SP101 or Glock 29 for bear defense

[AKMtnRunner]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but after searching and reading, the discussions always go off on tangents. All things (energy, weight, ammo cost and availability) set aside, which platform would lend itself to better reliability, accuracy and rapid repeatability.

I'm looking for a light but powerful package that I will take as a 3rd line of defense (my head and bear spray are the first two) against bear when going light and fast in bear country. I've narrowed it down to a Glock 29 (10mm) with an extended 4.6" barrel and an 4.2" SP101 in 357.

Spare the "I'd take a 12ga with slugs", "Gov't 45-70", or "huge handgun" suggestions. I have these larger platforms but I just can't take these with me when I'm running. All I want to know, are thoughts on the effectiveness of the platform in a sudden defense situation. Please set aside the ammo costs and availability issues and the slight (if any) difference in 10mm and 357 power.

Would either suffer from being shaken for long periods or getting sweaty while being next to me running?

Thinking about recoil, let's say that I'd be using hard cast Buffalo Bore ammo. I would be using the 4.2" SP101 for 180 gr at 1390 ft/s and for the 4.6" G29 I'd have 220 gr at 1140 ft/s. Would there be a significant difference in recoil that would affect accuracy and rapid repeatability more than the other? My experience in both platforms are relatively new but I'm falling in love with shooting so I'll be getting a lot of practice.

Anyone unlucky enough to have defensive experience with both?

From all that I've read, it seems that the auto would be more accurate and easier to make rapid shots, but could the revolver be just as good with a lot of practice?

Thanks THR!

 

[Crusader103]

which platform would lend itself to better reliability, accuracy and rapid repeatability.

Neither. They are both very reliable. They are both very accurate at handgun ranges. They are both capable of being shot faster than you can likely shoot, unless very skilled, so that's likely irrelevant.

Spare the "I'd take a 12ga with slugs", "Gov't 45-70", or "huge handgun" suggestions.

No problem. You already know that, so you must simply accept that your choice is perhaps less than ideal for what you are attempting to stop. Not an accusation by any means. Carry the most gun you can and accept the shortcomings.

Please set aside the ammo costs and availability issues and the slight (if any) difference in 10mm and 357 power.

No problem. Setting aside any potential effectiveness in stopping power, the edge goes to capacity - the 10mm.

Would either suffer from being shaken for long periods or getting sweaty while being next to me running?

Nope. Not with these two choices. Simply conduct normal inspections and preventative maintenance, as you should anyway.

Would there be a significant difference in recoil that would affect accuracy and rapid repeatability more than the other?

Semi-autos and revolvers recoil differently, most would say. But a significant difference in recoil that would affect accuracy and rapid repeatability? That is more of a shooter issue than a gun issue. Based solely upon the gun, no.

I'll be getting a lot of practice.

That's the key right there.

Anyone unlucky enough to have defensive experience with both?

Highly unlikely, especially against bear. Both calibers are proven stoppers, as far as handguns are concerned, against two-legged threats.

it seems that the auto would be more accurate and easier to make rapid shots, but could the revolver be just as good with a lot of practice?

The first statement is very, very, subjective. The second statement is universally true.

Summary: The platform choice is shooter specific. Discounting the things you specifically asked to be discounted, the only real difference is capacity. That goes to the Glock.

 

[Skribs]

Capacity, and how fast you can reload (spare me the speed reloading video, your average joe can reload an autoloader much faster than a revolver) give the edge to the Glock. It's also probably going to be smaller than that SP101.

 

[AKMtnRunner]

Thanks JScott for the thoughtful response. Yeah, I know they are not ideal tools but when I'm running in bear country up here in Alaska it is either these or no 3rd line of defense.

 

[wow6599]

I don't know if you could get more than 5 shots off before you become bear food, but I would go SP101 for one simple reason - if the bear is "on you", you can fire in to it. With an semi-automatic you are probably more likely to have a malfunction.

Fur, blood, dirt, etc. could lock-up the action. Just thinking out loud though.

 

[Skribs]

Fur, blood, dirt, etc. could lock-up the action. Just thinking out loud though.

Could lock up the cylinder, too. Reports of people pocket shooting snubbies state that after the first shot, lint and such gets caught in the cylinder and cause it to fail to turn.

 

[silicosys4]

Being on your back shooting with your gun pressing against an attacking bear is and should be a very real part of your planning. With that in mind, a revolver is much more likely to fire reliably than a semi automatic

 

[goon]

Either should work. The Glock may malfunction if the slide were to be pressed back out of battery, but a revolver can bind too.
I'm taking my SP-101 with me, but it's not ideal. It's freakin' underpowered and I know it. But with 180 grain hard cast loads it's as good as I can make it and it's better than harsh language and a pollyanna "hope and change" attitude. I'd choose it over a Glock 29 even if I had the choice (I don't) because it fits my hand a lot better than any Glock. The bigger Glocks especially feel like I'm trying to wrap my hand around a brick. I don't like that. I also have confidence in my SP-101. I know it's as reliable as any gun I've ever owned.

 

[IdahoSkies]

I went through the same thought process a while back and came to the answer of the Glock 29. The Weight/Capacity Ratio of the Glock 29 won me over. It is my backpacking gun. (which is why I went with the 29 versus the 20). I don't have the details in front of me but when I looked at it, I recall the 29 weighing less than the SP101 (especially with the longer barrel).

