Which would you choose to take as a backup firearm when hunting?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which would you choose to take as a backup firearm when hunting?

Posted: 12/24/2008 11:20:52 AM EDT

1. Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum
2. Sig P220 45ACP
3. Glock 23 40 S&W
4. Glock 27 40 S&W

The potential dangers that may be encountered will include wild hogs, rattlesnakes, 2 legged critters and potentially a mountain lion (rumored to be in the area).

The easiest to carry is the G27 due to size. But, i have a good belt and good holsters. So, the others aren't that bad to carry and most of our hunting is from stands.

Thoughts?

Posted: 12/24/2008 11:33:54 AM EDT

[#1]

Glock 23

-Higher Capacity

-Decent Stopping Power

-Tough and Reliable

Posted: 12/24/2008 12:03:09 PM EDT

[#2]

The .357 magnum revolver would be far more useful as a woods gun than a .40 semi auto. Plus, the GP-100 can handle hot loads with heavy solid bullets and the .40 Glock can't, which would be far better against mountain lion than self defense loads out of a .40. Also, you can put a shot cartridge in as the first round for snakes or for camp meat such as grouse and just thumb past it if needed. About the only thing tha would make me take a semi auto as a woods backup gun is if there was a large capacity 10mm autoloader available such as a Glock 20.

Posted: 12/24/2008 1:19:24 PM EDT

[#3]

A 1911 with a .460 Roland kit fine tuned like a match pistol w/10rd mags. Big cats, bears, no problem. Look it up.

Posted: 12/24/2008 1:23:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Of those mentioned, the Ruger, please.

Posted: 12/24/2008 3:24:26 PM EDT

[#5]

G23.

Got lots of experience with it. It's powerful, and high capacity. When I carry one, it's with 15 rnds on board.

probably any of those would serve well though.

Posted: 12/24/2008 3:43:50 PM EDT

[#6]

P220 hands down, but I hate Glocks.

Posted: 12/24/2008 3:47:20 PM EDT

[#7]

G23 with 180gr or 200 gr ammo from double tap ammo.

Posted: 12/24/2008 4:40:59 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

A 1911 with a .460 Roland kit fine tuned like a match pistol w/10rd mags. Big cats, bears, no problem. Look it up.

Great, a $2500 woods gun, just what the hunting/hiking world has been clamoring for. A $500 Glock 20 holds 16 rounds of 230 grain hardcast solids, doesn't require fine tuning to work right and takes 15 round mags that cost $18. If I need more than that I'll go with a big bore revolver. I can probably buy 2 Ruger 460 revolvers and several hundred rounds of ammo for what that 1911 costs.

Posted: 12/24/2008 4:47:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
A 1911 with a .460 Roland kit fine tuned like a match pistol w/10rd mags. Big cats, bears, no problem. Look it up.

Why would you carry that in the woods? That is not a cheap gun at all! I figure that Ruger wheelgun or a Glock in 10mm would suffice. Cheap and delivers a potent round.

Posted: 12/24/2008 7:32:14 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Of those mentioned, the Ruger, please.

This

Posted: 12/24/2008 7:44:40 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Of those mentioned, the Ruger, please.

This

Yup. A 158 lead semi wadcutter doing about 1400 fps will handle most anything you'll run across.

Posted: 12/24/2008 7:44:53 PM EDT

[#12]

While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

Posted: 12/24/2008 7:47:26 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Of those mentioned, the Ruger, please.

This

This.

Posted: 12/24/2008 8:24:30 PM EDT

[#14]

Here you have to have at least a 4" barrel to hunt with it. No use in carrying a backup that you can't use to put bullets in an animal. Your local laws may vary.

Posted: 12/24/2008 8:55:39 PM EDT

[#15]

I'd opt for 'other'. A good 1911 or G20 in 10mm.

Of your choices, the GP100

Posted: 12/24/2008 9:15:13 PM EDT

[#16]

A no brainer-GP100 all the way, and I'm a huge glock fan.

IMHO, the Ruger GP100 w/a 4" barrel is almost the ideal back-up for anything short of the big bears on the north american continent......

Posted: 12/24/2008 9:41:59 PM EDT

[#17]

Ruger should be good to go. Close second is P220.

Posted: 12/24/2008 10:09:18 PM EDT

[#18]

I've carried my P220 hunting, but the last four years my 1911A1 has been my hunting sidearm. It's either my Springfield GI model or my USGI Ithaca.

Posted: 12/24/2008 10:26:37 PM EDT

[#19]

Pick which ever you shoot best.
If you shoot them all the same pick the easiest to carry.

Posted: 12/24/2008 10:37:11 PM EDT

[#20]

Ruger, no question.

