While a rifle or shotgun is a preferable weapon for killing bears, a handgun is certainly better than a knife, or bare hands.
I can tell you one thing, if I am ever attacked by a bear while armed with a handgun, I am certainly not going to toss it aside and tell myself: “Nope, I can’t use this to defend myself because some internet know-it-alls told me it’s useless against a bear”.
It is my understanding that many bear hunters carry some kind of handgun as a back-up in the event an encounter gets up close and personal. 44 magnum and 454 Casull are popular calibers, from what I’ve heard.
It is my understanding that many bear hunters carry some kind of handgun as a back-up in the event an encounter gets up close and personal. 44 magnum and 454 Casull are popular calibers, from what I’ve heard.
Some do I like handguns and have one with no matter what I am hunting. Be it bears or squirrels because I like handguns and I can.
My normal handgun when out bear hunting is a TI. 41 mag or a Ruger 44 red hawk.