45 Camping handgun

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  • Ikaros240

    Member
    Aug 11, 2020
    76
    Thinking about picking up a 45 handgun for my solo camping adventures, figured 45 should be a decent middle ground for both anti human and anti animals.
    What would some good options for this role? For me ammo capacity is a must so most single stacks are out of the question, and I've been looking up FNX 45, USP 45, CZ 97, and maybe the M&P 45 if I can find one. I know theres good options such as the HK 45 or the Glock 21, but personally I find both of those ugly and if theyre ugly I won't take them out to train as much, so that's a no go.

    Let me know your recommendations or experience with those!
     

    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 2, 2017
    32,168
    Sun City West, AZ
    While I'm admittedly a 1911 guy, I also have a H&K USP45 and a Sig P220...both are excellent. The H&K has a higher capacity and lighter weight but doesn't feel as good in the hand as the Sig. I've no experience with the others you mentioned so I can't comment in them.

    Also...no argument with the choice of a .45 but you might consider the 10mm as well.
     

    Occam

    Not Even ONE Indictment
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 24, 2018
    20,237
    Montgomery County
    Ugly is as ugly does. The Glock is indeed hideous, like Jake From State Farm, but it works. I love my CZ 97, but for camping? The Glock had more capacity and significantly less WEIGHT when you're doing loaded down miles on foot. But for out in the wild, worried about both humans and possibly large predators or a pissed-off form of large hoofstock, etc., I'd go with the G20, thus using 10mm. That's a better tool for the odd cranky bear or whatnot. Yup. Ugly, like every Glock. But they work and don't weight a lot. Survival vs. aesthetics isn't a hard thing to figure out. I built a G20 clone for just this sorta use.
     

    welder516

    Deplorable Welder
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 8, 2013
    27,304
    Underground Bunker
    I spent multiple days & nights in the wilderness of Oklahoma a few years ago , i packed a .44 mag revolver and my 938 with spare ammo . We drove in a logging road and then hiked about an hour , so i had a bear gun in case .

    I would pack for critters to defend myself if i could not avoid those hazards . At night we would hear the howling at the moon which really was amazing .
     

    Ikaros240

    Member
    Aug 11, 2020
    76
    I was also debating on a 10mm, but main issue is the price of 10mm means that I won't be able to train with it as much, and I'd much rather have a gun that I am comfortable with than a gun that is more powerful but less comfortable. Also I've read up on some 45 vs bear encounters it seems like it is still effective, just need to shoot the bear a few more times hence my requirement of a double stack.

    So far I am leaning toward the FNX since that one have a 15+1 capacity and being polymer frame also meant that it will be light enough to take around, and having full ambi controls is a big plus in my opinion
     

    MattTheGunslinger

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 26, 2010
    1,373
    Baltimore county
    Out of all the .45 handguns I've owned or shot, I shot the best with a 1911. Which is strange because I really didnt like them in the beginning of my gun loving career. I know its low capacity and stupid heavy, but I personally would choose the 1911 because I know how to handle it very well. I feel 100% confident in my abilities with the 1911. Maybe go rent a few to see what you shoot well. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the big names. Glock, S&W, FN, they all make great guns.
     

    Occam

    Not Even ONE Indictment
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 24, 2018
    20,237
    Montgomery County
    I'd much rather have a gun that I am comfortable with than a gun that is more powerful but less comfortable.

    The G20 handles pretty much like any other full sized Glock. If you can routinely handle a G17 shooting 9mm for practice, you're not going to have trouble putting a G20 to work. I was pleasantly surprised how non-abusive that 10mm was to shoot. Not at all obnoxious. Sure, you could hit it with some really spanky loads ... and indeed that might be what you'd want onboard while out in the sticks and only minded to use it to save your life. But you can practice all day long on the cheapest 10mm you can find, or get your Glock muscle memory down using something like a G17. Obviously all very subjective. I much, much prefer shooting my favorite all-steel pistols. But I sure as heck don't want to haul one camping!
     

    joppaj

    Sheepdog
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Apr 11, 2008
    46,452
    MD
    Where are you camping and is it legal to carry a handgun there? Do you need a gun there or do you just want to carry one? Thats not a judgement but an honest question. Hollowpoints are great against people, less so against bears. What would your ammo choice be?
     
