Article by B. Gil Horman for NRAWomen.com

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, revolvers were quickly being supplanted by semi-automatic pistols for use by law enforcement and civilian self defenders. The more modest levels of felt recoil, increased ammunition capacity, and quicker reloading qualities that pistols provide makes them a better fit for engaging multiple threats in urban and suburban settings. Today, compact-sized, polymer-framed pistols chambered in 9 mm with double-stack magazines rule the concealed-carry and self-defense roost.

But for those who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, the big-bore revolvers have endured. When fending off dangerous game, including angry bears, the trail gun maxim has been that cartridge power trumps ammunition capacity. That’s why we still see single-action and double-action revolvers chambered in .357 Mag., .44 Mag., and .454 Casull tucked into the hip and chest holsters of those headed into bear country.