Lets see where the THR is on 10mm vs 45 acp - assume you have both

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CDW4ME

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In this thread you have a Glock 20SF and a Glock 21 SF.
20SF is 16 rounds of 10mm total capacity
21SF is 14 rounds of 45 acp total capacity
You can carry a spare mag with either pistol.
You already have lots of your favorite SD ammo for both, so ammo cost nor availability is a factor.
You shoot the two pistols equally well.
Which pistol would you prefer for SD against humans?

Replies that it makes no difference, 9mm, Glock 19, those pistols are not concealable, (off topic) are a waste of keyboard and internet. ;)

Yes, I do have both, so the choice is real. :D
 
I have G20 and G29 and XD 45 full and subcompact. Actually just traded the XD sub for a G32. All things equal I take the 10mm. Fun to shoot and great ballistics plus more capacity.
 
45ACP for self defense. 10mm is great but ammo is more expensive and for self defense, I believe the the 45 with HSTs or Golden Sabers will stop an attack quicker than a hunting round. Plus, a lot of 10mm defense ammo is watered down to near 40 S&W velocity. (I would carry a 40 before I’d carry a 10.). All just my opinion.
 
I don’t have Glocks, but I have both calibers In 1911s, and there is no comparison.

When I was on the ranch I carried either a Govt Model or a CCO model 10 mm all of the time. 10 is a more versatile cartridge, but for my purposes as a retired civilian CCW old geezer living in town, I choose 45 because of less muzzle blast, recoil, and excessive penetration.
 
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So, is .45 Super off the menu? ;)

I liked the G21 I had. I've only shot a G20 once, and it must have been extremely watered down ammo.

I'd probably take the G20, depending on ammo selection.
 
You wanted to assume for this argument that I have lots of my favorite SD ammo for both, so ammo availability is not a factor, but my favorite carry ammo is Winchester Ranger "T" Series and Winchester doesn't make it in 10mm. The only ballistics information for accelerating the Ranger T 40 S&W rounds to 10mm velocities is from handloaders. Winchester does, however, make their Ranger "T" Series in .45 ACP.

Having said that, the 230gr Winchester Ranger "T" Series RA45TP .45 +P is pretty awesome.

It penetrates 15" of gel through 4 layers of denim and expands to .78" with similar results in the Heavy Clothing test.

I don't see any round short of a shotgun slug, performing better than this .45 +P round.
 
I shoot and load both.

The 10mm is hands down a more potent cartridge if loaded right, it’s flatter shooting, with the right bullet it can handle larger animals if need be, and you get a little more capacity.

The flexibility of 10mm makes it a better choice in my mind for humans or animals both. But realistically I feel 40 S&W velocity levels are all that’s needed for humans. But that doesn’t change my mind that 10mm is a better way to go.

If a person is buying factory ammo only, I’d go 45.
 
I have both. In Glock and in 1911 forms. I'd take a 10 over 45 for anything but steel shooting in a 1911. 45 is not only cheaper its easier on the 1911s. I've carried a 10mm or 44 on the farm for 20+ years. Put down everything up to cattle with it reliably.

That said I carry a 40. I would be content with anything from 9mm up so long as hunting wasnt a concern. For sd 10mm and 45 would both be just fine in my book
 
45ACP for self defense. 10mm is great but ammo is more expensive and for self defense, I believe the the 45 with HSTs or Golden Sabers will stop an attack quicker than a hunting round. Plus, a lot of 10mm defense ammo is watered down to near 40 S&W velocity. (I would carry a 40 before I’d carry a 10.). All just my opinion.

Why would you carry a 40 instead of a 10 when you can shoot 40 in a 10?

One of the things that make my G20 my prefered handgun is the wide range of ammo. Everything from tne watered down ammo you mention to hard hitting 220 gr hardcast, or 1500 fps extreme penetrators.
All of the above (including 40 S&W) cycle perfectly in my G20 without any mods.

There is nothing at all wrong with 45ACP, but I just dont think there is a semi auto platform as versitile as 10mm. So thers my two cents worth on the subject.
 
Why would you carry a 40 instead of a 10 when you can shoot 40 in a 10?

One of the things that make my G20 my prefered handgun is the wide range of ammo. Everything from tne watered down ammo you mention to hard hitting 220 gr hardcast, or 1500 fps extreme penetrators.
All of the above (including 40 S&W) cycle perfectly in my G20 without any mods.

