The Redhawks are fine revolvers. And the 4" with 300 gr bullets will surely get a bear's attention. But IMO, if a bear was hell bent on getting me, my elk rifle would probalbly do a better job of stopping him than the .44 mag. On the other hand, if it was gnawing on my arm, the .44 could come in real handy. But even better medicine would be the S&W 500 with a short barrel like the 500ES.