Bears!
A bit ago....20 years! Hand loader Magazine ran a series on Hand Guns for Bear SELF DEFENSE. Not bear hunting!
An Alaskan guide highly recommended the 3” (or 4”) revolver in a light loaded .357, heavy 200gr WFN cast lead bullet @ 800+\- fps. (.38 could be loaded to same velocity)
His logic went like this:
- You will be surprised, 3 > 8 seconds.
- Deep penetration, skull, shoulder.
- Rapid accurate follow up shots.
- Double action only, no safeties, etc
S&W J frame concealed hammer, SS @ 20+\- ounces will meet the above. (Maybe found in a 3” version) A S&W K frame would be an additional 10 ounces. The super light J Frames are hard to shoot, really
I really like the 317. Action job and reduced hammer & rebound springs create a good trigger pull. But I also really like .22’s
Recommend Simply Rugged holster.
(S&W 43c shown)