Absolutely!
Relative to the discussion of Gunsite classes, instructor Il Ling New taught classes about defense against dangerous wild animals including bears. The students were primarily corporate and government geologists and the like.
They used fast-moving motorized targets that charged--fast.
The drill involved carrying a short shotgun at the ready, and bringing it up and firing instantly after having tried to reduce the perception by the bear that it was threatened.
As I recall, she said that a .44 magnum for backup might be a good idea, but that it was doubtful that it would prove useful.
The Gunsite class on single action revolvers was likewise focussed to a large extent on large animal defense. As Il Ling New put it, "if for some reason someone wants to carry a single action...".
The current Ruger class is a but it different. It would not help me any--a big open-carry belt rig would make the news on every channel around here, and end up with more stores posted.
But again, on a farm in the Ozarks....
One other point: despite its name, the current Ruger course is about the draw, presentation, shooting, reloading--about gun-handling in general. That's all very important, but a defensive pistol course encompasses lot more than gun-handling.
Could one use a single action revolver in the drills, were it allowed? Sure, up to the capacity limit. That would leave one with an empty gun at inopportune times in some drills.
But that wasn't the kind of thing for which Elmer Keith carried pistols.
