imported post
Alexcabbie wrote:
Flintlock wrote:
AWDstylez wrote:
So I do a decent amount of hiking and a 9mm isn't going to cut it for medium-sized dangerous animals, and slinging a rifle or shotgunover my back isn't advisable around here. About the largest animal I would have to worry about would be small black bear, but those are few and far between. I've never actuallyeven seen one. More common are bobcats and coyotes, with the rare but occasional wolf. I settled on 10mm auto because I'm really not a revolver fan and when shooting at a quicklymoving target I want more than 5-6 rounds. As far as I know, the only sufficiently powerful semi-auto chambering would be 10mm, please enlighten me if I'm wrong because I'd love more options.
Anywho, thoughts and opinions? The G29 is small and light, which is exactly what I want while hiking through the woods. However, it seems awfully small for that large of a round. Anyone have personal experience? The G20 is kind of big and dumb, much bigger, dumber, and uglier than I'm looking for. Are there any other options?
I do a serious amount of hiking and a fair amount of backpacking and I normally opencarry my Glock 20 during my travels. It is full-size but not unmanageable. It is light, accurate, powerful,relatively inexpensive, it will eat anything, has a high capacity magazine at 15 rounds, has numerous options for accessories and holsters,and is a extremely reliable platform. Mine has night sights (I prefer Tru-Glo) but just about anything will do..
I am partial to Double Tap Ammunition but I also use some Buffalo Bore as well.
This is a great pistol and I highly recommend it.
A Smith&wesson M629 .44 Magnum loaded with Hydra-Shoks will likely handle any critters that might interrupt your little idyll. The 629 has Hogue grips that make the recoil manaageable, and of course it accepts .44 Special loads which can do the job and will provide for faster second shot recovery especially if you are using a one-hand grip.
I don't have a problem with the .44 Magnum cartridge, but this mentioned weapon is not feasible for my activities. It weighs about 14 ounces more than my Glock and is twice the price. That's just the 4" model and is even worse when you find a Smith with thelonger barrels. Weight and"bulkiness," are a negativeandmy need for a platform that I am familiar and comfortable with are paramount.
Secondly, the Hydra-Shok is a terrible penetrator round for defense against four-legged critters. In fact, I am not sure there are too many hollow points I would trust less as I have read of some testing results of the bullet that apparently has problems getting caught up in clothing and coats, etc. on humans.Many here carry hardcast, flatpoints, etc. forwild animal defense because hollowpoints don't have the penetrating value and have a hard time piercing thick hide, muscle, fat, and bone.
Personally,I carry the Double Tap 200 grain Full Metal Jacket Soft Point that has 722 Foot Pounds of Energy at the muzzle.
I have lived in Alaska most of my life and have had numerous bear and moose encounters. The fact of the matter is that a handgun is not the best solution for defense against creatures that are over a thousand pounds. That distinction would go to a rifle and sometimes a shotgun. I carry a handgun for defense against those creatures because I don't necessarily believe in the pepper spray option and you always have to be wary of two-legged predators as well.
That being said, I hike a LOT. I spend a lot of time above 3500 feet. I am not interested in carrying a hog on my side when I am scrambling up rock scree & shale, bouldering, busting brush, and sweating profusley. Not to mention adverse weather conditions where everything always seems to be wet. I'll keeep my Glock.
Just something to consider.
