Who Makes The Best 10mm Pistol?

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WrongHanded

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I have no idea, but I thought we should discuss it.

Parameters: No custom shop pistol, off the shelf only. Revolvers are allowed. No aftermarket modifications allowed, stock out-of-the-box handguns only. Must be in current (or at least recent) production, so nothing discontinued in the 90s.

What do you think, and why?
 
Even without the custom shop, parameters may be too wide.

For me, a quality 1911 or revolver is always going to be a better gun because of some prejudices. But perhaps not more practical.

For my only 10mm I chose a Gen 4 Glock 20, which I trust to function (even with somewhat out of spec rounds or 40 sw) and I trust myself to shoot it predictably.
 
The original Smith 1006 series are built like a tank and are excellent guns, albeit on the heavy side and with limited capacity. The Glock 20 or 29 are the only other proven designs. Everything else out there has shown to have issues or are too new to say for sure.

I owned a G20 for a very long time but sold it after getting a smaller G29. I shot the smaller gun just as well and it would take 15 round G20 mags. So, depending on how I was carrying I had the versatility of a compact gun with 10 round mags, or a full-size gun with 15 round mags. I also liked the ability to mount a light. It was my hiking/camping pistol in bear country.

When Smith came out with their M&P in 10mm the compact checked off all the boxes for me and bought one. It splits the size difference between the G20 and G29 while still holding 15 rounds. I chose the version with a 1911 style safety. I was never comfortable keeping a round chambered in the Glocks while in my sleeping bag. In a holster, on my hip I'm fine with it.

My Smith has a 4 lb trigger, (vs 6 lbs on my G29), and I shoot it more accurately. I like the sights better too.

How well it holds up is an unknown. But if asked today which I'd recommend it would be the Smith. Or if you want to be conservative and stay with something with known reliability, go Glock.
 
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Springfield has the XDM elite in 10mm as a duty size and compact model. I like shooting them both, but the compact fits my hand a tad better. I also like my G20 Gen 4. Haven't had time to pick a favorite just yet. Those M&Ps look nice and I've had good luck with that series in other calibers, but for now I'll work on feeding what I've got.
 
Up north here, the 3 big 10mm you see are the Glock, XDM, and M&P.

Every once in a while I'll see a Witness and saw one Grand Power.

1911 are also plentiful.

Best "nice" 10mm is the Dan Wesson in my mind.

Best "tool" 10mm in my mind is the M&P10.

But long term the M&P10mm still needs proven. I plan on carrying one, I just have to get a long range session in to treat it with hot loads.
 
Only have a G20. Works when i need it. Recently got a new 6" barrel so i can shoot lead and not get that Glock smile on my brass.

10mm is not a caliber to have a "bad gun". Too powerful. Ive never seen a Jennings 10mm...

I would like a Blackhawk in 10mm/38-40. But i already have a gun in either so its not a priority. A 10mm AR interests me more.
 
I really want to like the M&P10 but until they get some bugs worked out it's off the table.

The Glock 20 has all the attributes of the perfect 10mm except for the ergos.

I've tried, I really did.
I even tried the 19 and the 23 but they simply do not feel comfortable and I don't shoot them well.
Period.
So, they're out.
Not a fan of the new SIG bl(based entirely on looks, so not fair) but, in all fairness I haven't held one yet, just looks like a plain, cookie cutter design. I need to get my hands on one to make a fair decision.

Revolver, have my interest, I'm a huge revolver fan and they have the added benefit of total case support and not loosing brass (that pisses me off)

Aside from the various 1911's (which, let's be honest, are probably just slightly outside the design parameters of true 10mm performance) that leaves the Springfield XDM Elite which I cannot find in stores anywhere local.
 
If we're talking an autoloader, Glock. I know a lot of people have a soft spot for the Colt Delta Elita and other 1911's, but the 1911 design has not proven to be a seemless fit for 10mm. Springfield, S&W M&P have a 10mm model, but I've not heard much feedback on them.

If you're looking to get your first 10mm, Glock is the best choice. If you like it and want more 10mm, then you start looking at others and see if they fit you.

