G29sf for first handgun?

[Bidwell]

Looking to get a handgun that's light that I can carry for black bear and mountain lion protection while hunting and fishing. I've stumbled on one mountain lion bedding area and have seen one in the last couple years. I don't really have any experience with handguns, would a g29 be too much for a first gun or would it be fine with practice? A g20 would be fine, but I do like the idea of having something a little easier to carry. I've heard some say a 9mm is OK for black bear, so I'm open to the idea too. Lay it on me! Any opinions I want to hear.

 

[txtransplant]

If you’ve never owned a handgun before, a 10mm is probably not where you want to start.

My first handgun was a .40 cal Glock. At the time, I couldn’t tell the difference in recoil between that and a 9mm, so I got the larger caliber. Years later and several thousand rounds down range, I picked up a friend’s 9mm and the recoil felt significantly less.

My guess is that if you haven’t mastered shooting a handgun already, you’re not going to put the time and money into learning proficiency with a 10mm. You might as well carry bear spray instead.

I’d suggest getting a 9mm and spending a lot of time practicing with it. That would be more valuable to you than a cannon that you can’t shoot. Plus, you’re just going to repurpose it as a self defense weapon anyway - which 9mm is well suited for. Once you’re proficient with a 9mm, go rent a few 10mms and see what you think.

Can’t go wrong with a Glock 19.

 

[Tanner]

Another vote for Glock 19 as your first pistol… 29 SF is pretty snappy and the short grip is a pain in the ass in my experience. Guys with different shaped hands may disagree.

Good hard casts in the 19 are more than plenty to stone any black bear or kitty cat you might meet…

 

[Bidwell]

If you’ve never owned a handgun before, a 10mm is probably not where you want to start.

My first handgun was a .40 cal Glock. At the time, I couldn’t tell the difference in recoil between that and a 9mm, so I got the larger caliber. Years later and several thousand rounds down range, I picked up a friend’s 9mm and the recoil felt significantly less.

My guess is that if you haven’t mastered shooting a handgun already, you’re not going to put the time and money into learning proficiency with a 10mm. You might as well carry bear spray instead.

I’d suggest getting a 9mm and spending a lot of time practicing with it. That would be more valuable to you than a cannon that you can’t shoot. Plus, you’re just going to repurpose it as a self defense weapon anyway - which 9mm is well suited for. Once you’re proficient with a 9mm, go rent a few 10mms and see what you think.

Can’t go wrong with a Glock 19.

Appreciate the advice! Makes sense. I do like the idea of getting familiar with a 9mm, but was sort of worried about being underguned. But if I can't hit anything it's pointless

 

[Bidwell]

Another vote for Glock 19 as your first pistol… 29 SF is pretty snappy and the short grip is a pain in the ass in my experience. Guys with different shaped hands may disagree.

Good hard casts in the 19 are more than plenty to stone any black bear or kitty cat you might meet…

Good to hear, thanks! Yeah a lot of what I'm reading about for bear defense and 10mm is for browns and grizzlies. Don't have to worry about that in Northern California. I like that it's more economical to practice with a 9mm too.

 

[eddielasvegas]

HERE is a suggestion for your defense ammo, in 9mm, when you get there. No affiliation.

The wound channel of a HP and the penetration of a hard cast.

No need to use that in the link as there are a couple different makers of the fluted bullet.

Good luck,


Eddie



P.S. I have the G29 and G20 and the G20 is easier to control for follow up shots IMO and the G29 has more felt recoil. Both managable obstacles can be oversome with practice. And don't forget to practice with your defensive 9mm ammo too.

 

[Bidwell]

HERE is a suggestion for your defense ammo, in 9mm, when you get there. No affiliation.

The wound channel of a HP and the penetration of a hard cast.

No need to use that in the link as there are a couple different makers of the fluted bullet.

Good luck,


Eddie



P.S. I have the G29 and G20 and the G20 is easier to control for follow up shots IMO and the G29 has more felt recoil. Both managable obstacles can be oversome with practice. And don't forget to practice with your defensive 9mm ammo too.

Interesting! Thanks the the info and link.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

I didn't think the G29SF was tough to handle with a Pierce magazine extension for the pinky to call home. In fact, I thought it was easier than my S&W M&P 40 cal. The fat grip and low bore axis helps a lot.

Then again, I can't argue against getting something like the G19 either. 9mm ammo is plenty these days and no single handgun round will be doing the job so repeatability and accuracy is going to be more important.

 

[JLH3]

Id recommend a G47 or M&P 2.0. I’ve used both on duty and they’re great pistols.

10mm is probably more than you want for a first pistol. Both due to recoil and the price of ammunition. You want a pistol that is both fun and economical to shoot. That equals practice and practice leads to confidence and capability.

 

[Bidwell]

I didn't think the G29SF was tough to handle with a Pierce magazine extension for the pinky to call home. In fact, I thought it was easier than my S&W M&P 40 cal. The fat grip and low bore axis helps a lot.

Then again, I can't argue against getting something like the G19 either. 9mm ammo is plenty these days and no single handgun round will be doing the job so repeatability and accuracy is going to be more important.

That's what I've heard with the extension. Thanks for the insight. I wish I could test one out but none are available to rent here at the local range.

 

[Bidwell]

Id recommend a G47 or M&P 2.0. I’ve used both on duty and they’re great pistols.

10mm is probably more than you want for a first pistol. Both due to recoil and the price of ammunition. You want a pistol that is both fun and economical to shoot. That equals practice and practice leads to confidence and capability.

The g47 is definitely interesting. I'll look into that more, and the M&P 2.0. Appreciate it. I think 9mm, sort of reluctantly, is probably the right choice. I wish I could jump into the 10mm but ill need to work at it. Sounds like 9mm with hard cast bullets will be ok for black bear so it's not nothing at least.

 

[Trogon]

Im not sure what the regs are in cali but if you are mag capacity limited then I would look at a Glock 48. Slim and easy to carry without the bulk of a g19. Still very shootable though.

 

[hiker270]

G19 is perfect to start. I own shoot and carry my G20 10mm in Grizzly country but compared to my G19 its a handful to shoot. So much that many cannot deal with the recoil.

 

[kpk]

I have a g19 and a g20 and I carry the 19 unless in grizzly area - and I've been debating carrying the 19 there too.

Full mag, light, RDS, and same holster for both my g20 comes in 11 ounces lighter than my 19.

 

[DLIP]

I love my 10mm but for a first handgun, it is almost at the bottom of the list for what I'd recommend mainly due to the cost of practice ammunition. Recoil is stout compared to the 9mm but I really enjoy that gun and shoot it well.

Everyone should have a 9mm so with that said, buy a 9mm, mag loader, extra 4-5 mags and a couple thousand rounds of inexpensive brass cased practice ammo and shoot often. A 9mm would be plenty for black bear and mountain lion.

 

[Dos Perros]

Appreciate the advice! Makes sense. I do like the idea of getting familiar with a 9mm, but was sort of worried about being underguned. But if I can't hit anything it's pointless

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the concussion of just getting a round off (hit or not) provides a non-zero deterrent effect.

 

[Encore4me]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[juju]

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.

 

[Lawnboi]

I had a 29sf at one point. Worst first pistol you could get imo.

Grab a g19 and the 22lr trainer version (44 I think).

 

[Bidwell]

Im not sure what the regs are in cali but if you are mag capacity limited then I would look at a Glock 48. Slim and easy to carry without the bulk of a g19. Still very shootable though.

I'll look into this, thanks! Weight and ease of carry are two of the biggest factors