Hey everyone...first post.

If I could add my two cents worth, I'd strongly recommend a double-action revolver, rather than an automatic. They can handle a wider variety of power in loads (from light recoil practice loads to special loads for self-defense to higher power, cat- or bear-stopping loads). Also, if an automatic jams while you're shooting, it might take quite a bit of training to rack that slide instinctively--with the revolver, you just pull the trigger again. (Those thoughts courtesy of my dad!)

A Taurus Tracker .44 magnum with a 4-inch barrel cost me a bit over $400 at Academy. It has a "compensator," or holes toward the end of the barrel on top. It also has a soft rubber grip--both the grip and the compensator help decrease recoil.

The Tracker is smaller than most .44 magnums...it's really a pleasure to carry. It also comes in .357 and other calibers. For backcountry, I wouldn't go smaller than a .357 magnum, and if bears are around, I'd probably go for the .44 mag. (You can always always get the lighter loads to practice with!)


Some have doubts about Taurus, but a guy at the range clover-leafed three shots with it at 50 feet, so it's more accurate than most shooters.

Hope this helps!