The Best Trail Semi-Auto Pistols

The venerable Glock 29SF is a compact pistol that packs a punch if you’re concerned about concealment 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 will typically find ammunition ranging from standard ball ammunition to hollow point optimized for self-defense against smaller targets, or hard molded ammunition which penetrates deep and can be used with significant effect against bears when pushed. If you’re looking for a super reliable and hard hitting gun, check out the Glock 29SF. If the Glock 29 is too small for your liking, you can upgrade to the Glock 20SF in 10mm for a larger frame and sight radius if concealment isn’t a concern.

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

The GLOCK 33 Gen4 offers compelling concealment capabilities, but with the fearsome performance of the 357 SIG cartridge. Discover the precise, powerful and lively 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 sacrifice a single capacity cartridge for a slightly smaller and more compact handgun. The huge downside here is that ammo is ridiculously hard to come by and you often can’t find 357 SIGs with hard bullets.

The revered Ruger 10/22 has been around for over half a decade and any gun owner is sure to know its ins and outs. The Magazine Takedown Model is an ultra-compact pistol version of the 10/22 carbine which can also be fitted with a specialized chassis to allow attachment of pistol mounts or stocks after the appropriate paperwork has been completed and filed . This makes it an extremely compact and potentially larger option for those who like to forage in the wild and can be used to hunt coyotes, squirrels, rabbits and other small game that pose a threat or are valuable to you in a helpful way.

Although relatively new, the KelTec P50 is an extremely compact and affordable option that offers the same 50 round capacity as the FN P90. The P50 can be fitted with compact optics and stabilizer reinforcement from the factory and the 5.7x28mm cartridge gives you access to much further targets for much easier shots beyond scent distance . It doesn’t come with a white Ferrari and a salmon blazer, but 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 40 lines per inch light-diffusing serrations along the sighting plane, and a thick-profile forged stainless steel barrel ensures maximum accuracy. With a hot salt blued forged breech and a forged stainless steel frame with a square trigger guard and grenade pattern checkering, you get a pistol ready for display or defense.