Very wise words from CM. Also I would be hesitative to stroke a 10mm auto with heavy 200grain hardcast due to feeding issues in a stock or 3rd party barrels & jams.
The 44magnum revolver 4/6" SW is not big, not overly bad on recoil. And would be my 1st pick and only pick If I truly depend on a handgun and a env with a true potential bear attack. Too many things can go wrong with a semi-auto when you ass is really on the line and you have life or death encounter with a barrel.
i.e
limp wrist
dropped magazine
jams
etc....
Remember with either one, you are handicap when compared to a med-2-large rifle caliber. So why handi-cap your self even more ?
I will leave you this video
Polar bear but still you get the effect of what your encountering.
or how about this a brown bear and not a real attack
Now what do you think would stop something like that ? would you feel better equipped with?