Help picking a handgun. (woods carry)

Originally Posted By: Adirondack HunterFor 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.



Not a revolver on earth more reliable than a Glock, or most other modern polymer framed semi autos. Those days are long, long past.
 
if you are looking at revolvers the smith trr8 holds 8 rounds and is on a scandium N frame
pretty spendy, but people seem to like them, also the 686 plus holds 7 , I have the new 66 and like it a lot.
as far as holsters go I really like my simply rugged holsters with the chesty puller rig
and reasonably priced
good luck
 
Originally Posted By: liliysdadNot a revolver on earth more reliable than a Glock, or most other modern polymer framed semi autos. Those days are long, long past.

Back in the day, that would have started a pretty good argument around here and then WHAM SLAMS the BAN HAMMER!! LMAO!
 
Sorry just not a Glock guy. My friends try to push them on me and I don't like the way they feel or shoot. If you are going semi auto I can only recommend a high end 1911. You either like Glocks or you don't.
 
You don't have to like the Glock. It's a free country, your choice of a good revolver would work also. Though your experience splitting M19 barrels doesn't seem to be a great recommendation. I've owned and shot a bunch of K-Frames and have never split a barrel, not even once. And yes I know about hot 125 gr. magnum loads and the thin section of a Combat Magnum M19 barrel but splitting two barrels after a couple thousand rounds seems strange from my experience. And if a 1911 floats a guys boat then by all means that's what he should carry. For me and true hard core use I'm not subjecting my pretty blued M19 or a "high end" 1911 to the sweat, rain, snow, brush and dings and various boinks likely to befall the gun. My G20 can't be uglier, it shrugs off sweat, rain and brush popping, fires every time I pull the trigger, has good after market tritium sights, is surprisingly accurate and stores a double handful of hateful trouble for an aggressive critter of whatever sort I might stumble into in the way back places I hunt. I'd venture that having a little experience with the Glock model in question might change your opinion of the 10mm Glocks.
 
Dang GC, you've almost convinced me, and I'm way down the list of Glock fans.
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I like the XD family and would love to try one in this wonder-round 10mm you guys talk about. Never had a 10 before... Are you listening Springfield?
 
Originally Posted By: GCYou don't have to like the Glock. It's a free country, your choice of a good revolver would work also. Though your experience splitting M19 barrels doesn't seem to be a great recommendation. I've owned and shot a bunch of K-Frames and have never split a barrel, not even once. And yes I know about hot 125 gr. magnum loads and the thin section of a Combat Magnum M19 barrel but splitting two barrels after a couple thousand rounds seems strange from my experience. And if a 1911 floats a guys boat then by all means that's what he should carry. For me and true hard core use I'm not subjecting my pretty blued M19 or a "high end" 1911 to the sweat, rain, snow, brush and dings and various boinks likely to befall the gun. My G20 can't be uglier, it shrugs off sweat, rain and brush popping, fires every time I pull the trigger, has good after market tritium sights, is surprisingly accurate and stores a double handful of hateful trouble for an aggressive critter of whatever sort I might stumble into in the way back places I hunt. I'd venture that having a little experience with the Glock model in question might change your opinion of the 10mm Glocks.

See this was my thought. I would LOVE a 1911. Love the look of them... love the history... but they cost far more and look so pretty I would be really mad if I dinged it in the woods climbing around.

I think I am just about sold on the g20 even though I think glocks are ugly as all [beeep]. Cheap and functional is something I am a fan of for a tool. It is the main reason I picked my Savage 11 over the Browning x-bolt full line dealer or a Mark V (huge fan of weatherby because of my grandfathers rifle) for a general purpose hunting rifle.

Running around the woods I don't want a rifle with me I am afraid of damaging. I don't want to be in the woods angry at myself because I just dinged my 1k+ rifle...
 
Quote: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.....I've used a Mod 19 for numerous Police matches since 1963, from local, regional and even the Nationals in Mississippi with lead bullets and never had a problem...But we regularly used a Lewis Lead remover to clean the barrels and never heard of one splitting...

Until I started shooting semi autos, I was also a revolver fan, but following several mechanical problems with a 1911 platform and never having one with my Glocks (my competition practice used to involve roughly 1000 rounds a week), I have a hard time going back to the limited number of rounds with a wheel gun when 16 rounds is more available...The grip on a Glock has the capability of being modified to a degree...
 
I dont like the Glock....but to disregard them when considering a hard use pistol, especially in deference to a 1911 is silly. They are simple, they are proven, and they work. Period.

