contender is single shot,that could be a disadvantage on a mad bear.that said the contender is a verry diverse and acurate gun with a barrel option for almost any thing you want to shoot.as a backup for a bow or to backup a contender while on a bear hunt I would look into a ruger super red hawk .44 or if you like single action a super black hawk .44. both the red hawk and black hawk are verry reliable and acurate.there are guns larger than a .44 but the .44 will work well on bear without excess recoil and ammo is available almost any were.