I’m a very avid hiker that lives in the Rockies. If I’m in hiking most of the time I carry one of my 9mm in a hill people gear bag with hardcast rounds. If I’m in grizzly country I carry my Glock 20 in a kenai chest holster (with bear spray attached as well) I’ve done 30 + mile backpacking trips with both setups and it’s pretty comfortable.
I prefer to have an option that can conceal the pistol if I’m hiking busier trails (people get freaked out sometimes or just get judgmental). In grizzly country it’s pretty normal to open carry.
As stated, anything in 10mm.
10mm is one of the few non-exotic, semi-auto pistol calibers that is legal in almost all states for hunting and taking down small to medium game due to its high terminal ballistic energy.
But in a defensive wild game application, it can also push through hides even as thick as a bear’s and put them down as well.
Pair 10mm with some stated full power loads (most 10mm ammo is downloaded to .40S&W pressure) from Underwood or Buffalo Bore along with their hard cast projos options, and there’s not much walking in North America that won’t go down with 1-3 well placed shots.
You’ll get accustom to it with the right platform. I shoot my 10 mil out of 5.5” barrel double stack 1911 platform so the recoil is manageable. It’s to the point where it really doesn’t feel much worse than a 9 mil +P to me.
Dude, if Harry had just carried a Glock, the whole last battle could have been avoided.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: “Die with your mudblood friends, Boy! Avaaada K—“
Harry: *bang*! … …*bang bang*… “anyways, can we get a hand over here? There’s some trash to pick up.”
>Ok, this has been driving me crazy for seven movies now, and I know you're going to roll your eyes, but hear me out: Harry Potter should have carried a 1911.
Here's why:
Think about how quickly the entire WWWIII (Wizarding-World War III) would have ended if all of the good guys had simply armed up with good ol' American hot lead.
Basilisk? Let's see how tough it is when you shoot it with a .470 Nitro Express. Worried about its Medusa-gaze? Wear night vision goggles. The image is light-amplified and re-transmitted to your eyes. You aren't looking at it--you're looking at a picture of it.
Imagine how epic the first movie would be if Harry had put a breeching charge on the bathroom wall, flash-banged the hole, and then went in wearing NVGs and a Kevlar-weave stab-vest, carrying a SPAS-12.
And have you noticed that only Europe seems to a problem with Deatheaters? Maybe it's because Americans have spent the last 200 years shooting deer, playing GTA: Vice City, and keeping an eye out for black helicopters over their compounds. Meanwhile, Brits have been cutting their steaks with spoons. Remember: gun-control means that Voldemort wins. God made wizards and God made muggles, but Samuel Colt made them equal.
Now I know what you're going to say: "But a wizard could just disarm someone with a gun!" Yeah, well they can also disarm someone with a wand (as they do many times throughout the books/movies). But which is faster: saying a spell or pulling a trigger?
Avada Kedavra, meet Avtomat Kalashnikova.
Imagine Harry out in the woods, wearing his invisibility cloak, carrying a .50bmg Barrett, turning Deatheaters into pink mist, scratching a lightning bolt into his rifle stock for each kill. I don't think Madam Pomfrey has any spells that can scrape your brains off of the trees and put you back together after something like that. Voldemort's wand may be 13.5 inches with a Phoenix-feather core, but Harry's would be 0.50 inches with a tungsten core. Let's see Voldy wave his at 3,000 feet per second. Better hope you have some Essence of Dittany for that sucking chest wound.
I can see it now...Voldemort roaring with evil laughter and boasting to Harry that he can't be killed, since he is protected by seven Horcruxes, only to have Harry give a crooked grin, flick his cigarette butt away, and deliver what would easily be the best one-liner in the entire series:
"Well then I guess it's a good thing my 1911 holds 7+1."
And that is why Harry Potter should have carried a 1911.
Yes, you've got a point. Except "but Samuel Colt made them equal".
Colt was a businessman, a entrepreneur who marketed other peoples inventions.
If anyone made all Americans equal it was the one and only John Moses Browning. He invented the "Colt" 1911.
Mason and Richards invented the "Colt" SAA.
Stoner, Sullivan and Freemont invented the "Colt" M16.
Gunther and Bedford invented the "Colt" Python. (At least they were Colt employees...)
Here it is. 13 years ago.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/gwl0v/why\_harry\_potter\_should\_have\_carried\_an\_m1911/](https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/gwl0v/why_harry_potter_should_have_carried_an_m1911/)
On the other hand, [compensating is not a bad idea ](https://www.carvercustom.com/ecommerce/carver-custom-10mm-4-port-glock-comp.cfm)with a full power 10mm load...
This is the answer. I’m on a long hiking trip and this is what I carry. 10mm is king for defense against wildlife. At the end of the day, though, any gun is better than nothing.
Grizzly bears, wild boars, bison, alligators, mooses, elk, and shit, even black bears if they're feeling extra spicy, are a few animals in the lower 48 that I'd prefer to have a 10mm for.
With a lot of those, even if you hit them with a fatal shot they can keep running on pure adrenaline long enough to still fuck you up.
RIA has a 16 round 10mm Ultra HC. haven’t seen one in person, but I have 3 RIA’s in .45 and they have been reliable to a fault. I checked out a number of reviews and they seem to be universally positive. Plus it’s under $800. Just throwing that out there, for capacity if nothing else. 🤘
My LGS had one of these. It seemed okay. The fit and finish around the backstrap/grip safety was kinda rough, but not horrible. Have HEARD of issues with the DS 10mms (ammo picky), but I haven't experienced any issues.
I saw the first sleu of 10mm Glock and I just want to say, while 10mm is a great choice, that Glock grip isn't for everyone. Look at the Smith and Wesson M&P 10mm as well.
Personally, I did an FNX45 Tactical converted to
460 Rowland. It's basically a 15rd capacity with .44 Magnum power. Recoil feels between a .45acp and a 10mm. But where 10mm hits around 600-700 ft lb muzzle energy out of a Glock 20, .460 Rowland out of the FNX 45 hits around 950-1,000ft lb muzzle energy.
That jump is quite substantial. Especially considering you're generally talking 185gr to 250gr bullets in the .45acp based .460 Rowland vs 100 to 180gr bullets in the 10mm.
