Wheelgun Wednesday: Revolvers vs Bears - Survive an Apex PredatorThe Firearm Blog

When it comes to venturing into the outdoors to either go camping, hiking, hunting, or to snap some dope pics for the ‘Gram (Instagram), we as gun owners like to debate the merits of firearms against apex predators. Whether it is the local meth head from the trailer park “cooking” in the State Park or a more likely encounter of a bear in the woods. What is your best defense?… A sidearm like a big-bore revolver or is it “Bear-Grade” pepper spray. If you have resolved to carrying a revolver in bear country, let’s take a look back at some of the more entertaining options to come from the firearm industry in the Revolvers vs Bears debate.

Wheelgun Wednesday @ TFB:

Revolvers vs Bears – Is a gun your best option?

For those of us who watch TFBTV (make sure to Like & Subscribe), you may remember that James Reeves has covered the debate of Revolvers vs Bears quite a bit over the years. He dropped 3 different videos over a 2 year period debating whether you should use a .44 Magnum, 10mm, or simply bear spray.

I take James’ opinion on this matter very seriously because where I might have 30+ more years of experience in hunting (including black bears – generally passive), James on the other hand has hiked probably 1/2 of our National Parks with his wife over the years and encountered innumerable brown bears (significantly more aggressive temperament). His scholarly research and anecdotal experiences have led him to believe that it’s almost a dead tie for what you should be using (guns versus bear spray), but some recent research tips the scale in favor of firearms. So, with that intelligent, cogent analysis from our in-house lawyer, let’s discuss completely stupid guns that were discontinued that could have been used in the past in the Revolvers vs Bears debate.

Revolvers vs Bears – Is a gun your best option?

There was a small window of time in the late ’90s and early 2000s where Smith & Wesson thought it was a rad idea to make “Emergency Survival Tool Kits.” You got a Pelican-style case full of goodies to fool yourself into believing you were Bear Grylls, but with less knowledge than a cub scout. You got such marketing hype survival items as a Mylar space blanket, a whistle, a Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops folding knife, and a “Bear Attacks of The Century” survival book just to elicit some pucker factor. You also got a deafening, blinding, and atrocious to shoot Model 500 with a 2 3/4″ barrel (talk about “riding the lightning”).

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Revolver in .500 S&W Magnum – 2 3/4″ Barrel with Bright Orange Hogue Grips
(1) Orange Waterproof Storm Case
(1) Blast Match Firestarter
(3) Wetfire Fire Starters
(1) Saber Cut Saw with Nylon Sheath
(1) Jet Scream Whistle
(1) Star Flash Signal Mirror
(1) Polaris Compass
(2) MPI Mylar Space Emergency Blankets
(1) Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Liner Lock Folding Knife with Nylon Sheath
(1) “Bear Attacks of The Century” Survival Book
(1) Master Lock
(1) Set of Keys for Internal Lock
(1) Shipping Box Numbered to the Gun and Papers

Smith & Wesson Model 500 (Emergency Survival Tool Kit) .500 S&W Magnum

Anybody who questioned their manhood ran out and bought these because it was like Smith & Wesson issuing free “Man Cards” to anyone who owned one (at the modest fee of $800 – $1,000 and some broken wrists). If you were going with the family to Alaska to drink beer from a boat spot brown bears, this revolver was a MUST. This revolver’s fast cult following brought a 2nd iteration for us to feast our eyes on – the Smith & Wesson Model 460 (Emergency Survival Tool Kit) .460 S&W Magnum.

Smith & Wesson Model 460 Revolver in .460 S&W Magnum – 2 3/4″ Barrel with Bright Yellow Hogue Grips
(1) Yellow Waterproof Storm Case
(1) Blast Match Firestarter
(3) Wetfire Fire Starters
(1) Saber Cut Saw with Nylon Sheath
(1) Jet Scream Whistle
(1) Star Flash Signal Mirror
(1) Polaris Compass
(2) MPI Mylar Space Emergency Blankets
(1) Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Liner Lock Folding Knife with Nylon Sheath
(1) “Bear Attacks of The Century” Survival Book
(1) Master Lock
(1) Set of Keys for Internal Lock
(1) Shipping Box Numbered to the Gun and Papers

Smith & Wesson Model 460 (Emergency Survival Tool Kit) .460 S&W Magnum

To not confuse those who were basking in the glow of another man’s manliness, this new variation in .460 S&W Magnum had all bright yellow accouterments. You got a nearly identical kit of survival tools as well. This revolver also became legendary and scarce from the time it was initially produced until it was eventually discontinued.

