You'll find ADF&G carrying 12 gauges in bear country, not side arms, not rifles. Shotguns and bear spray have been shown in numerous studies to be the most effective. When I lived in AK and camped near the road system I commonly carried a pump with alternating OO buck and slugs. When I wend to the Illiamna area I favored a compact 12 gauge double barrel with buck in one side and a slug in the other. A slug may not penetrate a bear skull but ADF&G tests have proven that it will crush it. The likely hood of getting off more than one shot at a charging bear is scarce, you better have something you can shoot well. That is not a handgun. In all the years and territory I covered I only needed to fire into the air once to spook a bear away from camp. A gun, I think, is as likely to lure you into places and situations you should avoid as it is to protect you.