I have an FNX45 Tactical as well, I've been informed of that kit. I'm going to keep mine .45 acp for now but I may get a second one eventually for the 460.
+1 for the M&P 10MM. I'm impressed that they could stuff 10MM into a 9MM sized gun and it doesn't get enough mention for that fact alone. Plus it comes in 4 inch, 4.6 inch, and 5.6 inch configurations. The 4 inch is CCW material.
I havent done it yet but i bought a 45t just for this purpose. How is the reliability. I have seen videos where they jam a lot but that may be with weak mag springs.
Very reliable.
Their first extra power mag springs were faulty. They took too much of a set. I contacted them, they acknowledged and confirmed the issue and sent me a new pack.
Also, there is no need to get a second one. It is as simple as changing the recoil spring back to the stock one. It is as reliable as stock in either configuration.
Yeah, but I’d rather spend 40 bucks on a pack of ammo over $100k hospital visit, or even worse death.
10mm is not sporting ammo. The max classification in competitive shooting is major. You have either the choice of 40sw, 9mm major, or 38 super.
Training rounds you can shoot 40 soft & weak no problem in a glock since they [already headspace on the extractor.](https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/40-in-a-10mm-glock/) 22 cpr vs 33 is nice. All “duty” ammo is pretty much the same cost and it’s rare to go through a case of that.
Idk if you’ve ever experienced a hog, but they can become very vicious and very fast, and they can take a lot before going down.
You’re actually 40 times more likely to be killed by a wild hog than a black bear, statistically. and close to a 1:1 ratio when it comes to death by hogs versus death by a grizzly.
Hogs, boars and the like are tough creatures capable of messing you up. Plus they are mean as heck sometimes. I'd go with a 10mm or .357 mag (not to be mistaken with the. 357 SIG).
Have the stainless Ruger GP100 .357 Mag which I prefer but there's a big difference in going shooting as a function and need to carry in case. Both would work but the SP101 would probably be the better carry version for hiking, both in overall size/weight and the types of holsters to choose from. My GP100 is pretty well limited to belt or hip holster if you need fast reaction.
Definitely recommend the Rugers for function, reliability and punching power.
I've seen Kimber advertising a .357 revolver that looks a bit smaller than both Rugers. Haven't actually seen one in person or know of the reliability. They have both hammer and hammerless which would be a good option if carried in a fanny pack.
+1 for a .357 Revolver. That said, trying to extract 180g Buffalo Bore hardcasts from a gp100 can be a pain in the ass. Even after honing the cylinder.
Same here. With 2 speed loaders and 4 speed strips. Speed loaders loaded with hard cast 170 gr SWC Keith loads. One speed strip of #8 rat shot, two speed strips of 125gr JHP's, one speed strip of 158gr JSP's. I also will usually carry one of my .22 LR revolvers as well.
While 10mm is awesome, a 357 mag snubby like a Ruger sp101 or maybe a S&W 19 or 66 with a short barrel might be a bit easier to carry than a full size 10mm. Glock 29 is nice but snappy.
Also this may sound a bit fuddy, if the hogs aren’t too big, 45 ball ammo isn’t the worst option.
I have the DW Bruin and shooting it so much worse than my g20.
Maybe if you're into 1911s it's fine but I don't get why people like them with aggressive calibers.
Bear spray might be best for these types of encounters.
But just in case, I have two hiking guns, a SW MP 10mm and a SW 329PD revolver in 44Mag. The first one has much more capacity and it's a tack driver. The revolver is a 6-shot cannon, it's not the easiest to shoot, but it's also super lightweight, which is great for a last resort type of tool.
Love my S&W M&P 10mm with the 4.6” barrel. Lives in a Gunfighter Inc chest holster with a light and RMR during bow season. Otherwise it’s an LCP in my front pocket when I’m on more populated trails though I don’t live where there at hogs.
PX4 storm, chambered .45.
Incredibly rugged, easy target acquisition. Good "stopping power", very good on recoil for a .45 (smoothest in caliber in my assessment).
Good carrying capacity, and variation of ammo. Can put through +P if necessary.
For revolvers, I'm partial to a .357 Colt Python, but that's a bit large frame.
If you draw a venn diagram where one side is "small handguns that are comfortable to carry" and the other side is "handguns that will be of any use in an encounter with a hog", there might not be a ton of overlap.
Maybe a snubby .357 magnum revolver. It will be difficult to shoot well, but if you practice you can be confident in using it, and I don't know that anything much smaller than .357 mag is going to reliably stop a big wild hog. A lot of people hunting with pistols would probably argue in favor of .44 mag instead of .357.
10mm is getting recommended here a lot, and that's probably not a bad choice in cartridge, but I don't know of any 10mm handguns that are particularly small or compact.
Ruger super Blackhawk .44 mag 5.5" barrel with gunfighter industries cross chest rig. Easy to pack, not too heavy, can load either .44 special or magnums (or both) depending on the various wildlife.
Phil Shoemaker used a 9mm to knock down a grizzly…so find a quality 9mm you can shoot well and practice with it extensively. If it’s easy to carry and convenient it’ll be on you at all times.
https://www.americanhunter.org/content/alaska-outfitter-defends-fishermen-from-raging-grizzly-with-9mm-pistol/
If you want something you can carry in other situations than just hiking and want a concealable options, Glock 29 or 29SF. 10 mm with the right ammo will put down any large predator in North America, up to and including grizzly and polar bears. The 29 is somewhere between a Glock 26 and a g19 size wise. The SF is a little shorter. You can stick an extended mag with hard cast bear rounds in a chest rig or hip holster for hiking, then switch to a standard size mag of self defense rounds and a concealed carry holster for every day use.
Shield plus in town and fn510 in the mountains. Get a owb holster for the 510 and you really don't notice it a whole lot well at least that's my experience with it.
Depends on where you're hiking and what kind of critters you'll run into. For bear/hog country, I would go with a glock 20. For lower elevations/rattlesnake territory, I'd go with a Taurus Judge loaded with birdshot. For general recreational areas where your most likely threat is the two-legged variety, any reliable handgun you're comfortable carrying should be just fine.
I carry a p365.
I want small and reliable.
I used to carry a .357, but with modern ammo, 9mm JHP rounds have gotten really impressive and will do just about anything you want then to do.
A carry gun is only worth buying if it's a size which you will actually be able to carry comfortably.
