Montana Hiking Gun Poll

[tomrkba]

We've done a bunch of discussion on the topic of which gun to hike with. I know the odds of an encounter with bear or moose are low. I'm going to carry anyway. Several people in the group will have bear spray.

Many are going to suggest 454 Casull. I've thought about it and it's not worth it. Many people have also suggested that the heavy calibers are required. I have never seen information on penetration tests on bear either from through the nose/roof of mouth, outside the skull or spinal hits.

A long gun is not an option.


The currently owned candidates are:

Ruger GP100 with 4" barrel carried in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. I will replace the Hogue grips with Badger grips. The gun has a Hi-Viz fiber optic front sight installed.

Glock 21 Gen 4 with Trijicon night sights and a Ghost 3.5# connector.

Glock 19 Gen 3 with Trijicon night sights and a Ghost 3.5# connector and NY-1 trigger spring.


Buffalo Bore and Underwood are the primary ammunition manufacturers I will order from.


I am considering purchasing one of the following:

Glock 20 Gen 4 (will add night sights, Ghost 3.5# connector and NY-1 trigger spring)
Glock 29 Gen 4 (will add night sights, Ghost 3.5# connector and NY-1 trigger spring)
Glock 30 Gen 4 (will add night sights, Ghost 3.5# connector and NY-1 trigger spring)
Ruger Alaskan in either 454 Casull or 44 Magnum
S&W 629 with 3" barrel

Purchasing a new gun will add significantly to the cost of the trip, so I'm leaning toward using what I have. However, I noticed today that the Glock 30 is one basepad shorter than a Glock 19. It will fit in my Milt Sparks Criterion (as will the G20 and G29). I'd probably go with Underwood Ammo 230 grain FMJ-FP at 1,000 FPS since it'll lose velocity due to the shorter barrel.

I am concerned about recoil in the G29 with hot Buffalo Bore or Underwood ammo. I saw Hickok45's video where he shoots 220 grain BB HC-FP and it didn't look too bad. Hickok45 definitely did not like the Ruger Super Redhawk Toklat in 454 Casull (even with 300 grain bullets). I think this will be a bit big to hike with and I won't be able to acquire a good holster for it prior to June 30, 2015.

I am not very interested in the Alaskan or 629, but I've had them before and know how they behave. Both guns cost at least $850, so I'm reluctant to get one.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The GP100 you already have will be perfect for your needs. When 'ol Papa Bear and Bullwinkle come a knockin', you'll need a reliable and hard hitting gun that can effectively fire hot hard cast loads... and you've already got one.

While a Glock 20 would be an awesome bear/moose setup, I'd probably still take the GP100. Hard to beat that reliability, and the Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast load you mentioned is the premier wilderness defense load for that caliber IMHO. Get a few boxes and see how they shoot in your gun, and carry with confidence!

 

[montanaoffroader]

X2 on the GP100.

No reason to spend the money on another gun, unless of course you are just looking for an excuse..........

 

[Crayfish]

I second that. You already own an effective bear gun and that includes the lower 48 grizzly we have down here. A 180 grain hard cast 357 will easily penetrate the skull of any animal if you can place the shot but, that is true of most any caliber. A steer shot from 10 yards between the eyes with a 180 BB cartridge penetrated an additional 36 inches after in went through the skull. The big calibers are great but, I don't think most of us are much good with a 2.5 inch hand cannon like the Alaskan. I am not unless its bad breath close. A 45 acp is a great 2 legged round but, for large heavy boned critters you need penetration most.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well,


I have this:

And this:

The 629-1, in my El Paso Saddelry 1942 holster, is the more effective one while my 3 inch GP100 easier to carry.

Since we are talking big bear... I'd go with the former. But if all I had was my .357 and Buffalo Bore ammo, I would not be to worried .

Deaf

 

[eldon519]

There are a few companies that make 255gr .45 acp loads that replicate original .45 Colt loads. I'd take a Glock 21 full of those over a GP100 any day. One of the original uses they had in mind was shooting horses out from under cavalrymen.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Deaf, I mentioned it before but I REALLY LIKE that web belt setup for your GP100. I think I might try and copy it some day. :wink:

OP, one good thing about your .357 GP100 is that it should still be controllable with the Buffalo Bore 180 grain loads. That is very important when trying to get that second shot off.

 

[JSH1]

I vote GP100

(And more importantly the bear spray that your companions will be carrying.)

 

[Lucky Derby]

Another vote for the GP100.

 

[Ash]

The GP100 would be my vote.

 

[Manny]

GP 100 with BB 180's. The BB load has great reviews and that GP 100 is a great tool to deliver the goods. Should work very nicely no matter what predator might be on the menu.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Cool,

Those belts cost $5!

Any Good OLDER Hunter, Baur, S&W, or Buchmyer leather holster will do.

Go to eBay and search for 'vintage leather holster' and see there are lots of them for sale.

I have a black leather S&W holster that fits my 4 inch GP100 fixed sighted revolver.

