then with that experience you should not have any recoil problems and would learn the weapon so it is just a wide open choice. all of the suggestions seem fine.. I would guess that in addition to bears you would possibly have a cougar or mountain lion encounter ? I am from La. and just guessing, of course. you want the gun to be quick to hand and aside from making the first shot count you may feel better if second shots are available fairly quckly, but that is a matter of practice : more practice for single action sixguns, then double actions sixguns, then of course semi's. For all of them the lighter recoiling rounds allow quicker recoil recovery and sight re-orientation. I personally would use either my 45 1911 or my 45 -4 3/4 inch single action ruger; or the 44 - 5.5inch but I do practice and paractice second shot finding the target and touching off the shot as a followup. IT does take some practice to shoot timed accurate repeat shots with a single action. if my concern was second or followup shots I would bring my semi - auto and practice some double taps, two shots in fairly quick succession for two legged predators and four legged ones as well.
You should also practice with the holster where you will wear it with a day pack if you will be wearing one, and on uneven ground after exertion... practice and reality should match up some. I used to take a really brisk jog/walk and when I got to the end of the trail, a small bayou, I would throw in a small stick, produce my concealed weapon and fire at the drifiting small target as many times as it was in a safe place to do so or in sight... if the walk run got my heart pumping and a little sweat, it was the best I could do to simulate a little stress and tension and exertion.. used to shoot really close range too.. just for practice... some will suggest using a cartidge that can be factory loaded in specials or magnums, or hand-loaded up and loaded down like the 357. 44. 45 in revolvers that are not affected by higher or lower pressures...like an auto might be affected and become unreliable. If I am going ro pracitce only enough for proficiency with otherwise minimal effort to save time for other things, I would probably choose a semi auto, probably the 45 as the rounds are available and cheap. they are reliable and proven design, and effective... if it was going to be another hobby in its own right, I would personally choose my six guns, but it would be a rough choise to make
dk
There are others with more and different advice... take what you need or want and leave the rest..
it is interesting and all meant to be sincerely helpful and offered by other enthusiasts.
