Up here in British Columbia where a sidearm isn't an optionmy partners and I eachlegally carry a 12 guage folding stocked Winchester 1300 Defender as a security weaponwhen we're hunting SE B.C., with the first 2 rounds OO buck followed by 5 rifled slugs.If you have any reason to believe you might have bear problems etc. I would think a 45cal handgun used on something with a 900 lb + body weightwould be a death knell for sure and bearspray is just seasoning.We've had occasion to have to get out of an area to avoid a problem several times,avoidance is the best way to be safe-- situation awareness -- but you can bet your %^&# the 12 guages were loaded and the safeties were off each and every time we left the scene.If you've never had an encounter with a Grizz usually the first time a good fresh roll of Charmin and a change of drawers would be the order of the day ---------