.357 or 10mm

The 10mm Glock is single action.

(Yes, glock-ninnies, I know it's "safe action" and that only 90% of the spring is cocked on cycle... but it sure as heck isn't double action).

The SA trigger on a Glock makes for less wobble on the front sight during a draw/present/shoot rapid target engagement.

I don't care for Glocks but I am strongly considering a similar setup with an XD45 in .45Super or .460 Rowland.
 
If you like the autoloading feature, and don't mind a little extra weight, the Desert Eagle in either .357 magnum, or .44 magnum might be worth considering. Big grip, heavy frame, but 11 rounds of .357 ,agnum, or 9 rounds of .44 magnum sure adds some comfort when I take a day trip for fishing, or a photo shoot up in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

If light weight is your goal, you might look at the S&W 329PD. .44 magnum lite weight with 4" barrel. Shoots the Heavy .44 Special, or Short Barrel ,44 magnum loads without much problem.
 
10mm or 357

Buy the one you that you arn't currently reloading for.
Then buy bullets and dies.

Then think about the unicorn danger -- a .327magnum would probably be jsut about right for them.
Buy one.
Buy bullets and dies.

Repeat.:)
 
It really comes down to whether you prefer a revolver or an auto as the ballistics of the two cartridges, with comparable loadings, is remarkably similar.
Click to expand...
^^This. Also, are you a handloader (or independently wealthy)? This is an advantage with any cartridge, but moreso with the 10mm.

The 10mm offers a greater round capacity for the same size/weight handgun, while the .357 offers a greater range of bullet weights and velocities. There is also the .41 Mag revolver, which is limited to the same six rounds, but expands the potential (once again, moreso if you handload).

There is never one easy answer...instead, there are a number of options in size/weight/power/capacity (otherwise known as compromises) from which you must pick.

You can own all of them (I do) but you can only (realistically) carry one at any given time.

Be thankful that you have options, enjoy the journey, and choose wisely. :)
 
Given that predators....

... don't typically pose dramatically and glare at you for several seconds, but instead tend to try and get you from ambush...

... which do you shoot better, under pressure? Which can you get into action faster? Which can you reliably score follow-up shots with, rapidly?

Out of the choices you mentioned, G20 or snubby .357, the G20 would by my answer to those questions. I don't shoot nearly as well with snubbie magnums as I do with the vast majority of autos. Your answer may be very different from mine.

If you introduced a 4" GP100 or 686, my answer might change.

My own woods battery consist of a S&W 29 Mountain Gun loaded with 255gr Buffalo Bore Keiths; a GP100 .357 loaded with 180gr BuffaloBore HC; and possibly a Fusion 10mm Longslide Classic Hunter 1911 - but I haven't put enough rounds through it yet to use it for defensive purposes.

Note1: The Fusion has fed its first 100 rounds of Georgia Arms range ammo and a couple boxes of Cor-Bon and Hornady SD ammo without problem. I just like to run a few hundred rounds minimum before I decide I'm good to go with something.

Note2: I seem to shoot the Fusion much better than I shoot Glocks, although I shoot Glocks well enough and have a lot of respect for the brand's reliability. I'm not fond of some of the Glock ergonomics, though.

Note3: My GP100 has a tuned, Wolff trigger and is a joy in DA mode.

Note4: The S&W29 came with a good trigger, straight from the factory.
 
Last edited:
Why are you restricting yourself to shorter barrels? My choice would be a S&W 610 in 6 1/2" (I own and frequently carry one). I have used both a GP-100-6" and the 610 shooting bowling pins and have found the 10mm clears the table with much more authority. Both guns were used with near max handloads. The 10mm throwing a 180 gr. at 1350 fps using Longshot powder. The 357 used 158 gr. over a max charge of Blue Dot (can't recall the load or velocity).
Either had the advantage of using lighter loads for practice, 40 SW on the 10 and 38 SPL in the GP. The 610 reloads faster due to full moon clips instead of speedloaders. Both revolvers are trouble free. My son had a Glock 20 that was problem prone and ammo pickey. Both the GP and the N-Frame were more accurate than the auto.
For handloading, the 610 has a massive cylinder if you want to push the envelope.
Just my 2 cents.
 
