There is a text posted on many Russian gun forums (e.g. http://forum.guns.ru/forum/44/122597.html http://forum.guns.ru/forum/44/122597.html ) that alleges Russi

There is a text posted on many Russian gun forums (e.g. http://forum.guns.ru/forum/44/122597.html http://forum.guns.ru/forum/44/122597.html ) that alleges Russian Ministry of Justice statistics of handgun usage against bears for self-defense. I cannot say if it is trustworthy but here are some numbers: 26 cases with Mararov pistol using 9x18 ammo. 19 at distance over 2m. Out of these: 10 people unharmed, 5 wounded, 4 dead. 10 bears killed. 7 at distance less than 2m. 3 unharmed, 2 wounded, 2 dead. 3 bears killed. 17 cases with 9x19 Parabelum ammo (that was before Russia adopted its own 9x19 so it's all imported guns), 10 at over 2m, out of these: 7 unharmed, 2 wounded, 1 dead, 7 bears killed. 7 cases at less than 2m: 3 unharmed, 2 wounded, 2 dead, 4 bears killed. With these odds I'd rather shoot than let a bear maul me.