The Glock 29
The Glock 29 is a compact version of the G20 10mm pistol, trimmed to fit in a CCW holster and still bring the power of the 10mm. While smaller than many common 9mm pistols, this Glock offers a power-up that is comforting in situations that warrant it.
The Glock 29 is available in both a fourth and fifth generation. The Gen 5 version incorporates some of Glock’s latest changes, including interchangeable grip backstraps, removed finger grooves, and ambidextrous slide release. These are nice features for those who are looking for them.
Related: A Review of the Glock G29 Gen 5 10mm Carry Pistol
If you are deciding which 10mm Glock would better fit your needs, I would for sure get your hands on the guns. I have average-sized hands and find the model 29 to be almost too small. I think adding a plus-2 baseplate to the magazine would solve that concern for me.
Specs
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 10+1
- Action: Striker Fired
- Barrel Length: 3.78 inches
- Overall Length: 6.85 inches
- Width: 1.38 inches
- Overall Height: 4.45 inches
- Weight (empty): 26.81 ounces
- Fixed sights
- Polymer frame
- Matte black finish
Shooting the Glock 29
I took a brand-new G29 and a few boxes of ammunition into the hills for testing. Loading the fat 10mm cartridges into the magazine wasn’t a challenge, although the provided magazine loader wasn’t as helpful as I expected. It didn’t take long before we were making hits on various targets.
Recoil turned out to be much milder than I expected when shooting 180-grain ball ammo, and controlling the gun only took a short while to master. The short grip was a slight hindrance, though one I could deal with considering this pistol is optimized for concealment.
The controls worked well and allowed quick manipulation of the pistol. The sights, though simple, were useful and effective. I like the lack of a safety, because the one time you need the pistol is the time the safety will be on.
Loaded for Bear
I imagined a scenario where one might need to use the Glock 29 in a defensive situation. The nearby creek where we were shooting has certainly been crossed by bears, and I’d chased a cougar across it myself not too long ago. So, it was easy to imagine an abrasive interaction with a dangerous animal.
I was surprised at how easy it seemed to shoot the G29, keeping shots on 10-inch targets at around 15 yards at a swift cadence. As someone who does a lot of fishing in bear country, my shooting companion mentioned how the 29 might serve as an ideal fishing mate.
After my time shooting the 29, I’d say it would be a good tool to have if an aggressive mammal were intent on hurting you – whether they be two or four-legged. A good holster for the 29 would be important. I like the Alaska Guide Creations. It keeps the pistol centrally located where you can get to it with either hand, which is good for outdoorsmen. Urban carry would probably be best served by an IWB holster.
Buffalo Bore makes some great 10mm ammunition featuring hard-cast and solid bullets in the 220-grain category. Ammo like that would be useful against dangerous animals.
Pros & Cons
I found quite a few things to like about the Glock 29. The trigger felt great and performed well. I was also impressed with how the simple sights popped and lined up for easy target tracking. For being a 10mm pistol, the 29 was impressively compact. I felt like I could carry it anywhere.
With the Glock name, you can expect reliability. The Glock 29 is a fantastic value. Few, if any, other 10mm pistols have a reputation like Glock’s and cost less. For a modest step up in price, you could get a Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm, another handgun I could endorse for bear country.
