The Wildey is an interesting pistol but I don't think I could completely trust a big bore magnum pistol, without armed back-up, for dangerous game, too many possibilities to go wrong exist.

I know this makes me out to be hypocritical, seeing that a Glock 30 is my everyday carry, but I still look at magnum pistols as a novelty for the range or guided hunts, not for real world self-defense in the bushes.

The simple mechanics of a well built single-action has more than 170 years of real world use and improvements behind it and quality double-action revolvers were the natural outgrowth of that design. Even the best pistol can be put out of action by relatively simple means, such as limp-wristing or a magazine that might have been unseated by an impact or fall; I know that I have dropped my Glock and it's happened to me. I can well imagine that in a fast moving situation with a large animal the possibility for these or other malfunctions are very real.

We practice weapons handling against people in various situations and there is some sense in assuming that these confrontations will take place in the streets, in buildings and even in our cars, with the possibility of applying these skills in woods or fields a bit more remote. However, in a situation where you have been stalked or surprised in the bushes by a large angry animal, much of that training goes out the window.

A bear is not going to recognize a handgun as a threat and hesitate, giving you a moment or more to react, as well as some distance, to reason with it or to anticipate its next move. It is more likely you will be knocked down before you can even get your weapon out and 20 raking claws and large, powerful biting teeth will most likely reduce gun handling an instinctive haphazard reaction, not the refined moves practiced on the range. Given a choice, would you really want a pistol that could jam simply from being awkwardly shoved against a large, hairy body?

All of this is my opinion of course. The worst non-human threat I have to deal with these days are on my walks, the possibility of one of the many Pit Bulls, Rockwilders or other large, aggressive dogs that populate my neighborhood might get out and make a run for me and my Walker. Those I can and do practice for, with a pistol, but a bear in the tall grass or brush makes me think twice about what can be done and what's up for chance.

Eli