outdoor hiking gun - what do you carry?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Not interested in a polymer auto for an outdoors woods gun. They'll all come up short on anything 300 lbs or bigger with a thick coat of fur and fat.
 
 
Auctually considering a S&W 460

Ultimately all handguns will come up short. When it comes down to it your counting on a head shot in the first place. The 10mm is plenty of medicine  for country where you don't expect to consistently run into grizzly and will certainly handle a 500lbs black bear if necessary.

Your looking at 20 - 30 lbs of recoil in a 460  (a lot for a handgun.) That's approaching magnum rifle recoil. It will certainly do the job but your soaking up a lot of extra recoil for very little gain. In reality if I was ever able to get off quick follow up shots. I would much rather have my 10mm autoloader.

If your regularly going into grizzly country the 460 will be great. But I doubt you will be practicing much with it. For this reason I am quite certain I can unholster and accurately point shoot my 10mm at danger close distances faster than I would ever be able to with a 460. Just my  . Obviously every situation is different and there are certainly areas where the .460 is going to outshine a 10mm... for a balance of power and practicality I find the 10mm hard to beat. I researched it for a while, that's what I ended up with and I am very happy with the purchase.

[KFhunter]

It's moot
 
They discontinued the S&W 460V with a 5" barrel - now they make the "XVR" and those start at 8-3/8 inch barrel
 
 
 
also too expensive time I get the holster I'm into it 1500 bucks - I could get a damm nice rifle for that with optics.
way over priced imo

[KFhunter]

I wasn't going to get into the 10mm thing, but I think I may have found the answer
 
 
both
 
I'm in the middle of researching and it looks as if I can go the G20 route with 10mm for when in the woods - and switch to 40 S&W when not with a barrel/spring swap
 
 

[KFhunter]

that idea kind of excites me - wonder how much the conversion is
 
anyone done this?

[FC]

Less than $200 between barrel and a magazine.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I wasn't going to get into the 10mm thing, but I think I may have found the answer
 
 
both
 
I'm in the middle of researching and it looks as if I can go the G20 route with 10mm for when in the woods - and switch to 40 S&W when not with a barrel/spring swap

I'm telling you man. I really do love my G20. I did a lot of research prior to purchasing it and I am very satisfied with the purchase.

FYI on the 10mm..most standard production rounds are watered down to .40 S&W performance because the FBI couldn't handle the full power loads (enter the development of the .40)  This being the case the gun is setup for these rounds from the factory. When you switch to your full power/heavy field carry rounds I recommend going with an aftermarket barrel and spring swap.

Here is hickok45 shooting the hardcast bullets

You won't need to switch to the .40 barrel unless you are wanting to save a little on ammo (which can be a substantial savings).

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Less than $200 between barrel and a magazine.

Here is the barrel

http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=951

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Don't quote me on it but I doubt you will need a new spring since like I mentioned most of the standard 10mm production rounds are watered down to .40 performance.

[KFhunter]

awesome!
this will be the route I'm going then - thanks for the help!
 
I'll aks a few more Q's when I auctually got the G20 in hand, never had a mod pistol before and I'm stoked to get into it. 
 
I've got a lot of trigger time on a G17 - be nice to have another glock in my hand 

[KFhunter]

any stock G20 right?  or is there some better earlier versions I should look for?
 

[yorketransport]

Why don't you get the best of both worlds and get a S&W 610. I have a 6.5" model 610 and it is my absolute favorite walk about handgun. It's not as potent as the 4" 45 Colt Redhawk (which is another awesome option  ) but it's not as heavy either.  Those Rugers are so over built that the 4" Redhawk actually weighs more than the 6.5" 610! If you look really hard, you may be able to track down a used 4" 610 revolver. They don't make this model any more, but they are worth looking for.

Andrew

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Just looked into it and you should only need that barrel to complete you conversion to the .40 ...which will take less than 30 seconds.


I use the Serpa holster when I am in the field. It's the holster I have trained the most with so I am faster with it than I am with other retention style holsters. That being said the Serpa holster may not fit your needs and some people somehow manage to have accidental discharges with this holster....however, the problem isn't with the holster its really a result of user error and poor training. I have unholstered and reholstered with a serpa literally tens of thousands of times and not once had a accidental discharge.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

any stock G20 right?  or is there some better earlier versions I should look for?

They don't have any GEN4's G20's right now (I don't believe). Mine is a GEN3 and no issues. If the full size grip is too large you may need to go with the G20SF or have the grip reduced (either way it can be customized to fit your hand).

[DBHAWTHORNE]

any stock G20 right?  or is there some better earlier versions I should look for?

Talk to your brother he can probably get you one on base for no tax or he can get you one from gunarama with a military discount.

[3nails]

 Just for the sake of something new.....................I'll pack a hand gun when my hands will be busy with berries but all other times I pack my Win. 94 30-30. I just love the feel of carrying it and I feel safest with it.