Hi Folks,

My son loves photographing the outdoors and informed me last week that he going hiking in Alaska. I get my nature fix by sitting on my backside in a boat and fishing. I have good working knowledge of my trusty little lever action .22 rifle that I use to keep the coons out of my chickens but that is about the extent of my gun expertise. I need some advice from you braver, heartier outdoorsman who don't mind tearing through blackberry bushes while carrying ten or twelve pounds of steel and trying not get shot by some fool in the woods who probably shouldn't be armed with anything more dangerous than a sharp crayon. Here's my question.

What handgun do I get my kid that will stop a horny, hungry or otherwise uncooperative grizzly bear from eating him? My hunting friends have recommended a "Ruger RedHawk .454 casull Alaskan revolver". I don't trust these guys, however, because I spend much of my time hauling their drunken bodies back to their wives and watching them light farts.

Will this gun stop a bear? The gun needs to be simple to operate and reliable. As light as possible but durable. Accurate enough to hit where it is aimed at 50 ft. My son too is a fisherman and has never owned a handgun. He will have about 1 month to learn how to use this tool. Any suggestions or comments? Is there a better gun?

You said you wouldn't tell anyone about the "gas fires" Nick :D

The Ruger might be ok, my knowledge of bears is limited to say the least. Common sense approach, find out what areas he will be in and contact the local Game department to see what if any bear problems exist. Even more important, research "what not to do in bear country". Being where you shouldn't be, not being observant, leaving food out, and other common mistakes are all bad juju.

If he's not familiar with handguns, I certainly would not start him off with a 454! Way too much recoil for a gun used to learn how to shoot. He'd prolly be better off with a compact, more powerful rifle. My first choice would be a Marlin 1895G 45-70, or if you don't handload, the 450 Marlin.

Welcome!

Couple of thoughts.... really, I think that the Ruger 'Alaskan' model is in fact about the neatest thing you could have for repelling bears, that you can shoot with one hand. They are pretty rugged, stainless, double-action for simplicity.... hard to imagine creating a better handgun for the purpose.

I just *wouldn't* start out with full .454 Casull loads.... under any circumstances.

Shoot a bunch of standard .45 Colt loads, a box or two of the high-performance .45 stuff from Buffalo Bor / Cor Bon / etc., and then maybe a couple of 'real' .454 loads at the very end. And the 'end' needs to be many range sessions from the beginning.... in the one-month timeframe, the high-performance .45 colt stuff might be as far as he gets. It still beats trying to flog a bear to death, with a fly rod....

Frankly I'd have as much faith in my own ability to use the high-performance .45 Colt loads, as the .454 loads... but to each his own.

I don't think that Ruger came up with short SRH on their own.... a few custom gunsmiths were doing them first, which tells you that it's probably not a bad idea.

Avoiding the bears is certainly the best possible advice.... but sometimes trouble finds us anyway. And while rifles are good to have... sometimes a handgun is all you can manage to have on your person.

You said you wouldn't tell anyone about the "gas fires" Nick :D

The Ruger might be ok, my knowledge of bears is limited to say the least. Common sense approach, find out what areas he will be in and contact the local Game department to see what if any bear problems exist. Even more important, research "what not to do in bear country". Being where you shouldn't be, not being observant, leaving food out, and other common mistakes are all bad juju.

Common sense? Anyone who has ever raised a son can give you volumes of incidents that defy any measure of common sense - like the time my genius offspring was sled riding on the icy snow covered hill behind our house and decided to drop his pants and ride down without a sled bare-assed "just to see what it would feel like." He is older and wiser now but that sort of thing leaves a lasting impression on a parent re: common sense. I am going under the assumption that he will run into a bear, probably annoy it, and need the gun.

Welcome!

Couple of thoughts.... really, I think that the Ruger 'Alaskan' model is in fact about the neatest thing you could have for repelling bears, that you can shoot with one hand. They are pretty rugged, stainless, double-action for simplicity.... hard to imagine creating a better handgun for the purpose.

