Picking a great bear gun isn’t a complicated task, but it’s easy to become paralyzed with indecision if you’re seeking advice on the subject. ⁠ ⁠ There is plenty of information, much of which focuses on bore diameter and muzzle energy, but most pontificators miss out on what’s really important when it comes to bear guns. The truth is that there are lots of great bear guns to choose from, and their utility is found in appropriately matching them to the task. In other words, you need to consider the application and likely conditions it will be used in. Is it going to be hunting for black bears over bait in dense forest, glassing alpine hills and avalanche chutes, or watching over the wind-blown beaches and alder patches on the Alaska Peninsula in search of a brown bear? Lots of bear guns aren’t for hunting at all, but for self defense. Setting these parameters is the first step in homing in on the best bear gun for you. Generally, there are three major categories of bear guns: guide guns...