    I am also a proponent of 10mm with hard cast projectiles in bear country. There is a reason the Glock 20 (10mm) is the most popular outdoor defense handgun in Alaska.
    My Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum is more powerful than my 10mm, but my 10mm holds an extra 10rds before reloading. Yes, 16rds of 10mm is better than 6rds of .44 Magnum in my eyes.
     

    Topher

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 8, 2008
    4,817
    Fredneck
    For camping... Go Glock. Caliber is up to you for the reasons stated above.
    I have both a .45 acp Glock and a 10mm Glock. Glock is an excellent choice for the application. My two cents.

    Good luck.
     

    DocPeanut

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 20, 2010
    2,403
    I have an xdm in 10mm, the 45 is just a hair smaller but has 13+1 capacity. The xdm is an amazing platform
     

    IronEye

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 10, 2018
    790
    Howard County
    Ugly is ok in a woods gun. You don't have to stress about getting it scratched or rusty so you'll carry it when you need it.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    Taking as a given that you have decided upon a full size double stack .45acp , ( and it's not a terrible choice ), the answer is simple :

    Whichever one you like/ shoot well .
     

    Bisleyfan44

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 11, 2008
    1,758
    Wicomico
    So far I am leaning toward the FNX since that one have a 15+1 capacity and being polymer frame also meant that it will be light enough to take around, and having full ambi controls is a big plus in my opinion

    A buddy of mine has one. It is huge, blocky, heavy, has a rough texture, and feels unbalanced in my hand. And light weight? Have you weighed 16 rounds of 45acp? The gun is no lightweight by any measure.

    Get what you want and what feels best to you, but I hope you actually get to hold a fully loaded FNX before you decide. What looks good on paper and spec sheets often look way different when you're holding it in your hand.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Op, the .45 ACP is a low pressure caliber, which as has been said, is good for shooting people, not so much big animals. Here is a good video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gtTEEm1-1A

    For most of my life, I have carried a sidearm in the woods. Most of the time it has been a .44 Magnum. If I were still hunting and camping today, it would be a Glock 20. 10mm ammo will become more available in the future. You can also get Lone Wolf 9mm barrel to practice with.
     

    deathracer

    Active Member
    Feb 14, 2010
    108
    Thinking about picking up a 45 handgun for my solo camping adventures, figured 45 should be a decent middle ground for both anti human and anti animals.
    What would some good options for this role? For me ammo capacity is a must so most single stacks are out of the question, and I've been looking up FNX 45, USP 45, CZ 97, and maybe the M&P 45 if I can find one. I know theres good options such as the HK 45 or the Glock 21, but personally I find both of those ugly and if theyre ugly I won't take them out to train as much, so that's a no go.

    Let me know your recommendations or experience with those!
    Camping anywhere in MD, you would need a CCW unless private property. Outside of that, local surrounding states, nothing more then a shotgun would be needed "maybe" to scare off a bear (which I doubt). For anti-human, if you are scared to be in the woods camping by yourself; don't go. Odds are you are in more danger in MD walking to your front door from your car, then in dark isolated woods most people are scared to be in by themselves for really no reason.

    Best thing for camping is a dog for so many reasons.
     

    Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,852
    I was also debating on a 10mm, but main issue is the price of 10mm means that I won't be able to train with it as much, and I'd much rather have a gun that I am comfortable with than a gun that is more powerful but less comfortable. Also I've read up on some 45 vs bear encounters it seems like it is still effective, just need to shoot the bear a few more times hence my requirement of a double stack.

    So far I am leaning toward the FNX since that one have a 15+1 capacity and being polymer frame also meant that it will be light enough to take around, and having full ambi controls is a big plus in my opinion

    If you're thinking about the Glock 21, remember that you can buy just the upper half and turn it into a Glock 20. Best of both worlds.

    I went with the 20 because 46 rounds of 10mm is a lot of "leave me alone".
     

    python

    Active Member
    Apr 15, 2010
    600
    Ever considered a revolver? The S&W 625 is an excellent choice. Using moon clips is fast and and easy, and your ammo choices can run the gamut from standard ball to 45 super. Of course, if ammo capacity is at the forefront, this suggestion is moot. I readily admit that gunfights on camping trips present a real challenge with only six shots
     

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    miles71

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    Jul 19, 2009
    2,522
    Belcamp, Md.
    Lots of glock lovers, and that's ok, but check out the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 full size 45. '''Tis a great feeling and shooting pistol, silly reliable, and pretty easy carrying.

    Be sure to check with the campsites, many have "no guns" rules. If you are lucky enough to have a place to camp on your own i am jealous.

    TD
     

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