I just *wouldn't* start out with full .454 Casull loads.... under any circumstances.

Shoot a bunch of standard .45 Colt loads, a box or two of the high-performance .45 stuff from Buffalo Bor / Cor Bon / etc., and then maybe a couple of 'real' .454 loads at the very end. And the 'end' needs to be many range sessions from the beginning.... in the one-month timeframe, the high-performance .45 colt stuff might be as far as he gets. It still beats trying to flog a bear to death, with a fly rod....

Frankly I'd have as much faith in my own ability to use the high-performance .45 Colt loads, as the .454 loads... but to each his own.

I don't think that Ruger came up with short SRH on their own.... a few custom gunsmiths were doing them first, which tells you that it's probably not a bad idea.

Avoiding the bears is certainly the best possible advice.... but sometimes trouble finds us anyway. And while rifles are good to have... sometimes a handgun is all you can manage to have on your person.

Thanks Mike
I am going to look for the gun locally but in the event I have to order off the internet do you know of any reputable dealers and their URLs?

Nick,
Where is your son planning his photography work here in Alaska? Most of the photographers that work here do so in National Parks, where it is illegal to carry firearms.

Other areas, game is much more skiddish and not found in as great concentrations. If you haven't fired a big bore handgun, I'd recommend toting a rifle or shotgun (with non-Foster type, high quality slugs). If you are going to be his "backup" on bears, a longarm (rifle or shotgun) makes a lot more sense. I don't personally feel a month is enough time to master a heavy recoiling handgun, from the beginning stages.

If you are coming up in a month, you'll be in the middle of hunting season and animals in non-park areas are really going to be on high alert.

Thanks Mike
I am going to look for the gun locally but in the event I have to order off the internet do you know of any reputable dealers and their URLs?

Don't know where you are located but even if you order, you will still need a dealer (FFL holder) to take delivery. Are you near any stores such as Sportsman warehouse, they have good prices on Rugers and carry the SRH Alaskan.

Given the Father knows best approach you have, I am forced to agree, common sense is not all that common so the BIG GUN theory may work best. Get the best carry holster you can find while you're shopping. Even the best gun is no good if you can't get to it.

If he's not much into guns I too would suggest the short-rifle approach. Find a short barreled lever gun (the above mentioned marlin is what comes to mind) in 450 marlin, 444marlin or 45-70. If you'd like creme de la creme get a BLR (browning lever rifle). Whatever he ends up with, rifle or pistol, have him practice and practice and practice with it. Start out with with "normal" loads and work up to stout loads. (In the 45-70 you can get "Stout" loads from Garrett or Buffalo Bore. Most other factory stuff will be anemic loads that are safe for the 100+year old guns)

Nick, Alyeska has a point. They frown on firearms in the Nat. Parks, even up here. Besides, it makes the tourists nervous.

The SRH Alaskan is a nice gun. Big, heavy, powerful. Not a first time handgun shooters tool. Even with .45Colt loads it's not a first timers handgun. I will say this. I want something very similar! :D It would do the job on a bear IF you can hit what you need to with it. That's too big an IF for someone new to the gun for me to bet money or even lunch. Learn with something smaller and work up. Recoil is an issue with the big stuff. Just my thoughts. Let us know where he'll be so we can wave at the camera guy! ;)

handguns arent bear stoppers. Best bet is to get him the biggest gun he cans MASTER and shoot ACCURATELY and have him practice with it till it becomes just another extension of his arm. Id rather put a hard cast .357 bullet into the vitals of a bear then put a .454 into its guts. Bottom line is if its charging neither are going to keep you from getting hurt.

