257WM_CDL-SF
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I am wanting to buy another pistol in the future.The 2 im considering are the Glock 20 in 10 MM or the Ruger GP100 357 magnum.It would just be to carry with me when in woods or hiking.
your thoughts
- Thread starter 257WM_CDL-SF
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I think the revolver has a lot of advantages, mainly practical accuracy. A revolver's single action trigger pull is much easier to master, and that's the key to hitting at outdoor distances IMO.
I had a G-20 and it was a good gun, very accurate once I got used to it, but a good .357 is the great American all purpose sidearm.
I had a G-20 and it was a good gun, very accurate once I got used to it, but a good .357 is the great American all purpose sidearm.
Nushif
Member
Not to mention shooting .357 magnums is hella fun.
Harvey
Member
I suspect that you meant double action (like the GP100), but personally, if you ask me, I would tend to be more accurate with a single action semi-auto any day.
But that's just me.
I would have to agree with the others on the .357. Another thing to consider is what I'm dealing with right now. I recently picked up a S&W 1006 just because I had the bug for a 10mm. If you think finding ammo and brass for a .380 is hard, try it for 10mm. Fortunately I'm in no hurry as my main shooters are 9mm and .38/.357 and I'm finally able to keep my .380 fed.
oldrevolverguy
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- 147
When I got a deer lease for my son and I the need for a powerful handgun to deal with hogs and whatever else came along became apparent. I tried a S&W 629 5" 44, Glock 20 and Glock 29 10MM. The 629 was heavy and too bulky to CHL on the drive to and from the lease not to mention listing to one side after a full day in the field. The 20 was bulkier and thus hard to conceal and did not do anything that the 29 would not do. The 29 turned out to be light, concealable, easily as accurate as the 20. With Winchester Silvertips or DoubleTap 200 gr Hornady JHP I was confident that I could protect my son and I against anything we would likely encounter.
I suggest looking carefully at the specs on the 20 and 29. I believe you will find that the 29 is much more versatile.
My two cents worth.
I suggest looking carefully at the specs on the 20 and 29. I believe you will find that the 29 is much more versatile.
My two cents worth.
jamesjames
Member
revolver is usually a better woods gun choice
I've been through this thinking process in choosing a sidearm for hiking, hunting, and fishing in rural Oregon. My choice turned out to be a Smith 329PD, although I carry .44 specials instead of maggies in it.
.357 is a sharp recoiling revolver. I understand why you would want a 10 mm as it creates a larger wound channel for self defense in the woods. I understand the choice of the Glock because it is a lightweight gun to have on the hip. I can understand why you would consider a Ruger revolver as they are well constructed and reliable.
After having gone through this thought process myself and choosing revolver over pistol, big bore over smaller bore, and light weight over heavy brick, I chose the 329PD. Its still gives me the choice of magnums or specials in .44, the reliability of a revolver, and it carries so light on the hip that I forget its there.
Whatever you choose, get a good holster that retains the weapon well and carries it high and tight on the hip. A good holster usually makes all the difference in the fatigue factor at the end of the day.
I've been through this thinking process in choosing a sidearm for hiking, hunting, and fishing in rural Oregon. My choice turned out to be a Smith 329PD, although I carry .44 specials instead of maggies in it.
.357 is a sharp recoiling revolver. I understand why you would want a 10 mm as it creates a larger wound channel for self defense in the woods. I understand the choice of the Glock because it is a lightweight gun to have on the hip. I can understand why you would consider a Ruger revolver as they are well constructed and reliable.
After having gone through this thought process myself and choosing revolver over pistol, big bore over smaller bore, and light weight over heavy brick, I chose the 329PD. Its still gives me the choice of magnums or specials in .44, the reliability of a revolver, and it carries so light on the hip that I forget its there.
Whatever you choose, get a good holster that retains the weapon well and carries it high and tight on the hip. A good holster usually makes all the difference in the fatigue factor at the end of the day.
jbauch357
Member
Go with the revolver. I've got full-size GLOCK's and a GP100, the latter is what I toss on my hip when it's time to head to the woods. The accuracy, reliability, round selection, ammo availability, etc can't be beat.
jbauch357
Member
GP100 is a single/double revolver. The single action pull of the GP100 is light years ahead of the trigger on a GLOCK, even when compared to the shortened and lightened trigger on my G35.
Peter M. Eick
Member
As a geologist, I carry in the field a far amount. For a long time I carried a G20 and felt perfectly safe. There is nothing like 16 rnds of 10mm to make you feel quite comfortable. Especially if you can hit with it. I did find that it caused distress with folks when I would meet them in the rough.
After a while I switched to a 1934 38/44 Heavy Duty Revolver. This gun is in near perfect internal shape, but the outside, well, its rough. But, no one seems to be bothered by someone carrying an old revolver.
So, my recommendation comes back to are you going to encounter many folks? If you do, revolvers seem to create lest "angst" among the populous. If not, go for the g20.
After a while I switched to a 1934 38/44 Heavy Duty Revolver. This gun is in near perfect internal shape, but the outside, well, its rough. But, no one seems to be bothered by someone carrying an old revolver.
So, my recommendation comes back to are you going to encounter many folks? If you do, revolvers seem to create lest "angst" among the populous. If not, go for the g20.
DFW1911
Member
For years I carried my Ruger GP100 when I was in the mountains of Colorado. Tough as nails, reliable, and potent.
I say get the Ruger: you won't be disappointed.
