(to be read in you best Tommy Lee Jones voice)
“Ditch that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock!”
But in all reality, I’d say go with the Glock in .45. IMO it will be just about the most versatile gun for what you are after. The 21 is the full-size gun and it can be a beast, the “compact” (I think it is the 30) will likely be more up your ally as it will be a bit lighter than the 21 but you can still feed it w/ 21 mags if you think you need more than 10 rounds, and the gun has the same finger purchase as the most popular Glock, the 19.
Feeding it high –end fodder from Buffalo Bore will get the job done on Mtn lion and bear and will really make the difference between the .45 and 10mm negligible. On paper, the 10mm looks good, however recoil is said to be “snappier” (which could very well be an issue for your female companion) and practice ammo is WAAAY harder to come by and pricey when you can find it compared to the .45.
A revolver is not a bad choice, but anything in scandium will hurt your pocket book and be murderous on your hand, which for novices and most experienced shooters equals poor accuracy. A single action gun, or one that is carried with safety on (ala 1911) will require much more training and muscle memory than a “grip it and rip it” double action/safe action pistol (insert obvious statement here about the need to train with any gun you own/carry).
On other thing on the Glock over the revolver or other brand simi autos, for a couple hundred bucks you can get a .22 conversion and practice on the cheap AND/or carry it with you for small game.
Also should you decide to get your CCW, the 30 conceals in almost identical fashion to the 19. What more can you ask for? A piece for two and four-legged predators, something light weight, something concealable, something that will fill the stew pot if you are foraging small game, and a pistol with identical controls for training on the cheap!
FWIW, I’m from CO, I backpack in the summer and backpack hunt in the fall. I’ve carried 9mm, .357 and a 1911 as a pack gun or back up to my rifle. I know a 9mm “can” kill, but after some first hand experience, for ME and MY FAMILY, I’m carrying something larger…. especially if I think there is a chance to have to face a creature with teeth and claws but YMMV.
