Rising black bear and grizzly populations in the Lower 48 states and Canada have led to an increasing number of attacks on humans. In 2021, there were six fatal bear attacks, four by grizzlies and two by black bears, and several other people were mauled that year. Last year there were four deaths, including a 48-year-old woman killed near Yellowstone by a bear that was euthanized after it broke into a nearby cabin two months later. Biologists identified it as the same bear responsible for an attack in Idaho back in 2020.

Hunters are at particular risk of bear attack since we spend more time deep in the wilderness and around downed game — the scent of blood can attract hungry bears. Thankfully the odds of being attacked remain relatively low, but that’s little comfort to someone who finds themselves face-to-face with an aggressive bear and far from help.

It makes sense, then, to carry a backup gun in bear country. Whether you’re hunting, scouting, hiking, or camping, there’s a chance that you’ll have to defend yourself against a marauding grizzly or black bear. The most efficient defensive weapon against bear attacks is a handgun, and after years of trying various sidearms I’ve settled on my bear defense gun: Rock Island Armory’s TAC Ultra FS 10mm 1911.

Why I Chose the RIA

To be clear, a centerfire rifle is a more effective weapon against bear attacks than a handgun. However, I can’t always carry a big bore rifle in the woods. The Rock Island Armory 10mm offers a viable solution since it’s much smaller and lighter than a rifle. That pistol weighs just under 40 ounces and rides comfortably in a holster, which frees both of my hands while I’m in the woods. And because the gun remains in a holster attached to my body, it’s always there. Long guns are heavy and cumbersome, and a rifle that’s leaning against a tree 30 yards away is a far less useful defense against bears than a handgun that is immediately accessible. I’ve tried to sling long guns and carry them, but I cannot unsling my rifle as quickly as I can draw my pistol. Bear attacks happen quickly, and when they do occur you need a gun that is immediately accessible.

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The 10mm has grown in popularity as a bear defense round in recent years. On my last Alaska hunt every guide and hunter carried a 10mm, primarily because 10mm pistols offer a higher capacity than big bore revolvers. They also weigh less than most large revolvers, and 10mm recoil is manageable and allows for faster follow-ups.

Field experience has proven the 10mm to be an effective grizzly stopper when shots are placed accurately and proper ammunition is used. In 2018, a moose hunter in Alaska successfully stopped a grizzly charge with his 10mm Glock, and in 2022 two separate hunters in Wyoming stopped charging grizzlies with 10mm pistols. Hard cast 10mm bullets driven at velocities of 1,250 feet per second or more generate about 700 foot-pounds of energy, which is more than most .357 Magnum loads and considerably more than a 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP autoloader.

I chose an autoloading pistol simply because that’s what I practice with most often, and in the tense seconds of a bear attack I need a gun that I know I can shoot well. Several of my carry guns are 1911s, and I have spent more time practicing with those pistols than I have with a revolver. I feel comfortable with an autoloader and shoot them well, and I know that a few practice sessions with a big bore defensive revolver will not make up for the thousands of rounds I’ve put through 1911 pistols.

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When I settled on a platform and cartridge, I needed to find a gun that suited my needs. The Rock Island TAC Ultra FS came to me for testing, and right away I was impressed with the pistol. There were no malfunctions through the initial rounds of testing and that pistol was extremely accurate. The G10 grips provided a secure grip on the gun (you’d better believe your palms will be sweating during a bear attack) and the fiber optic dovetail front sight is easy to see and durable. Some may prefer a bear defensive gun like the Glock 20 which lacks a manual safety, but I’m accustomed to the 1911’s thumb/grip safety layout and it doesn’t impede my shooting. What’s more, the gun’s 5-inch slide adds just enough forward weight that I can shoot accurately and quickly. I also like the dustcover’s included Picatinny rail. When I’m in bear country I prefer to have a gun with a light attached. For my purposes I use a Streamlight TLR-2, and that allows me to instantly illuminate my surroundings.

The Rock Island TAC Ultra FS is a solid gun that has never failed to perform, and it’s also reasonably priced. At $839 for an all-metal pistol, the gun is a great value. I also appreciate the added capacity of the eight-round magazine.

North to Alaska

My first backcountry hunt with the Rock Island 10mm occurred in 2020. We were hunting caribou along the remote Coleville River in Alaska, and despite having a rifle I also wanted a backup handgun. I carried the 10mm in a GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster, and that has become my go-to setup. The Kenai has comfortable straps that adjust to support the pistol, and by spreading the weight of the gun across my shoulders there was no undue strain while walking over miles of muskeg. I was also wearing waders so a belt holster simply wasn’t an option. The Kenai holster allowed to rapid access to the pistol, and I could sleep on my back in the tent with the gun strapped on my chest and immediately accessible. For their part, GunfightersINC did a great job designing a holster shell that fit my exact firearm, and I believe it’s the best solution for backcountry carry.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to use the 10mm on that hunt, but I have carried the Rock Island on every wilderness trip since then. I’ve come to trust the Rock Island TAC Ultra FS 10mm and have no reservations about carrying that gun. To me, it’s the ideal firearm for carry in bear country.

Sound Off

What is your bear-country back-up gun? What qualities do you think are most important? Let us know by emailing [email protected] and use “Sound Off” in the subject line.