LOL, Big, I'd be happy with a 336 Marlin in 45/70!
Never understood the ideology behind re-introducing something that could possibly kill. The idiots in this state are pushing hard to re-introduce wolves, even though mountain lions have been hunted in this state for decades. The deer population here has been pummeled because of it.
For a brown bear protection handgun, I carry a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Or a Mossberg 590 shorty.
Truthfully the 30-06 is sufficient for a brown bear if you're good with it.
But it's a LOT of opinion and no fluff. I've never had to fend one off and the people I know of who managed to got pretty messed up in the process.
These threads always make me laugh. Most of the responses are from those who don't live in grizzly country, probably have never even seen a grizzly and have no idea how fast they can be as well as under what circumstances they might come at you. But go ahead and offer opinions since it's free! Flame suit on!!
Ya, Big is one of those guys.
Ditto on the .454 Casull, w/5.5" bbl.; the Taurus Raging Bull is affordable. Shoot a lot of 45LC, practicing your draw & 3 fast shots @ 20yds. If you eventually can't hit an 8.5x11 paper, then talk to a "prepper" for a grenade! Maybe a S&W .460 revolver is available, but it's very large.
No "hollow points", they just disintegrate, check Hornady site for special rounds. Sounds like fun shopping.
P.S. Wyoming game wardens were insisting on being issued large caliber revolvers for Mtn. Lion & bear protection. The dept. experimented with testing shooting skills under a typical attack. NO ONE placed a fatal shot on a charging PAPER bear! No one. After practice, the result was IDENTICAL!! They were ordered to carry 2 - 1# cans of bear spray.
That's when my son out there asked for my advice re: carrying a revolver, I said .454 something, then he related this story a month later. He bought 2 #'s of spray & holsters. Best of luck out there.