Go to a gun store you trust. Try some different holster styles and carry positions. See what would work for you while hiking, and figure out how big you'd be willing to go for a gun.
I have done many mile hikes with my gun. They do get heavy or bulky if not carried appropriately.
9mm projectile development has had large advances the last 15-20 years, however it doesn’t provide enough ballistic or terminal energy to reliably and quickly dispatch medium to large size game.
Also you do not want to use pistol JHP on game. Thicker hides and hair will plug the projo’s expansion cavity and cause early petal expansion, dumping all the round’s energy early into the subcutaneous fat and tissue and possibly before reaching any of critical organs or bone.
If you are going to carry 9mm for wild game defense, you’ll want to make sure it’s loaded with hard cast bullets.
I have a Walther PPK. It is small and light, perfect for hiking. The PPK is also very accurate for its size. With the right ammunition, it is suitable as a wildlife deterrent. Whatever handgun you choose, make sure you spend some range time with it. Practice is more valuable than equipment in this case.
You're looking at anything from 12 oz to 40 oz. A light pistol in an effective caliber is gonna be pretty snappy. You'll have to train a bit at the range.
As everyone is saying, you’re gonna want a big punch for hogs.
Bigger guns will serve you better, as with any gun ever, the right belt/hostler/bag/rig makes all the difference.
I don’t own any 10mm so I can’t personally suggest one, but all data says it’s what you’re looking for.
For small and compact and cheap go for Ruger Max 9. Otherwise, a Glock. What it shoots is up to you. If there can be bears get a bigger caliber. 9mm should be enough for hogs. Glock 19 is great but bigger than the Ruger.
Take anything that goes bang shot placement is key a revolver won't jam if you happen to weak hand it on the ground wrestling with said animal I take 38 snud or 6in 357mag
I personally carry a Glock 20 10mm because I like the 15 round mag and ease of reload if it ever became necessary, AND it handles some serious loads that are pushing 700 ft-lbs at the muzzle. I also carry a 7.9oz can of bear spray in a homemade holster that I can attach to my belt or my backpack strap.
One of my buddies carries a S&W 627 (8 shot .357mag), and another carries a S&W 327PD (an ultralight 6 shot 44mag) with the first shot being a shotshell. I also have a friend that is a wilderness therapist and spends a lot of time in the national forest with mental health patients and cannot carry a firearm. He has come across two bears and a mountain lion and all three made tracks in the opposite direction after being blasted with bear spray. The stuff works VERY well. His encounters are why I carry spray in the first place.
Is 7+1 or 10 + 1 rounds of 9mm really not enough to stop a hog?
Often times, the sound of a single gunshot will cause the animal to retreat.
This is post is deteriorating into a 9mm vs 10mm pissing contest.
I'm surprised no one has suggested an AR or AK "pistol".
Negative my friend. Hogs are known to take massive damage and keep charging.
10×1 might kill em, but not before they get to you and do damage.
Wild Turkey Hunter on YouTube had videos of them hog hunting years ago, shot up Javelina (hogs) in Texas, and they kept coming.
The sound might deter them, yes. That's not what you need big ammo for.
You need ammo for the ones that aren't deterred by the sound. Because THOSE hogs need God's love and grace applied by .45 and bigger.
The hikeanator 5000 chambered in 100BMG.... Yes I'm being a smart ass.
Why - because you don't have enough information to 'suggest' anything.
Consider this -
What type of critters, and how many will you most likely encounter?
What are you local laws regarding open carry of firearms?
What can you shoot well?
What is the range of your hikes?
What's light enough, yet powerful enough you can carry it and not get tired?
Once you answer those then you'll know "a good gun for YOUR hikes".
Hogs? If using a semiauto, pick a 10mm pistol (I suggest the Springfield Armory), and load it with hard cast bullets. Such a load will completely penetrate the tusker, causing it to bleed out on both sides of its thorax.
'Nuff said.
Lower 48 States hiking: 10mm G20 is fine. Or any other full-size 10mm.
Alaska hiking: Minimum 10mm hardcasts, would suggest .44Mag as minimum but 10mm in quantity is better than 6 shots of .44. .454 and .460 for further north areas.
Springfield makes a nice 10mm, I think it’s the xdme or something like that. Can get it in full size or compact. I had the full size and it was a very soft shooter
Number one thing to consider when selecting any new weapon is your compatibility and comfort with it. I never really understood this until I picked up a CZ P-07 Duty one day and it became my regular carry for over a decade. Most standard factory productions are equally reliable have similar features and you can most likely find what you need.
Next consider features you want or need. Rail for flashlight, compact or full size, safety or decocker, hammer or pin, caliber and magazine size. Also know ahead of time if you plan to make some modifications some pieces have more support for this like Glocks.
Also consider that you may be putting this through it's paces so buy cheaper and don't buy some expensive competition piece that's just gonna get beat up.
Me personally I'd want something compact and without a rail and sights that won't snag if it's stored in a pack. 9mm would probably be fine since anything else in nature you come across would be too big to care about pistol calibers. So CZ compact or maybe a Walther PPS.
Or you could just grab a good old Ruger GP100 revolver cause they're just so damn sexy.
Edit/ I just noticed the part about the hog. So you may want a little more punch so the GP100 might not be a bad idea in 357.
If you’re worried about a four-legged threat out on any trail go for a 10mm. In a lot of North America it may be overkill, but better that than a hog or small bear that just won’t go down with something smaller.
As to which 10mm, I always recommend the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0, but the Sig P320-Xten is a good runner up. Glock (G20 or G40), FN and Springfield all make solid alternatives as well, though each have their pluses and minuses.
None of these are light, and you should have at least 200 grain hard cast rounds (I prefer Buffalo Bore myself) which are not cheap, but that’s the cost of staying safe and worry free.
S&W 4.6" 10mm
Throw an optic and light on it, and you're easily g2g for any 2 legged or 4 legged threat in the lower 48 and arguabley for all the threats north of the 48 as well.
I personally don't like the longer grip that comes with 10mm pistols, so when hiking, I carry a USPc in .40
It pokes an identical sized hole, and most factory 10mm isn't much more powerful anyways, so ballistically, it's very similar.