This oughtta stop a bear :D

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=862256653716738003

Seriously though, I don't hunt and I've never even seen a bear in real life so I'm probably not qualified to recommend a gun. However, it's the internet so I'll put my opinion in too :)

I will say that he probably doesn't have time to learn how to use a handgun with HUGE recoil like the Alaskan in .454 Casull sufficiently to save his life if a bear did ever attack him... As everyone else has said, if you're not putting your bullets in the right place it doesn't really matter if your shooting a 9mm or a 45-70.

IMO the best way to go for safety would really be what quite a few others have said... A 45-70 levergun or shotgun loaded with slugs. Better stopping power and easier to control at the same time...

Remington 870 Marine Magnum shotgun stuffed full of slugs. Leave the handguns at home. ;0)

Strut10, part of the problem with a shotgun is the same as with a rifle, shortie or not. You go to do something that takes both hands like take a picture or squat behind a bush and you leave the long gun leaning up against something out of reach. Wish it weren't so, but even I leave my rifle leaning chamber empty, leaning against a tree when I make a pit stop. I do however carry a sidearm.

ApacheAWS, yeah, bet it would stop a bear, but all that ammo coming out doesn't change the fact you need to hit that bear in the brain or spinal column. LOL two drums, no waiting... Guy in the video didnt look all that solidly planted. Nick44444, your son really needs a backup guy along as one month really isn't enough time for him to gain proficiency with a large handgun. Besides, his attention will be on his viewfinder, not what else is around him.

Just my experiences is all.

... your son really needs a backup guy along as one month really isn't enough time for him to gain proficiency with a large handgun. Besides, his attention will be on his viewfinder, not what else is around him.

...

I think this is the best advice so far

And always remember, just because a bear is close, doesn't mean he needs to be shot.

From the Daily News
http://www.adn.com/photo/2006/08/01/2179468-400-x-285.jpg

And always remember, just because a bear is close, doesn't mean he needs to be shot.

From the Daily News
http://www.adn.com/photo/2006/08/01/2179468-400-x-285.jpg

Great shot. Both the guy and the bear going about doing their thing. There really are enough fish for both.

I think poking at bears with handguns is a big mistake. The only worse mistake you can make is putting yourself in their way. Most bear incidents are preventable.

I think this is the best advice so far

Ditto above advice. I used to scuba dive and take photos. My dive buddy saved my bacon on a couple of occassions. Once I ran out of air, I was so engrossed with my photo taking and had to buddy breath to the surface. Another time I would have been shark food if not for my buddy and a bang
stick. Your photographer son should have a buddy who is efficient with a Guide Gun loaded for bear, pun intended.

MMichaelAK
I think your looking at a nice Photo shop job! Look at the shadows they don't match up!! Would you be that nonchalant around a browny even if it was a small one?

My son in law plans a bow hunting trip to northern Idaho later this month for elk and has been advised by his guide to bring a handgun. Last year he took my Glock 23 .40 cal. and was told it would only make a grizzly mad. This year he is considering my Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag or Glock 22 in 45 acp. I'm recommending the .44 with 300 gr. nosler bullets. He is going to buy bear repellant spray up there, and has heard that it is very effective. Has anyone had experience or heard reports of the effectiveness of the repellant sprays? Thanks...

MMichaelAK
I think your looking at a nice Photo shop job! Look at the shadows they don't match up!! Would you be that nonchalant around a browny even if it was a small one?
That's a true picture, GN. Several more like it taken at Bird Creek, between Anchorage and Girdwood. Have a look at the Anchorage Daily News photograph section.

I think you can use just about any handgun you want in big bear country.

Just make sure that you coat the cartridges well with bacon grease before loading them into the gun.