I chose the Glock 20SF for my woods gun.

It's easier and faster to reload and holds more than twice the capacity of a 6 shot revolver.
 
I do prefer autos to wheelguns, only downside is that 10mm can be expensive from what I hear. I haven't really priced it yet and I don't reload. I'm not planning on buying reloading equipment anytime soon. Is there a significant price difference between .357/.38 and 10mm when buying in bulk?
 
Is there a significant price difference between .357/.38 and 10mm when buying in bulk?
Click to expand...

I know 10mm is pricier, but how much, I'm not sure. And that brings up the other potential 10mm downside if you aren't a reloader: availability. 10mm is odd, some folks report that their local shops are overflowing with the stuff. Not where I live. 10mm is even rarer than .357 Sig and .45 GAP around my parts; I've not seen a box of 10mm ammo in many months.

.357 Magnum and .38 Special OTH are plentiful and relatively affordable.
 
Sulaco2 wrote: "For the woods a .45 loaded with 230 grain hardball is hard to beat, easy to shoot and over 30 inches of gel punch....."


WHAT?:confused:
 
Why a (relatively) short barrel?

Jimbo-Indy, at least in my case I was thinking in terms of personal protection weapons for outdoors.

For a dedicated hunting weapon, a longer barrel has a lot of advantages. So, too, does a scope.

But I find longer barrels a pain to draw quickly; I also don't find that they point as well for me.

Since I usually don't hike around with gun in hand, draw speed and ease are big factors for me. Similarly, since bears, hogs, etc tend to catch one by surprise, and they are relatively fast, I prefer a gun that points naturally for me because I doubt there will be much time for careful aim.

The short barrel also allows a better chance of being able to use the weapon if already in physical contact; similarly, the revolver won't get pushed out of battery as an auto might. So, for me, if bears are a concern, a 4" barreled Magnum revolver is the way to go.
 
My woods carry is a 3" SP101 357 in a Simply Rugged holster. I do not forsee having to lay down covering fire when in the woods thus hi-cap is not an issue. On our lease we have hogs, bear, coyotes, rattlesnakes and poachers. The SP101 is easily concealed for running to town, so once I am in camp I don't take it off. 357 ammo is widely available in many different loads. Working there in warm weather I have 2 snake shot followed by 3 150g JHP's.

I primarily shoot semi-autos but recognize and appreciate the simplicity and ease of use of a revolver in what may be a hectic situation.

I have owned 4" 7 shot 357's but wanted something small handy and powerful. My other current 357 is a S&W M19 with a 6" barrel. I agree, it can be hard to draw. I gets hunting and target use.

tjg
 
for a trail gun I would go with the 357 just because it is a revolver. But I would go with one of the newer smiths that hold 8 rounds and use moon clips for faster reloading. Also at least 4 inches of barrel.
 
I think with me just posting you know where I'm going with this one. 10mm, 1911. lol

Yeah you could do the moon clip thing with a revolver but a faster change out is a magazine.

But I love 1911s. Just the way I am. They're starting to multiply in my gun safe. :) lol

But since you said Glock, go for the Glock.
 
I've got a ton of handguns in there, and I reload for all of them naturally - if I were going 357 Mag I'd go with the Smithy 686-6 stainless 7 shot. But still, I would not choose it over my G20. IMHO 10mm is the finest semiauto handgun cartridge ever developed .... 44 Mag the finest wheelgun cartridge ever developed with even the 41 Mag exceeding the 357 Mag.

My everyday carry piece is a P229 DAK SAS in 357 SIG which is easily convertible to 40 S&W - it might be something you would want to consider.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top