G30 vs G29

[SigSweet]

Hey guys I know most of you will say buy both but hear me out.

First a couple things to note
- I reload so ammo costs arent an issue
- I do not want to buy both at this point

My thought on the g30 was i was looking for something smaller then my p320 compact to EDC, only problem is i have really long fingers (wrist to tip of middle finger is 9 inches for reference) so anything single stack is out of the question.

This weekend I had the chance to shoot a gen4 g30 with a large backstrap and it felt so natural in my hand.
Only isssue is that I am really interested in 10mm and like the penetration numbers compared to 45 when out in the woods. However, I currently do not own a 45 and believe the 45 is better for 2 legged defense

My thought process is buy the g30 then get the storm lake conversion barrel and g29 mags to shoot 10mm (but looking at reviews online reliablity is hit or miss)

I also see a lot of g30 complete slides for sale so i figured I could then get a g29 and just buy a g30 upper.

Storm lake conversion is under $200
New g30 slide assembly is around $350

Has anyone here done a 10mm conversion on a g30?
Do I have to worry about the glock unsupported barrel w/ hot 10mm loads? (if so thats a pro to doing the conversion since i would have to buy a new barrel for the g29 anyway if i went that route)

 

[Marine Cpl]

A 10mm is miles ahead of a slow moving .45 ACP anyday even for 2 legged predators. Those 2 legged predators could be shooting back at you from behind cover. 1600 fps vs 800 fps is a no-brainer in my opinion.

 

[togmaster]

10mm is a tough round to shoot out of a subcompact gun. When you consider the need for follow up shots the 45 is a better option in that platform. Get the 30 for concealed carry and get a full size frame for woods carry.

So........Get both (kind of).

 

[SigSweet]

10mm is a tough round to shoot out of a subcompact gun. When you consider the need for follow up shots the 45 is a better option in that platform. Get the 30 for concealed carry and get a full size frame for woods carry.

So........Get both (kind of).

That's one of the reasons I want the 45 for EDC along with the fact i already have a couple k rounds of 45 but no 45 firearms

Also the non SF gen4 g30/29 has a heavy slide which helps mitigate recoil & a full size really offers no benefit to me in NY being limited to 10rds, velocity difference between the g20 and g29 is only about 50 ft/sec

 

[Bananabandit]

Skip the 29 and get the 40

 

[Podmonkey]

10mm seems a bit much for a subcompct.

 

[SigSweet]

10mm seems a bit much for a subcompct.

.

The g29/30 really isnt a subcompact, its similar in size to the g19 with a thicker/heavier slide & shorter handle.

It is def bigger then its subcompact friend the g26

 

[Marine Cpl]

10mm seems a bit much for a subcompct.

9mm for the win. It'll even take down a grizzly bear with the right ammo from a subcompact even.

Alaska Outfitter Defends Fishermen from Raging Grizzly with 9mm Pistol

 

[SigSweet]

damn that crazy

I wouldnt feel comfortable with my 9mm against a big human on PCP.
So i sure wouldnt trust it facing a mamma grizz charging me, esp loaded with 10 rounds (FUAC)

 

[Podmonkey]

.

The g29/30 really isnt a subcompact, its similar in size to the g19 with a thicker/heavier slide & shorter handle.

It is def bigger then its subcompact friend the g26

10mm seems a bit much for anything other than a full 4 finger grip gun. Personally I consider it to be a full size gun or bust cartridge. May as well have a full length barrel to maximize all that 10mm potential.

 

[Marine Cpl]

damn that crazy

I wouldnt feel comfortable with my 9mm against a big human on PCP.
So i sure wouldnt trust it facing a mamma grizz charging me, esp loaded with 10 rounds (FUAC)

Caliber isn't everything. It's all about the ammo you use. Hollow Points are designed to expand and parachute to a stop. A 10mm hollow point or even a .44 Magnum designed to parachute to a stop at a certain depth on a human will fair no better on a bear.

For woods carry a hardcast bullet that doesn't expand needs to be used no matter what the caliber to reach vitals on a tough animal.

 

[SigSweet]

Caliber isn't everything. It's all about the ammo you use. Hollow Points are designed to expand and parachute to a stop. A 10mm hollow point or even a .44 Magnum designed to parachute to a stop at a certain depth on a human will fair no better on a bear.

For woods carry a hardcast bullet that doesn't expand needs to be used no matter what the caliber to reach vitals on a tough animal.

Completely understand.

In 10mm I would be running the following
2 legs = 135gr HP rounds to avoid over penetration
Woods = 200gr hard cast Buffalo bore

 

[MilesTeg]

I will throw out another option. How about a glock in 40S&W and get the drop in barrel for 257 sig. Cheap plinking but serous stopping power when needed.

 

[SigSweet]

I will throw out another option. How about a glock in 40S&W and get the drop in barrel for 257 sig. Cheap plinking but serous stopping power when needed.

I have thought of going that route, butif I was going to do 40 or 357sig as carry i would buy the subcompact conversion kit for my p320. The narrower glocks dont fit my hand well

 

[Marine Cpl]

Completely understand.

In 10mm I would be running the following
2 legs = 135gr HP rounds to avoid over penetration
Woods = 200gr hard cast Buffalo bore

If price wasn't an issue, I'd probably do the same. It's the most versatile handgun cartridge in my opinion.

