Packing On The Path: The Best Semi-Automatic Trail Guns

The venerable Glock 29SF is a compact pistol that packs a punch if you’re concerned about concealability on the trail but don’t want to sacrifice power. Chambered in 10mm, the Glock 29SF has a standard magazine capacity of 10-rounds and you’ll typically find ammunition ranging from standard ball ammunition all the way up to hollow points optimized for self-defense against smaller targets, or hard-cast ammunition which penetrates deep and can be used to significant effect against bears if push comes to shove. If you’re looking for a super reliable and hard-hitting pistol, check out the Glock 29SF. If the Glock 29 is too small for your tastes, you can upgrade to the Glock 20SF in 10mm as for a larger frame and sight radius if concealment isn’t a concern for you.

Rusty’s pick for the best trail gun is the hot FkBrno PDS pistol chambered in the 7.5 FK cartridge. This spicy hot load travels at a whopping 2000 feet per second delivering a roughly 100-grain projectile to its target with authority. To quote rusty “Basically an AK in a hip holster.” If you’re interested in learning more about our Editor’s pick this week, you should check out his full review of the FkBRNO PSD pistol here. 

The GLOCK 33 Gen4 offers convincing concealment capabilities, but with the formidable performance of the 357 SIG round. Meet the accurate, powerful, and snappy G33 Gen4 with its ergonomic external controls and grip options. 357 SIG and 10mm Auto share very similar characteristics but with the Glock 33, you’re sacrificing one single round of capacity for a slightly smaller and more compact handgun. The huge downside here is that ammunition is ridiculously hard to find and you often don’t find 357 SIG with hard cast bullets.

The venerated Ruger 10/22 has been in existence for well over half a decade and any gun owner out there is sure to know its ins and outs. The charger takedown model is an ultra-compact pistol version of the 10/22 carbine that can also be fitted with a specialized chassis to allow pistol braces or stocks to be attached after the proper paperwork has been filled out and filed. This makes for an extremely compact and potentially higher capacity option for those who like to source their food in the wild and can be used to hunt coyotes, squirrels, rabbits, and other small game animals that either pose a threat or are valuable to you in some useful way.

Although relatively new, the KelTec P50 is an extremely compact and affordable option that boats the same 50-round capacity as the FN P90. The P50 can be fitted with compact optics and a stabilizing brace right from the factory and the 5.7x28mm cartridge gives you access to targets much further away for much easier shots beyond smelling distance. It doesn’t come with a white Ferrari and salmon blazer, however, it does come with some other amazing features including two 50-round magazines from Palmetto State Armory.

Combining compact dimensions with qualities inspired by custom-grade 1911 pistols, the Emissary 4.25″ in .45 ACP is ready for everyday carry. Its Tri-Top slide features light-diffusing 40 line-per-inch serrations along the sighting plane, and a heavy-profile forged stainless steel bull barrel ensures maximum accuracy. With a forged hot salt blued slide and forged stainless steel frame with squared trigger guard and grenade-pattern checkering, you get a pistol ready for display or defense.