If we're talking all handguns, then the best 10mm is a revolver either the S&W 610, Ruger Super Redhawk, or Blackhawk.

While I like the Glock I get the sense I'd shoot a 10mm revolver better. I just dont have an interest in a 10mm revolver unless it's chambered for 10mm Magnum.
 
It seems like we have a lot of Glock...well not love, but acceptance, where the 10mm is concerned.

Fortunately for me, a G20 is what I have. It will be very interesting to see how some of these other polymer guns do.

No mention of the Sig P220 yet either. I certainly thought the .45 I had was solid, but perhaps the P220 doesn't work so well with the 10mm?
 
I am in the market for a 10mm high capacity pistol . What keeps me from the Glock in 10mm is the partially unsupported chamber and the Glock smile that you sometimes get on your brass shooting the .40 and 10mm . I would want to shoot some hot loads and cast reloads a lot . I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that with the factory Glock barrel , so that would add to the cost of the pistol for a aftermarket barrel . It’s new , but I am going to look at the Sig 320 10mm .
 
It seems like we have a lot of Glock...well not love, but acceptance, where the 10mm is concerned.

Fortunately for me, a G20 is what I have. It will be very interesting to see how some of these other polymer guns do.

No mention of the Sig P220 yet either. I certainly thought the .45 I had was solid, but perhaps the P220 doesn't work so well with the 10mm?

I always forget about the P220.
I don't think I've ever seen one in person though.
 
I am in the market for a 10mm high capacity pistol . What keeps me from the Glock in 10mm is the partially unsupported chamber and the Glock smile that you sometimes get on your brass shooting the .40 and 10mm . I would want to shoot some hot loads and cast reloads a lot . I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that with the factory Glock barrel , so that would add to the cost of the pistol for a aftermarket barrel . It’s new , but I am going to look at the Sig 320 10mm .

I don't know what the new ones look like (since I have sworn off Glocks, I'll probably never know)

I reload 10mm so I use the cartridge to it's full potential (at least real close to it)

I simply don't trust them as far as barrel support.
That's why I chose a 1006.

My buddy's G20 was horrible about bulging brass (with both factory and factory level reloads)
Mine wasn't AS bad but I still didn't trust it.

Neither keep them very long.

Honestly, they are probably the best 10mm on paper, high cap, inexpensive mags, humongous aftermarket.
Just nasty ergos and bad case support in my case.

Just my $.02
 
Yes, I agree.

Not sure "Glock Perfection" isn't stretching it a little.

@red rick depending, of course on which aftermarket barrel you would buy it wouldn't be more than a couple boxes of decent ammo at todays prices.
If you truly like the Glock otherwise, it's something to consider.
 
I am in the market for a 10mm high capacity pistol . What keeps me from the Glock in 10mm is the partially unsupported chamber and the Glock smile that you sometimes get on your brass shooting the .40 and 10mm . I would want to shoot some hot loads and cast reloads a lot . I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that with the factory Glock barrel , so that would add to the cost of the pistol for a aftermarket barrel . It’s new , but I am going to look at the Sig 320 10mm .

The Springfield XDM offerings eliminates those problems. I have one….great firearm.
 
I forgot about the relatively newish Ruger Super Redhawk in 10mm...

No personal experience with it, though.

WOW! Super Redhawk eh?

First thing I'd do is punch that out to 10mm Mag I don't know what else that would be good for.

Talk about overkill in regular old, puny 10mm.

Wouldn't have to ever worry about wearing it out!

Now Ruger's Match Champion in 10mm on the other hand ;)
 
The Springfield XDM offerings eliminates those problems. I have one….great firearm.

Yep, that's the conclusion I came to as well.

I'm assuming case support is a non-issue?

I only ask because I haven't heard one way or the other (same with S&W M&P for that matter.

I think new 10mm buyers aren't as concerned with case head support because the majority (not all, mind you, just the run of the mill stuff) is downloaded enough not to matter.

It's when those of us who try to make the 10mm what it was originally designed to do that manufacturers run into issues.
 
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