The Glock 29 is a compact beast of a firearm!
In the world of concealed carry, many will argue that firepower is the most important part of any self-defense encounter. For some people, .380 or 9mm is not going to cut it. They want something larger like .40 S&W or .45 Auto. For some people, even that is not enough. For those people, there is the mighty 10mm Auto.
This is a serious high-performance round with a ton of stopping power for any threat you may face, two-legged or four-legged. One of the more popular offerings on the market for 10mm is the Glock 29.
This subcompact polymer pistol was made to give users the raw power for 10mm coupled with the concealability of their slimmer and shorter height handgun offerings. This is everything to know about the Glock 29.
Specs of the Glock 29.
This is an interesting handgun because it shares characteristics with many other offerings in the extensive Glock line. For that reason, we will compare it to many other popular models for reference. Most notably, the overall size of a Glock 29 Gen 4 is comparable with that of the ultra-compact Glock 43 and Glock 26 in 9mm, and the Glock 30 .45 Auto pistol. The big difference between these two Glock models is the weight, with the Glock G29 weighing about 12 ounces more than the 43, and five ounces more than the G26. The 30 is only about one ounce heavier. The 29 comes in at 32 ounces with a fully loaded 10-round-magazine.
The Glock 29 has an overall length of 6.97 inches, and a height of 4.53 inches, making it only nominally taller than the 43. The overall width is 1.38 inches, and the slide is 1.12 inches. Obviously, they had to make the frame a bit chunkier overall since we are talking about a much more powerful firearm. The barrel length is 3.78 inches. This length is considered a bit short for some people. Some shooters like to put in a slightly longer aftermarket barrel to help mitigate some of the recoil and deliver better accuracy.
There is also the Glock 29 SF, which stands for "short frame." If you compare the specs, you will notice the two guns have identical dimensions on paper. The difference is the SF model is just a few millimeters smaller on the grips to give the gun a slightly smaller trigger distance. It is so subtle most people cannot spot the difference with the naked eye. It is not until you pick the gun up that it becomes obvious. You would probably have to get a pair of calipers out to tell the true difference. Depending on your hand size, one may give better ergonomics than the other. You might need to hold both to figure out which subcompact Glock is best for you. Remember that the Gen4 offers a modular backstrap system that allows users to adjust the fit to their hands.
A lot of people like to compare this gun to the Glock 20, which is their other 10mm offering, and the Glock 21 in .45 ACP. The big difference between those and the Glock 29 is they are both full size offerings that are closer in size to the Glock 17. This gives the 20 and 21 a better magazine capacity. However, the trade-off is more weight and less concealability.
Is the Glock 29 good for concealed carry?
Strangely enough, we hear a lot of people compare the experience of carrying the 29 to carrying the ever-popular Glock 19, which is only nominally larger frame-wise. Odds are, if you like carrying the 19, you will probably like carrying the Glock 29. Just be aware it is going to be a bit tougher to conceal and it may have better chance of printing thanks to that beefed-up slide. It may also make it slightly more uncomfortable if you plan to carry it around all day every day.
However, when it comes to firepower, you really have nothing to worry about in that department. The muzzle velocity for 10mm is roughly 1,200 to 1,500 feet per second using heavy 155 to 175 grain bullets. We are talking about anywhere from 650 to nearly 800-foot pounds of energy that this gun can dish out depending on the type of ammo. That is more than enough to put any human attacker down for the count.
The only thing you might consider is the size of the grip on this gun. Like the other subcompact Glocks, people with larger hands might find the 29 slightly less ergonomic than other guns. There are grip extensions that can help with this, but it is something to consider if you are in the market for one of these guns.
Can a Glock 29 kill a bear?
Absolutely. The recent trend with the 29 has been people who purchase them for bear defense in the backcountry. While we have been unable to find a documented case of the Glock 29 killing a bear, this gun should still do the job. After all, people have killed bears with .40 caliber and even 9mm Glocks in the past. (We do not recommend carrying a 9mm as a bear gun!) You might consider dropping in a slightly longer aftermarket barrel for a little extra muzzle velocity though. And make sure to use some serious hollow points for optimum penetration through that thick hide and expansion to stop the bear for good. It makes no sense to pack a 10mm if you are going to use cheap range ammo.
Some people prefer to carry the 29 over a more traditional revolver for bear defense. Mostly because the 10-round capacity gives you more chances against an angry bruin. Also, Glocks are extremely reliable and less prone to failure than a wheel gun might be, especially when you are deep in the backcountry. Also, the Glock is a lot cheaper than a big Smith & Wesson or Taurus revolver, making it a better option for those on a budget.
In a way, the Glock 29's chambering and size gives it a superior versatility for users who are looking for a gun they can carry against potential threats on both two and four legs. The safe action system of a Glock also means you will not be fumbling for a safety when a big bruin is running towards you. Serious shooters might consider adding some night sights for low visibility conditions and an aftermarket trigger to give a better, more crisp feel to Glock's somewhat mushy trigger pull.
Is the Glock 29 a good gun?
The Glock 29 does have a bit of a reputation for heavy recoil. What did you expect? It is a 10mm handgun. It may take some getting used to, but few owners seem to regret their purchase. This is an excellent choice of firearm for anyone who wants a super powerful semi-automatic handgun with an excellent capacity.
After all, in a life-or-death scenario, not many attackers are going to be able to continue after a shot from a 10mm. It is the type of gun you can trust your life upon both at home and in the backcountry.
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.
NEXT: THE 5 BEST HOME DEFENSE SHOTGUNS
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