I carry a 4" model 19 combat magnum with 158 grain LSWCHP. Big enough to take care of any critters in the lower southwest. I highly doubt if I have a bear about to eat me that recoil is going to be the first thing on my mind.
If I were to venture up north where the bears are a lot bigger, I would carry a .308 :sarcastic: or at the very least one of those .454 and bigger hand cannons.