I say get the Ruger: you won't be disappointed.
Welding Rod
Member
I would definitely go for the Glock, if you like Glocks. I don't. I don't care for the grip frame angle or the grip on the 10mm or .45 modles.
I like the GP100. I had one for many years that I shot in club speed events and so forth and did quite well. It was a good, reliable gun. But I wouldn't pick it for a field gun.
The simple reason is due to its lack of capacity. In the last 27 years I have had 4 encounters in "the woods" where I thought there was a very real possibility I was about to become engaged in a gun fight. I can tell you it is really, really scary.
Each time I had a sick feeling of being undergunned. Not what you want to be thinking about at such a time. First time I had a High Standard .22 Derringer that only worked on 1 barrel. Second and third a Ruger P85, and the forth a 1911.
In every case I was outnumbered, the time with the derringer about 14 to 2. I was stopped to help a guy stuck in the mud on a narrow two track road in the middle of nowhere. No way around. It turned out to be a coyote smuggling illegals around an inland border check point. They were hiding in the bushes until I got out of car to talk to the driver. Then he whistled, we were surrounded, and he made it real clear he planned to be in charge and that we were going to do what he said.
Really what I wanted at those times was an autoloading rifle. What I have settled on is a XD45. But if the XD was offered in a 10mm, I would give it serious consideration.
Remember if you have trouble in the woods, the other guys are most likely going to be armed too, and there is a good chance they may be armed with long guns. The stand off distance is likely to be greater than it might be in an urban environment, perhaps with someone armed and out of sight, and there is a good chance there may be a vehicle involved. At least one party will likely not have an easy avenue of retreat without abandoning their vehicle, and there is no one who is going to help, to retreat to, or who will be calling for help on your behalf.
I still wouldn't prefer to pick any handgun in those situations, but if I had only a handgun, as much as I enjoy shooting them, a six shot revolver would be low on the list. As would be a 7 shot 1911.
I like the GP100. I had one for many years that I shot in club speed events and so forth and did quite well. It was a good, reliable gun. But I wouldn't pick it for a field gun.
The simple reason is due to its lack of capacity. In the last 27 years I have had 4 encounters in "the woods" where I thought there was a very real possibility I was about to become engaged in a gun fight. I can tell you it is really, really scary.
Each time I had a sick feeling of being undergunned. Not what you want to be thinking about at such a time. First time I had a High Standard .22 Derringer that only worked on 1 barrel. Second and third a Ruger P85, and the forth a 1911.
In every case I was outnumbered, the time with the derringer about 14 to 2. I was stopped to help a guy stuck in the mud on a narrow two track road in the middle of nowhere. No way around. It turned out to be a coyote smuggling illegals around an inland border check point. They were hiding in the bushes until I got out of car to talk to the driver. Then he whistled, we were surrounded, and he made it real clear he planned to be in charge and that we were going to do what he said.
Really what I wanted at those times was an autoloading rifle. What I have settled on is a XD45. But if the XD was offered in a 10mm, I would give it serious consideration.
Remember if you have trouble in the woods, the other guys are most likely going to be armed too, and there is a good chance they may be armed with long guns. The stand off distance is likely to be greater than it might be in an urban environment, perhaps with someone armed and out of sight, and there is a good chance there may be a vehicle involved. At least one party will likely not have an easy avenue of retreat without abandoning their vehicle, and there is no one who is going to help, to retreat to, or who will be calling for help on your behalf.
I still wouldn't prefer to pick any handgun in those situations, but if I had only a handgun, as much as I enjoy shooting them, a six shot revolver would be low on the list. As would be a 7 shot 1911.
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12131
Member
Ruger GP100.
I was referring to the ability to cock the revolver for a precise SA shot.
As far as single action semi auto's, I might agree. I shoot my 1911 .38 Super as good or better than my .357, but since the OP was talking about a Glock 20, I give a big edge to the revolver's single action pull.
gbran
Member
With wadcutters, I can shoot small edible game without ruining meat. With big hardcast bullets, I can get maximum penetration on larger animals and with JHP's I can take care of any 2 legged dangers. I really like the 10mm, but the 357/38 is just too versatile.
md7
Member
If you don't have a 4" .357 magnum, you should get one. Very versatile, and good to have.
easyg
Member
First a few questions...
Are you going to use this handgun for hunting wild game?
For hunting, I think a 6" GP100 would be just the ticket.
Are there large predators in the woods where you hike?
IF there are, and you want a handgun for quick protection, I think the Glock 20 would be better.
Who knows how many rounds you will need to stop a large predator....15 rounds of 10mm vs 6 rounds of .357 magnum.
Are you a "light hiker" or a "heavy hiker"?
Meaning, do you like to travel as light as possible when hiking, bringing only the bare essentials, or do you hike heavy, bringing items to cover any possible contingent?
If you're a "heavy hiker", then it really doesn't matter which one you choose....they're both heavy:
G20 (loaded) = 39.14 oz.
GP100 4" (empty) = 40 oz.
GP100 6" (empty) = 45 oz.
But if you're a "light hiker", I would recommend neither of these choices.
I would go with a smaller and lighter handgun altogether.
A few possible choices...
Ruger SP101 3" .357 magnum (empty) 5-shots = 27 oz.
Glock 33 .357Sig (loaded) 10-shots = 26.63 oz.
Glock 27 .40S&W (loaded) 10-shots = 26.98 oz.
Good luck,
Easy
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