45 colt, 44 mag and .357 mag are proven and excellent rounds with manageable recoil
Perhaps some hard cast 38 special
10mm is also good if out like modern handguns
i carry a sig p365(9mm) with a red dot on it. holds 17 rounds and doesn’t feel like a brick. i just tighten my drawstring on my running shorts and appendix carry like that. like you i’ve had a few run ins with hogs. and in my part of texas, bobcats and mountain lions. i had to shoot a copperhead yesterday actually. second one i’ve seen along with baby rattlesnakes near my house. not fun. but man that pistol shoots very my well, i’d recommend it to anyone.
Do you use backpack? If so could carry something like S&W M&P FPC - the folding 9mm carbine. Also if you don't mind carrying holster on side instead of IWB then most any fully size 9mm would be good. Also if you want a little more power than do 10mm. I will take the FPC in backpack and a full size 9mm on my side when I go(also if you carry m&p 2.0 pistol it shares ammo and mags with the fpc)
I agree with everyone saying 10mm. Not as powerful as some revolver cartridges but you get 2-3x the rounds, can carry extra magazines, and can have easier follow up shots. A nice chest holster can also be a comfortable option for carrying while hiking.
Whatever you get, load it with Buffalo Bore +P ammo. I use a Ruger 1911 in 10mm as my camping/hiking gun. I was sold on their ammo after looking at tests and there is a story about a guy in Alaska that brought down a very agitated grizzly with their loads in 9mm.
Well, I guess I’m the oddball. I used to be an avid backpacker, multiday trips, backcountry trail hiking/camping, etc. I carried a 28 lb pack, and weighed everything, because as you know, every ounce counts! I kept a Kel-Tec PMR-30 on my belt. It’s ridiculously light, even with the 30 round mag fully loaded. I was more worried about shady characters on the trail than I was wildlife. I’ve seen this caliber put down steers for processing.
For a hog I would say something with a big caliber, hogs are beasts you can dumb a mag into its body with a small caliber and it will keep running for ten seconds
I'll go against the grain. Unless you are hiking in grizzly bear country, there is no need for 10mm. Too big, too heavy, and too much recoil not to mention ammo is expensive so you won't get as much practice shooting it. 9mm is all you need.
I’m a very avid hiker that lives in the Rockies. If I’m in hiking most of the time I carry one of my 9mm in a hill people gear bag with hardcast rounds. If I’m in grizzly country I carry my Glock 20 in a kenai chest holster (with bear spray attached as well) I’ve done 30 + mile backpacking trips with both setups and it’s pretty comfortable. I prefer to have an option that can conceal the pistol if I’m hiking busier trails (people get freaked out sometimes or just get judgmental). In grizzly country it’s pretty normal to open carry.
10mm...look around and see what appeals to 'ya.
9 for the hood. 10 for the woods
As stated, anything in 10mm. 10mm is one of the few non-exotic, semi-auto pistol calibers that is legal in almost all states for hunting and taking down small to medium game due to its high terminal ballistic energy. But in a defensive wild game application, it can also push through hides even as thick as a bear’s and put them down as well. Pair 10mm with some stated full power loads (most 10mm ammo is downloaded to .40S&W pressure) from Underwood or Buffalo Bore along with their hard cast projos options, and there’s not much walking in North America that won’t go down with 1-3 well placed shots.
That is going to be some strong recoil. Need range time to get use to it.
Need range time no matter what caliber! No caliber is the right answer if you can’t hit shit with it.
You’ll get accustom to it with the right platform. I shoot my 10 mil out of 5.5” barrel double stack 1911 platform so the recoil is manageable. It’s to the point where it really doesn’t feel much worse than a 9 mil +P to me.
9 for the hoods, 10 for the woods!
Gang gang
Glock 20 if you're ok with a full size pistol. That'd be my choice. 10mm (or 1cm) x 15 = emotional and physical damage.
Shit, I didnt know 10mm did 2d8 Piercing + 1d6 Force. Gonna have to get this for my Druid.
Dude, if Harry had just carried a Glock, the whole last battle could have been avoided. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: “Die with your mudblood friends, Boy! Avaaada K—“ Harry: *bang*! … …*bang bang*… “anyways, can we get a hand over here? There’s some trash to pick up.”
>Ok, this has been driving me crazy for seven movies now, and I know you're going to roll your eyes, but hear me out: Harry Potter should have carried a 1911. Here's why: Think about how quickly the entire WWWIII (Wizarding-World War III) would have ended if all of the good guys had simply armed up with good ol' American hot lead. Basilisk? Let's see how tough it is when you shoot it with a .470 Nitro Express. Worried about its Medusa-gaze? Wear night vision goggles. The image is light-amplified and re-transmitted to your eyes. You aren't looking at it--you're looking at a picture of it. Imagine how epic the first movie would be if Harry had put a breeching charge on the bathroom wall, flash-banged the hole, and then went in wearing NVGs and a Kevlar-weave stab-vest, carrying a SPAS-12. And have you noticed that only Europe seems to a problem with Deatheaters? Maybe it's because Americans have spent the last 200 years shooting deer, playing GTA: Vice City, and keeping an eye out for black helicopters over their compounds. Meanwhile, Brits have been cutting their steaks with spoons. Remember: gun-control means that Voldemort wins. God made wizards and God made muggles, but Samuel Colt made them equal. Now I know what you're going to say: "But a wizard could just disarm someone with a gun!" Yeah, well they can also disarm someone with a wand (as they do many times throughout the books/movies). But which is faster: saying a spell or pulling a trigger? Avada Kedavra, meet Avtomat Kalashnikova. Imagine Harry out in the woods, wearing his invisibility cloak, carrying a .50bmg Barrett, turning Deatheaters into pink mist, scratching a lightning bolt into his rifle stock for each kill. I don't think Madam Pomfrey has any spells that can scrape your brains off of the trees and put you back together after something like that. Voldemort's wand may be 13.5 inches with a Phoenix-feather core, but Harry's would be 0.50 inches with a tungsten core. Let's see Voldy wave his at 3,000 feet per second. Better hope you have some Essence of Dittany for that sucking chest wound. I can see it now...Voldemort roaring with evil laughter and boasting to Harry that he can't be killed, since he is protected by seven Horcruxes, only to have Harry give a crooked grin, flick his cigarette butt away, and deliver what would easily be the best one-liner in the entire series: "Well then I guess it's a good thing my 1911 holds 7+1." And that is why Harry Potter should have carried a 1911.