If one is completely [beeep] bent against a polymer framed gun, the Sig 220 is available in 10mm, as is the EAA Witness. While I would rank neither of them in the same category as the Glock, both have proven to be reliable performers.
 
Originally Posted By: DesertRamDang GC, you've almost convinced me, and I'm way down the list of Glock fans.
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I like the XD family and would love to try one in this wonder-round 10mm you guys talk about. Never had a 10 before... Are you listening Springfield?

I'm a Smith & Wesson M&P fan. I have two M&P 9's, a Shield 9mm and a .45 Model. A 10mm M&P is way high on my wish list. I've given hard thought to a .357 Sig. I continually say I'm not a Glock guy but I keep buying them. I have my Gen 3 SF G20, a Gen 4 G19 and a G30s has my name on it for Christmas. The plastic guns aren't classy like an old S&W or Colt revolver, Browning HiPower or pretty 1911... but the plastic guns just simply work and I don't fret over them. They have their place.
 
I have a Glock 21 with a 460 Rowland kit. It hits like a absolute sledge hammer with the bonus of still being able to use 45 ACP ammunition as well.
 
Rock Island armory makes a fine 1911 in 10mm. I have one and like it a lot. Priced right also. The Glock just has no soul ( if you ask me ) the rock island will not break the bank and is made to get scratched and used.



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Smokeless,
I can't argue about the no soul thing except to say that a gun made in the Philippines doesn't stir me either. Not saying it isn't an ok rendition of the 1911 but a Colt it ain't. A rampant pony on the side says "soul" to me.
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A genuine game tracker???? Seems weird to me.

The gun you carry needs to point naturally for you and be of a caliber that will work. Point naturally and shoot well for YOU will be very important...
 
I know what your saying GC. fact is, the 1911 is,,,,, we'll over a hundred years old. The secret has got out, and CNC machining has been out sourced. Still a great John Browning design and it still works period. No matter the origin. But I hear you.
 
You edited and added the picture while I was replying. Please don't take offense, I was thinking of traditional old school manufacturers when I posted that. Old Colt's, Brownings and Smith & Wesson's, that sort of thing. I'm sure your RI is a good shooting and functioning handgun.
 
Originally Posted By: GCYou edited and added the picture while I was replying. Please don't take offense, I was thinking of traditional old school manufacturers when I posted that. Old Colt's, Brownings and Smith & Wesson's, that sort of thing. I'm sure your RI is a good shooting and functioning handgun.



No, no. I understand where you are/were coming from.
The RI is worthy of consideration is my only point.
 
Originally Posted By: Brad PhillipsA genuine game tracker???? Seems weird to me.

The gun you carry needs to point naturally for you and be of a caliber that will work. Point naturally and shoot well for YOU will be very important...

Don't have game trackers in your state? Many states still ban it because they are stupid but there are groups working to fix that.

A lot less wasted game and that can be important on low population big game. There are not that many bear/elk in Michigan so someone shooting one, loosing it and then shooting another kind of suck.... and now way off topic.

As I said I would love to just get a 1911 but the cheap ones cost more than a lot of other options. Hard for me to spend extra money on something I have a good chance of beating the crap out of just so I can have the one that looks better... and may not actually function better.

Should have asked how the grip is on a G20 for someone with big hands. 6ft with large frame and my I have some kind of "yet to be determined" arthritis in my right hand which causes it to get even bigger. Are any of the other glocks similar in size/fit/feel of the G20? Local sporting goods store has a great selection but they don't have everything all the time. Any preference on which G20? SF?

How do you feel about buying used? Buying from a person I know never bothers me because I know exactly what kind of treatment they are likely to have given the weapon... some used gun dealers around here I don't trust... at all.
 
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I've never been leary about buying a used Glock...I used to shoot a lot of GSSF matches and there used to be a Glock Armorer at each and they would inspect/upgrade/repair as needed for free..You might check the GSSF.com schedule and see if there is one reasonably close in your future...Most stocking dealers are also required to attend the Armorers class and can repair as needed...

As to your question about the grip, I have fairly good size hands and the G-20(10mm) & G-21(.45acp) are comfortable for me to shoot...Spend some time shooting either and you will notice that the "felt recoil" is less than a 1911 of same caliber...

I have one of the earlier G-17s (1986) with a five digit serial number and a 'pencil' barrel...A couple of the Armorers have tried to talk me out of it...No Way,...It's given me too much pleasure and the reliability factor is really great...

I think that out of the seven that I've owned, only one has been new..Except for available factory up grades that were installed, I've never had a problem with any of them...
 
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