There is nothing at all wrong with 45ACP, but I just dont think there is a semi auto platform as versitile as 10mm. So thers my two cents worth on the subject.

As someone that loves a good 10mm vs [anything] debate I am going to ask you to provide technical details (load recipe) on or a link to the manufacture that is producing a 10mm launching a 220gr bullet going 1500 fps from a 10mm Auto pistol. That is hard to believe.
 
As someone that loves a good 10mm vs [anything] debate I am going to ask you to provide technical details (load recipe) on or a link to the manufacture that is producing a 10mm launching a 220gr bullet going 1500 fps from a 10mm Auto pistol. That is hard to believe.

I think you misread what i wrote.
“220 gr hardcast, or 1500 fps extreme penetrators.” Maybe I should have specified that the Extreme Penetrators were 140 gr
 
Why would you carry a 40 instead of a 10 when you can shoot 40 in a 10?

One of the things that make my G20 my prefered handgun is the wide range of ammo. Everything from tne watered down ammo you mention to hard hitting 220 gr hardcast, or 1500 fps extreme penetrators.
All of the above (including 40 S&W) cycle perfectly in my G20 without any mods.

There is nothing at all wrong with 45ACP, but I just dont think there is a semi auto platform as versitile as 10mm. So thers my two cents worth on the subject.

I agree 10mm is versatile but I don’t believe a 10 will stop an attacker as well as a 45. Again just my opinion.

I should have clarified that I would carry a 40 over both the 45 and 10 because of grip size and quicker draw times of the 40. Again that’s just me and others might be equally quick with the larger gun. This all adds up to I think the 45 is more effective than the 10 and the 40 but the grip size of the 40 is better for a majority of hand sizes.
 
I agree 10mm is versatile but I don’t believe a 10 will stop an attacker as well as a 45. Again just my opinion.

I should have clarified that I would carry a 40 over both the 45 and 10 because of grip size and quicker draw times of the 40. Again that’s just me and others might be equally quick with the larger gun. This all adds up to I think the 45 is more effective than the 10 and the 40 but the grip size of the 40 is better for a majority of hand sizes.
i dont know if one is any more effective than the other. Please do not shoot me with either. :)
I do see your point on grip size though. One size does not fit all.
For me, I like the larger grip of m G20 over mt G22.
 
I have a G20, G21, and a G29. If forced to only keep one it would be the G29, the 1st one I'd let go would be the
G21 in 45.

Against human threats I'd consider them equals with equal quality ammo. But 10mm offers me more rounds, and more versatility. I keep the G21 as a house gun with a mounted light. If I didn't have several 1911's and will always keep plenty of 45 ammo I'd probably let it go. But I shoot it well, I don't have a lot of money in it and it wouldn't bring a lot on the used market.

45ACP for self defense. 10mm is great but ammo is more expensive

Not anymore. I can get 10mm ammo and 40 S&W at the same price and significantly less than 45. And 40 S&W works just fine in my G20 and G29 if availability is ever an issue.
 
I have glock models 20,21,29, & 30. I would pick the G20.
I like the G20 because on the ammo selection. I have shot everything but the nuclear handloads out of my G20.
With just a mag change and a slide rack, I can go from 2-legged to 4-legged ammo (I only live in black bear area).

I have converted my G21 to 400 corbon. It's fun to shoot but not SD reliable.
 
45ACP for self defense. 10mm is great but ammo is more expensive and for self defense, I believe the the 45 with HSTs or Golden Sabers will stop an attack quicker than a hunting round. Plus, a lot of 10mm defense ammo is watered down to near 40 S&W velocity. (I would carry a 40 before I’d carry a 10.). All just my opinion.

Nothing wrong with 230 gr. 45 HST or Golden Saber 185 +P - I've got both.
You think those 45 bullets stop an attacker quicker than a 180 Gold Dot at about 1,230 fps?
 
I don’t have Glocks, but I have both calibers In 1911s, and there is no comparison.
When I was on the ranch I carried a 10 mm all of the time. 10 is a more versatile cartridge, but for my purposes as a retired civilian CCW living in town, I choose 45 because of less muzzle blast, recoil, and excessive penetration.

I wouldn't generalize all 10mm bullets as being over penetrative, penetration depends on the bullet.
 
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