UPDATE: Rossi Ranch Hand Mares Leg

[carverk]

Bushmen are Indians, trappers, loggers, prospectors and laborers
the biggest difference is all these people work in the Bush with their feet on the ground.

[Foxer]

Ardent - to answer the debate on why most of the urban buyers want the mares leg for bear defense, I give you this:

Hey - it ain't just bears ya know - you never know what wildlife you may have to defend yourself against in the city!

Try explaining to THIS guy he can't have it his way!

[carverk]

The most dangerous animal in the Bush is the Moose!
More people get attacked by them then any other wild animals in Canada!

[Ardent]

Now where's an update on that double rifle????

...oh and Wally, the double rifle's going swell though the bores have grown to .475 from .400

[driller212]

well thanks for the compliment caverk im a laborer that works in the bush I take being called a bushman and redneck a compliment haha

[Foxer]

More people get attacked by them then any other wild animals in Canada!

Clearly, sir, you have not met my ex.

[carverk]

Driller 212 Yeah I am four of the five on my list.
I am just your typical uneducated northern BC guys who cannot do anything else but work in the Bush.
I am definitely not a redneck though.
I cannot wait to have a lightweight carbine rifle this exploration season!

[driller212]

Driller 212 Yeah I am four of the five on my list.
I am just your typical uneducated northern BC guys who cannot do anything else but work in the Bush.
I am definitely not a redneck though.
I cannot wait to have a lightweight carbine rifle this exploration season!

hek yea on the rifle!

woooo so excited for this season, I will be working in the white gold district!

[carverk]

Driller slugging it out in the Bush will make a man out of anyone.
It is good honest work and something to be proud of not everyone is cut out to do it.
I never know where I am going but then again I am a slut and go where the money is best LOL

[Gatehouse]

Don't want to turn this into yet another CGN bear defense thread, but.....

To use the Mare's Leg as issued for a real bear defense gun is certainly someone's prerogative, but it sure isn't ideal. Putting a full stock on it would make it much more effective. A good revolver would be 10 times better for this purpose than the chopped down stock Mares Leg.

Like I have said before, I'd use one "as is" to do some "handgun" hunting but that is an entirely different set of circumstances than facing down an irate grizzly with a gun that is difficult to aim and reload, although sometimes just the mere presence of a gun (any gun) in your hand is enough to give you the courage to stand your ground and make a bear back down and leave you alone.

I tend to agree with Ardent about the urban guys that want "novelty" guns for bear defense. I think the 8.5" Pistol grip shotguns and Mares legs look cool, and of course they are better than nothing, but far from "ideal."

I think it's important to choose a light/short gun you will carry but will also work well if you need it. The guns I will reach for when I pack a "defense" gun are my .45 Colt Trapper with a 16" barrel (loaded hot) and my 14" barrel pump shotgun with no stupid side saddles or picatinny rails on it, just a great big, tough as nails hand filed rifle sight. I think 14" barrel is about as short as practical in a shotgun (but 12.5 might not suck) And if I could carry a good revolver I'd probably take that instead of any long gun at least 50% of the time.

If I am actually hunting grizzly bears I will take my .375 Ruger and there are some places in BC that seem to hold lots more grizzlies than anything else and I'd carry the heavier and longer 375 in these situations, too.

Bottom line is that while the Mares LEg intrigues me for it's capability to be a "fun" gun and to get as close to handgun hunting as we can in Canada, no way would I bet my life on it as a defensive gun and I personally wouldn't advise it to anyone that asked me, either. (Unless they were to install a full rear stock)