Considering a Glock 20 for a woods gun. Opinion?

[dkbikes4life4130]

First off, I live in central Florida. I am hoping to get to go hiking and camping more and need a decent handgun to bring with me for protection. I do not hunt so I will not be tracking an injured animal. The places I will be going to have black bear in them. I have seen the prints before. I was looking at the Glock 20 loaded with double tap ammo. 200 grain doing 1300fps out of a Glock 20. This is the round here. DoubleTap Ammunition

Really, the black bear is the only thing I think I need to worry about here. Yea we have big gators, but they normally stick to the areas around water so I'm not real worried about them.

This may be a dumb question, but can wild pigs be a danger also?

Just looking for any advice. I have considered a .44 mag but only having 5 shots kinda makes me nervous. Plus, I think a 44 may be a little much for what we have around here. It will be several months before I actually buy the gun. Just trying to figure some stuff out for now.

[TMP]

Wild pigs can be a problem as well as the black bear. I think I would want something with a bit more force if I were in bear country. Hopefully some experts on the bigger cal hand guns will chime in soon.

[SRD]

Glock 20 is a good powerful gun. With double tap hunting loads its a serious weapon, but for black bear a ruger alaskan would be a better weapon i think. I have a G29 and it is easy to shoot and a nice weapon.

[tARfoo]

Those ballistic numbers are probably pretty close to what I would carry, which would be a .357 revolver at minimum, so G20 would probably be a decent choice. Wild pigs/hogs are an issue in FL for sure. Don't worry about the number of shots with revolver, after shot 5 or 6 regardless of weapon, you're gonna be deaf and probably running anyway, hopefully back to where you have your long gun.

The long gun is related, but yet another discussion.

[m2jordan]

A good 44Mag would be fine. I carry a 4" with muzle brake. 6 shot. For Florida that would be a pretty good choise as well. The 44 also has the choise of heavier bulets then the glock can shoot. heavierconstucted as well as weight penetrate better in heavier built animals.


Remember though. If you shoot and wound a bear or hog you are in much more trouble then trying to scare it away first. So if you plan on shooting practice a lot,and be accurate with your choise of carry gun.

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by dkbikes4life4130

First off, I live in central Florida. I am hoping to get to go hiking and camping more and need a decent handgun to bring with me for protection. I do not hunt so I will not be tracking an injured animal. The places I will be going to have black bear in them. I have seen the prints before. I was looking at the Glock 20 loaded with double tap ammo. 200 grain doing 1300fps out of a Glock 20. This is the round here. DoubleTap Ammunition

Really, the black bear is the only thing I think I need to worry about here. Yea we have big gators, but they normally stick to the areas around water so I'm not real worried about them.

This may be a dumb question, but can wild pigs be a danger also?

Just looking for any advice. I have considered a .44 mag but only having 5 shots kinda makes me nervous. Plus, I think a 44 may be a little much for what we have around here. It will be several months before I actually buy the gun. Just trying to figure some stuff out for now.

What 5-shot .44 mag are you talking about? Most .44's out there are 6-shooters...

And, if bear is in the equation, give me a .44 mag loaded with a heavy, hard-cast solid any frakkin' day over any 10mm load.

Don't get me wrong--I'm both a Glock and a 10mm fan...but for the situations you describe, the .44mag is a much better choice.

[FATSEXY]

What kind of walking are you doing in the country? Is this a concealed piece or do you just want a firearm? If you're on private property, carry a 12 gauge. If you're at a park, firearms are illegal anyway. Get pepper spray for park hiking. Get an 870 if you don't have to conceal your defense. Get a .44 Magnum and a large vest if you have to conceal.

[FATSEXY]

Originally Posted by Cuda66

What 5-shot .44 mag are you talking about? Most .44's out there are 6-shooters...

And, if bear is in the equation, give me a .44 mag loaded with a heavy, hard-cast solid any frakkin' day over any 10mm load.

Don't get me wrong--I'm both a Glock and a 10mm fan...but for the situations you describe, the .44mag is a much better choice.

+1 the G20 is great, I have one, but people tend to overestimate the round sometimes. Sure, it can stop a bear, but you'd be much better off with a 6 round revolver loaded with .44 Mag.

[rsb5772]

Have you thought about a 460 S&W/454 Casull/45 LC?

That would be my first choice for bear.

[SRD]

Ruger with a 454/45 colt for practice is what i would use.