Just a note, the bigger black bears here in AZ really only go up to around 250lbs...they're not like a Kodiak, etc.
With that in mind, a .44 Mag should be more than adequate.
J.

 

For home or self defense a single action revolver is impractical {but hey, if it's all you have......}. Personally for home defense I use Remington 870 12 guage, with a short barrel, and a pistol grip. Hard to carry on a bike tho.

 

I thought the gun was for protection from Mexican illegals, not bears. That changes alot. Now, my only experience is from Alaskan bears, which are bigger than 250lbs by a long shot, so I may be off, but most of the time you can yell at them and scare them off. I've gone backpacking in bear country (grizzly and black) plenty of times and just using common sense, like not running from them, is all I need. For some of the areas I went into, I had to take bear safety classes, and what you need is a large round with stopping power in one shot. Most people who get involved in a shooting contest with a bear dont get off more than a few shots, so forget about how many rounds it can carry. Shotgun slugs fit the bill for that. If you like bear meat, or want to send me bear sausage, use HE incindiary rounds which burst into a ball of flame on contact, plus penetrate and burn the crap out of em. These are different than tracer rounds so dont get confused. Now, if you want a bear rug, well, put the couch leg over the burned area. Remember to aim for the head too because a body shot, at least on the big ones, dont slow em down much unless properly placed which you're not gonna do in a panic.

 

Lol...that's some good advice!!! I guess you could say I'll be "multi-tasking" with this revolver...lol.
I looked at a couple of Bushmaster AR-15's today... they were both pretty well worn, and were priced at 1299.00 each. Frigg'n nut's...Though there was a sweet M-14 for the same price.
J.

 

LOL, I have a AR-15 from DPMS and a MAK-90 in .223 ain't no point in 7.62*39 :-) Now I do own an SKS in 7.62*39, I just don't care to shoot it much after owning an AR15. I wouldn't go pissing off a bear by shooting it with either. I think I may have found one of the best ATV carbines out on the market today. Look at a Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm, 40 or 45.

SLG

 

Last spring I used a S&W .357 w/4" barrel and hollow points to take a bear in Idaho. One shot in the chest as he was looking at me, and he died where he stood.

 

What type of bear, and how much did it weigh?

 

Hunting bear with a pistol?? That take some nuts!!

First you have to be close enought to get a good shot, I would think what ? 30 - to 70 feet away ? helzzz no !!!!!!!! Not me baby !! More power to ya DeeDawg ...LOL!!
I dont need a bearskin rug that bad! Nice shooting . Was that with any kind of reload or did you buy your ammo off the shelf? What brand of ammo if you bought it ?

 

I think you will be happy with the model that you have chosen. I have a similar model the 329 pd it is a very light weight .44 mag revolver at only 26oz compared to the 40oz of the 629 mountain gun. It just fit my big hands better and I like the lightness of the gun. It dose bark pretty good when shot. I also have a ccw permit and carry when I ride and never had a problem. Though for speed and being accrete nothing compares to my Desert Eagle (for me any ways) but it is heavy 70oz. The 329 is a little expensive also if I remember right I paid a little over $800 for it.
Just my .02
link 329

 

That, my friend is a beautiful handgun!!! Just alittle more than I can cough up right now though...
I just found a new, in the box 629 for $543. I'm calling on it in just a minute!!!
J.