I think it's safe to say that whatever rabble is giving you trouble will scatter like quail the moment you fire into their midst.
Thats a definite "maybe". Might could/might not. You would be foolish to assume, or plan for, anything but the latter.
With violent home invasions on the rise, and most of those being done by multiple actors, some of which seem pretty determined, I think youre only fooling yourself that just having a gun, will have them quaking in their boots, and scampering off at the sight of you.
Thats also assuming you even have it handy and ready, and have warning trouble is about.
We live in a very rural area, with no real police protection other than a roving State Trooper, who, unless they happen to be right here, "might" get here in a half hour or so, if youre able to get the call out. We only just got a 911 address and 911 service about 5 years back, and that is only on the land line, there is no cell service here until you get down to the highway about a mile or so away. Our closest neighbor is about 500 yards away, and most keep to themselves. Shooting, day or night isnt unusual here, so theres no guarantee that would generate a call from others either.
Anything bad happening here, and youre pretty much on your own for a good long while, until help might arrive. If you dont have a plan in place for anything remotely bad, things probably arent going to go well. What you have handy, better be easily accessed, ready, or easily and quickly made ready, and youd better be well practiced with everything about it.
More than likely, the handgun you "always" wear, is going to be the weapon you have when things go south, and if youre lucky you might get to something better, and youve planned ahead.
As for the bears there are lots of those critters around anymore.
What kind of bears are we talking of? Brown, black, grizzly?
We have black bears all over around here, and most of the time, like snakes, the fear of them harming you is really more in your head, than it is a reality. Having worked in the woods a good portion of my life, and having quite a few encounters with them, they were usually going the other way once they knew we were there. Its pretty funny how freaked out people get, over bears, snakes, and ticks. All you have to do is plant that seed, and then watch the fun.
I wouldn't trade a Yugo sks for a Romanian AK. But I'd trade for an Arsenal.
Id probably do just the opposite.
My experience with US assembled AK's (albeit, early on) has not been good, and the lowly Romanians Ive owned and shot, while not as refined, have always been good, reliable, and accurate shooters.
The only way Id take one of the US made guns, is if I could shoot it first, which isnt likely, unless youre buying used from a buddy.