That way, when you empty your handgun at the bear and throw the empty gun at him, he may stop to smell the bacon odor long enough for you to get away. :D

And remember, you don't have to outrun the bear...you just have to outrun your slowest hunting/fishing buddy! ;)

I have a fairly new Ruger Alaskan in .454 and I do use this gun as my primary bear defense on occasion. However, I shoot this handgun on a fairly regular basis and I'm still not overjoyed about walking around in the woods without a longgun or shotgun. My advice is to pack a Guide Gun or short barreled 12 gauge shotgun. He will sleep better at night! Just my opinion. ;)

My son in law plans a bow hunting trip to northern Idaho later this month for elk and has been advised by his guide to bring a handgun. Last year he took my Glock 23 .40 cal. and was told it would only make a grizzly mad. This year he is considering my Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag or Glock 22 in 45 acp. I'm recommending the .44 with 300 gr. nosler bullets. He is going to buy bear repellant spray up there, and has heard that it is very effective. Has anyone had experience or heard reports of the effectiveness of the repellant sprays? Thanks...

Probably any he brings will work for a protection gun. I've lived here all my life and camped and backpacked much of Idaho's wilderness areas. Spent lots of time sleeping under the stars with nothing more than a net to keep the bugs off.

Spent lots of time hunting and black bear was the top game in the spring for handgun hunting. Tallied 19 with a handgun, both 41 and 44 mag. Got a friend that guides bear hunters and used a Colt auto in 38 super and one of Rugers little double actions in 32 mag for treed bears. Can't begin to tell how many he's dropped out of a tree in the past 25 or so years.

Of all the bear encounters I've had only once did I ever have to use a weapon for any kind of defense. Thats in 45 years of hunting, packing and camping in Idaho and Alaska.

I personally think that folks are foolish for not carrying a handgun in the woods even though it might be for that one in 10,000 odd thing that might happen. My suggestion is to carry one that you can shoot well and is easy to carry. A good 357 works well. Got to say a pocket 38 special with plus P loads that you don't even notice carrying often can be better than that Super Redhawk that feels like you need a wheelbarrow for at the end of the day.

the stainless pocket 38 now goes with me fishing and if I'm hunting where I might want to take a close range deer the Tauras 4 inch 41 mag Tracker comes in the same weight as my little Rossi 4 inch kit gun clone.

If you feel the need take a handgun, but if your hunting with a bow that arrow probably would take care of anything you'd come up against. Lots of bowhunters doing black bear. There are a few grizzly on the Montana Idaho devide, I've run into a few fishing, but like most animals if you leave them alone they will usually leave you alone. For that one in 10,000 encounter a rifle or pistol shot usually is enough to scare most animals away. I'd rather not kill unless I have not choice.

As far as the bear spray, I've read about several encounters where it has worked. I don't carry it, but I do hang a couple of mesh bags of moth balls around my camp. Something about the namptha that bears don't seem to like.

Thanks Bob, I'll pass along your thoughts, especially the mothballs around camp. Sounds like he might be better off with his Model 19 Smith or my Taurus M651 with heavy bullets (158-200 gr.)

That's a true picture, GN.

I hate to disagree but I imported this .jped into Photoshop and blew it up to look at it.
Look carefully at the area where the fisherman's leg intersects with the bear. It's quite blurred and appears to have been doctored. Some of the bear's brown coloring has crossed over into the knee of the fisherman. It also shows a heavy hand when applying either Photoshop's healing brush or clone tool.
I think it's supposed to be a joke, at least I hope so. What with the recent forgeries from Reuters News Service being passed off as genuine photos from the recent unpleasantness in Lebanon by a reporter who wanted to make the Israeli's look bad the last thing print media needs is more photo fraud.

From the same series of photos
http://www.adn.com/photo/2006/08/06/2185366-400-x-234.jpg

http://www.adn.com/photo/2006/08/06/2185360-400-x-283.jpg

http://www.adn.com/photo/2006/07/28/2175130-400-x-308.jpg


A neat photo of a bear and eagle sharing a tree
http://www.adn.com/ips_rich_content/600-Boboli04_10-400-x-300.jpg

