The 9mm will do nothing but make him more pissed off. If your going for bear with whatever weapon of your choosing, you should have full confidence not only in your equipment, but also yourself. If you injured a bear, what good is the 9mm? What makes you so sure you will be able to hit a bear in his vitals if GOD forbid he charges you? You and everyone will be scared. I'm not trying to be rude, but I've hunted bears numerous times in the past here in my home state and Canada, also I'm in Law Enforcement, why do you think almost all Law Enforcement agencys have done away with the 9mm? If it has problems stopping a person on herion, then it surely will have problems stopping a mad bear