Why not simply carry a 12 ga short shotgun with slugs? I know it's not as handy, but especially for someone who is not expert with a handgun, far easier to place some lead in the right spot.

I'm going through the same thing with a pair on non gun people who will be spending time in AK this coming summer. Neither is competant with any handgun CAPABLE of handling the big bears. They can accurately shoot .357 and lighter .41/.44 mag loads...thats it.

Yet give either of them an 870/Mossy500 with LE light recoil slugs or 00 buck and they ARE far more competant...even with the recoil.

I've thought of a glock 10mm as well .....but have zero experience with one. A Marlin lever in .45-70 would be worth looking into.

I have seen big bears and personally I'd carry a 12 ga and slugs. With a 6" M-29 and full power 300 gr LBT loads as a back up should I be away from or have lost the 870. The coastals and Kodiaks ARE huge. Nothing to be trifled with.

FN in MT