G30SF vs G23 for woods carry ..

3088 Views 40 Replies 28 Participants Last post by 133124, Mar 30, 2010

xsam138

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2010

Considering both .. Pacific Northwest is my locale.

Cougars, Black Bear, .. and meth labs/squatters.

I know the 10mm would be king, but I do not want a 29 or 20.

I like 45's, I feel confident with them, I am also confident with the .40 against 2 legs. .. not sure about the .45 against 4 legs, as I have read on here it can be the worse choice for woods carry. *why?*

With high quality ammo, which handgun would be the smarter.

If I buy a 23, I will get a 27 to go with it for street CC. If I buy the 30SF, it would be my only gun. .. may buy a 10mm barrel for it for woods carry, .. but I would never feel 100% confident that it would be reliable.

thanks

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

G36's Rule

· #2 · Mar 28, 2010

I have both. A standard G30 and a G23. For versatility the G23 is tops. I can have a 357sig barrel and a 9mm barrel and use all out of the same pistol for plinking. I would even carry the 357sig as a CCW if I wanted.

For a hiking/camping/self-defense against 4 legged and 2 legged varmints I would lean toward the G30 with some good ammo. Black Bear and Cougar are for the most part thin skinned critters under 200 pounds. You can get some pretty hot 45ACP that approaches 10mm range.

My opinions only and there will be others along soon to disagree...

:wavey:

scott314

· #3 · Mar 28, 2010

Any particular reason you don't want the 10mm? I just picked up a 29 for the same reason you are looking for and added a 40cal conversion barrel from LWD for an additional $115.

Given that woods carry was my primary motivation, I felt that the 10mm was the best choice. I added the .40 barrel so I shoot it more frequently without breaking the bank.

rtn

· #4 · Mar 28, 2010

Personally, I'd carry my S&W 29-4 with Garrett Hammerheads.

DrtyHarry

· #5 · Mar 28, 2010

I'd get one of the 10mm variants and drop in a .40 conversion barrel...in case you want to ever shoot lightning bolts in the future (10mm).

Why don't you want a 20 or 29? They can be modified to shoot 6 different calibers, including .40S&W you like. Can't go wrong.

DH

Fire_Medic

· #6 · Mar 28, 2010

G20 or G29 is a no brainer here if you ask me. :supergrin:

glock2740

· #7 · Mar 28, 2010

I'd say G23.

glock2740

· #8 · Mar 28, 2010

Fire_Medic said:
G20 or G29 is a no brainer here if you ask me. :supergrin:

Those are what I carry.

Zertek

· #9 · Mar 28, 2010

30sf............

Seraph

· #10 · Mar 28, 2010

I know you said you didn't want one, but I have to say G20SF. It's the 4 legged factor I'm thinking of.

BrianNH

· #11 · Mar 28, 2010

:supergrin:

Fire_Medic said:
G20 or G29 is a no brainer here if you ask me. :supergrin:

I thought the "no brainer" would have been either the G30 or G23 since those were the 2 the OP asked about. :supergrin:

G36's Rule

· #12 · Mar 28, 2010

BrianNH said:
:supergrin:

I thought the "no brainer" would have been either the G30 or G23 since those were the 2 the OP asked about. :supergrin:

No ****...

He was pretty specific about NOT wanting a 20 or 29.

:rofl:

You can't keep the 10mm boys down though...

:whistling:

Fire_Medic

· #13 · Mar 28, 2010

Trying to help the OP think outside the box. I don't own a 10mm Glock (yet), but have shot it, and love the round. If I didn't live in a Big City and needed a woods Gun the 10mm would be on the top of my list with a 44mag Revolver in a close second only because of lower capacity.

Just my $0.02, no need for the 40 and 45 guys to get their panties in a wad, I like both of those rounds as well, just not for the "woods".
:wavey:

G36's Rule

· #14 · Mar 28, 2010

Fire_Medic said:
Just my $0.02, no need for the 40 and 45 guys to get their panties in a wad, I like both of those rounds as well, just not for the "woods".
:wavey:

Having used both the 40 and 45 "in the woods" and on the 4 legged critters I can say that they are quite at home there. The 10mm really doesn't add anything.

BoomerN

· #15 · Mar 28, 2010

If you dump a mag of .45 into anythig 2 legs 4legs 14 legs it will stop what ever it is doing.......g30sf

scott314

· #16 · Mar 28, 2010

G36's Rule said:
Having used both the 40 and 45 "in the woods" and on the 4 legged critters I can say that they are quite at home there. The 10mm really doesn't add anything.

10mm adds about 300fps give or take. I would be reticent to call that nothing.

BrianNH

· #17 · Mar 28, 2010

Fire_Medic said:
Trying to help the OP think outside the box. I don't own a 10mm Glock (yet), but have shot it, and love the round. If I didn't live in a Big City and needed a woods Gun the 10mm would be on the top of my list with a 44mag Revolver in a close second only because of lower capacity.

Just my $0.02, no need for the 40 and 45 guys to get their panties in a wad, I like both of those rounds as well, just not for the "woods".
:wavey:

I hear ya. I go around and around with this all the time. I hike frequently in NH white mtns where the black bears are very timid in most all cases. I weigh the liklehood of an animal attack versus the carry / bulkiness and weight factor. I look at the .40 and 45 acp as being much better than having nothing although the 10mm in the Glock would give a ballistic advantage without any real size or weight difference over the G23 and G30.

Fire_Medic

· #18 · Mar 28, 2010

BrianNH said:
I hear ya. I go around and around with this all the time. I hike frequently in NH white mtns where the black bears are very timid in most all cases. I weigh the liklehood of an animal attack versus the carry / bulkiness and weight factor. I look at the .40 and 45 acp as being much better than having nothing although the 10mm in the Glock would give a ballistic advantage without any real size or weight difference over the G23 and G30.

That's my point here, if you'd carry the G30 then the G29 is not bigger or heavier but does give you the ballistic advantage.

Again just my $0.02

JVO

· #19 · Mar 28, 2010

IMO id go 10mm

byf43

· #20 · Mar 29, 2010

Of the two calibers you chose (.40 S&W and .45 acp), I'd take the .45 acp.

Ammo. . . something very hot.

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

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