For bear defense, I would rather have a canister of Counter Assault than any .357 handgun. The .44 Mag is marginal - I would get an inexpensive 12 guage pump shotgun unless you want to spend a bunch of money on a "hand cannon" like the .500 Smith and Wesson.

Studies done by various law enforcement and military researchers indicate that a handgun is very difficult for most people to shoot accurately in high adrenalin situations. A long gun is much better.

My camp gun is a Beretta .22 pistol.