i dont no how old your son is but i assume he is big enough to withstand the power of bigbore handguns. I am only a kid
16 but have been around guns my whole life for someone who has never shot before a .357 mag would be as big as i would go to learn on but this is not very good for big alaskan bears(unless you have been shooting for years and are an expert with the gun) then u could probaly pull it off but i still would rather go with somthing bigger wich leads me to the 44 magnum. if the size of the handgun doesnt make to much a differance then a taurus 444 raging bull would be a good choice with its large frame heavy design ported barrel and recoil stirp it has very little recoil for a 44 magnum. i have used one for about a year now and can shoot it at short range with one hand (but dont have your son do that i have been shooting since i was like 8 so i have an idea on what im doing) one handed is a bad idea for inexperince.
if this gun is to big wich i may be i would suggest a taurus 444 ultra lite 44 mag it has a 4 inch barrel 28 oz eay for packing although the recoil and noise will be bad in this pint sized package it will be well worth it if u need somthing small and its gonna save ur life

From the same series of photos


I was hoping you'd post those or provide a link so I could see the rest for myself.
So...this must be an area where bears and humans frequently congregate together, much the way bears would act around humans in a national park here in the lower forty-eight.
Frankly, I'd still be somewhat uneasy. That photo with the dad fishing with his infant child with the bear in the background strikes me as a little crazy.
They do look authentic, however.
The one with the eagle and the bear is priceless.

Sorry about that, Thomas, here you go.

http://www.adn.com/

About midway down the page is a section "Galleries" click on the Bear Gallery under that heading.

Sorry about that, Thomas, here you go.

http://www.adn.com/

About midway down the page is a section "Galleries" click on the Bear Gallery under that heading.

I tried to register with the website to see all the bear photos but the registration page - oddly - had no scroll feature to access all the required registration fields. I couldn't access all the fields I needed to register with the newspaper.

If looking for a good gun in bear country check out the new Smith & Wessons the models 500es and the 460 es both are short barreled big bores with emeregency survivla kits just for bear country!

Well, not to belabor my point ... and I've posted this before ... I used to lug around a LARS Grizzly .45 Win/Mag and I have a couple of .454's, too, BUT when I'm up at Talkeetna, AK ... it's my Smith 500 alllll the way! 4" barrel and I can hit accurately at 50 yards every time ... the DA's been worked to perfection and always filled with our Max. reloads ... and only NOW do I feel 'adequately protected' from a Grizzly charge ... I think!

A grizzly's skull is nicely armored at 1 1/2" in places. He's strong enough to (literally) knock a horse's head off with one swipe. He charges with head down making for a much smaller target than you'd think and he can run through you as easily as an F-150 can in a 45Mph. zone! He is also a smart and wary stalker and can come up on the careless city slicker just as quietly as a pussy cat.

I once was told a story, in a bar, by the local RCMP officer - in Dawson, YK - who was chased around his living room - he and the wife - by a big grumpy griz who had come out of hibernation early - Feb. I think - because of a mouth of abscessed teeth (bears don't die of old age, they die because of bad teeth)and the ONLY thing that saved him (Mr. RCMP) was a ricochet off of one of his huge canines up into the soft pallet into the bear's brain by the last of six .44's fired into his pursuer at close range! One shot in a billion as the officer was fully airborne ... sailing across the kitchen towards a closed back door! His story, already heard by his fellow Knucks in the bar a thousand times, brought the house down ... and impressed yours truly, into buying a 500 just as soon as it hit the market!

Lastly, the suggestion that he only go out with another 'guard' person makes sense IF you have the extra cash to hire a body guard OR can find someone who has the same interests AND who has a pump 12GA with slugs.

There is another option, too. That is to find someone who can't run as fast as you to accompany you out into the bush. The Eskimo peoples like to joke around with that one ... but, I suppose it's a viable option in this case.

Practically speaking, I'd carry the biggest bore 4" - for quick handling - hand cannon I could find. ... and of course, I have done exactly just that!

