I have only shot one bear with a handgun. It was not by choice but by necessity. I was at a friend's home and a big black bear decided it wanted to come in for tea. The only gun in the house was a government colt 45ACP. We lost track of the bear, I opened the door to see where the bear was and it stood up rght in front of me. I put four in the chest and three in the head of 230 gr hardball. Distance five feet, heart rate 200. It will get the job done, but I don't know if I would reccomend it. I butchered the bear and it ate really well. That was 20 years ago and I have not repeated the event again
Randy
