I happen to live in Alaska, sometimes I wonder if these people get all their info purely off the internet.
Just about everyone I know that may be in contact with a bear or most likely will be in a bears territory WILL carry a rifle. if they carry a pistol its usually used to drop a buddy so the bear will eat him instead of you. (just kidding folks)
My bear shotgun which is just for defense and not for actual hunting is a short barreled Remington Model 11, almost exactly the same as the Browning A-5 Auto. For hunting its either my .338 or a .375, BUT even the much ridiculed Mini 14 will take down a small black bear, I know that for a fact, and so would the SKS with the 7.62x39.
On the occasion when I have gone salmon fishing near a heavily populated campground with several hundred fellow fishermen I do carry a 10mm Glock.
I do not open carry, isn’t really any need for it but then I do not visit the populated area of Anchorage either, if I do I either carry my .45 or a compact .380. I always carry those in my truck and sometimes the Model 11 as we do get bears at where I work.
They used it for everything from hunting seals to polar bear. The claim was that the ammo was cheap, and with a very well placed shot, it would kill anything.
I have no idea if the article was telling the truth about their favorite rife at that time, but I have no doubt that the 22 hornet will kill anything in North America if you put the shot in the right spot.
if they carry a pistol its usually used to drop a buddy so the bear will eat him instead of you. (just kidding folks)
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Kidding?
Much better idea than taking the time and effort to lace your sneakers and have your friend say
“Hey pal, forget it, you are NOT going to outrun that bear”.
“Not my intention my good friend, I just have to keep ahead of you”.