During the summer I never 'leave cabin' without it! ... and ... you know ... for the good feelings of well being and self-preservation ... it ain't THAT heavy!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/zipperzap/SW.jpg

Hi Folks,

My son loves photographing the outdoors and informed me last week that he going hiking in Alaska. I get my nature fix by sitting on my backside in a boat and fishing. I have good working knowledge of my trusty little lever action .22 rifle that I use to keep the coons out of my chickens but that is about the extent of my gun expertise. I need some advice from you braver, heartier outdoorsman who don't mind tearing through blackberry bushes while carrying ten or twelve pounds of steel and trying not get shot by some fool in the woods who probably shouldn't be armed with anything more dangerous than a sharp crayon. Here's my question.

What handgun do I get my kid that will stop a horny, hungry or otherwise uncooperative grizzly bear from eating him? My hunting friends have recommended a "Ruger RedHawk .454 casull Alaskan revolver". I don't trust these guys, however, because I spend much of my time hauling their drunken bodies back to their wives and watching them light farts.

Will this gun stop a bear? The gun needs to be simple to operate and reliable. As light as possible but durable. Accurate enough to hit where it is aimed at 50 ft. My son too is a fisherman and has never owned a handgun. He will have about 1 month to learn how to use this tool. Any suggestions or comments? Is there a better gun?
I got an idea. Dump the whole handgun concept altogether. Get a Marlin levergun in .450 Marlin and load it to upper levels with 350- 400 gr. hard cast solid GCFN's. Sling it well and start hiking. Wont cost much more, will be easier to shoot (as such things go!) and only a bit more bothersome to tote. And unless I miss my guess, it'll offer a tad more power, too.
Okay, a lot more!

Way ahead of ya! I've got - and love - the .45-70 Cowboy and Guide GS!

... can't be beat!

I would agree with all that say a handgun is a poor choice on a griz I would go with a 45/70 myself. If you decide on a handgun chose a big bore and I recommend a double action. A Ruger SA is a great gun but a DA allows quick follwo up shots

I would agree with all that say a handgun is a poor choice on a griz I would go with a 45/70 myself. If you decide on a handgun chose a big bore and I recommend a double action. A Ruger SA is a great gun but a DA allows quick follwo up shots


Yep, agreed. Often I sling a Guide GS .45-70 over my shoulder, with four maxi-reloads in the tube.http://shootersforum.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Thomas, pictures like that are cool, but actually being there is even more so. Willow Creek is 1:45 from home and Bird Creek is :40 away. Both offer good salmon fishing and bears. Lots of people too. I tend not to reach for my camera in those instances even though I know I should. It's just that I feel the need to unsnap the strap on the holster first. It's too hard to carry a rifle and fishing pole, let alone a camera and hiking with a camera was what Nick44444 was asking about in his OP.

Well, I returned from Colorado once again without experiencing a single bear attack.
My Vaquero remained holstered the entire trip.

We did recieve a bit of a surprise the morning we got up to depart. See the photo. This was Friday, September 22nd.

I left bigger handguns at home this summer when leaving for our mountain trip, but I slept with my SS Taurus 2 1/2" ported double action .41 mag, loaded with Federal hard cast lead, under my pillow. It wouldn't be my hunting choice, but at 28oz, it is an excellent defence gun to carry. Heavy guns don't help in a problem if they are in the truck. Good luck.

George

The wife and I are actually thinking about moving from Montana to Alaska... I say that because if we visit up there she sure is gonna want to move up there.