Then look for 'vintage leather ammo pouches'.

And a Buck 119 knife fits right on one to.

Deaf

 

[Ed Ames]

I have a Glock 20, Ruger Alaskan 454, and a 3" 44mag. Don't have GP100, and wouldn't choose a 9mm or ACP for your wants.

In your shoes I would bring the GP100. In my own, the G20.

Main reason I'd favor the g20 personally is that it's already mine so nothing to buy, but beyond that the G20 loaded (15+1) weighs about what the gp100 does empty.

The Alaskan is hard to find in. 454 and I'd rather have the 4oz lighter S&W in .44. If I didn't have the g20 I would bring the Alaskan with hot. 45 or mild. 454 loads.

However, and don't take it wrong that I'm introducing an option not mentioned, If I had my pick of any single gun for hiking the wilds of places like Montana, it would be a s&w 329pd. 4". 44 mag at an unloaded weight of about 26oz.

 

[tomrkba]

I have done some research on the Lehigh Penetrators. This bullet is offered for all the calibers listed. Even 9mm looks like it will work...standard FMJ will get 24-28" or so but the Lehighs will keep on going past 32" and through one or two water jugs. Their 140 grain 357 Magnum load also seems very good.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

There's nothing wrong with the .357 magnum. A 4" barrel will be a good size for hiking. Carry an extra speed loader or two. I usually put an extra box of ammo in my pack as well. My holster of choice for the woods is a Bianchi Accumold with a strap that goes over the hammer. The #7105 should be the right one for your GP100.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with a GP100 as well. In a semi-auto I would consider either the G29 or the G20.

 

[buck460XVR]

I voted for the 629 because it's the nicest gun on your list(even with the lock). If you are investing in something substantial, you may as well invest in something that your heirs will be proud to inherit, whether you make it back alive from the trip or not.........

 

[edmo01]

One consideration is weight...

The term "hiking" for some means trekking 20+ miles through the mountains while others are "hikers" after walking 20 feet from their vehicle. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle in our adventures.

Having said that, when I first began spending multiple days in the woods with a handgun strapped to me I quickly determined gear weight is an issue. Think about your load out (pack, etc) and how it works with your carry gear. If they don't work well together you will know it before the first mile is behind you.

While living in Alaska my constant companion was a S&W 4" 629 Mountain Gun. Even with a great belt and holster, after a couple of days I definitely knew I had an N frame strapped to me. Big guns are easier to shoot, however they will feel like a 10 pound weight on a long trip.

I voted GP100, but really you need to pick the best based on weight and carry system. Realistically, two legged varmints will likely pose a bigger threat than bears and moose if you are an experienced hiker, even in bear and moose country.

Have a fun and safe trip!

Edmo

 

[jeepnik]

If ever someone was looking for support for the purchase of a new handgun, this is it.

Just buy the Alaskan or the 29 for Pete's sake. You know you want to.

 

[Hookeye]

4" 629-3 gets my vote.
Miss mine

 

[Mainsail]

I owned a Ruger Alaskan in .44 mag that I carried on a few hikes, then I started leaving it home. Way too heavy for serious hiking over terrain with a lot of elevation gain & loss. I swapped over to a G20SF which is my current hiking gun.

I recently picked up a Sig P320 in .357 Sig caliber. This could replace the G20- I'll have to wait until I get out to shoot it. I'm excited about the Underwood rounds in .357 Sig, as they spec out the same or better than the old standby .357 magnums. The P320 will give me the grip angle that's familiar and pretty much the same capacity as the Glock.

 

[Hookeye]

I shot a bud's Smith 329 PD with factory wood grips on it and medium warm 240gr load. Wasn't bad at all, but it did whip quite a bit.

Hated the fiber optic front and V rear.

Change the sights and that'd be a sweety.

But IMHO a 629 non mountain gun 4" is way better looking.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'd take my Colt New Service, with adjustable sights and Herrett Shooting Master Grips, stoked with a 255 grain Keith style bullet loaded to 900 fps.

 

[entropy]

An S&W 329 or the 3" 629.

 

[jmr40]

Of the guns you own the Ruger in 357 mag. But I'd suggest DoubleTap 200 gr bullets @ about 1200 fps from your 4" barrel.

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=125_179&product_id=337

For me that would be my 2nd choice. I'd carry my G-20 loaded with Double tap 200 gr bullets @ about 1300 fps from my Glock. They are advertised at 1240 from the shorter barreled G29. Never used them in a G29, but I get right at the advertised speeds from my G20. Recoil is much more comfortable from the Glock than standard 45 ACP from my 1911's.

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=125_178&product_id=594

I think either is capable of what you need, and both are about equal. I'd probably just use what you have. I like the Glock because even with 15-16 rounds available it is still smaller and lighter to carry. If I were buying it specifically to hunt with I'd still prefer a longer barreled revolver in a magnum round. But for protection purposes I like the more compact size and greater ammo capacity.