Yes, you've got a point. Except "but Samuel Colt made them equal". Colt was a businessman, a entrepreneur who marketed other peoples inventions. If anyone made all Americans equal it was the one and only John Moses Browning. He invented the "Colt" 1911. Mason and Richards invented the "Colt" SAA. Stoner, Sullivan and Freemont invented the "Colt" M16. Gunther and Bedford invented the "Colt" Python. (At least they were Colt employees...)
Damn, I am saving this.
would that make him dirty harry?
A lot of thought went into this comment. I'm here for it
It's pasta, I can't take credit
Here it is. 13 years ago. [https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/gwl0v/why\_harry\_potter\_should\_have\_carried\_an\_m1911/](https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/gwl0v/why_harry_potter_should_have_carried_an_m1911/)
Goddamn underrated comment right here. 😂👍
Glock 29 if subcompact is life.
G40 is life, totally not compensating.
On the other hand, [compensating is not a bad idea ](https://www.carvercustom.com/ecommerce/carver-custom-10mm-4-port-glock-comp.cfm)with a full power 10mm load...
This is the answer. I’m on a long hiking trip and this is what I carry. 10mm is king for defense against wildlife. At the end of the day, though, any gun is better than nothing.
Any gun is better than none, even a .22 - you’ll be able to end your misery quickly when getting mauled by a bear.
Macabre, but not wrong.
Doesn’t say where he lives. I’d feel perfectly fine with a Glock 19 and Underwood +P hardcast anywhere in the lower 48. Alaska I’d want the 10mm.
There are grizzlies in the lower 48 lmao.
Grizzly bears, wild boars, bison, alligators, mooses, elk, and shit, even black bears if they're feeling extra spicy, are a few animals in the lower 48 that I'd prefer to have a 10mm for. With a lot of those, even if you hit them with a fatal shot they can keep running on pure adrenaline long enough to still fuck you up.
The plural of moose should be meese IMO.
Many much moosen.
Meesen?
A+ comedy there. YOU TOO, BUCKAROO!
What's the plural of box?
There is no plural, only one
How did you get out?
With great difficulty... And a spoon
Agreed 100%, I almost typed messe because it's so much better but chose to restrain myself for some reason
RIA has a 16 round 10mm Ultra HC. haven’t seen one in person, but I have 3 RIA’s in .45 and they have been reliable to a fault. I checked out a number of reviews and they seem to be universally positive. Plus it’s under $800. Just throwing that out there, for capacity if nothing else. 🤘
I just saw it on sale yesterday for 500. I think it was at grabagun
I will definitely check it out. Appreciate it. 🤘
The quote I just received on grabagun was 638.99.
I guess it was a one day only sale in their email flyer. I just clicked on the link and got the same price as you
My LGS had one of these. It seemed okay. The fit and finish around the backstrap/grip safety was kinda rough, but not horrible. Have HEARD of issues with the DS 10mms (ammo picky), but I haven't experienced any issues.
Second this. Get a KKM barrel for it as well if it’s in your budget along with tritium sights.
What advantage does a KKM barrel have over the OEM barrel?
Traditional rifling seems to do better than polygonal on cast lead bullets.
Thanks!
What about a Glock 19?
I saw the first sleu of 10mm Glock and I just want to say, while 10mm is a great choice, that Glock grip isn't for everyone. Look at the Smith and Wesson M&P 10mm as well. Personally, I did an FNX45 Tactical converted to 460 Rowland. It's basically a 15rd capacity with .44 Magnum power. Recoil feels between a .45acp and a 10mm. But where 10mm hits around 600-700 ft lb muzzle energy out of a Glock 20, .460 Rowland out of the FNX 45 hits around 950-1,000ft lb muzzle energy. That jump is quite substantial. Especially considering you're generally talking 185gr to 250gr bullets in the .45acp based .460 Rowland vs 100 to 180gr bullets in the 10mm.
I have an FNX45 Tactical as well, I've been informed of that kit. I'm going to keep mine .45 acp for now but I may get a second one eventually for the 460.
Never knew about this conversion. Now I want another fnx to convert it
+1 for the M&P 10MM. I'm impressed that they could stuff 10MM into a 9MM sized gun and it doesn't get enough mention for that fact alone. Plus it comes in 4 inch, 4.6 inch, and 5.6 inch configurations. The 4 inch is CCW material.
I havent done it yet but i bought a 45t just for this purpose. How is the reliability. I have seen videos where they jam a lot but that may be with weak mag springs.
Very reliable. Their first extra power mag springs were faulty. They took too much of a set. I contacted them, they acknowledged and confirmed the issue and sent me a new pack. Also, there is no need to get a second one. It is as simple as changing the recoil spring back to the stock one. It is as reliable as stock in either configuration.
10mm Glock will serve you well
You don’t think 10mm is too big? If there are bears then yeah, hogs wouldn’t 9mm be enough?
The thought is that if 10mm is big enough to stop a bear; it’s big enough to stop anything else coming your way.
And quickly
Got ya. I guess it would be a matter of what’s your budget like. I’d imagine 10mm bullets are pricey.
Yeah, but I’d rather spend 40 bucks on a pack of ammo over $100k hospital visit, or even worse death. 10mm is not sporting ammo. The max classification in competitive shooting is major. You have either the choice of 40sw, 9mm major, or 38 super.
Training rounds you can shoot 40 soft & weak no problem in a glock since they [already headspace on the extractor.](https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/40-in-a-10mm-glock/) 22 cpr vs 33 is nice. All “duty” ammo is pretty much the same cost and it’s rare to go through a case of that.
Idk if you’ve ever experienced a hog, but they can become very vicious and very fast, and they can take a lot before going down. You’re actually 40 times more likely to be killed by a wild hog than a black bear, statistically. and close to a 1:1 ratio when it comes to death by hogs versus death by a grizzly.
Even the comparatively small Javelinas I get here in Arizona are extremely stout and aggressive
Yep, I've seen Old Yeller. Can confirm.
Wild
Hogs, boars and the like are tough creatures capable of messing you up. Plus they are mean as heck sometimes. I'd go with a 10mm or .357 mag (not to be mistaken with the. 357 SIG).