Anyway, handgun choice will be easy a S&W 500 in 4" with a proper carry 45-70 GG. :D

Whatever handgun you get, remove the front sight. That way when it is shoved up your nose by the upset bear it won't hurt as much, get the 45/70 guide gun. Les

Whatever handgun you get, remove the front sight. That way when it is shoved up your nose by the upset bear it won't hurt as much, get the 45/70 guide gun. Les

Wow - lots of responses - too many for me to ponder - but my .02 worth - after living and hiking and playing in the Alaska bush for 20 some years I thought I had it figured it out - bought a Dan Wesson 44 mag and put the 4" barrel on it- carried it a lot - worked better on keeping 2 legged animals at bay than bears - and then found out I'd be better off with my ruger 22 pistol - I could hit what I aimed at with that and believe it or not some of the local natives actually thought a 22 up the nose or in the eye was enough - I believe the guy who said to take sights off so when the bear shoved it up...it won't hurt so much.
I finally bought a short barrel for my 12 Ga, loaded it with 000 buck and slugs alternating and felt the best with that - about as easy to carry as a revolver too - FWIW - jb

Nick

From reading what a lot of these guys are recommending, my advise is to get an RPG for bear defence. ROFLMAO!!!

I like the 12 guage Idea, load of buckshot to the head, screw up the major senses, then follow up with body shots. Definitely ruin the bears day. Les

Hi there!I am buckwalka

Be very careful around bears!They bite

buckwalka

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1752/hunterrunningfrombearlgclr5ju.gif

I've just read lots of "oohh, not that" replies, but no help.

With a pissed bear, IF he is comming with a vengence NO pistol will stop him. Now beyond that, bigger is better. A few things come to mind caliber wise: 480 Ruger, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 500 S&W Magnum, 50AE.
The first four are revolver cartridges, the last is an auto. Obviously these are going to kick, (that whole equal and opposite reaction theory) anything designed to stop a bear has too. But NONE of them are un-managable with a decent porting job on the pistols. The 50 Action Express is an auto cartridge chambered in the mighty Desert Eagle pistol. Due to this pistol being gas operated it has the least felt recoil by far.
All of these pistols will due the trick. My personal recomendation (I own a Linebaugh, and DE) is the 50 in Desert Eagle. This will be the best power to control option for him. But It will be the most expensive as well.

A double barreled 375JDJ would be nice.

Beleive me if you get in close quarters with a big bear in the outdoors, you will want the biggest gun you can get. They are big beautiful and very powerful creatures. I read an article a while ago about bear guns and the men who live and work in the wild up there and they agreed If all you have is a pistol carry a bigest and most powerful caliber you can safely control, but if you have a choice carry a rifle. The pards above have given some good information. I would carry a large bore lever gun in the calibers mentioned. If I was going to buy a gun and ammo for that purpose, I would get the .450 marlin Guide Gun.
I have the same gun in 45/70 but I reload for several guns in that caliber. Loaded hot I would feel comfortable in bear country with mine also. When in a life and death situation, its hard to stay composed enough to hit with a handgun, unless you have done a lot of shooting and trained yourself.
I would feel more comfortable with a rifle. Just my 2 cents.

A couple years ago, I read an article on bear defense; it was in Rifle or Handloader magazine. Those authors seem to be pretty well experienced. The author proposed that in a fast, close range encounter with a bear, the only shot that you could depend on to stop an attack, was a brain shot. As you may be shooting quickly, while moving, multiple, controlled shots may be required to hit your mark. And, you may have only one hand free, so double action is preferable. Finally, since any brain shot does the trick, it doesn’t matter if the bullet is 22 caliber or 60 caliber. The most controllable round, that will reliably pierce a bears noggin, is a heavy, hard-cast bullet from a 357 magnum- and that is what the author recommended. Makes sense to me. My recovery time from shooting my 44 is huge, even with two hands. With one hand, I couldn’t get off controlled, multiple shots.

Darrel

The biggest bear I ever shot with a handgun was a black bear. I will not do that with a 357 again! That said, I hunt with a handgun almost exclusively. I wouldn't even consider a handgun if I was in big bear country.

I also traveled the back country for years, and took lot's of pictures. Personally, I would be more worried about the two legged animals. Traveling alone might not be a real good idea. Otherwise, a big bore lever gun, or a shotgun with good sights and appropriate ammo, is what I would have. The learning curve would be much shorter.
Regards
Bestboss