About to start a job in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I'm going to need a hand gun in case of bears (they see them occasionally. I know my little 9mm wont do much. I am very experienced in firearms (5 years USMC infantry) but id like some advice from someone who knows more about bears then I do. I've been looking at .44 mag to start, and I also have a .45-70, but its a break action and it'd be slow off the draw. Any suggestions on caliber and models? I'm looking to spend at most, $750-$850 to start, and probably going to just invest in night sights once I get it. I'd prefer a pistol but I'm not opposed to a wheel gun, if the round is going to be better.