G21 .45 ACP. Unless you plan to be in bear country then get a G20 10mm and you can always buy a .45ACP conversion barrel

 

You can convert from

.45 to 10mm with a conversion barrel and proper mags. 10mm to .45 with just a conversion barrel is a no go. 10mm breechface is too small for .45.

 

For max firepower in a compact size gen 4 33 can’t be beat. Only Glock that bests it ballistically are the 10 mm’s. 357 ammo isn’t that bad price wise if you search online.

 

.45 acp. Long history

 

.45 ACP will be around as long as any other. I don’t see the .357 Sig going anywhere. It’s just too awesome and prices are finally getting lower. 10mm, too, will be around as long as .357 Sig.

 

I would say that if you were only going to buy one, it would be tough to beat a Glock 30.

I bought and carry a G29 for a purpose, but unless you’re in the wilderness, and even if you are - a .45 will serve you VERY well.

Quite accurate too.

 

Being that you live in N. Y. thats a no brainer. Glock G36, shoots good has the big bullet thing going on. Ammo availibility. No body want them so you could get one cheap. You could even buy a new one for not outrageous cash outlay. Easy to conceal if needed. You also could get a G30s they are pretty cool too.

 

Glock G30S 45 ACP for the win......

 

Handle the 30 and 21 and see. The 45acp has so many great ammo choices from HST to Hornady Custom for CCW or woods carry. Ammo is avail everywhere and recoil is not really an issue due to slow push feeling. Keep researching and ask others on forums and make educated decision, it will all be good.

 

The nice thing about .357sig is the size of the pistol. No need to lug around a huge G20 or 21 when you can get a G32, same size as a G19. Even fits the same holsters.

 

IMHO, 45 if you have big paws. 10MM just never really tripped my trigger.
45 ACP can be found everywhere, and in lots of variety.
357Sig can be found in a slightly smaller platform and get you all 10 rounds in a smaller package. It is very adequate and has a shining track record. It will be around. I don't know how it fares for availability, but it is fairly popular around here.
Big question, what is your intended use. AP, the 45 or 357 will serve you well. Woods, then 10MM or even 357 Sig if you aren't in grizzly country or don't see large Black Bears.

 

The 10mm is becoming more popular and ammo choices are increasing.

But ammo costs and availability will never be a problem if you reload. And living in a communist ruled state like New York ammo availability may soon be a problem no matter what caliber you chose unless you reload.

A Glock 21 is a good choice because you have the option of using 45 Super if you want a woods gun but you will want to change the recoil spring for shooting 45 Super.

For Home defense you can use standard springs and shoot the Federal Plus+P 230 grain HST.

Even in Plus+P form the 230 grain bullets are subsonic and is a Lower pressure cartridge than 9mm or 40 S&W and has less muzzle blast than most other cartridges but especially 357 magnum an d357 Sig.

Standard 45 ACP operates at 21,000 PSI. 45 ACP Pluas+P is 23,000. 9mm and 40 S&W a 35,000 and 9mm Plus +P is 38,000. 10mm is 37,500 and 357 Sig is 40,000.

 

G29, 10mm, 10 rounds standard capacity mag. Not small,but not too big.

Have you tried a G27 ?

 

I have owned several pistols in each of those calibers, and I like all of them a lot. For most shooters in your position, I am going to say the .45 Auto is the smartest way to go. 10 rounds of any of those 3 choices should be enough for most self defense needs, but the .45 is a bigger bullet than the other 2, and has been around long enough that there is an almost endless selection of loads available. It is also available nearly everywhere.

Yes, 10mm and .357 SIG have been gaining some steam, but neither has reached the point where you could take a road trip knowing that any Wal-Mart, gun shop, range, or sporting goods store is going to have a fair selection of ammo for your pistol.

One of my biggest complaints about the 10mm, and .357 SIG pistols I have owned, is the fact that in order to get those great ballistic performance stats the rounds are famous for... You pretty much have no choice but to order the ammo from boutique manufacturers, pay shipping, and wait for it to be delivered. Even when you do this, you're most likely only going to do it for a few boxes of carry ammo, and will shoot the powder puff stuff you find locally for practice.

When you consider that most off the shelf 10mm is pretty close in performance to .40 S&W, and most off the shelf .357 SIG is comparable to hot 9mm... You aren't generally training with ammo that is comparable in feel to what you carry. And, if you carry the off the shelf stuff, you might as well not be paying inflated prices when you could have the same thing in a .40 or 9mm.

This isn't to say that you wouldn't be getting a more potent pistol if you went for a 10mm, or a .357 SIG over a .45 Auto because you would be. It's just that for most of us who have to operate within the confines of a budget, you aren't likely to spend enough time shooting the good loads through those guns, to make it worth choosing one over the .45 Auto.