 

[Podmonkey]

damn that crazy

I wouldnt feel comfortable with my 9mm against a big human on PCP.
So i sure wouldnt trust it facing a mamma grizz charging me, esp loaded with 10 rounds (FUAC)

I would, or at least as comfortable as such a terrifying situation would allow. With good JHP ammo 9mm is as good as any defensive caliber and I can more shots off to boot.

 

[Deplorable Me]

9mm for the win. It'll even take down a grizzly bear with the right ammo from a subcompact even.

Alaska Outfitter Defends Fishermen from Raging Grizzly with 9mm Pistol

9mm? Bear was a snowflake liberal.

 

[71velle]

10mm is badass for sure. In the 45 also look at the 30s the slide is not just thiner its much lighter, you will notice it on the belt for sure.

 

[Marine Cpl]

9mm? Bear was a snowflake liberal.

I wouldn't go that far in insulting him. He was just a bear that didn't get the memo that 9mm's are supposed to just bounce off. That's all. Maybe he didn't learn to read just like that other polar bear from the zoo who didn't know that a .38 Special Semi Wadcutter wasn't supposed to penetrate enough to hit his vitals.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I wouldn't go that far in insulting him. He was just a bear that didn't get the memo that 9mm's are supposed to just bounce off. That's all. Maybe he didn't learn to read.

http://nypost.com/2016/05/19/nypd-checking-ammo-after-knifemans-jacket-stops-cops-bullets/

Bear needs a Carhart jacket.

 

[SigSweet]

http://nypost.com/2016/05/19/nypd-checking-ammo-after-knifemans-jacket-stops-cops-bullets/

Bear needs a Carhart jacket.

Exactly - this is the same reason why rangers always remind campers to put away food and cooking supplies over night.

If a bear were to wonder into camp and pick up a cast iron skillet sitting next to the fire. Consider any pistol round useless....

 

[Deplorable Me]

Exactly - this is the same reason why rangers always remind campers to put away food and cooking supplies over night.

If a bear were to wonder into camp and pick up a cast iron skillet sitting next to the fire. Consider any pistol round useless....

My wife is that dangerous and cranky around cast iron frying pans making breakfast early mornings too. I could probably have a better conversation with a bear.

 

[SigSweet]

10mm is badass for sure. In the 45 also look at the 30s the slide is not just thiner its much lighter, you will notice it on the belt for sure.

If I was sticking to 45 for EDC and didn't want to mess with caliber conversion I would 100% get the 30s, however the different barrels from LW or Storm Lake are not compatible with the 30s slide

 

[SigSweet]

My wife is that dangerous and cranky around cast iron frying pans making breakfast early mornings too. I could probably have a better conversation with a bear.

HAHA i feel the same way, I am sure most of the time it would be easier to understand the bear as well

 

[Deplorable Me]

I'm no expert (you folks already knew that), it seems the history of the .45 is it was designed as a people stopper, big hole, soft tissue. The .357 Sig and 10mm are penetrators that'll push through dense muscle and some bone at close range (vs heavy duty rifle cartridges.) What's unique about the 9mm (and some other pistol ammo) is that bullets have evolved over the years. Manufacturers tweak the alloy content of the lead/copper to vary penetration, expansion and disintegration of the bullet. In addition to alloy content, physical changes to a bullet also changes it's terminal performance (FMJ, soft point, hollow point, Silver Tip, Hydra Shock). That 9mm of 20-30 years ago is not the same as the one that rolled out of the factory last month. Powder is optimized to reduce muzzle flash and maximize velocity in that short barrel as well.

As a public service, send me all your old hoarded ammo from years ago and buy up newer optimized ammo.

 

[Deplorable Me]

HAHA i feel the same way, I am sure most of the time it would be easier to understand the bear as well

The bear feels our pain.

 

[SigSweet]

I'm no expert (you folks already knew that), it seems the history of the .45 is it was designed as a people stopper, big hole, soft tissue. The .357 Sig and 10mm are penetrators that'll push through dense muscle and some bone at close range (vs heavy duty rifle cartridges.) What's unique about the 9mm (and some other pistol ammo) is that bullets have evolved over the years. Manufacturers tweak the alloy content of the lead/copper to vary penetration, expansion and disintegration of the bullet. In addition to alloy content, physical changes to a bullet also changes it's terminal performance (FMJ, soft point, hollow point, Silver Tip, Hydra Shock). That 9mm of 20-30 years ago is not the same as the one that rolled out of the factory last month. Powder is optimized to reduce muzzle flash and maximize velocity in that short barrel as well.

As a public service, send me all your old hoarded ammo from years ago and buy up newer optimized ammo.

I agree

In regards to the 357sig - I'm not interested in non-straight walled pistol cartridges. Just too much work reloading and worrying about neck tension (you cannot use standard 9mm rounds reloading 357sig as the heads are usually tapered to be used in the straight walled cases)

With 9mm you are 100% correct, & that is why I currently carry 9mm, however we are all addicted to adding more pistols to our permit so I might as well diversify calibers while im at it.

As far as hoarding ammo, I just buy when its a good deal, usually ball/practice ammo so age doesnt matter much