Thinking of buying a Glock - need advice

[deaner]

Ive wanted a pistol forever, and I really like the Glocks for some reason. Just wondering what calibre a guy should be looking at. Im looking for something to: 1. Use for protection against bears when out camping, and 2. Target shooting. My main dilemma is that if I get something with enough hitting power to put a bear down, the rounds are going to be pretty darn pricey just for target shooting. I was kind of thinking a 45acp, but would that have enough hitting power? The other option was to go with the Glock 20 10mm because Ive heard you can put a 40 cal barrel on it and use that ammo for plinking.

Any advice? Any other models or calibres I should be considering?

 

[Ridgerat]

IMHO...A 45ACP is too light for bear medicine. Sounds like you need three guns to me.

I carry a 454 Casul (sp?) in the woods. No such thing as over-kill when a bear is mounting up on ya.

45ACP for personal protection. Got the 45 cause they didnt make a 46.

9mm for plinking.

If I had to choose just one for everything, it would be my 45ACP.

Cant go wrong with the Glock. I went with the Springfield XD because it had similar features and quality, but was $150 cheaper.

 

[deaner]

So is the 45 borderline for bear protection? Or quite a bit underpowered?

Another thing I forgot to ask about is being a Canadian buying a pistol out of the states. Can a guy do it? Just seems they are WAY cheaper down there. About $400 difference on the 45.

 

[wildcard]

A 45 is way under powered for bear but great as a man stopper. Im not a Glock fan at all. I got a Springfield XD45 recently and love it. In fact it's in the truck right now getting ready for a little target practice in a few minutes. Also I very much dislike 9s. I have seen so many people over the years shot with them that had they been hit with anything else they would be dead but as it was, they had minor injuries. Granted it's almost always with low end full jacket ammo that hommie picks out cuz it's the cheapest. +P loads with a hollow point do much better if they will feed in your gun.

 

[deaner]

Im not worried about shooting people at all. We're not allowed to in Canada.

Would a 10mm be enough to stop a bear? What dont you like about the Glocks WC?

 

[snow_knight]

As a person that spends a lot of time shooting and gunsmithing.. DONT BUY A GLOCK.. its out-dated junk.. if you are looking for a carry pistol the springfield, sig, h/k, or s/w would be a way better option for you..

As far as a bear stopper.. it all depends on quality of ammo and shot placement.. personally I carry a .45 for M cats around here.. but no bears.. when I go into bear country I grab my .460 with hand loads .. A 10mm is a great caliber, but would not be what i would depend my life on in a bear situation..

Nate chime in

 

[Sambo11]

If your mind is set on a Glock the 20 in 10mm w/a 40 barrel would suit you best for what Glock offers. Now I said for what Glock offers not what would be best overall.

Chances are you will never have to use a sidearm against a bear unless you go looking to do so. Having said that Glocks aren't my fav. either, I much prefer Sig but to each is own. Alot of Glocks out there and they have a HUGE aftermarket following. As was already mentioned the XD is a nice piece. My wife has a subcompact in a 40. End result it's your money spend it on what you like best.

I always seem to be about one gun away from having my last one. lol

 

[Duke]

West Ed has a huge selection of guns to try, thats where I would go, a little expensive to shoot but a ton of guns. I like the HK's, have to try for yourself.

 

[wildcard]

Your going to be hard pressed to find and auto that is suitable for bear protection. There are a few like the desert eagle that shoot the 44 auto but still marginal. Id seriously think about a wheel gun, 44 or bigger.

 

[Nikolai]

I bear will laugh at a 45 or 10 mm. Either get a real pistol (at least a 454) or buy two guns. My bear gun is 12 guage Mossberg with an 18" barrel and pistol grip which is soon getting chambered for a 3.5" slug. You can never have enough gun for a bear.

Even with a gun, bear spray and commen sense are your best bet. A gun should be your last resort and unless you can be firing within a couple seconds you will be it's next meal. If I'm in thick woods I either walk with the bear spray in hand(which actually works extremely well) and the shotgun slung over my back or the shotgun in hand ready to shoot. Loud storm whistles also work well to keep bears back.

 

[Nate]

Not a Glock fan at all, after awhile they shoot themselves apart

Springfield Armory OR Kimber IMO

Love my kimber, love the springfield armory.

Also, dont see why a .45 wouldnt stop a bear. If you need a honkin wheel gun then go for it

 

[deaner]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Im definitely not set on the Glock at all. Im really dont know that much about pistols at this point. I just thought that they were a quality gun (I guess not), and I shot one at West Ed a couple of weeks ago and liked the feel. And yes Duke.....it is friggin expensive there! I took a girl there on a date so I had to pay for two.

