I'm of the opinion that in the same way many folks hunt with too large of rifles, the same applies to their choice in sidearm. The difference is, many folks figure out a 300 Mag isn't needed for deer or elk because folks actually get a chance to hunt these animals - their experience will tell them that smaller cartridges kill just as well, and can be housed in lighter rifles, which means a more comfortable time afield.
Yet a bunch of the same guys will carry a 44 Mag or other heavy handgun for the mythical bear attack that will never happen, where a 22 or a nice light 9mm will kill stuff just fine, and be easier to carry and shoot well. Many just never get the field experience with the handgun that they do with a hunting rifle to come to this conclusion.
