I had a 329PD for bears but sold it to buy a G20. 16 rounds are better than 6 when amped on adrenaline trying to hit a scary moving target.

I probably won't need a bear gun in the very near future, but if I ever find myself in a position to need one, I will be carrying this 2.5-inch fixed sight S&W M629:

Oooh, I like that! How does it shoot? Recoil and muzzle blast pretty brutal?

It's not really any worse than a 3- or 4-inch 44 magnum, both of which I also have. But I usually shoot all of them with reduced power handholds.

I e lived in rural Alaska for several years now, I know a lot of guys who carry a Glock 20, others usually have a redhawk 44mag. Nothing to fancy, 12 gauge for camping but not hiking around or boating around.

When I’m hunting I rarely carry a handgun other than around camp or packing meat out.