OregonJohnny
Member
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?
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?
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