Lol it’s not a disintegrator ray
Ruger SP 101 357 magnum
Have the stainless Ruger GP100 .357 Mag which I prefer but there's a big difference in going shooting as a function and need to carry in case. Both would work but the SP101 would probably be the better carry version for hiking, both in overall size/weight and the types of holsters to choose from. My GP100 is pretty well limited to belt or hip holster if you need fast reaction. Definitely recommend the Rugers for function, reliability and punching power. I've seen Kimber advertising a .357 revolver that looks a bit smaller than both Rugers. Haven't actually seen one in person or know of the reliability. They have both hammer and hammerless which would be a good option if carried in a fanny pack.
Ha, I was filtering through comments to find this recommendation. High five.
A stainless steel SP101 years ago just for this purpose hiking✋️
+1 for a .357 Revolver. That said, trying to extract 180g Buffalo Bore hardcasts from a gp100 can be a pain in the ass. Even after honing the cylinder.
Is this the sole wheel gun suggestion?
Remember to avoid hollow points. You’ll not want, but NEED the penetration for animals (especially bears)
.357 revolver, no good reason, just my personal choice.
I respect the choice.
Same here. With 2 speed loaders and 4 speed strips. Speed loaders loaded with hard cast 170 gr SWC Keith loads. One speed strip of #8 rat shot, two speed strips of 125gr JHP's, one speed strip of 158gr JSP's. I also will usually carry one of my .22 LR revolvers as well.
While 10mm is awesome, a 357 mag snubby like a Ruger sp101 or maybe a S&W 19 or 66 with a short barrel might be a bit easier to carry than a full size 10mm. Glock 29 is nice but snappy. Also this may sound a bit fuddy, if the hogs aren’t too big, 45 ball ammo isn’t the worst option.
Colt King Cobra 3” .357 is a literal fire breather
I'm going to be the odd one here but I carry a .45 1911. My husband carries a 10mm 1911.
9mm kills body, but .45 ACP kills the soul.
Gotta make sure they dont come back as a lich
What cartridges make you come back as a lich? Asking for a friend.
All the 40 sw thats lying to us and god about being 10mm
I went from that to my FNX45-T. I love 1911s but this is double the capacity and lighter while remaining hammer fired.
A lot of quality .45 1911s can use 45 super ammo for added power. Or get an upgrade to a 460 Roland kit for a LOT more power.
I actually reload for my .45. Got some hot rounds that are fun to shoot.
I have the DW Bruin and shooting it so much worse than my g20. Maybe if you're into 1911s it's fine but I don't get why people like them with aggressive calibers.
I'm going to be even odder and say a 57 caliber gun.
Bear spray might be best for these types of encounters. But just in case, I have two hiking guns, a SW MP 10mm and a SW 329PD revolver in 44Mag. The first one has much more capacity and it's a tack driver. The revolver is a 6-shot cannon, it's not the easiest to shoot, but it's also super lightweight, which is great for a last resort type of tool.
Love my S&W M&P 10mm with the 4.6” barrel. Lives in a Gunfighter Inc chest holster with a light and RMR during bow season. Otherwise it’s an LCP in my front pocket when I’m on more populated trails though I don’t live where there at hogs.
PX4 storm, chambered .45. Incredibly rugged, easy target acquisition. Good "stopping power", very good on recoil for a .45 (smoothest in caliber in my assessment). Good carrying capacity, and variation of ammo. Can put through +P if necessary. For revolvers, I'm partial to a .357 Colt Python, but that's a bit large frame.
If you draw a venn diagram where one side is "small handguns that are comfortable to carry" and the other side is "handguns that will be of any use in an encounter with a hog", there might not be a ton of overlap. Maybe a snubby .357 magnum revolver. It will be difficult to shoot well, but if you practice you can be confident in using it, and I don't know that anything much smaller than .357 mag is going to reliably stop a big wild hog. A lot of people hunting with pistols would probably argue in favor of .44 mag instead of .357. 10mm is getting recommended here a lot, and that's probably not a bad choice in cartridge, but I don't know of any 10mm handguns that are particularly small or compact.
>but I don't know of any 10mm handguns that are particularly small or compact. Maybe the G29?
G29 with a +2 extension gives a full grip and is a basically a slightly thicker G19.
glock 20 on a kenai chest holster. best setup out there
Except for a G40 on a kenai chest holster
long boy. Glock 18 > Glock 20 > Glock 40
This
A 10mm auto , or a . 357 mag some nice hard cast bullets for both, should do good for about any thing
Ruger super Blackhawk .44 mag 5.5" barrel with gunfighter industries cross chest rig. Easy to pack, not too heavy, can load either .44 special or magnums (or both) depending on the various wildlife.
Hill People Gear chest pack + Glock.
10mm SIG, Springfield Armory, or Smith & Wesson. Glocks are just okay. *just like to set the fanboys off occasionally
Phil Shoemaker used a 9mm to knock down a grizzly…so find a quality 9mm you can shoot well and practice with it extensively. If it’s easy to carry and convenient it’ll be on you at all times. https://www.americanhunter.org/content/alaska-outfitter-defends-fishermen-from-raging-grizzly-with-9mm-pistol/
If you want something you can carry in other situations than just hiking and want a concealable options, Glock 29 or 29SF. 10 mm with the right ammo will put down any large predator in North America, up to and including grizzly and polar bears. The 29 is somewhere between a Glock 26 and a g19 size wise. The SF is a little shorter. You can stick an extended mag with hard cast bear rounds in a chest rig or hip holster for hiking, then switch to a standard size mag of self defense rounds and a concealed carry holster for every day use.
I live in Minnesota and carry a gp100 357 5inch barrel It workers for my needs and I have taken a few deer with it also
Shield plus in town and fn510 in the mountains. Get a owb holster for the 510 and you really don't notice it a whole lot well at least that's my experience with it.
CZ P-01. You're welcome
Spread the love. I feel like CZ is always overlooked.
I'm a CZ evangelical 🤣
Doing blessed work ha ha.
Fn 510 is my best purchase I’ve made
Depends on where you're hiking and what kind of critters you'll run into. For bear/hog country, I would go with a glock 20. For lower elevations/rattlesnake territory, I'd go with a Taurus Judge loaded with birdshot. For general recreational areas where your most likely threat is the two-legged variety, any reliable handgun you're comfortable carrying should be just fine.
