[LouAvul]

The old man was not all that wise. A 44 mag with appropriate bullet in the hands of a cool, calm shooter is indeed capable of stopping a grizzly.

[marktwain]

In the database I and others have compiled of all known instances of pistols fired in defense against bears, the .44 magnum is the most common caliber used. Out of 123 cases where only pistols were used (no combination cases), 37 were with .44 magnums. All were successful.