Yes, I'm gun ignorant. I'm Canadian.
where bears are present, I carry a .45 Colt old model Ruger vaquero(hence my name), loaded with my own magnum BEAR LOADS. these are not the most powerful side arms to carry but it will put one down if you dont wound it and piss it off....shot placement is critical.
Better yet...carry a short barreled 12ga pump or semi auto shotgun loaded with sabot slugs...and dont stop firing until your magazine is empty....lots of energy....second choice would be a Marlin Lever Action ‘Guide Gun’ in .450 Marlin or .45-70(loaded to .450 power levels...) at close ranges it is quite a sledgehammer....