Glock 19/17 for open woods carry?

O

Ocraknife

New member
I'm trying to get a pistol to do double duty and I wonder if the 17 or 19 might do the trick.

I like to shoot so I want something I can take to the range and shoot without costing a fortune. I also want something I can open carry in the woods while hunting and fishing.

The most dangerous thing I'm liable to run across around these parts is meth head or two but I'd also like to be able to convince a bear or feral hog to leave me alone.

Ideally I'd get a 19 for fun and a 20 for the woods but that's not in the cards right now.

What are your thoughts?
 
I just carry what I normally carry, a 17.

If I want something for knocking around in the woods, I just bring that too.

If I dont need something for knocking around in the woods, I always have my 17. :)
 
People are going to say a lot of this and that about 9mm and we all heard it before. Of course the local dnr or fish and wildlife are going to say they have regulations that probably require a caliber larger than 9mm and a barrel of so long.

As long as it's self defense who cares. Carry some good self defense ammo and the animals or meth heads won't be the wiser.
 
I often carry either my G19 or G26 if there is no concern with anything larger than human threats on woods walks. I also have a G20 I've owned for years and recently bought a G29 to have something smaller.

If you take an honest look at the possibility of something larger than human threats then I think you'd be just fine with 9mm. If you feel you can justify a 10mm later then either the G20 or G29 is a good option, but I'd buy the 9mm first.

Even when I'm carrying one of the 10's I still feel the threat from humans is far, far greater. And I have encounters with bear several times each year. I've never felt threatened by one, but feel better having something suitable just in case.

Being to serve dual roles is why I prefer the 10's to a magnum revolver.
 
I carried a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 when I lived in wolf and bear country. When I discovered plastic pistols, I started carrying a 9mm Glock model 17. Now it's a model 26. Carrying a heavy weapon all day can be a drag. I really like that XDS in .45, very nice as a woods gun. I wouldn't worry too much about using a 9mm, a handgun is not going to do a lot to stop a blackbear attack regardless of caliber.
 
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While I don't own any Glocks, I do open carry 9mm models that are both about the size of the 19 and 17 in the woods. Either size would be fine for woods and range work. For CC I use the 19 size guns for their smaller overall size and lighter weight.
 
You mentioned "bears" and "meth heads" so for me, that rules out 9mm.

Look into a Glock 20 in 10mm. Far better stopping power against drugged up junkies and equally better against a large dangerous bear.

You mentioned cheap range shooting, well with a drop-in barrel you can instantly be able to shoot .40 S&W which is almost equal in price to 9mm these days, just a hair more expensive per round.

It's still going to be a light gun, has plenty of capacity, will have that famous Glock reliability, but your on target performance is going to be TREMENDOUSLY better. A G20 makes far more sense as an open carry woods gun than a 19/17 IMHO.
 
I like to shoot so I want something I can take to the range and shoot without costing a fortune.
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Reload and shoot lead cast bullets and you will save yourself a ton of money. In order to do that it won't be a Glock.
 
Reload and shoot lead cast bullets and you will save yourself a ton of money. In order to do that it won't be a Glock.
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I am trying to put off the whole reloading thing but I feel it's almost inevitable. Are cast lead bullets a lot cheaper than FMJ? I ask because I am a huge fan of the 10mm and the Glock 20 offers a great platform at a reasonable price.
 
I have to agree with 12modwin, since you mentioned bears and meth heads, I would stay out of the woods for several months and continue saving money until you could afford the 10 mm.
 
You are in Tennessee, right? Well nothing in those woods that won't fall to +p+ 127 gr 9mm. Black bears ain't all that tough.


So go ahead and carry the 9.

Deaf
 
I agree that a high capacity 9 Luger should be adequate if black bears are the biggest concern. I've chased them off with a canoe paddle.
 
A 9mm should be fine for either. You have a higher chance of being attacked by a deer than a bear. As always be aware of your surroundings while out in the woods.
 
Everything I have read says 30-06, 44 Magnum, or 12 gauge if seriously concerned about large bears. Or Pepper spray.

As for the two legged critters, the G19 / G17 is a nice choice. Both are easy to shoot and have high capacity. You just need to decided if the incremental improvement in accuracy and capacity justify the bigger size of the G17. I have a G19 and love how it feels and shoots and the compact size is nice as well.
 
How do you guys carry when hiking? Gun in backpack? On hip? Shoulder holster? Most of my hiking I have a pack with a waist strap. New to the carry world, so trying to figure out best way to carry when hiking.
 
Depending on the ruck and whos with me, I either just wear my normal holster, with the waist belt over it, or I wear a REI fanny type pack (in front) with the gun in the back pocket.

With the fanny pack, I can drop the ruck, and still have essentials too. It also works great for when your with, or expect to be around people where you want the gun out of sight.
 
Black bears ain't all that tough.
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I don't know that I'd want to put that statement to a test with a 9mm.

Ditto for the feral hogs, although I am only familiar with Everglades hogs that truly need to be taken down with one shot if you don't have a tree near by to climb.

As far as the tweekers are concerned, one shot to the cranium usually takes them out pretty quick, regardless of calibre.
 
I think that a Glock 17 or 19 loaded with quality Hollow Point cartridges would serve you well.

The only thing I would mention is get a good belt holster with a positive thumb retention strap. I really like the Galco FLETCH. But holster choice, much like gun choice is a very personal issue.

Happy New Year,

Rob
 
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