Try putting all the rounds into a 6 inch ring when it is charging at you with intent to do mayhem and your heart is beating like a triphammer! A 9mm is better than nothing at all but I will take a larger heavier round every time if I have a Choice. If you are carrying a gun for protection from bears you should practice on a target that is moving towards you at a fast speed. You can get good with a heavy caliber gun if you practice as you expect the gun may have to be used. Being able to put 15 rounds into a target at 15 yards is not all that impressive when the target is simply a piece of paper not moving, in fact, putting 15 rounds in a 6 inch circle really is not all that impressive.