Im definitely not stuck on getting one. Im open to suggestions on the best gun for the money. The bear feedback Im getting is pretty interesting though. Does the pepper spray work well? If it does, that would be a MUCH better choice up here in Canada because Im pretty sure you are not allowed to pack a sidearm for that kind of thing. The way I look at it though, the chances of getting caught with one are slim if you arent being an idiot with it. And I would rather take a chance getting caught packing a sidearm illegally than coming face to face with a bear with no protection. Im always really paranoid about bears. Maybe Ill just look for a good quality 45 for playing with and pack spray for the bears??

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Another BIG vote for the Springfield XD 45.
Hornady 230 grain hollow points will make Yogi run the other way!
but then again, Bear spray works wonders (I've heard)

See if your local dealer will let you handle both the XD and a Glock 22.
The XD just "Feels" better and has the correct grip angle to reach out and touch someone...er..something!

 

[tc_villain]

Not to derail the thread, but.....

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/26/bearspray.html

I read this a while ago and the discussion popped it into my head. Just something to think about.

 

[deaner]

Maybe a guy should pack the spray and a gun. I could spray the bear to disable it, then finish it off with my 45 while it is rolling around choking and rubbing its eyes. That way when we are sitting around the campfire later that night eating roasted bear, it would have a spicey cajun flavor to it.

My uncle Bob killed a bear with an axe. (seriously)

 

[graveler]

Im not worried about shooting people at all. We're not allowed to in Canada.

Would a 10mm be enough to stop a bear? What dont you like about the Glocks WC?

I thought they took away all your guns in canada, at least handguns, well except for criminals, they always have them. its the big jumbo can of bear spray for me in the northern states,

 

[24footjet]

Glocks aren't junk. Ask the cops that shoot all the time, most I know carry Glocks. I have a 23, great gun.

The guys saying they are junk are the same guys that say your snowmobile sucks and theirs is the best. Put it in your hand and see if you like it. Glocks are very good guns and so are other makes.

Because some dude says it's junk doesn't mean you should just throw your idea out the window....

Get what you want, I'm sure it will work.

 

[snow_knight]

^ I will totatly agree with the part of get what you want.. thats for sure



however from a person that actually knows gun design and gunsmithing.. glocks are junk.. they are very poorly machined and casted.. fit and finish is horrible.. barrels are nothing to brag about.. along with this is accuracy.. glock is back of the pack.. do they work??? yes they do.. and there is a great aftermarket segment for them..You are right that in the gun semgent is the same as the sleds that people will trash what they dont have.. But guns are quite a bit simpilier in operation and function.. this being said its easier to get real factual knowledge on their pros and cons... Glocks when they were first manufactured were pretty much the best out there for CC.. however their R & D is non-excitent.. and now other companies have stepped the bar up.. for around, if not cheaper than glocks currently are..
And for you saying that cops shoot them.. yes you are correct however there is a pile of police including the HP's have went away from them.. and more are continuing to do so..


All in all try to find a place where you can shoot all the different models and choose for yourself which one you like...

 

[Nate]

^ I will totatly agree with the part of get what you want.. thats for sure



however from a person that actually knows gun design and gunsmithing.. glocks are junk.. they are very poorly machined and casted.. fit and finish is horrible.. barrels are nothing to brag about.. along with this is accuracy.. glock is back of the pack.. do they work??? yes they do.. and there is a great aftermarket segment for them..You are right that in the gun semgent is the same as the sleds that people will trash what they dont have.. But guns are quite a bit simpilier in operation and function.. this being said its easier to get real factual knowledge on their pros and cons... Glocks when they were first manufactured were pretty much the best out there for CC.. however their R & D is non-excitent.. and now other companies have stepped the bar up.. for around, if not cheaper than glocks currently are..
And for you saying that cops shoot them.. yes you are correct however there is a pile of police including the HP's have went away from them.. and more are continuing to do so..


All in all try to find a place where you can shoot all the different models and choose for yourself which one you like...

Damn Rocky, couldnt have said it better myself

All the cops and government officials I know sprint & hurdle away from the Glock, why? I dunno. Opinion I guess, but I share the same as them

Shoot what you like man, but please shoot a Glock before you carry the same opinions, I shoot and own alot of guns man, I prefer my Kimber, just not the price, and Springfield armory would be my 2nd choice.

If I had a 3rd choice it would be a grenade, because thats about how useful Pistols are in a gun fight anyways

 

[carguy]

The way I look at it though, the chances of getting caught with one are slim if you arent being an idiot with it. And I would rather take a chance getting caught packing a sidearm illegally than coming face to face with a bear with no protection.?/QUOTE]

So you live in Canada and you want to carry a handgun while camping? And you won't play with the handgun in the campground? Perhaps you should review the laws regarding carrying a restricted firearm (handgun) anywhere and in a Provincial or National Park, as well as discharging a firearm in public....then decide if its worth the criminal charges! BTW camp in the city or near a townsite away from places where bears are if you are that worried about them.

And if you must get a handgun then...Kimber 45cal.