I live deep in bear country and have Colorado black bears on my porch regularly in the summer months. I have never shot a bear with anything but a rifle so have no experence, however I know a lion guide who carries a Smith & Wesson model 19. I myself use a 6" 19 as my primary "toting" gun. I study terminal ballistics and from all reports I have read, the hollow point can and have failed to penatrate a bears skull. According to an Alaskan bear guide, no hollow points can be counted on. I load mine alternately with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore and 125 grain Buffalo Bore hollow points. I also live deep in lion country. Two legged predators live here as well. If just one load I would go with the 180 hard cast.