Wildcat McCain....
I have never met a person with a real bear story. Or any "woods" gun worthy story. It's the talk of all internet gun boards. I've always assumed marketing departments of big revolver companies have done a particularly fine job of hitting the fear button.
Before I went to Alaska,I heard all the mantra from the "bear experts",not to worry,the bears are more scared of you,etc.
Well,I have a bear story.I was 200 river miles from the nearest road when my former spouse was bit through the side of the tent.
I don't feel like writing the whole story,but this bear was encouraged to leave and he refused. He had a spooky blank stare and he was gradually advancing.I have no doubt he was planning on a meal.That means killing us.
All you bear experts have no credibility with me.
He was upright and I put a 12 ga foster slug in his mouth,facing front on.
He went down and got back up. I put one in his neck/spine and he was done.
His lower teeth turned the soft Foster slug to lead cornflakes.No penetration.
You see,Wildcat,you may have taken walks in AK,but in your own words,you have "no bear story,and never met anyone who has one"
Another way of saying that,you have met no one who carried a 9mm/40 that survived.
You want to use an expanding 9mm/40,be my guest.You have no bear experience.Only internet and magazines.
I have been a 44 Mag wheel gum guy,and 300 gr hard cast bullets have chrono'1300 fps out of my Ruger. It might work.It will penetrate.My goal would be to break bones and cut nerves. I figure a bear will kill me befire he bleeds out.
FWIW,I killed an elk with my .44. I used a 240 gr expanding jacketed bullet.I hit spine in the neck.The bullet broke up and stopped in the spine.No exit.Thats about 6 in,not over 8 penetration.You can keep your expanding bullets.
I find the Glock 20 interesting. I'd dump the polygon barrel for a Lone Wolf with grooves .The hard cast Buffalo Bore 200 gr bullets at about 1200 fps are what I would load. Thats not quite a 41 Magnum....
But a 41 Magnum does not hold,what? 19? in the magazine.
I'd call it a good choice for a woods gun.
FWIW,I know the "bear experts" are thinking "period or food in the tent" because that fits the agenda.
Well,no period and I bought the tent new for the trip,and consciously never took any food in the tent.
I did figure out what may have contributed. Baby wipes smell like cheap 7-11 donuts.
Most important thing to remember is bears don't read books.