[L_Killkenny]

Save some money and buy a can of bear spray. I'd probably leave the shotgun at home too. If you want an excuse for another handgun my vote is a 4" Smith 629 or Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. The 454 is best used in long barreled handguns where you are hunting. For your uses you really want something smaller that you will actually keep on you. Heavy handguns get left behind after a while.

The odds of being struck by lightening are far greater than having to stop a bear attack, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be prepared. My personal choice when we have been in bear country including Yellowstone was my Glock 20 loaded with hot 10mm loads along with bear spray. The bear spray would have been my 1st line of defense with the handgun only a last resort.

^^^^^^ This.