G29sf for first handgun?

[Bidwell]

A pistol should naturally point where you look. If one doesn't, try others until you find one that does. Fighting a gun that doesn't fit your hand well enough to point easily for you is literally retarded.

Your first should be a 22lr, then move up. 22s are generally cheap enough that if you don't love the first one it's no big deal to try another. Many people have to go through several different pistols to find what suits them best. That's why there are so many brands and models of black polymer pistols having seemingly minor differences. Most of the major brands are just as good as all the others. Also 22 pistols are fun.

Glocks are peculiar in that how you hold one is different than others. If you learn on a Glock and stick with Glocks it's not an issue. I would at least go to an indoor range with rentals and try some others before dedicating training to Glocks. You may absolutely love Glocks or you may not and decide to look into any of the other similar pistols that are just as good.

Good advice...

 

[Bidwell]

How about getting the 10mm but work your way up to 10mm ammunition by starting with low recoil 40, then regular 40, then 10mm when you are able. That way you get the 10mm but not the initial recoil.


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This is an interesting idea that i have considered a little. I should of also noted that I do reload for my 308 and hoping to do the same for whatever pistol I end up with. This should help with cost and can make some lighter recoiling rounds.

 

[Thegman]

Lots of good advice so far, IMO.

In the early 2000s, the G29 was my first "bear defense auto" that could replace my 44 revolver and also double as a CCW; my one gun for everything idea. It is a snappy little sucker with 200 grain solids @ 1,200 fps "bear defense loads". It's not terribly easy to shoot for someone with no previous experience. I remember other people not liking shooting it with those loads due to the recoil.

I'm in AK and grizzlies and black bears literally in my yard isn't that uncommon, so I've paid a lot of attention to actual bear defense cases and always carry something. I've gone through the 10mm and 45 Super options for bear defense, but now carry 9mm. Reading the actual cases, from 9mm and up, handguns have been 100% successful for bear defense, grizzlies or otherwise, as long as hits are made. I would 100% go with a 9mm in your case as hits are the most important factor, and that's going to be easier to make happen with a 9mm, compared to a 10mm.

IMO, a G19 would be a much better alternative to your G29 option, as would a lot of other 9mms. My advice would be to pick the 9mm you like the best and shoot the best; a ton of options out there.

 

[Bidwell]

Lots of good advice so far, IMO.

In the early 2000s, the G29 was my first "bear defense auto" that could replace my 44 revolver and also double as a CCW; my one gun for everything idea. It is a snappy little sucker with 200 grain solids @ 1,200 fps "bear defense loads". It's not terribly easy to shoot for someone with no previous experience. I remember other people not liking shooting it with those loads due to the recoil.

I'm in AK and grizzlies and black bears literally in my yard isn't that uncommon, so I've paid a lot of attention to actual bear defense cases and always carry something. I've gone through the 10mm and 45 Super options for bear defense, but now carry 9mm. Reading the actual cases, from 9mm and up, handguns have been 100% successful for bear defense, grizzlies or otherwise, as long as hits are made. I would 100% go with a 9mm in your case as hits are the most important factor, and that's going to be easier to make happen with a 9mm, compared to a 10mm.

IMO, a G19 would be a much better alternative to your G29 option, as would a lot of other 9mms. My advice would be to pick the 9mm you like the best and shoot the best; a ton of options out there.

This is great, thank you! Pretty much sold on the 9mm. Hard to argue with that.

Agree, all the advice has been very helpful. Appreciate it, everybody.

 

[Mk44]

G29 10mm can be a bit much for a first timer.
Maybe a G23 40cal. as a woods gun and get a separate 9mm conversion barrel for target practice. (G23 is the same size as G19. both are lighter than a G29).
I recommend visiting your LGS to see what feels good in your hands.

 

[justinspicher]

I don’t think it matters what you get, you need to practice with it for proficiency.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Sure why not? My first handgun was a Glock 29. It never caused me any issues, the only problem I had was that I got it back in like 2009 while 10mm was starting to make a comeback. Ammo choices were limited to underpowered green box Remington or expensive double tap stuff I had to order.

What a great pistol that was, I had a lot of fun with that thing. Don’t let anybody tell you it’s “too much” gun.

 

[Bidwell]

Sure why not? My first handgun was a Glock 29. It never caused me any issues, the only problem I had was that I got it back in like 2009 while 10mm was starting to make a comeback. Ammo choices were limited to underpowered green box Remington or expensive double tap stuff I had to order.

What a great pistol that was, I had a lot of fun with that thing. Don’t let anybody tell you it’s “too much” gun.

Ha, I finally had my mind made up and then this message comes in! I appreciate it. More things to consider.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Ha, I finally had my mind made up and then this message comes in! I appreciate it. More things to consider.

I’m pretty sure you can get a 40 caliber barrel for a g29 if you wanted something for practice. At one point I also had a 357 sig barrel for mine.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I’ve owned several variants of the G29 and still own a Gen 4 albeit with a 9x25 barrel installed.

That said I carried one concealed for 10+ years. Of all the Glocks I own it’s one of the most difficult to get comfortable with. I much prefer the G20 to the G29 for that reason. It’s just much easier to handle and shoot accurately, especially under stress/rapid fire.

Open carrying for hunting should not dictate the need for a compact handgun and the compromises that go with it.