Side arm for back woods hunt

[Southern Heritage]

I was messing around weighing everything during a rainy day.
I carry a 1911 10mm.
It weighs 2.14lbs. Loaded. So with a extra mag im over 3 lbs.
Is that excessive should i switch to a glock?
Im not doing 40 miles just curious guys thoughts.

 

[Phaseolus]

If you are rifle hunting in a non-grizzly state you could leave it home and be just as safe.

 

[Southern Heritage]

If you are rifle hunting in a non-grizzly state you could leave it home and be just as safe.

Sry this would just be grizzly country. I dont see the point carrying any where else.

 

[Deadfall]

If rifle hunting I wouldn't even carry a pistol. Definitely not dropping a high powered rifle for a pistol.
Realistically if a bear is coming, he's coming very fast. Realistically you only getting one real accurate shot anyway. Most likely that shot isn't going to be very far away.

During archery. That 1911 holds more bullets tgen you going to get off anyway.

I dont see any significant gains in switching firearms. Unless you just really want a new pistol. Lol...

 

[Nosferatu]

Carry the 10. Do some more pushups and don't have that donut before the trip.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Even when Whitetail hunting last week with a rifle, I had a .38 snubby in my RF pocket. But that was not for 4 legged critters.
For critter protection I use a Glock 30SF, shooting BB .45 Supers.

 

[Calcoyote]

I am a Glock fan for woods defense. I live in Oregon but also hunt in Idaho and Montana.

For non-Grizzly country - Glock 17 9mm with Underwood 147g Hard cast
For Grizzly country - Glock 20 10mm. There are a few different bullet alternatives that i carry. I have confidence in all of them.

 

[Marble]

If I am rifle hunting I do not carry a sidearm. If archery, only if I'm solo.

Grizzly country, like legit a bunch of grizzlies, I may carry the smallest sized Pistol I have. But probably not.

For black bear country, I very rarely do. And I live/hunt in one of the highest bear densities in the world.

To each their own. If it provides the peace of mind you need to be comfortable then by all means do it.

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[snowymtnwolf]

Grizzly gun weight should not matter one cent.

I have a heavy .50 cal S&W just for that. Corbon 440 grain full metal jacket for skull shot.

Do what will drop a grizzly.

Plan to use when spray didn’t work and your life depends on it. And that’s whatever gun and round that you think will work.


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[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I love 1911s, but not in the woods. They are heavy, going to get beat to hell, exposed to a ton of moisture/debris/dust days on end. They aren’t known for being the most reliable and how do you carry it? My gun gets jarred around way to much to be cocked and locked, hammer down one in the chamber? Going to remember to cock it? Going to have time?
Glocks for the woods.

 

[Gobbler36]

I have a Springfield 10mm in the compact XDM i bought the extended mag which gives it more grip plus an added 5 RDs. I put a trijicon sight on it and am very proficient with it, it’s lightweightish and ivory holsters makes a EXO waist belt holster for it. rifle hunting I don’t carry it but I sometimes carry it on archery hunts

 

[Thinkingman]

If you're used to shooting a 1911, a Glock grip angle is going to put your most important shots over the head of whatever is attacking you.
Stick with a standard grip angle...I'd look at Sig or Springfield for a polymer backcountry rig.

 

[Hunt the Top]

I’ve carried a Glock 10mm for years. I recently picked up the SA XD-M Elite 10 mm and have been very impressed. I now prefer the XD-M over the Glock. I would still carry a pistol while rifle hunting in grizz country. Might need to get a shot off in close quarters. That’s a big reason I use a chest rig for carry as well. If your pinned down might still be able to get to pistol vs it being on your hip.


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[hiker270]

When I'm in Montana Elk hunting in Grizzly country I carry a Glock 20 SF. It holds 15 rounds of 10mm ammo.

 

[NSI]

My buddies and I got together and shot every single widely commercial available 10mm back to back.

It wasn't close. The M&P 4" is one of the lightest, feels the best in the hand (texture and shape, and tamed the recoil the best. The XD was slick, the Glock was blocky, the RIA 1911 was absurdly heavy, and the Sig was only slightly less slick than the XD.

YMMV,
-J

 

[mcseal2]

I carry a 10mm in big bear country in addition to my rifle, for me that has been in Alaska. I tried a few and ended up carrying a heavy Sig 220 Hunter 10mm last trip. It has been the most reliable for me with hardcast ammo, and I shoot it as well as my 1911. If I need to take it apart in the field it's easier than my 1911 also.

I shoot mostly various Sig pistols, revolvers, and 1911's. I have the issue of aiming Glocks high when I draw and point them in a hurry unless I practice with the Glock regularly. Years of shooting the others make my natural point of aim different. I have nothing against Glock, they make a great gun, just not the right one for me. When I carried a G20 I shot it and only it a lot the last couple months leading up to a hunt.

If I don't think there is a decent chance I'll have my rifle strapped to my pack there is a good chance the pistol will stay at camp. I'll carry it around there, fishing, after I tag out, packing meat, etc. I'll sleep with it close in the tent. Times my rifle won't be immediately available the pistol needs to be in my mind.

Scouting trips or packing meat when I don't have a rifle along in places without big bears I usually carry a much lighter 357 with hardcast ammo. I've tried 44 revolvers and I just don't shoot them as well or as fast as the smaller guns. Recoil on the 5 shot S&W 69 with bear ammo was enough to make me flinch, and the reach from the grip to the hammer is further than I like on a bigger frame like the Ruger Redhawk. My hands aren't that big. My main reason for carrying a 10mm semi-auto over a 357 in big bear country is the ability to easily put a light on the rail.

Last tip is if you have trouble with hardcast functioning reliably in a 10mm try the Buffalo Bore 190gr dangerous game load. All 3 of my 10mm's worked fine with it, 2 of them don't always feed hardcast.