For those of you who think bigger is better
 

heh.. only in alaska. reminds me of something those crazy bastards in iceland would do. Found it on CheaperThanDirt. Pretty cool

450-pound Bear vs. Hi-Point pistol? Only in Alaska...

I'd take something a bit bigger personally. Probably 12ga slugs for home protection in that situation.

My boss took a 900lb brown bear about 6 weeks ago. Got hit in kill zone at 100yds by four rounds of .375H&H, guide joined in when it turned and came toward them. Gave up after two more hits. Bosses Lion last year gave up after one round at same yardage although did sprint 75yds before it fell over.

In that situation, if a 45 ACP with 230 grain rounds is all you have, you run what you brung. It is said from skull observations that you CAN kill a bear with a 22 LR If a 22 LR is all you have, why not. Me, I'd get a bigger caliber that I can shoot if I had a choice. Just because you "CAN" doesn't mean it is a good idea. You CAN have sex with your siblings but it might not be a good idea.

I much prefer pistols to shotguns. 2nd choice would be a rifle. Hunted a few years with a shotgun that had slugs. Tried pump and semi auto but never really liked them for home defense. If I had a bear come, I'd grab the 50 AE or at the least, the 357. Human, 45. All of the ready to go so. Wife has the 40.

Always with the sex references jeez.

Shot placement is everything. Those Hi Points are butt ugly but durable. I have killed 40lb bobcats with a .22LR and a hundred pound lion with one 9mm LRN target reload.
The kid is going into forestry and hopes to do backcountry wildlife research. He'll be gifted my dad's 4" .44 magnum for carry when he lands a job and I'll load for him.

Shot placement is more important than a higher caliber, no dispute. But if I can have both, I'd feel much better. I'm not confident of making the shot every time under high pressure situations like this so a little extra insurance can't hurt me.

As to Hi Points, I could care less if it is ugly. I want the thing to work every time. I also need a certain amount of accuracy depending on whether it is a hunting pistol or a home defense. Also how comfortable it feels when I shoot it. Beyond that, depending on price, the rest is negotiable.