Paladin,

The only problem I see with either of your sixguns is they're empty!


Cat

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Think for yourself.

If you are serious about your safety and not brand loyal, Glock 20. Good for man or beast.

My 629 Mountain Gun in a Simply Rugged Sourdough packed with 305grn Buffalo Bore hardcasts is on my backpack(hipbelt) when I bowhunt here in Washington. More than enough for the most likely problem(humans) and the least likely(black bear). Actually cougar would be the least likely, and my setup takes care of them too. I prefer having more than enough rather than enough when it comes to my or my family's protection. Just have to do my part with the revolver. We can open carry here, so it is with me when I am in the woods.

My property boarders the DWNRA. I walk my two dogs there every day.What ever is my carry gun at the time is what I use. Lots of black bears here but they tend to be very shy.

I still think I'm going to stick with my Bear Spray.

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Made in USA - Buy American

WELL I CARRY 66-5 3'' OR 686-4 4'' 7 SHOT & PEPPER SPRAY BEAR SPRAY WHAT EVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. I'M GOING TO BUY S&W460 5'' THATS RIGHT IF YOU CAN PACK IT WHO CARES WHAT SIZE YOUR FIREARM IS. ITS THAT YOU HAVE ONE PRACTICE ENOUGH TO USE IT WHEN YOU NEED TO. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THOSE POT GROWER TAKING OVER OUR NAT PARKS. THEY CATCH YOU YOU COULD BE DEAD. THEY CARRY AR-15 MAC-90 & THEY DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE. THEY ARE THE ONES I'M WORRIED ABOUT THEN THE OTHER IDIOT TWO LEGGED HUMAN. I CARRY THE BIGGEST BEAR SPRAY I CAN FIND LATELY 55OZ CAN ALWAY FOR ALL 4 LEGGED CRITTERS UNLESS IT HUNTING SEASON. SOMETIME I CARRY MY 357 SIG P.P. DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN...

I'd carry according to the area.

I don't make it to Alaska or big bear area much, so my 9mm Glocks and S&W J frames are fine for what I'd run in to around the areas I hike and camp.

I have taken my Glocks hiking, kayaking, etc. and count on them as they are so rust resistant, durable, reliable and so easy to detail strip after they have been dunked and need a good cleaning.

If I was to go to bear country I'd likely take a Glock 20 SF that had been souped up with Double Tap or Buffalo Bore ammo.
I am well aware that it's rather small for bear, but my carpal tunnel and arthritis REALLY don't like bigger calibers.

In Alaska I'd likely get a Ruger Alaskan or a S&W .500 snub, strangely enough the friend's .500 that I have shot wasn't too bad recoil wise.

I find that pocket and/or fanny pack carry are great for hiking with a pack due to getting the gun away from the lower back and hips. The old "Tanker" style holsters work well for this also.

A big +1 on the Tuff Strips, great product that was way overdue.

As Feralmerril knows, only Rangers in Alaska were issued .375H&H rifles for bears. My wife's cousin worked at both Denali and Kodiak and brown bears are a serious threat there. When he worked at Glacier (Montana), he was a ranger working the backcountry and they were not even allowed power tools like chainsaws. The cousin and his wife are now armed "police" rangers ( in Utah and soon going back to Alaska) and they have more problems with humans than wildlife.

The year my wife and I visited him in Glacier, two tourists were eaten by brown bears and I would have liked to have had a powerful handgun with me. At the time, the park service recommended wearing bells to alert the bears you were coming. "It's Dinner Time."