Ok, received a PM asking if I was really recommending a 500 to carry?

No, if the OP just wants one, then I fully support that by all means, thought was obvious, but apparently not. Just a guess BigPig and others really are not recommending a 2.5” version either.

To be clear, I still believe his G20 will work fine or better than the big boomer because he is used to it and will make more shots, more accurately under pressure. And a couple of cans of spray would be good too. Hopefully, that clears things up.

But any one who just wants to buy and try something, I support.

I find the recoil easier to handle in the shorter barrel lengths for all the big guns I’ve shot. In a lighter cartridge such as .357 the longer barrel and its weight offsets the recoil. When it comes to bigger cases and bullets I find the opposite to be true. The super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 with its 2 1/2” barrel is a pussycat to shoot compared to a 7 1/2” 44 mag. Yes you lose velocity and energy with the short barrel but these guns are designed specifically as bear guns.

Also staying on target is important. That’s not an issue in bear county with any pistol no matter the recoil. You don’t have to stay on target. By the time you should shoot the target is on you. Another bonus for the 2.5” barrel. You’d have a hard time getting a long barrel pulled and turned around to make the kill if theirs body contact already. These are get off of me guns. And they work.

Here's an article from Petersen's Hunting on the subject.

http://www.petersenshunting.com/gear-accessories/which-firearm-is-best-for-bear-defense/

I, too, think the obvious choice is to simply buy a 10 round magazine for the existing G20. That said, this may help you get in touch with your inner Wile E. Coyote:

This would be my choice, spray and my 10mm.

idiots

Too much of y’all are the voice of reason in here.

Probably going to order a one or two 10rounders and keep carrying that for the time being.

Very very interesting article, actual details incidents with interviews

https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/defense.../#axzz5OSnIZp8l

We can't have that.
Thats a 10mm (250 grains total) loaded in a 44 mag. 10mm is great and all but...

That's a good point about shutting down the CNS. I've read the journal's of Lewis and Clark. Their logs that they wrote daily. They encountered a lot of grizzly bears. They carried .69 caliber muskets. I don't know the ballistics but might be similar to a 12 slug. One of the bears took 10 shots to kill, and they said the only way they could stop a charging bear, was a head shot. I think, I would prefer to carry a rifle, than a handgun. If I had to hit him in the head, a rifle would be a better choice than a handgun. A lever action 454 casull would a good choice. I don't think I would feel safe with just bear spray.