All of this is assuming that this pistol would be used primarily for protection against human adversaries. In the event that you might anticipate encounters with 4 legged predators, the 10mm loaded appropriately would be my choice. And, while I like the .357 SIG... It would be my third choice of those three for defense against either type of threat.

 

I was a .45 guy before I became a 10mm guy. If I were magazine constrained, I’d opt for bigger holes and ubiquitous ammo selection for your average self-defense scenario. A G41 or 21 would do you well. I’d personally opt for the 41 MOS but YMMV!

Now if I were concerned more about bear or hogs in the country-side, that’s where I’d consider 10mm. However at a 10 round limit I’d actually consider an 8-round .357 magnum wheel gun too. 10mm has seen a decent resurgence with platforms and loads, but .357 still is better for availability. Plus you can get a matching lever gun and get 5.56 NATO-like energies from a 16 inch barrel.

If I were restricted on mag size and possibly semi-auto rifles along with dealing with 4 legged creatures, I’d seriously look into this scenario. Again, you may think differently but .357 magnum has a lot going for it if you live in a Libt@rd state.

 

The 357 Sig isn't going anywhere, it is many times more popular than the GAP which Glock still continues to offer and will likely do so for years to come.

The .45 and 10mm are both large frame guns which puts a damper on CC. The 357 Sig on the other hand is the same size and weight as 9mm handguns but offers performance approaching the 10mm.

View: https://youtu.be/390rkvxhpXw

 

The 357SIG is arguably the premier state-of-the-art weapons-service auto-pistol caliber currently easily obtained from commercial sources.

The several available loadings of Underwood 125-gr JHP produce in my weapons the following measured values of muzzle velocity, energy, and momentum (power factor):

G31 -> MV=1565 ft/s, ME=680 ft•lbf, PF=196 kgr•ft/s
G33 -> MV=1410 ft/s, ME=552 ft•lbf, PF=176 kgr•ft/s

That is competitive with large frame 10mm weapons, with flatter trajectory over any specific distance and a reputation for intrinsic accuracy as significant bonuses. The bottleneck cartridge case allows OEM 357SIG barrels to have tight chambers and 100-percent cartridge case support, even above the feed ramp. OEM 45ACP and 10mm barrels have neither. If capacity is important, the OEM 7151/7165 extender turns a G33 into an 11+1 pistol. Nothing in Glock's product line matches the G33's high ratio of muzzle energy to weapon size.

Even in its better loadings, 45ACP is very much outclassed by both 357SIG and 10mm. It *was* THE finest FMJ military round when compared to FMJ military rounds in all other calibers. But none of us are constrained by the Hague Convention.

One who begrudges a few extra pennies per round when choosing a handgun caliber for self defense is NOT serious about self defense. Such a person still lives mostly in the land of games, range toys, and cheap ammo.

 

One who begrudges a few extra pennies per round when choosing a handgun caliber for self defense is NOT serious about self defense. Such a person lives in the land of games and the range toy.

Very well stated, if my life is on the line I will carry gold plated ammo if necessary, cost ceases to be a factor at that point. At the range however I will shoot whatever I can find.

 

45 GAP has survived for 3 decades. Its not going anywhere. Sportsmansguide has surplus G 37's for under $300. TargetsportsUSA has ammo for $13.99 a box. Brass is readily available for reloading and you can use most other common powders, projectiles etc. 45 caliber ballistics in a 9mm frame size.

 

In 5 years, if we get a lib president, a lead ball might be the most popular. The box it comes in should have a sling shot on it.

 

In 5 years, if we get a lib president, a lead ball might be the most popular. The box it comes in should have a sling shot on it.

if you aren't keeping and eye on the winds of change politically, it won't matter what you get if you can't find ammo for it.

think Glock versatility;

45 ACP - can be converted to just about any currently popular caliber and some pretty wild "wildcats", but are better for big mitts, especially with the heavy hitters.

10 mm - same as above but no going up caliber.

357 Sig/40 S&W - grouped together because switching between the two calibers using OEM barrels is the only conversion sanctioned by Glock, not that that's a big deal as there are several after market barrel makers making whatever barrel you could want.

9mm - 9mm or 22 LR with the appropriate kit.

>>>>>>OR<<<<<<

pick a caliber and set up to reload for it.

then spend every last penny of your next tax return on components.

I just finished off my last 8 lbs. keg of Win 231 and the last half brick of SPP purchased during the last four years of Obama, that and casting kept me in ammo during the worst of it, guys at work would ask me what I was doing about the ammo shortage, my response, "what ammo shortage"

keepin' um and bearin' um got no teeth without feedin' um....jus sayin'.

