Which would you choose?

B

BoneDigger

New member
I am an archaeologist and work.mostly in the SE US. I am often in places that are "sketchy" parts of town. But, I am also in the woods a lot, where wild dogs are the biggest concern, along with wild hogs.

I am presemtly debating between a 9mm pistol such as an XDs/shield/PPS, or getting a small frame .357 like the SP101. The 9mm has more shots but the .357 packs more power.

I have a CHL and would have to carry concealed. So, weight and form are an issue. If not, I would consider something larger. I walk a lot, and sweat a lot. I was thinking the SP101 might be a good option, but I'm up for opinions.

Todd
 
I'd personaly go with a .357mag. It has more power and you'll get better penetration if you run into a hog. Just make sure you load it with FMJ.
When dealing with thick hog skulls you want something that can punch through and not just "mushroom" without penetrating.


If you do go 9mm I'd look into the XDs like you mentioned or the Sig Sauer P938.

The shield is a good 9 as well.






I don't see ya post much on TBH anymore. Thought you disappeared.




Ike
 
Last edited:
To be honest you could really make a case for both. In sketchy parts of town i'd much rather have a concealed sub-compact 9mm. But out in the woods i'd rather have a big wheel gun on my hip for hogs. I guess if I could only have one I would get the revolver, a 9mm is only gonna annoy a hog.
 
A short-barreled .357 revolver has very little ballistic advantage over a compact 9mm. If I were going for power against four-legged predators I'd go with a 4" .357, otherwise I'd rather go with the higher capacity of the 9mm.
 
BoneDigger said:
I am often in places that are "sketchy" parts of town. But, I am also in the woods a lot, where wild dogs are the biggest concern, along with wild hogs.
Click to expand...
Glock 29

concealable, powerful

carry one mag with low pressure defense loads, another with full pressure loads for the hogs. I'm not a Glock fan, but cant deny the versatility of this gun.
 
I carry my subcompact G27 in .40 both in town and in the woods. With Win bonded 180 gr JHP I figure it is a good balance of small size, capacity, and enough gun for most human and wilderness threats short of big bears. In that case I go with the M29 .44 mag.

The G29 in 10mm ought to be even better and I am considering getting one. The G27 is great for town clothes but the G29 is not much bigger and more powerful especially being able to handle the 200 gr or heavier bullets.
 
Here's an idea.

I do not own one but these are fine guns.
How about a Kahr. The hog and wild dog thing got my attention. While I am a 9mm fan the .40 S&W would be a top choice.
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-K40.asp

This seems to be a good balance of power, gun size and weight. For CCW carry it is tops.

Here's another top choice.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr40c/models.html

I've got the SR9c and it is a excellent gun.
www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=142

This way you have a 3.5" barrel that gives you a bit of a velocity boost and can hide the gun easily at the same time.

Actually Buffalo Bore makes a hardcast round for even the .45 ACP.

The SIG 239 can be had in 9x19 or in .40 S&W.

The Ruger SP-101 is a excellent choice. I own one in .327 Federal magnum.
The SP-101 comes with a 3.06" or 4" barrel. You'd get the benefit of the longer barrel versus a snub revolver.

There are lots of good choices out there.
 
I'm located near you, and haven't killed a hog with a 9mm for several days now. I usually carry an M&P most days in the woods with me anymore and don't feel the least undergunned. I can carry my Pro model or the Shield and still not feel threatened. I think the Shield offers some of the best compromise between caliber and concealment out there.
People think a hog is too tough for a 9mm, but they drop immediately with a head shot.
 
The G29 is actually an excellent choice.


I hate baby glocks. But a 10mm would be an excellent choice for hogs. Probably the best semi auto cartridge out there. And the G29 is the smallest 10mm gun out there.


Only downside is it's a double stack.

A .357sig may not be a bad choice either.

For self defense I normally only recommend 9 or 45 but for hogs I want more velocity.


.357 mag in a revolver

.357Sig or 10mm in a semi auto is what I'd go with.




Ike
 
If it were me I'd be thinking a shield in 9mm and then I'd slowly save up for that SP101, 4" model. I had a XDSC9 and liked it, but it wasn't great for anything. A little thick for all day carry, and not the best range gun either. I've now got a range 9mm and I'm saving up for the m&p shield.

Let us know what you decide.
 
If you are going to sweat all over your gun, I might be inclined to go with the SP. Being able to carry and shoot .38 or .357 is an added bonus too.

If you do go 9mm, look at the XDs by Springfield or the Walther PPS. Both are great guns, reliable and easy to carry.
 
10 to 1, half dozen of the other. I'm a revolver guy thru and thru, mostly for brass chasin and reloading issues, but I'd probably go with the 9.
 
Of the 2 options you mention, I would probably go with a 4" gun in .357 mag...( longer sight plane over a 3" ).../ capacity is not the primary issue, as long as you practice with the gun often ...and can put a couple of double taps on target ( center mass - or to an area no bigger than a 10" circle) quickly ( in 3 or 4 seconds out of a holster) out to at least 8 yds.

A revolver can be reloaded efficiently ...if you have some spare rounds in a speed clip or even loose in a pocket..

If you can't hit that 10" circle in under 4 seconds - with 2 shots out of a holster ...then you need to train more - or pick a different weapon / but capacity doesn't help you hit that 10" circle - it just puts more rounds off target - and maybe into something other than your intended target which may be a really bad thing.

In the 4" revolver ...I would favor a S&W model 19 or 66 ....( K frame / medium sized frame) ....or maybe the little larger L frame S&W 686...
 
Last edited:
If the 9mm is your choice, you don't have to reload ....there are a number of "defensive" rounds out there in 9mm at 147gr - like Federal Hydra Shok and others....
 
Retired now but use to do a lot of salvage digs all over Arizona and New Mexico. What worked for me was a Browning High Power or a colt 1911 series 70 government model for in city(always seemed to work in the lab till late at night and the area was not one of the best after dark) but carried a S&W model 65 4 inch in a center of the back holster while digging. The revolver had fewer issues with dirt and dust than did the semi-autos. Was a bigger pain to strip and clean but usually only had to do it after the dig season was over. The auto need it nightly.
 
Thanks everyone! Dirt and grime are a definate concern on this. I presently carry a LC9 IWB, but I'm not real thrilled with the trigger pull. I might upgrade soon and can afford one of the ones listed. I do like the Shield (my nightstand gun is a MP9c) but I'm not a fan of the safety on the Shield (not a fan of the one on the LC9 either).

I do like the higher capacity of a 9mm, but the .357 and stainless combo might be good given the conditions.

Todd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top