Sidearm for Backcountry: Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 or Springfield XD 40 Sub-Compact

[samuelayres]

Hey all... Planning out the gear for my first back country elk bow hunt this coming September. I'm currently trying to decide which pistol I should take as a sidearm for protection. Right now, it's a toss up between my Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 and my Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact. I like the punch that the 1911 has, but I'm not a fan of the weight. Was considering my XD40, but not sure how useful that will be against any lurking predators. What do y'all think?

 

[maninthemaze]

I'm heading to Montana this October for my first elk hunt. I plan on taking a Glock G20 Gen 4 in 10mm shooting Double Tap ammo. I'm thinking 10mm is the absolute minimum for bear defense. And I'm gonna need the extra capacity of a semi auto on a charging bear. Six shots just isn't enough in my book.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Brendan]

OP - where will you be hunting?

Lots of threads on this if you search, but Either .45 or .40 would be fine for black bear, cougar, wolves with the right ammo. If grizz - pretty sure all of us carrying handguns do it to make ourselves feel better I carry spray as a first line of defense - after that it's S&W 329PD in .44, or G20/G21 - unsure if it'll be 10mm or .45 super though. Have both barrels and need to do some tinkering...

 

[Brendan]

And I'm gonna need the extra capacity of a semi auto on a charging bear. Six shots just isn't enough in my book.

You'll be lucky to get off 1 or 2. Better be able to make them count under pressure.

 

[huntsman22]

the sights on the milspec aren't the easiest to aquire......

 

[alecvg]

Coming from someone who has spent a fair bit of time in grizzly country, you'll be lucky to get more than one or two shots. When you are really looking down a barrel at a grizzly, all your thinking is "this isnt nearly f'n enough"

Carry whatever is comfortable, because the reality is, you'll need more luck than firepower when the time comes.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[5MilesBack]

Unless you're hunting in Grizzly country don't overthink it. Just take whatever you're the most comfortable with. It's not like you're ever going to need it for black bears or cats. I've been hunting big game for over 35 years now, and I have NEVER even been close to needing a handgun in the back country. However, I still carry my G20 every day while archery hunting.

 

[husky390]

I'd take the .40 with the hottest loads you can handle.

Bring bear spray if you're worried about bears.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[samuelayres]

Thanks for the feedback all! Thinking I'm going to stick with the XD40 and a Kenai Chest Holster. And I'm definitely carrying a canister of bear spray.

OP - where will you be hunting?

Unless I get super lucky with a draw in Arizona, it's looking like mid-September in Idaho.

the sights on the milspec aren't the easiest to aquire

I've never had a problem with quick target acquisition on my 1911, but you bring up a good point. The Trijicon sights on my XD40 might be a better option.

I've been hunting big game for over 35 years now, and I have NEVER even been close to needing a handgun in the back country.

Yea... Haha! I'm aware that it's more for my own self assurance than anything else.

I'd take the .40 with the hottest loads you can handle. Bring bear spray if you're worried about bears.

Definitely picked up a canister of bear spray. Time to dust off the ammo press and assemble some .40s with punch.

 

[go4thegusto]

Been playing with this for years just because it interests me. I have owned most of the "bear" guns discussed. My current solution:

FNX 45 with EFK FireDragon 400 Super barrel installed. Shooting Underwood Penetrators and carrying in an HPG chest pack. Light, high capacity, and formidable. Bottleneck rounds resist feed jams. Can carry cocked and locked or DA first round.