Help picking a handgun. (woods carry)

Z

zerowolf

New member
I am working on becoming a licenses animal tracker (deer/elk/bear) and part of that requires a CPL... not sure why some think it is a way for the DNR to background check you without having to background check... anyway...

Here is what I need. Lightest/Lowest kick/highest accuracy possible while also being very reliable and big enough to slow/stop/scare a wounded bear.

Unsure what would handle swamp/snow/rain/mud/whatever and still have a chance of actually firing. Figured a revolver would be best but because no one in my family owns or uses handguns I really don't know.


 
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With your description of need I would look seriously at a Glock 20 in 10mm, near 41/44 mag energy,15 rd mag(10rd avail if restricted), reasonable weight (30 oz empty- 39 oz loaded), great reliability and lots of aftermarket parts if you want to customize it. I'll post a link in a min.

link

https://us.glock.com/products/model/g20
 
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Michigan has a limit of 9 mag+barrel so they would probably complain about a 10 round mag just to be annoying.

Really the biggest issue is handling being in the woods a lot... no question it is going to get beat up. So if it can handle it that is an option. Although I hate the look of glocks.
 
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I would rate a Glock as one of the most reliable handguns on the market. I carried a revolver on my traplines up in MN and WI and would rate them as not reliable in an open carry situation, snow ice and debris can lock them up. I had to carry mine in a shoulder holster under my jacket. I skied and snowshoed a lot of my beaver lines in the winter. I pack a Glock 19 now for 2 legged critters while hunting along the Mex/Amer. border as my main hunting gun is only a two or three shot firearm.

Check with your local LGS that stocks Glocks for MI compliant mags.
 
The answer is the same as it always has been. The biggest YOU can handle accurately, and are comfortably. A hit with a 357 is better than a miss with a 500s&w. I have a friend that swears by his Glock 10mm. I'm a revolver guy, but the Glock 20 may be a good place to start.
 
The Springfield XDs in .45 might work well for you. With the longer magazine it'll hold 7+1. Despite its relatively small size and light weight, it's quite manageable even with full-house self defense loads.
 
A Glock would definitely stand up to the elements. I've ran one in multiple conditions to test reliability and had zero issues. Those conditions were
-Bone dry and dirty
-Covered in sand
-Dropped in dirt/mud
-Covered in snow and allowed it to set a while to get good and cold
-Dunked in water

It went bang each time after being placed in those conditions and cycled fine.
 
I would double check that 9+1 law you quoted. I did a search on handgun mag capacities in MI and there is no reference to any restriction, in fact finding a couple of sights that said flat out that MI has no mag restrictions.
 
One of Michigan's favorite sons, rocker Ted Nugent is a huge Glock 20/10mm fan. You may want to look at the more compact Glock 29 for a little less weight and easier carry.
 
Glock 20 in 10mm is my woods gun. Get a chest type holster (not shoulder holster - chest carry) that adjust for various layers of clothing and positions. That chest holster is never in the way and yet always at hand. Be it 10 rounds or full capacity of 16 rounds a handful of .40 caliber 200 gr. XTP hollowpoint or 220 gr. hard cast flat points at 1,250 fps is in a lightweight, tough package and with night sights to boot. It's hard to not consider it when researching hard knock woods guns.
 
I would seriously consider the Glock 20 or Glock 40 for a field handgun... I've owned several brands and calibers over the years and the Glocks, to me, offer less "Felt Recoil" since the polymer frame seems to soften the recoil over most others and still provide a high degree of knock down power...

The only real difference between the 20 and 40 is a slightly longer sight radius (about 1 inch) on the 40, but that can make a difference...The Glock 29, while smaller and somewhat lighter, has a much higher felt recoil factor and always tended to twist my wrist much more for second shot recovery, plus the sight radius is much smaller...

At one time, I owned five 10mms... Two Glocks, a Kimber, a Para-Ordnance, and an old Thompson Auto Ordnance...The last three being the 1911 platform and normally with 8 round capacities...Between the two designs, the Glocks were my favorite...There is something comforting about having 15+1 rounds available..

There have been several instances where Glocks have been found, having been buried in mud and muck and still functioned after being lightly hosed off...Not sure the others I've owned would fair as well...
 
Originally Posted By: AWSI would double check that 9+1 law you quoted. I did a search on handgun mag capacities in MI and there is no reference to any restriction, in fact finding a couple of sights that said flat out that MI has no mag restrictions.

For hunting you can have no more than 8+1. Would hate to have a handgun I plan to carry in the woods that I can't use for hunting.

As for the chest holster... already planned on it. Easy access and clearly visible. Visibility is to make people comfortable... a lot of tracking is done at night and a lot of people are afraid of the woods at night. The owner of the tag is allowed to have their rifle/shotgun and ammo but not loaded during the day (not sure about night). I would rather not have fearful people decide to load their weapon and walk behind me because the boogy man might get them.

EDIT: Looks like the Glock also has a nice bonus of being decently priced. Love the look of 1911 but yesh...

I have no problem modding a magazine so that it can't hold more than 8 so shouldn't be an issue.
 
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If your working pack it with a fifteen/sixteen rounder and swap out a modded eight rounder to hunt with.
 
G20. Maybe even a g29 if you want something smaller. You can always add a longer barrel to get some veolocity back. Personally, I always find that if the g20 grip was just a little shorter it would be much more comfortable to carry. The 29 would give you that.

There are actually several other 10 mm guns on the market now. When I got my g20 there was only 1 or 2 others. I just got an email that Remington is making one in a 1911. Sig has one too.

Underwood ammo is the place to buy full power 10mm if you do not roll your own.
 
For what you are doing I would stick with a revolver. A 357 mag is the smallest I would carry. I would prefer a 44 mag. Semi autos can be temperamental in different temperatures and humidity. When you pull the trigger on a revolver it will go boom no matter how cold it is.

I used to carry a SW model 19 357 mag while deer and elk hunting in Utah and Wyoming. I never had to use it but came close one time when a mountain line was circling my two man tent at 2 am on a elk hunt. The model 19 is fine for self protection but not for target shooting. I split the barrel twice after putting a few thousand rounds through it each time.
 
Looking at 357 vs 10mm glock at this point. I had been looking at getting a 38 special just for kicks so the 357 would have an extra bonus... also my grandfather used a 357 when he was a cop so that would be cool.

However revolver is likely a bit heavier which is bad... also got to thinking and I would probably like a magazine more than. The magazine on my 22 mag is a big part of why I love the gun... easy to load a bunch of rounds in a big hurry when various critters enter my yard that shouldn't.

Also been searching around and it looks like the G20 is really popular for woods carry and I haven't seen anyone complain about function.
 
I've got Glock models 20, 35 and 40 plus I've owned several others and have yet to have the first failure to fire or eject. Every gun has ran flawlessly and I'm not a strickler when it comes to cleaning. Anytime I'm in the field I'm toting either the 20 or 40. I'll take the 10MM over any other handgun caliber.
 
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