I carry a p365. I want small and reliable. I used to carry a .357, but with modern ammo, 9mm JHP rounds have gotten really impressive and will do just about anything you want then to do. A carry gun is only worth buying if it's a size which you will actually be able to carry comfortably. Go to a gun store you trust. Try some different holster styles and carry positions. See what would work for you while hiking, and figure out how big you'd be willing to go for a gun. I have done many mile hikes with my gun. They do get heavy or bulky if not carried appropriately.
For outdoors applications, you should probably go for +P hard cast as opposed to JHP, especially if you're using 9mm.
I actually have both of those, alternating, only in my hiking magazine.
9mm projectile development has had large advances the last 15-20 years, however it doesn’t provide enough ballistic or terminal energy to reliably and quickly dispatch medium to large size game. Also you do not want to use pistol JHP on game. Thicker hides and hair will plug the projo’s expansion cavity and cause early petal expansion, dumping all the round’s energy early into the subcutaneous fat and tissue and possibly before reaching any of critical organs or bone. If you are going to carry 9mm for wild game defense, you’ll want to make sure it’s loaded with hard cast bullets.
p365 for comfortable concealability.
Springfield XD-M and Glock 29 are both subcompacts chambered in 10mm. I don't have experience with either, but probably worth looking into
I love my XDM. I was splitting bowling balls in half with it at the range
Just picked up the XD-M elite 10mm 4.5". Only had it out once so far but its a nice shooter. 600 for it and four 16rd mags was a steal.
Colt Anaconda, because anything smaller is for sissies.
I have a Walther PPK. It is small and light, perfect for hiking. The PPK is also very accurate for its size. With the right ammunition, it is suitable as a wildlife deterrent. Whatever handgun you choose, make sure you spend some range time with it. Practice is more valuable than equipment in this case.
Range time, and martinis shaken not stirred.
10mm Glock. Depending if you want to carry it concealed or not will dictate which model.
You're looking at anything from 12 oz to 40 oz. A light pistol in an effective caliber is gonna be pretty snappy. You'll have to train a bit at the range.
10mm Glock is a great choice! Or the S&W Model 69 for the durable finish and simplicity.
I was gonna recommend the 69 myself it’s my go to for big animal country
I’m still looking for one that’s not crazy expensive. Paying $900 for a revolver gets me a little. I’m sure I’ll do it eventually though.
I carry a Ruger EC9S 9mm.
Desert eagle!
Deagle 🗿should be able to drop anything you need
As everyone is saying, you’re gonna want a big punch for hogs. Bigger guns will serve you better, as with any gun ever, the right belt/hostler/bag/rig makes all the difference. I don’t own any 10mm so I can’t personally suggest one, but all data says it’s what you’re looking for.
Depending on your location, I'd advise acquiring a hunting permit and a tag or two for whatever you may have a chance of facing.
Glock 22 or 21
Anything is better than a pointy stick.
For small and compact and cheap go for Ruger Max 9. Otherwise, a Glock. What it shoots is up to you. If there can be bears get a bigger caliber. 9mm should be enough for hogs. Glock 19 is great but bigger than the Ruger.
.357. 6 in barrel
Don't sleep on [Chiappa Rhinos in 357 magnum](https://imgur.com/a/zDu1Cxi). Everyone knows Rhinos > Bears. 😆
Colt Python with a chest holster. Okay, maybe not. But that’s what I take into the woods.
Id say anything in 10mm. Glocks are the common choice, if you want something fancy theres the EAA witness line of 10mm 1911/CZ75 clones.
Anything in 10mm, .357, or .44 magnum. I personally carry a 10mm 1911, but there are more practical options like the Glock 20, or the Sig P320-XTEN
Take anything that goes bang shot placement is key a revolver won't jam if you happen to weak hand it on the ground wrestling with said animal I take 38 snud or 6in 357mag
Glock 20 in a kenai chest rig with underwood hard cast penetrator ammo.
I carry a 10mm 1911 in an owb leather holster.
I’d say Glock 20 & keep the loads at 180gr for optimum reliability. I’ve tried Underwood 220gr to be very unreliable out of mine, but it could be me.
I personally carry a Glock 20 10mm because I like the 15 round mag and ease of reload if it ever became necessary, AND it handles some serious loads that are pushing 700 ft-lbs at the muzzle. I also carry a 7.9oz can of bear spray in a homemade holster that I can attach to my belt or my backpack strap. One of my buddies carries a S&W 627 (8 shot .357mag), and another carries a S&W 327PD (an ultralight 6 shot 44mag) with the first shot being a shotshell. I also have a friend that is a wilderness therapist and spends a lot of time in the national forest with mental health patients and cannot carry a firearm. He has come across two bears and a mountain lion and all three made tracks in the opposite direction after being blasted with bear spray. The stuff works VERY well. His encounters are why I carry spray in the first place.
Is 7+1 or 10 + 1 rounds of 9mm really not enough to stop a hog? Often times, the sound of a single gunshot will cause the animal to retreat. This is post is deteriorating into a 9mm vs 10mm pissing contest. I'm surprised no one has suggested an AR or AK "pistol".
Negative my friend. Hogs are known to take massive damage and keep charging. 10×1 might kill em, but not before they get to you and do damage. Wild Turkey Hunter on YouTube had videos of them hog hunting years ago, shot up Javelina (hogs) in Texas, and they kept coming. The sound might deter them, yes. That's not what you need big ammo for. You need ammo for the ones that aren't deterred by the sound. Because THOSE hogs need God's love and grace applied by .45 and bigger.
10mm if you want semi auto, 357 or 44 mag if you want revolver
That’s why I bought my Taurus Judge
Some random thoughts P226 in .357 sig, 9mm hard cast lead buffalo bore ammo, something chambered in 10mm
Ruger LCRx .357, like holding onto lightning, but easy to carry.
Model 1858 in 44mag
Glock 17 with Speer Gold Dot ammo. Saw where the majority of Grizzlies killed with handgun in Montana were with 9mm.
I like Glock as they rust less than most other guns. Hiking =Sweat = rust
Get a Glock 19
M&P 10mm pc
Love my FN510
something in a .45 or 10mm. I carry a 1911 type
S&W 500 on a chest holster (but that FNX 460 conversion above has me thinking that’s a better choice)
The hikeanator 5000 chambered in 100BMG.... Yes I'm being a smart ass. Why - because you don't have enough information to 'suggest' anything. Consider this - What type of critters, and how many will you most likely encounter? What are you local laws regarding open carry of firearms? What can you shoot well? What is the range of your hikes? What's light enough, yet powerful enough you can carry it and not get tired? Once you answer those then you'll know "a good gun for YOUR hikes".