So I went with the Glock.

I am not a Glock fan. Was never interested in one until someone put me on to the 10mm. Then it was really the perfect platform for my needs.
my $00.02.

 

[CraigC]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Neither is ideal. Choose whichever one you're most proficient with and load it with the heaviest, non-expanding projectiles available.

Reload speed is irrelevant.

 

[fxstchewy]

If you use the SP101 order up some Buffalo Bore 180's to go in it.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

"Six of one, half a dozen of the other. " ACTUALLY, it's 5 of one, and 11 of the other.

 

[jimbo555]

I choose the ruger. It's possible while running through the woods for the glock to lose its magazine without you knowing. It happened to me while hiking with a s&w model 39 carried iwb. I fell and didn't realize till i took a break. I had a spare with me but it would have been a scramble if I needed it in a hurry.

 

[FMF Doc]

If you can shoot it well, the Glock 29 has twice the ammo and 10mm is nothing to scoff at. Additionally, it makes a find CCW piece if want that, and works well just in case your jaunt through the woods finds a 2 legged predator and not just a bear. The SP101 is a fine pistol, but if you are going to get the longer 4.2" barrel, you might as well get the extra 6th and or 7th shot of a GP100 or a 686P.

 

[Armored farmer]

"Six of one, half a dozen of the other. " ACTUALLY, it's 5 of one, and 11 of the other.

haha.....touche'

I agree with CraigC, but that is funny.

 

[jmr40]

I carry a G-20, and would strongly prefer either Glock 29 or 20. From a 4" barrel the best loads in either will be pretty equal. If you were going with a 2-3" SP the Glock would easily out perform it and be a no brainer. If you are talking black bear, either 357 or 10mm is more than adequate with power to spare. Don't believe the guys who try to tell you it has to be at least a 44 mag or 454.

The Glock will be shorter overall and weigh about the same, but you cannot discount 5 rounds vs 10-15 rounds of equal powered ammo. You can use 15 round G-20 mags in the G-29.

Revolvers do not hold up to dirty outdoors conditions as well as a quality semi either. Glocks are especially good about taking abuse that will shut down a revolver.

Now, if we are talking about a handgun specifically for hunting black bear vs protection, the revolver, with a 6" or longer barrel wins. And I might even move up to a 44. At SD ranges the 10mm or shorter barreled revolvers provide enough power and accuracy while still being small enough to easily carry. For hunting the added power and accuracy of a long barreled gun can be an advantage.

 

[powder]

Are you talkn Alaskan browns?

 

[357 Terms]

I would be using the 4.2" SP101 for 180 gr at 1390 ft/s and for the 4.6" G29 I'd have 220 gr at 1140 ft/s.

Are those 180grn 357's HP's? if so I would not use them. Hard cast or SP for optimum penetration.

Are the 220 grn 10mm's lead? if so is that barrel an aftermarket one? (what kind of barrel?)

 

[RockyTop]

This is yet another reason on the list of why I don't run.

 

[batmann]

I have shot both and, at least to me, the Glock is easier to control for any follow up shots. The recoil of an SP with the loads you are thinking of is pretty brutal and the chances are you would only get one shot off. The Glock gives you more of a chance for a second or even a third shot.

 

[RalphS]

My problem with the SP-101 is the small grips and light weight. I shoot a GP-100 with the full sized factory Letts grips and I can handle heavy 180 grain magnum loads with it but recoil is stiff. With the small grips on the SP and a 30 ounce gun, I imagine that recoil would be brutal and I'd probably get only one wild shot off with it.

I wonder how many people who are telling you to go ahead and get the SP-101 have actually tried to shoot the Buffalo Bore load and can put 5 out of 5 rounds into a 6 inch circle at 15 yards?

I shoot a handloaded 180 grain hardcast bullet at 1300 fps out of my GP-100 and it took lots and lots of practice to get to the point where I'm confident in my ability to hit a stationary target at 15 yards. Hitting a moving target is, of course, a whole different problem, but you gotta start somewhere.

And for the record, I'm not a small guy. I'm 6 foot 3 inches, 220 lbs, and work out 5 times a week, twice a week with weights. My problem is that I have XL hands. Small grips just move around in my hands.

If you have small hands and forearms like Popeye than maybe the SP-101 will work for you. The gun can certainly handle the abuse.

By the way, those Buffalo Bore rounds cost about $1.50 each. There's no way I could afford to practice with that. Missouri Bullet sells a 180 grain bullet for $38/500. It costs me about 15-18 cents a round for primer, powder and bullet to reload.

 

[AKMtnRunner]

Are you talkn Alaskan browns?

Browns are possible, but I see blacks much more often. Again, I know that a more powerful gun is much better, but I would not take a larger gun with me.

 

[olderguns]

I have the sp101, and the G29... and for woods carry it's always the g29, the reason being,
more rounds, I use G20 mags with the +2 exstentions so I have 16+1 in each mag,

 

[mavracer]

I think the Glock is probably the better choice, I love both rounds and power is about even so capacity favors the G29. That being said even the SF version feels like a brick to me, so for me I'd just carry my SP.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

I went with the SP101, for now. With Hogue rubber grips the recoil with Federal Castcore isn't too bad.
But there may be a 20 or 29 in my future.