Originally Posted by
Scrounge
There is this gadget called a sling that lets you carry a long gun and leave your hands free to do other things until or unless you need the weapon. Particularly when you say you have some trouble with .38 special, which is not on anyone's bear list that I'm aware of, and .357 Mag, which can be, at least for black bears, and is talking going to a .44 Mag. If you can't reliably hold and shoot it, what makes you think it would work? Will a .44 Mag guarantee one-shot kills on a bear? Maybe in good strong hands. If you lack good strong hands, get what you want, and hope you never need to use it on a bear close up. The advise was free. Value it as you will. It's your life.
Bill