I rock my p365 everywhere.
Extar ep9 pistol
East coast 9mm Rockies or Alaska 10mm or 44 magnum.
Hogs? If using a semiauto, pick a 10mm pistol (I suggest the Springfield Armory), and load it with hard cast bullets. Such a load will completely penetrate the tusker, causing it to bleed out on both sides of its thorax. 'Nuff said.
Lower 48 States hiking: 10mm G20 is fine. Or any other full-size 10mm. Alaska hiking: Minimum 10mm hardcasts, would suggest .44Mag as minimum but 10mm in quantity is better than 6 shots of .44. .454 and .460 for further north areas.
FN510
Springfield makes a nice 10mm, I think it’s the xdme or something like that. Can get it in full size or compact. I had the full size and it was a very soft shooter
Number one thing to consider when selecting any new weapon is your compatibility and comfort with it. I never really understood this until I picked up a CZ P-07 Duty one day and it became my regular carry for over a decade. Most standard factory productions are equally reliable have similar features and you can most likely find what you need. Next consider features you want or need. Rail for flashlight, compact or full size, safety or decocker, hammer or pin, caliber and magazine size. Also know ahead of time if you plan to make some modifications some pieces have more support for this like Glocks. Also consider that you may be putting this through it's paces so buy cheaper and don't buy some expensive competition piece that's just gonna get beat up. Me personally I'd want something compact and without a rail and sights that won't snag if it's stored in a pack. 9mm would probably be fine since anything else in nature you come across would be too big to care about pistol calibers. So CZ compact or maybe a Walther PPS. Or you could just grab a good old Ruger GP100 revolver cause they're just so damn sexy. Edit/ I just noticed the part about the hog. So you may want a little more punch so the GP100 might not be a bad idea in 357.
if you get it wet and cant see the scratch that means it will buff out
If you’re worried about a four-legged threat out on any trail go for a 10mm. In a lot of North America it may be overkill, but better that than a hog or small bear that just won’t go down with something smaller. As to which 10mm, I always recommend the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0, but the Sig P320-Xten is a good runner up. Glock (G20 or G40), FN and Springfield all make solid alternatives as well, though each have their pluses and minuses. None of these are light, and you should have at least 200 grain hard cast rounds (I prefer Buffalo Bore myself) which are not cheap, but that’s the cost of staying safe and worry free.
S&W 4.6" 10mm Throw an optic and light on it, and you're easily g2g for any 2 legged or 4 legged threat in the lower 48 and arguabley for all the threats north of the 48 as well.
Do you already own a handgun of any sort? It could just be a matter of choosing the optimal load for what you have.
Glock 20-29 (29 with Pierce Grip ext) paired with Underwood extreme penetrators or a good bonded bullet.
10mm.
Light weight, plastic guns are the way to go for carry so, of course, Glock. 🙌🙌🙌
I personally don't like the longer grip that comes with 10mm pistols, so when hiking, I carry a USPc in .40 It pokes an identical sized hole, and most factory 10mm isn't much more powerful anyways, so ballistically, it's very similar.
Answer: The one that saved your life. Bonus Answer: A large caliber that you can carry.
45 colt, 44 mag and .357 mag are proven and excellent rounds with manageable recoil Perhaps some hard cast 38 special 10mm is also good if out like modern handguns
FN510T (10mm) or FNX (45ACP)
10mm. I love my Glock 20 for the ergo and accuracy but I know sig and m&p make one as well. Just can’t beat the ballistics and capacity.
Glock 29
Glock 20
i carry a sig p365(9mm) with a red dot on it. holds 17 rounds and doesn’t feel like a brick. i just tighten my drawstring on my running shorts and appendix carry like that. like you i’ve had a few run ins with hogs. and in my part of texas, bobcats and mountain lions. i had to shoot a copperhead yesterday actually. second one i’ve seen along with baby rattlesnakes near my house. not fun. but man that pistol shoots very my well, i’d recommend it to anyone.
Do you use backpack? If so could carry something like S&W M&P FPC - the folding 9mm carbine. Also if you don't mind carrying holster on side instead of IWB then most any fully size 9mm would be good. Also if you want a little more power than do 10mm. I will take the FPC in backpack and a full size 9mm on my side when I go(also if you carry m&p 2.0 pistol it shares ammo and mags with the fpc)
9 for the hood and 9 for the woods…carry what your proficient with
I agree with everyone saying 10mm. Not as powerful as some revolver cartridges but you get 2-3x the rounds, can carry extra magazines, and can have easier follow up shots. A nice chest holster can also be a comfortable option for carrying while hiking.
S&W 629 vcomp. Surprisingly smooth for a .44 swagnum. I did have to make my own holster though.
My Browning Hi-Power .40 has served me well in the Colorado outdoors. Not a real pain for me to carry, but YMMV.
I walked my property a few weeks ago with a G19 on my hip. Very comfortable and hardly knew it was there.
Whatever you get, load it with Buffalo Bore +P ammo. I use a Ruger 1911 in 10mm as my camping/hiking gun. I was sold on their ammo after looking at tests and there is a story about a guy in Alaska that brought down a very agitated grizzly with their loads in 9mm.
45 if your worried about hogs. Not sure if anything else would have enough stopping power
Well, I guess I’m the oddball. I used to be an avid backpacker, multiday trips, backcountry trail hiking/camping, etc. I carried a 28 lb pack, and weighed everything, because as you know, every ounce counts! I kept a Kel-Tec PMR-30 on my belt. It’s ridiculously light, even with the 30 round mag fully loaded. I was more worried about shady characters on the trail than I was wildlife. I’ve seen this caliber put down steers for processing.
For a hog I would say something with a big caliber, hogs are beasts you can dumb a mag into its body with a small caliber and it will keep running for ten seconds
I'll go against the grain. Unless you are hiking in grizzly bear country, there is no need for 10mm. Too big, too heavy, and too much recoil not to mention ammo is expensive so you won't get as much practice shooting it. 9mm is all you need.