Interesting story from guide forced to shoot bear multi times with 9mm. That choice of bullet, and of course shot placement, was likely key to that outcome:
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I missed it if it was mentioned in the video, but the pistol was a S&W 3954 which kinda surprised me. Stout load, but he was off just a bit on the velocity. 
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=389
Designed to penetrate 4 to 6 feet? Did I read that correctly?
It’ll blow your lungs right out!
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Turns a 9mm into a hand held Howitzer
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He did claim one of the bullets was found under the skin on far side of the entry wound. What’s the width of a 800-900lbs bear? 3-4ft?
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Never thought to look, but that appears to be about the only measurement of a bear’s body that no one seems to take. Head, feet, weight, shoulder height, and height standing are about it.
Weird, cause that width/thickness dimension seems like a good thing to know to reduce the odds of getting to shoot at one coming head on.
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I don’t know about 4-6 feet, and what medium they are talking about, but it obviously worked.
Good velocity and a hard, heavy, non-expansive projectile is going to penetrate. If it hits vitals or breaks bones it’s going to debilitate. It’s not exactly a secret sauce. Federal makes a very similar +P solid core 9mm for exactly the same purpose. I’m sure others exist but they are not immediately coming to mind.
Mission drives the gear, right. In this case bear defense was the mission, and the load was chosen accordingly. Don’t think I would want to load these for EDC, I believe they would penetrate right through a “lighter framed predator” maintaining enough energy to be a collateral damage concern. For their intended use though, kinda hard to argue against them.
I’d rather not have to count on a 9 against a bear. Especially a larger grizz, but it beats throwing rocks.
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The problem with those stories is some then decide it’s proof 9mm is a good bear gun. Even the guide who used is clear it’s not a good choice and not what he normally carries. Im in FL and while we have threats for legged and two, all in the mid sized to smaller range, and 9mm likley a good choice for mid sized and small threats.
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The 200 gr hard cast 10 millie seems to be the dogmatic choice for bear amongst the internutards.
I personally don’t hang out with bears.
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They used to occasionally cross our backyard, in a sub divison no less to short cut the trip to the next range of Mountains.
Mostly smart folks left them alone and they would be on their way, but we did get one dumbazz get out of his truck to shoot one crossing the two lane bridge leading to the North Valley.
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Yeah. These days every nit wit has to get a selfie for their tiktokgram. Reason #87 that I root for the mass shooter! 
About the only thing I can imagine that is worse than an angry aggressive bear would be a wounded and panicked, angry aggressive bear.
12ga. with 1-3/8oz Brenneke bear slugs, or a 45/70 or a 375H&H with some warm solids would be my preference. I don’t spend much time in bear country anymore, but I have all 3 in inventory.
For handguns I think I would choose 454/44 or 10mm. Neither of which I currently own.
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My Uncle went home from WWII and packed a truck and his High School Sweetheart and went to Kenai Alaska and drove until they got the truck stuck and built a house and had 14 kids.
My Aunt would occasionally shoot Brown Bears with a Surplus 30.06 out of her kitchen window to keep the bears, Kids and Dogs seperated.
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Seen that too, and/or heavier 220gr.
This is Tim Sundles/Buffalo Bore on his position that their .45ACP +P/.45 Super/.460 Rowland is as good/a better choice than their 10mm and also mentions that 220gr hardcast and 190gr monometal 10mm are their #1 & #2 sellers).
He says their .45 and 10mm will shoot completely through bears so the .05 larger hole is a plus.
Mentions in his experience, an untuned.45 tends to be as reliable as a tuned up 10mm due to the short/fat cartridge feeding more reliably than the longer thinner 10mm. I didn’t catch it in this video, but i assume that is related to spring ratings which is mentioned on their site about 10mm factory springs being spec’d for most factory 10mm ammo which is often barely different in performance than the same manufacturers .40 S&W loads.
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I wouldn’t feel safe with it or any 9mm in bear country. 10mm or 44 magnun would be the smallest caliber I would carry. 12ga would be better.
Bears are naturally peaceful, Cuz!
I don’t think that of I was going to be beating the brush in Alaska on rural waterfronts I would feel safe in Known “Bear Country” with any handgun.
I can’t imagine busting through thcik cat tails and Bumping noses with a Grizzly, I’m not sure I would feel safe with a 12 gauge.
I hear Muslim’s are too !
I’m sure some Bears are sitting around a campfire right now having drinks and telling “People Stories”. One of them is taking a sip and saying “And his eyes got that BIG”
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I think in theory the handgun is “handy”(which does apply to the 9mm), but in practice handguns in more legit chamberings often aren’t(Ruger Redhawk and up,)
Been a few years since I have seen it mentioned, but Alaska used to have a recommendation of .375 H&H as a minimum to expect decent results and I think part of the reasoning was typical bullet construction in factory ammo.
There is just something kind of magic about the 375. The smaller diameter (compared to 405-458) combined with the velocity and a fairly heavy solid makes for some unreal penetration.
Also a stong performer on elk with 220gr soft lead projos.
Gotta love the old 375H&H.