[Myrddin]

That's the CCW model with the short barrel. My version has the 10 1/2 inch barrel with the Picatinny rail on top. The bear isn't going to wait for you to open the pretty orange case. Get some good leather and practice shooting some of the 440 gr stuff. It's going to smack your hand pretty hard in that lightweight configuration. You don't want a bear encounter to be the first time you have that experience.

My plinking rounds for the 500 S&W are either 275 gr Barnes XTP (factory) or 325 gr Speer GoldDot (hand loads). Both are accurate and pleasant to shoot. There is a 500SPL lightweight "special" load for the recoil averse. It's makes for a more tolerable experience with the shorter barrel (lighter weight) versions of the 500 S&W revolvers.

[Stoat]

The bear isn't going to wait for you to open the pretty orange case

Agreed...I wouldn't buy that survival kit, I just posted it so that people could see that gun manufacturers are taking the bear threat seriously.  I suppose it would be good for pilots or to keep in your car trunk or under the seat as a secondary weapon in case you have an accident or a breakdown in bear country.  I suppose in such a circumstance you could remove your carry weapon and take the .500 along instead.

I regret that I haven't yet taken the plunge for a .500 myself....my biggest is merely a tiny, little S&W 629 .44 mag with the 8 3/8 barrel and an optical sight which is FUN to go plinking with...I live in the city and don't get out to bear country nearly as often as I would like.

[Travis McGee]

Note: This photo was not taken in Florida.