I carry a back up pistol while bear hunting, when I am going to the tree after my hounds. I used to carry a Ruger Super BlackHawk 44 mag., but it was kind of heavy to be packing running through the thick brush and up and down the mountain side. Last week I bought a Smith & Wesson 329PD Airlight 44 mag. with a 4" barrel, much more pleasant to have on your side, so light you hardly even know you have it. Now I cant wait till spring for bear season to open again, hunting mountain lions right now but dont really care to hunt them as much as I do bear.