I have read every thing Dean Weingarten has written on the subject of bears. There are far too many cases where the bear kept attacking after being shot more than once.
There are stories of bears shot, continuing the charge and dropping dead on the shooter as well as at the shooter’s feet....indicating that the bar came very close to living long enough to harm the shooter.
There is also a story complete with photos on Buffalo Bore’s web site of a grisly killed with a 9mm loaded with hard cast flat nosed. The bear soaked up 13 (I think) bullets before dropping a few feet from the guide.
Obviously not everyone can hit the brain of a charging bear, but I do suggest that they try.
Phil Shoemaker the Ak who shot the bear use a S@W 3953 9 shot 9mm 8 in the mag one in the chamber.
He shot the bear 9 times. The charge was stop with the first few. The rest were shot to make sure.
I have had conversations with Mr. Shoemaker on this subject.
Here is one of the many articles on the attack.
I have shot several bears with handguns the closest two where a foot and five feet.
The one at a foot I drove a 41 mag 215gr hard cast thru the the head that side ways.
The one at 5 feet head on I drove a 315gr WFN 44mag down through the brain into the body.
Both dropped DRT dead right there.
If one has trouble hitting with their side arm get training and practice until you can hit what you are shooting at.