>>56823Paying no attention to the idiots above me-
If you have your heart set on a handgun as a bear defense, then look at .44 Mag, .460, or .500. You will want a 5 or 6 inch barrel, not one of those short barrel things that come in a kit. Get a good cross-draw, front carry holster, the kind that sits in front of your belly. This will keep it out of the way of a pack's waist belt and out where you can get to it.
Load whatever you get with hard cast or jacketed rounds. No hollow points. None.
If a bear charges you, aim for the chest & shoulders, not the head.
Good luck. My suggestion is a short barreled lever gun, in .45-70