Right when all the glow and buzz of Smith & Wesson’s “Emergency Survival Tool Kits” was about to burn out, Taurus decided to jump on the bandwagon. They came out with some “First 24” survival kits alluding to being able to survive those first 24 hours alone before help can come save you in a Bear Grylls-esque survival situation (cue Google searches for “is that a psilocybin mushroom, or an edible one”). These Taurus First 24 kits were not meant to be directed at dropping 1,300 Lb grizzly bears, but that didn’t stop people on the internet from entertaining the thought of using a .357 Magnum or .45 Long Colt to do so.

Taurus 617 (X-COAT Black) .357 Mag | Taurus Judge (XCOAT Tan) .45 LC/.410 Gauge
AimPro Tactical Enhancement Package
I-Series SKB Case (Black or FDE)
(2) HKS Speed Loader or (2) Bianchi Speed Strips
CRKT Sting (Black or FDE)
Brite-Strike® ELPI (Black or FDE)
Brite-Strike® APALS (green/red/white) – 1 each color
Hogue Inc. Mono-grip
Zippo Fire Starter kit
Energizer batteries (AA)
Slim Line caddy for batteries
550 Para cord bundle (20ft)
Survival blanket
Suunto Compass
MSRP $1399 (Model 617) | MSRP $1,499 (Judge)

Taurus “First 24” Kits – Model 617 .357 Magnum & Judge .45 LC/.410 Gauge

Revolvers vs Bears – So, What’s Next?

Now, if you are able to find either of the Smith & Wesson “Emergency Survival Tool Kits” they sell for $2,000+ online and at auctions. Even the more affordable Taurus “First 24” kits sell for $1,000+ (if you can actually find one). So, I beg the question: what is next? Do you think we’ll ever see a resurgence of these revolvers? Would Ruger throw their hat in the bear survival ring with a cringy kit? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! Also, read on further for an NSFW gun counter story. We always appreciate your feedback.

[NSFW] Revolvers vs Bears: Selling Revolvers for Bear Defense – True Story from the Gun Counter

Alright, now that all the people with delicate sensibilities have left the article, let me share a crass, but hilarious story from my years managing a gun store (which is still my day job).

[Scene] – I am standing by the gun counter with an old regular of mine, Richard, shooting the breeze about nothing. Richard is a tiny man, a veteran, bent over, old, looks like hell, but he lived one hell of a life; the stuff that should be put in patriotic movies.

A young kid comes in strutting through the store looking for a revolver. He needs a BIG revolver as he states because he’s going huntin’ in grizz country. I smile as Richard shakes his head disapprovingly. I can only imagine this young kid is looking for some kind of rite of passage to come into his own… be a man… figure out who he is in this life. I see myself in him, but I’ve got 15+ years on him.

This young man – 110 Lb sopping weight, maybe – slides his way down the gun counter towards where Richard and I are still BS-ing about nothing. The young man prompts another co-worker of mine to pull out that massive one, right thar (inject as much Northwoods, gravy inflection into that as you can). It is magnificent – a Smith & Wesson 500 with an 8 3/8″ barrel. It has a finish so bright you can see your reflection.

Richard, once again, is disapprovingly shaking his head. The young man starts groping that huge, magnificent revolver like he’s a TSA worker at the airport. He is simply in awe of it. Finally, Richard can’t take it anymore. He gruffs under his breath, “That’ll never do.” The young man whirls his gaze at this feeble, small, old man. Although his stature was small, Richard had violent eyes; someone you didn’t mess with it. The young man gave Richard his undivided attention: “Why not?!”

Richard elaborates, “The front sight… it’s all wrong… you need to shave that clear off.”

The young man is utterly perplexed. He concerningly asks, “But why would I do that?…”

“Then,” Richard says with a smile, “when that grizzly bear shoves that revolver up your a$$ before he eats you, it’ll hurt less going in.”

This young man was ghost white, scared, confused, and not sure what to make of the situation. Finally, I couldn’t keep it in anymore. I busted a gut laughing so hard that I started crying. Richard joined in in uncontrollable laughter. So much so, that he fell over and I had to help him stand back up.

This young man finally cracked a nervous smile and laughed, too. He stayed in our store for over an hour as we discussed ballistics, Stopping Pow-Ah, holster options, bear spray, and all manner of things. He did eventually buy a revolver, Richard then recommended some 60-grit sandpaper, we laughed again, and the kid ran off happy with his purchase.

Remember… in the struggle of Revolvers vs Bears some of your greatest allies are avoidance, situational awareness, and lastly swift, violent action. Similar to any self-defense situation.

The Firearm Blog

Wheelgun Wednesday: Revolvers vs Bears – Survive an Apex Predator

Revolvers vs Bears – Is a gun your best option?

Revolvers vs Bears – Is a gun your best option?

Revolvers vs Bears – So, What’s Next?

Adam Scepaniak