Went shooting with some former military guys yesterday.. formal training..shooting at moving targets, behind barriers, kneeling, laying flat, on sides,..drills on paper, steel, wood, and windshields.. We each sent over 600 rounds down range yesterday, fun was had by all..

Towards the end we did a bit of bullet testing and shared some stories..this was my take away..

1. One former military instructor shot a smaller Griz in self defense last year just outside Yellowstone National Park.. I remembered the story in the local news.. I didn't know what gun he used until now.. was a Glock model 19 shooting Buffalo Bore 147 Gr +P loads ..one shot...bear ran about 20yards and tipped over..bullet hit top of heart, lungs.. bullet was not recovered by Feds..so, that is 2 bears I now am aware of shot and killed with a 9mm..this one and Phil Shoemaker.. while I would NEVER want to use a 9mm for brown bears/griz..its nice to know you might at least have a chance should the need arise..

2. Hornady Critical Defense--135 GR in 9mm bullets worked extremely well shooting through a windshield.. hit POA in all instances during our test..was not the case with most other ammo..actually used my concealed carry for this test, a S&W Shield..so short barrel..3"..but was impressive display..

3. The 9mm was actually out penetrating 40S&W shooting same constructed bullet..when shot into wood/windshield.. etc

4. The Federal Loads, 124 gr, with large hollow point did not do well on the windshield test..fragged and hit all over the place.. sorry don't know which bullet it was.

5. The Buffalo Bore solid cast core loads hit a bit high out of the windshield..but hit with authority on the steel plate behind it..If I was out hiking/camping with the family in the forest, would use this load...in town/city will use the Hornady Critical Defense 135 Gr..based on what I saw yesterday..If all I had was a 9mm that is...

Here in Montana and other areas in the west when hiking in the forest, I prefer my titanium S&W in 44 mag--4" barrel shooting 300gr or more solid cast cores... sometimes do carry the 10mm with Buffalo Bore ammo ..however if in Griz country, nothing less than 44 mag..

Ripp