My view of bear defense may have been influenced by an incident that occurred many years ago, about the time I hired on with the US Geological Survey. One of their geologists was working in a remote area; there is contradictory information as to whether or not she was allowed to carry a firearm, or simply refused to do so.
In any case, she had just been dropped off by a helicopter, when she was attacked by a black bear. As it chewed on one of her arms, she managed to reach a radio (she didn't have a gun) and call the helicopter, asking it to return. Before the helicopter crew could reach her, the bear switched to her other arm. Fortunately, she survived:
Cynthia Dusel-Bacon is a Scientist Emerita in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center in Menlo Park, California. Since 1975 she has worked to decipher the geology, geologic setting of syngenetic and epigenetic mineral deposits, and tectonic history of east-central Alaska.
www.usgs.gov
Might she have done better with a firearm? Quite possibly - which IMHO fits in rather well with KY Jim's rules of carry:
1) Any gun is better than no gun.
2) A reliable gun is better than an unreliable one.
3) A hole where you want it is better than a hole someplace else.
4) A bigger hole is a better hole.
As always FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc., etc.