Is Bigger Always Better? The Truth About Bear Defences Handguns

When a bear is charging, your life depends entirely on the decisions you made before that moment—your training, your mindset, and most importantly, whether you chose the right handgun and can actually run it under stress.

My name is Caleb Stillians, and as a professional guide in Alaska, I’ve had more bear encounters than I can count—from curious bears to bluff charges to full-on commitments. Over the years, I’ve seen just about every “bear gun” out there: the 500 S&W Magnum, the 460, the .44 Magnum, the 10mm, and everything in between.

And the question I get asked the most?