ORIGINAL: Powerfisher
I thought that the side arm was for shooting your buddy in the leg so the bear gets him and you run away...
. I agree that a .45 is undersized for bear. I can also see a lot of wounded animals in the parks as well. Shot gun, 12 gauge, 3" Mag, slugs. But, are you going to carry that thing every day when your hiking? I read in a rag a while back that even though bear attacks are rare, the ones that do happen, some of the victoms are armed, well the tents wereanyhow but not the camper. Firearms are found in tents loaded, not one round fired. So, how much good is it really going to do? Bear proof your camp, Bear Pepper Spray, common sence while camping. I have been camping in bear, mountain lion, rattlesnake and various other habitats for decades and have never had a problem with any critter but mice, squirrles and ants. I bet my .45 can handle them.
That might work, but you'll hope your buddy doesn't survive the encounter or you'll REALLY be in a world of hurt after he gets out of the hospital!
You hit on some great points here. Having been a "paranoid student" for years (before experience and common sense took its toll) about bears and camping - I once was mighty a'feared of bears and packed every man-portable cannon available in the woods with me. Though I still carry a .44 flyfishing, my mode now is of bear avoidance. Good camp "sense" - siting, hygiene, etc. Care in choosing my trails and paths, as well as the time of day I move around most.
If you read Herrero or Kaniut, most fatal big bear encountersseem to be up close, and often at night.