There are plenty of black bears,mountain lions and illegal pot grows in the mountains of Southern Oregon. Consequently, when I did wildlife surveys back in the '90's I would carry a stainless Ruger Police Service Six, 2.75 inch barrel in .357 magnum. I usually carried the revolver wrapped in a bandana and placed in the inside pocket of my cruiser vest. Given the less-than-ideal carry method, I always wondered if I would be able to access the Ruger in a timely manner. I got my answer the day I was picking my way through a thick jungle of manzanita and a bear, or maybe a sasquatch, exploded from its hiding place about ten feet away and started tearing through the thicket. I had that revolver in hand with the hammer back pretty much instantly and kept it there until I figured out that the bear was charting a course away from me.