 

Ive owned, competed, hunted and carried several platforms since the 90’s with Glocks.

I still have Dillion 650’s and can appreciate what can be accomplished. Issues with cartridges can also be realized in strengths and weaknesses.

Caliber wars along with the used car salesmen come out the woodwork with requests like yours.

Choosing a platform that fits hand still predominates as most important.

A platform that suits your expected need today and in the future seems to predominate todays evaluation.

The ability to practice often with what you carry vs a discussion of what MIGHT be the best option on paper is nothing more than a one trick pony.

Carry platforms that come to mind are the 27,33,39,29 and 30s.

Of the above suggest the 30s, a lightweight 10 shot 45acp that is extremely accurate. You will not be under gunned, ammo inexpensive in comparison and available.

Unfortunately, the .357 sig, .40 S&W and 45 Gap have not had a release in Gen 5 for the public. Brazil has its larger framed .40 which suggests the above calibers will also see larger platforms if released for the future. Soooo, waiting for an option in Gen 5 on these calibers one might have to have a larger platform.

Suggest a test drive before buying another safe queen..... good luck.

 

That leaves .45 and 10mm.

5 years from now which large caliber will be the more popular choice. Thinking I want affordable ammo

.45 caliber will be more popular and affordable to shoot. If I wanted to hunt with a handgun I would choose a large bore revolver.

 

The several loadings of Underwood 125-gr JHP produces these measured values of muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and muzzle momentum (power factor):

G31 -> MV=1565 ft/s, ME=680 ft•lbf, PF=196 kgr•ft/s
G33 -> MV=1410 ft/s, ME=552 ft•lbf, PF=176 kgr•ft/s

That is competitive with large frame 10mm weapons

You're still slinging a smaller, lighter, bullet. And I would think that the 10mm Underwood loads are still more powerful.

 

it really depends not the role.

10mm is great, but it's a thick and heavy brick.

357sig would be the next most powerful, with the bonus that with only a barrel swap (OEM 40 cal barrel) you are shooting 40 as well. So maybe the most versatile is 357sig./40. Oh, and with Glock, the pistol is the same size as the 9mm.

 

G29, 10mm, 10 rounds standard capacity mag. Not small,but not too big.

Have you tried a G27 ?

I do have a G26.5 (really like it), have shot .40 at the range, but not a G27

The nice thing about .357sig is the size of the pistol. No need to lug around a huge G20 or 21 when you can get a G32, same size as a G19. Even fits the same holsters.

I really like the idea of the G32 - I like my G19.5, so the G32 in the same "package" using the same holsters is a plus. Ammo is about 2x 9mm...

What are the chances of a G32 Gen5? (rhetorical)

 

I do have a G26.5 (really like it), have shot .40 at the range, but not a G27



I really like the idea of the G32 - I like my G19.5, so the G32 in the same "package" using the same holsters is a plus. Ammo is about 2x 9mm...

What are the chances of a G32 Gen5? (rhetorical)

The 357 sig round is a great choice in whatever you choose. I have a 33 but would really like a sig 229 in 357 sig.

 

My take on this FWIW...

For Urban/Suburban Carry, nothing beats the .357 SIG. It's been my agency's issued round for 22 years (I've carried it for 5) and still going strong and I love the round and what it does. I have carried and still own 9mm and .40 caliber pistols and while I like them, the .357 is just a step up in performance for me.

The 45 ACP is great for more rural areas or soft targets and is just a classic, proven round. It is my usual choice for short hiking and camping trips here in Virginia and I really just love shooting my .45 pistols.

The 10mm is king as a hiking/backcountry round, particularly when you are in areas with large, dangerous animals. I carry it when I am on longer trips into the outdoors and it is a dream to shoot in the 1911 platform. (Nothing wrong with the Glocks either, just my preference)

I guess my point is that all three have their strengths and do certain things very well. That being said, my favorite is the .357 SIG and that is the "do everything" round IMO. A P229 or Glock 32 in .357 SIG would be my choice for EDC if I could only own one pistol.

Oh yeah, whomever said the .357 SIG has limited life didn't tell the State Police here in Virginia, just transitioned to the SIG P320 earlier this year and they stayed with the .357 SIG. I guess they didn't get the memo...

 

That being said, my favorite is the .357 SIG and that is the "do everything" round IMO. A P229 or Glock 32 in .357 SIG would be my choice for EDC if I could only own one pistol.

The 357 Sig is no doubt the most versatile caliber. Hard to argue with that when you consider the baby Glock G33 has 357 Mag power when loaded with Underwood. Small gun big power.