Opinions Needed From Glock 29 Shooters

[OregonJohnny]

Let me start by saying that, up to this point, Glocks have just never fit my hand right. I've tried shooting at least 3 different Glock models in 3 different calibers, and have never been able to shoot them very well.

Then, a few weeks ago, I heard about the "SF" models. I went to my local GS and held a G30 SF. Even though the front-to-back dimensions of the grip are only 3mm shorter than a standard compact Glock, it made a huge difference in my hand. I really liked the little guy.

I've been lusting after the 10mm round for a while now, and have been disappointed with the small selection of 10mm handguns currently on the market. So, when it came time to decide on a compact "woods gun" a few months ago for hiking, camping, exploring the Oregon wilderness, I settled on a Ruger SP101. My requirements for such a gun were:

• Small enough to comfortably conceal IWB or OWB with a long shirt/jacket
• Sufficient caliber to deal with all possible threats from a pack of coyotes to a pack of bad guys to the black bear that makes summer visits to my parent's rural property
• Absolutely rugged and reliable
• Controllable with the most powerful-for-caliber factory rounds

The SP101 does the first 3 well, but I'm starting to realize the "controllable" thing isn't that easy. The most powerful round I can find for my little SP101 is the Buffalo Bore 180-grain hardcast lead .357 Magnum at approximately 1250 ft./sec. out of the 2.25" barrel for around 625 ft. lbs. of energy. I put 5 of these rounds through the SP101 this weekend, and quickly realized it's just too much recoil through this small gun to get fast, accurate shots. They're a joy through my 4" GP100, but a light, handy CCW the GP is not. I need to face the fact that I simply shoot better with the average auto-loader than I do with the average revolver.

Now that I know the Glock SF models fit my hand well, and after doing quite a bit of research on the 10mm round, I find myself seriously considering my first Glock, and I was hoping to get some opinions from those who own or have at least spent quite a bit of time shooting a Glock 29 or 29SF.

1. In shooting the most powerful 10mm rounds from Double Tap/Cor-bon/Buffalo Bore through the 29, how would you compare the recoil and muzzle flip to other powerful compact handguns? Are fast, accurate shots possible with a 200-grain bullet going 1250 ft./sec. out of a 25 oz. compact gun?

2. Any problems shooting a few dozen of the heavy hardcast lead rounds at a time through the stock Glock barrel? (I reload, so advice from reloaders who shoot a G20/29 would be great!)

3. Can you compare the comfort/ease of carrying the 29 around all day while doing outdoor activities to, say, the SP101, or other steel-framed compact revolver?

4. While the ultra-fast 200-220 grain hardcast 10mm loads look good on paper for black bear protection, does anyone have real-world experience using a similar 10mm load against dangerous animals or medium-sized game?

I love my Ruger revolvers, including the little SP. But 11 rounds of 10mm from a semi-auto with roughly the same dimensions as the SP101, and a much lighter trigger, sounds like quite the little wilderness companion.

Strictly comparing the SP101 vs. the Glock 29:

Other than versatility/affordability/availability of the actual round fired (.38 Special/.357 Magnum) what does the SP101 do that the Glock 29 cannot?

 

[M1key]

Nothing.

I would much rather carry the G29 in the woods than any 5-shot 357.

I load 200gr FMJ, XTP, or Gold Dots with Accurate #9 and get excellent accuracy. I can't say much for performance, because I haven't had to shoot anything yet.

I might prefer to carry the 20 in bear country. (15 rounds vs. 10)

If the G20's grip is too large, you can always have the grip reduced by the folks at Robar.



M

 

[Justin Holder]

You can get a magazine grip adapter that will allow you to comfortably shoot the full sized G20 mags in a G29.

I have a G20 and a G29 is on my short list.

 

[sigma 40ve]

I have an early G29. If I am going anywhere, woods or urban, that I want potent firepower, I carry my G29, using a regular mag, with the 15 rd G20 mags as backup. You don't need a grip adaptor to use the larger mags. I prefer Hornaday 200 gr hp's for the carry load.

 

[Trumac]

Remember that the 36 is a single stack .45. They (Glock) do not make a 10mm that is the same size. The 36 isn't the same as the "SF" models. I know that wasn't on your list of questions but figured I would point it out. Wish I could help with your questions but the only 10mm I have is a Colt.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Trumac: Sorry, I edited my original post to correct the Glock model that I held. It was the 30SF, not the 36. So it looks like the 30SF and 29SF are nearly identical, dimensionally. Anyway, the SF model has that "certain something" that the original compacts just don't when I hold them. That certain something is 3mm less thickness front-to-back in the grip, making a big difference in ergonomics for me.

 

[Trumac]

Gotcha. I was also surprised when I first held the SF models at how big of a difference that a few mm makes.

 

[Mainsail]

I hike off-trail often and carry a 20SF. I recently picked up a 29SF for around town and it may replace the 20SF for hikes as well. The only drama so far with the 29 is holster selection. I like to carry the 20SF in a standard Bianchi military holster because it protects the gun and the attachment system is the only way to put a holster on a backpack belt.

The 29SF is still new; I haven't fired it yet. I tried to last weekend but forgot the ammo in the house.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Has anyone with a G20 or G29 shot a steady diet of heavy hardcast lead rounds through their stock barrel with any problems?