Though I'd move up to a .44 mag.

Posted: 12/24/2008 11:13:35 PM EDT

[#21]

I carry a 5 inch S&W 629

Posted: 12/25/2008 1:52:38 AM EDT

[#22]

The Ruger without a doubt.

Posted: 12/25/2008 2:05:42 AM EDT

[#23]

The wheel gun - unquestionably.

Posted: 12/25/2008 4:27:09 AM EDT

[#24]

Glock 20 10mm

Posted: 12/25/2008 6:25:11 AM EDT

[#25]

Glock 20. It'll do it all.

Posted: 12/25/2008 7:43:22 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Glock 20. It'll do it all.

Won't shoot snake shot. Just one example.

Posted: 12/25/2008 8:44:47 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

He'd be a hell of a lot better served with a hot 125-158 grain JHP or SJHP than with a 180 grain bullet that won't expand(doesn't make any difference if it's jsp or jhp, it still won't expand). Cougars aren't heavy boned and don't require tons of penetration.

Posted: 12/25/2008 9:52:48 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
The .357 magnum revolver would be far more useful as a woods gun than a .40 semi auto. Plus, the GP-100 can handle hot loads with heavy solid bullets and the .40 Glock can't, which would be far better against mountain lion than self defense loads out of a .40. Also, you can put a shot cartridge in as the first round for snakes or for camp meat such as grouse and just thumb past it if needed. About the only thing tha would make me take a semi auto as a woods backup gun is if there was a large capacity 10mm autoloader available such as a Glock 20.

Total agreement. I think you are more likely to step on a snake then be attacked by a suspected mountain lion.

Posted: 12/25/2008 1:15:27 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

He'd be a hell of a lot better served with a hot 125-158 grain JHP or SJHP than with a 180 grain bullet that won't expand(doesn't make any difference if it's jsp or jhp, it still won't expand). Cougars aren't heavy boned and don't require tons of penetration.

Personally I'd go with Corbon's Barnes X bullet in their .375 loadings.

Posted: 12/25/2008 1:51:46 PM EDT

[#30]

"Glock 20 10mm"

Funny, I missed that one on his list.

The Ruger GP100.

My stainless Speed-Six serves that purpose for me.

Posted: 12/25/2008 5:02:51 PM EDT

[#31]

Any of them.

Posted: 12/25/2008 8:54:48 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

He'd be a hell of a lot better served with a hot 125-158 grain JHP or SJHP than with a 180 grain bullet that won't expand(doesn't make any difference if it's jsp or jhp, it still won't expand). Cougars aren't heavy boned and don't require tons of penetration.

Think so? I usually carry the Dan Wesson in .357 loaded with some 180 grain XTPs in mountain lion country.

Posted: 12/25/2008 9:00:20 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:

While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

He'd be a hell of a lot better served with a hot 125-158 grain JHP or SJHP than with a 180 grain bullet that won't expand(doesn't make any difference if it's jsp or jhp, it still won't expand). Cougars aren't heavy boned and don't require tons of penetration.

Think so? I usually carry the Dan Wesson in .357 loaded with some 180 grain XTPs in mountain lion country.

I have some 180 XTPs that I was given. Loaded them over a max load of 2400 and only got 1050 fps from a 5 inch Model 27. Fired into water, expansion was minimal. I think the bullet is probably better suited for .357 carbines and the Maximum.

Posted: 12/26/2008 2:22:08 PM EDT

[#34]

Another vote for the GLOCK 20.

Posted: 12/27/2008 4:30:53 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

Quoted:
While not a fan of Rugers, I have to go with the GP100. Load it with 180 grain bullets for penetration on Cougars and you are good to go.

He'd be a hell of a lot better served with a hot 125-158 grain JHP or SJHP than with a 180 grain bullet that won't expand(doesn't make any difference if it's jsp or jhp, it still won't expand). Cougars aren't heavy boned and don't require tons of penetration.

Here are a couple photos of a 180 gr. .357 winchester slug I retrieved from a whitetail buck a few years back.This was fired out of an 8" barrel Colt.

It was a one shot stop

He took a few hops and fell over dead ,shredded his heart at 20 yards!Found the slug while skinning him, just under the hide on the offside.

Wish Winchester still sold this ammo,it was good stuff!

Of the OP choices,I vote 180 gr. hard cast .357 if there are Hogs in the area,But I would prefer a 4" 629.

Posted: 12/27/2008 6:38:42 AM EDT

[#36]

.357 firing a heavy SWC bullet at high velocity.
Unless you are in grizzly territory that ought to take care of anything in the woods.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which would you choose to take as a backup firearm when hunting?

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