RE: Sidearm for Bear
Any gun you will actually carry, vs getting lazy and tired of the weight, is better than no gun at all.
In an attack situation, no handgun holds a candle to an average rifle. Let's be honest. But a handgun is easier to get to and get into action also.
When I went into grizzly country, I carried a .40SW Glock to back up my 300WM...because I had it, not because it's the best. I asked my local contact if it was enough or should I skimp on other supplies to get a bigger sideearm, and he said if I was down to my pistol 13 shells from a .40 was as good as 5 or 6 from anything else and the bear would have killed me before it went down anyways so just save the last one for myself.