Reloaders with G20s or G29s - Does the unsupported chamber of the Glock, mixed with ultra-powerful rounds from Double Tap/Buffalo Bore, etc., make reloading these cases a problem? Are there case head separation issues? Is an after market, fully-supported barrel a necessity if this gun is to be used for mostly shooting full-power nasty stuff?

 

[M1key]

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=67

Glock discourages lead bullets. Some guys may use them, but not me.

I don't load absolute max for the G29. I use the G20 with a KKM barrel with a tighter chamber for those.

As always, inspect brass before using and after firing and I would not use the brass for more than 3 loadings with anything approaching max loads in a Glock factory barrel.

M

 

[KBintheSLC]

The G29 will certainly be easier on the hands than the SP101. It's actually not that much more recoil than the full-sized G20. You can fill your G29 with some 15-round mags for 3X the capacity of the SP101.

As for shooting hardcast lead bullets... you will not need to worry about that for woods defense. You can run 20-30 hardcast lead rounds before you start getting leading problems in the stock barrel. In a woods defensive situation, I doubt you will have time to squeeze off more than a few rounds.

As always, inspect brass before using and after firing and I would not use the brass for more than 3 loadings with anything approaching max loads in a Glock factory barrel.

This is good advise. For shooting reloads, an aftermarket barrel is a must to minimize bulges. The Lee Bulge Buster/FCD combo helps to salvage Glocked brass. You can load up some monster loads for a 6" aftermarket-barreled G20, but it is sort of wasted in the shorter G29 barrel as muzzle flash. For the G29, I would prefer something like the factory Win 175g Silvertip over the hotrod stuff.

Is an after market, fully-supported barrel a necessity if this gun is to be used for mostly shooting full-power nasty stuff?

For merely shooting the hotrod stuff, no it is not necessary to get an aftermarket barrel. But if you plan to reload the brass, the factory barrel will give you a shorter brass life.

Are there case head separation issues?

No. This may happen if you reuse your brass too many times with max loads in the stock barrel. It is not an issue with new brass.
...

 

[mokin]

I've owned and carried a G29 for three years or so now, mostly in an IWB holster, in all kinds of conditions and weather. I bought it becaus I have been intrigued by the 10mm Auto round since it came out. Here are a few observations...

Because of the double stack magazine it really doesn't seem that much smaller than a full size single stack auto. Holsters are a little tricky to find.

It isn't uncomfortable to carry all day. I've carried it while working which may involve a full day of hiking, some scrambling, digging, and getting in and out of trucks. I've also carried it while doing carpentry and plumbing.

Due to the shorter barrel, I've had to do a lot of tweaking with handloads. I'm trending toward heavier bullets and faster powders (and less of it). I noticed a lot of unburned powder and inconsistant velocities with slower powders. I don't load full power cartridges either.

I haven't used lead bullets or ammunition loaded by Cor-Bon/Double Tap/Buffalo Bore yet so I can't answer there. I'd like to just for comparison. I have the feeling I wouldn't gain much though.

The pistol is reliable, rugged, and accurate and I trust it. It is fun to shoot and reaload for. Even though I think I lose some of the "benifit" of the 10mm Auto because of the short barrel, I still think it a more effective defensive round than the 9mm of the .40 S&W.

 

[OregonJohnny]

To be clear, if I were reloading for the G29, I would most likely be loading "plinking" rounds with some 180-grain plated or JHP bullets, at mid-level charges. I'd save the "hot rod" factory stuff for occasional function testing/practice, then carry in the woods.

I just don't want to buy a gun specifically for woods protection, then have to buy an after market barrel to be able to use the kinds of rounds designed for this purpose.

My main attraction to the G29 is that semi-autos, in general, are SO much easier for me to shoot quickly and accurately than magnum revolvers. Having a semi-auto that fires 10-15 rounds of a .40 caliber cartridge that falls somewhere between .357 Magnum and .41 Magnum energies, with a decent trigger and minimal muzzle-flip, sounds like the ultimate partner for the Oregon woods.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I just don't want to buy a gun specifically for woods protection, then have to buy an after market barrel to be able to use the kinds of rounds designed for this purpose.

I'm not sure why you feel like you "have to buy" an aftermarket barrel to shoot new factory ammo... 'cuz you don't. And, if you don't believe me about shooting hardcast loads, and prefer to err on the side of caution, just get some 200g FMJ-FP's. Those will work just as well as the hardcast bullets for deep penetrating wounds, and will fully perforate anything you are likely to encounter on the Oregon trails.

I think you should get it, shoot it, and love it like the rest of us do.

...

 

[OregonJohnny]

I think you should get it, shoot it, and love it like the rest of us do.

I was afraid someone would just come out and say that!

Regarding after market barrels, I guess I was just under the impression that because of Glock's polygonal rifling, a steady diet of lead was strongly discouraged. With 10mm ammo being scarce, and expensive, having the option to reload large batches of economical lead would be nice. But since I mostly load jacketed bullets for auto-loaders anyway, it's not a big deal. Plus, I can't see a situation where I'd shoot more than 40 or 50 lead rounds at a time without a thorough cleaning.

Anyway, thanks for all the responses, I've got some more thinking (and financial planning) to do, but it definitely looks like a first Glock is in my near future!