I carry a Glock 26 pretty much exclusively, however, I have a 3" SP101 in .357 that I like for a woods gun. I recently returned from a camping trip out west, and I took both guns. The problem with this is that I was constantly having to worry about securing the one I wasn;t currently carrying in my vehicle. Wheels began turning in my head, and I came to the conclusion that it would be desirable to have one gun that could fill both roles...decent capacity and quick reloads for two-legged problems, and sufficient wallop for the four-legged ones.
This leads me to the G29. I know that although Glock calls it a "subcompact", it's a good deal bigger than my G26. That's not really a concern. What I'm curious about is the ballistics. How much does the 10mm lose being shot out of a sub-4" barrel? Does anyone have any chronograph numbers they could share? Also, can the Glock platform handle some of the stouter 10mm loads, or are those pretty much limited to use in steel-framed guns?
If it's going to end up being basically a bulkier, more expensive .40 I'm not sure it's worth the investment. But if it actually demonstrates some significant performance increase, it may be a viable option.
Posts: 10424 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
The 29 is closer to the 19 in size. They will handle a mild diet of Buffalo Bore or Underwood ammo. At $1.65 or so per round I can’t do extensive testing. I carry BB, my son carries Underwood in his 29SF. I have never chronographed either load. I carry similar ammo in my Sig P250sc and P239 .40 S&W’s.
Posts: 1990 | Location: metro Atlanta, GA | Registered: July 30, 2004
I reload, so the cost of ammo isn't really a huge concern to me. Once I get my hands on some brass, it shouldn't cost much more than reloading for .40. that does lead to another question, though...are the Glock 10mm chambers fully supported? I don't want a gun that's going to bulge my brass...
Posts: 10424 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
———————————————— The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad. If we got each other, and that's all we have. I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you!
Thanks Black, that's exactly what I was looking for, and frankly leads me to believe that there's not enough difference out of the shorter barrel between the .40 and the 10mm (at least with factory loads) to really matter (at least not enough to justify investing in a whole new platform).
Posts: 10424 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
Why not a bigger gun? Plenty of people carry a Glock 20/21 sized gun as a CHP gun, and that would seem to alleviate your issue with the shorter barrel
FWIW I have a 40 and it’s the best 10mm I’ve ever owned or fired and I’ve had everything from a bren 10 up through the 29 and 20 and modern 1911 versions.
I get that it’s too big probably to chp
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If the meek will inherit the earth, what will happen to us tigers?
Posts: 7796 | Location: Warrenton, VA | Registered: July 09, 2005
Agree with Kevbo on the Glock 40 10mm. On the Glock 29 v. Glock 30, the Glock 29 gives you ammunition options that offer more penetration / energy than .45 ACP factory ammunition.
I had a Glock 29. Sold it for a Glock 20, the g29 is pretty controllable but I found it too easy to limp wrist. Leather g19 holsters will work. Also be prepared that if you go g29 your after market parts are pretty limited.
I have a G29 that has been perfect and I don’t know the ballistics vs a longer barrel though this thing throws friggin’ bomb fireballs with the Underwood ammo. One of my factory loads puts out about 775 ft-lbs of force, which would be good enough for anything I can think of that lurks.
Glock 29 is an excellent woods / backpacker gun. Have a Mitch Rosen shoulder holster that keeps it handy and out of the way. With Underwood ammo can deal with anything that is a serious problem.
I have a 29 and a 20 - like them both. Either should be an acceptable camping gun. I bought a KKM stainless 6" barrel for my 20 and can shoot cast bullets with it (although some say it can be safely done in Glock barrels as well - could probably start a whole thread on that subject).
KKM also makes a 4.5" barrel for the 29 - just slightly longer than stock. And their chambers fully support the brass. Food for thought.
Cheers -
OVW
Easily distracted by shiny things
Posts: 80 | Location: Biggest Little City in the World | Registered: January 16, 2011
I have the G29 and G30, both same size pistol. The G30 is a great sidearm, and the G29 does offer more options in power, energy, etc. For that size pistol, I'd just go with the G30 if your'e picking one. The G20 is a better choice for 10mm, in my opinion. I recently picked up a G40 in 10mm, 6" bbl, and that's great...though not really something for concealed carry if that's your goal.
You wont' go wrong with either a G29 or G30, and if you don't like it you can always sell it.
Keep in mind, some of the loads in that chart are VERY anemic. The buffalo bore is probably the best comparison to underwood. Heck, if you go to the underwood page you'll see some reviews on their bonded 180gr gold dots chronoed out of a G29
quote:
5 shot average of 1228 at 60degs air temp out of a 3.77” Glock29. Definitely the most shootable load out of the 29 that UW offers.
According to the chart the 180gr .40 S&W BBTI tested won't even reach those speeds out of an 18 inch barrel.
Posts: 331 | Location: OH | Registered: September 10, 2012
If you go that route, Storm Lake makes a .45acp to 10mm conversion barrel.
This allows you at least 2 calibers on one frame, if you choose. If you don't like the 10mm recoil, you can swap back to .45acp and have less 'kick'.
AlphaWolf, Storm Lake and KKM make 10mm to .40S&W conversion barrels which will 'work'.
However, they will have a slight gap to sides of barrel hood- allowing slight amounts of side-side motion in lockup/firing, so not stellar accuracy: but cheaper 'plinking'. Any G29 barrel can work in the G30 slide the same way, but a conversion barrel gets rid of this side-side motion potential.
Sigs and Non-Sigs: I enjoy having options!
Posts: 723 | Location: South San Joaquin Valley, CA | Registered: September 21, 2010
I would NOT have a problem with my re-loads in my 29 for when I Hog Hunt. I’ll carry it back up and stoke it HOT!! My 200 gr flatnose are deadly and I also use a KKM fully supported barrel.