1. Bear spray
2. Heavy hard cast bullets loaded for bear. (check out Buffalo Bore)
3. Something with a 4" barrel. Ruger Security Six. If it's not for CC, don't handicap yourself.
4. Would rather have bigger heavier bullets for bear -- Take a look at 4" Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum... Buffalo Bore .45 Colt +P, 325gr @1325fps, probably less from a 4" though. Almost double the ME of .357 Mag.
