RE: Side arm of choice?
LOL,
One of life's memorable moments.
I assume you were bow hunting, as an elk rifle would be superior to a side arm.
In answer to your question: a 44mag or better when scouting and no rifle is available. Problem is anything to do with elk hunting is so weight sensitive and carrying a big piece of iron in a holster (unbalance load) just usually don't cut it either,
My choice would be pepper spray. Not perfect either, but light weight and statistically probably better than a pistol for bears, especially grizzly bears.
You've heard the story about the wisdom of filing off the front sight of any pistol being used to kill a bear, right?
EKM