bear spray will still do it's job.

The same is not true with a handgun. As mentioned before, you've got to nail the bear in the brain cavity with a round while he's running at you. Good luck with that. Also keep in mind that a bear can run about as fast as a quarter horse, which most people don't know. If you're fortunate, you'll have time for 3-4 shots with your handgun, not 10-15. Most people that I know think that a .45 is a joke for a bear round- too slow to penetrate a bear's thick fur, hide, and then skull.

I worked at a local outdoor retailer for awhile selling a lot of bear spray to Yellowstone tourists. I know some of the facts. Bear spray has about a 4 year shelf life from date of manufacture, not one year. It is the propellant that looses some oomph, not the pepper. It is actually ground up cayenne pepper, and essentially causes a sensory overload for the bear, because of it's excellent sense of smell. It will not have the EXACT same effect on you, should you inhale it. I will rely on bear spray, much sooner than just a handgun, though I often carry both.