10mm Glock or Rock Island?

[TTv2]

I've been thinking lately about getting a 10mm and I've been a Glock guy for a while, but Rock Island makes a doublestack 1911 in 10mm and I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I like the Glock, it's a good platform and if Ruger made a 10mm PC carbine it would most certainly take Glock mags, so there's a big appeal there.

The Rock Island holds 16 rounds and currently I don't own any 1911's, so there's an appeal there too. I doubt there would ever be a carbine in 10mm that uses the mags, but I don't know if 10mm carbines are ever coming out.

Need some input, what do you guys think?

 

[CZ9shooter]

I recently bought a 10mm 1911. I got the itch for a 10 and I have never owned a 1911. Two birds with one stone. I had briefly considered a Glock, but they are boring. To me, mag interchangability is inconsequential.

Like most things It probably matters what you want to do with it. Mine is mostly just a toy. I own it just to own it. I might shoot it at a deer someday. If you plan on toting it around often, one of the Glocks may be a better choice.

 

[beeenbag]

Strictly my opinion and personal preferences, but I would definitely go with the Glock. In my opinion, doing anything to the rock island is going to be tough. Unless you are super happy with its factory condition, I would imagine it being fairly tough to get aftermarket support for a rock island in A) 10mm and B) double stack. Glock has all the aftermarket support one could ask for.

Also, if you're wanting to scratch the 1911 itch, I would think the double stack frame just isn't going to reach that itch. One of the big allures for the 1911 for me is the thin profile and fat cartridge.

 

[paulsj]

The Glock can be used as both range gun and trail gun so unless you like to carry "boat anchor".......If you just want range gun it can be either one of course wearable replacement parts for 1911 will be more expensive to buy.

 

[JONWILL]

Glock just for weight alone. Glocks have a lot of aftermarket parts and are very easy to work on
On a side note go with the 6” barrel. Either get the one with the full length slide or get the model 20 and buy a 6” barrel to go with it

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I am not a Glock fan but if you want a 10mm I think that is the way to go if it fits your hand. The long slide with the MOS cut gives you lots of options.

RRA makes good stuff but Glock wins in this case.

 

[ATLDave]

Unless you are super happy with its factory condition, I would imagine it being fairly tough to get aftermarket support for a rock island in A) 10mm and B) double stack. Glock has all the aftermarket support one could ask for.

Also, if you're wanting to scratch the 1911 itch, I would think the double stack frame just isn't going to reach that itch. One of the big allures for the 1911 for me is the thin profile and fat cartridge.

Hmmm... other than the grip and magazines, what do you reckon is proprietary or non-standard about the RIA 1911's that would preclude the use of other 1911 parts?

And if you've never shot or held a double-stack 1911/2011, don't knock it. There's a reason that's the format that dominates the divisions of competitive action shooting where those gun types are allowed. Particularly when dealing with heavier recoil, the fatter grip of a double-stack reduces the "sharp" feeling... like wider tires spreading pressure.

ETA: These are purportedly the OEM mags for the RIA double-stack 10mm: http://gregcotellc.com/cart/actmag-...-1911a2-40-sw-10mm-16-rd-p16b4016-p-1612.html Looks like they'll run about $6 more than mags for Glocks.

 

[ATLDave]

Glock just for weight alone.

I would say "steel framed gun for weight alone." Weight, up to a fairly high point, helps with shooting. Of course, carry-ability is the tradeoff. But if the OP is buying a gun primarily to shoot, a heavier gun is the way to go.

 

[JR24]

I would say "steel framed gun for weight alone." Weight, up to a fairly high point, helps with shooting. Of course, carry-ability is the tradeoff. But if the OP is buying a gun primarily to shoot, a heavier gun is the way to go.

While true, Glocks plastic frames do flex and eat some of that recoil. Factoring in the high bore axis and grip angle and Glocks shoot pretty soft.

FWIW (and its subjective) my Glock 21 shoots softer than my doublestack R1 Enhanced, though both shoot very very well.

Between RIA and Glock, that's tough. I have the single stack RIA 10mm and it is a fine shooter. A little rough in the fit and finish but it has a nice trigger and is extremely accurate with my handloads.

Flip a coin? I think they are both good choices. With a 1911 trigger you'll probably shoot the rock better (but you are a Glock guy so it's not a given) and the, i believe, fiber optic sights on the RIA will be better for precise work than stock Glock 20 sights.

For the field, the Glock will certainly be lighter, my R1 clocks in at 41 oz unloaded, add 16 .45 and it's up there.

Then again, for shorter days I dont really notice much with a good belt.

 

[ATLDave]

While true, Glocks plastic frames do flex and eat some of that recoil. Factoring in the high bore axis and grip angle and Glocks shoot pretty soft.

That's true, if you're talking about mitigating the physical discomfort. I don't care for Glocks generally, but the 20 and 29 I have shot both surprised me in terms of them being less unpleasant than I expected.

However, weight does more than reduce discomfort. Muzzle rise and stability of sights are definitely factors.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

You might want to look at the CZ75-based EAA/Tanfolglio Witness with a 5 or 6" slide. I love my witness Hunter (I have a G20 too, since the early 90s).



Mike

 

[TTv2]

I don't really know what the purpose for the 10mm would be, I guess it would fill the gap of powerful big bore autoloading pistol, which the closest thing I have to that now is my Glock 35.

Long term goals for the 10mm pistol would be to get a threaded barrel and suppress it with subsonic handloads. When not using suppressed I'd be shooting/testing hot 10mm handloads with Speer or Hornady JHP's.

The MOS for the Glock 40 is appealing, but the 1911 will have a faster trigger.

I could also wait and see what 10mm pistols come out in the next few years.

 

[ATLDave]

I could also wait and see what 10mm pistols come out in the next few years.

Existing choices:

• Tanfoglio/EAA (happens to be what I have and like a lot), the main other higher-capacity option
• Sig
• A bunch of other 1911 makers
• Ruger's 10mm revolvers

For a while, Grand Power was sending some 10mm's into the market, but I have the impression that has dried up. In any event, there are a pretty decent number of choices already. If you want to play with the 1cm cartridge, things are waiting for you!

 

[tarosean]

I would imagine it being fairly tough to get aftermarket support for a rock island in A) 10mm and B) double stack.

Its a rip off of the Para design... Rem makes the same gun too. Besides the only thing that can beat glock in aftermarket support, is in fact a 1911 type gun.

 

[JR24]

Its a rip off of the Para design... Rem makes the same gun too. Besides the only thing that can beat glock in aftermarket support, is in fact a 1911 type gun.

If it's as close as the Remington R1 is to the Para, then Mec Gar 14.45 mags should work.

Much cheaper than Remington mags for my R1, and mine runs mec gar mags perfect.

The MOS for the Glock 40 is appealing, but the 1911 will have a faster trigger.

FWIW I run my Glock 21 faster than my 1911s despite the trigger and weight. Just did again today with some 5 x 5 drills.

 

[tarosean]

The MOS for the Glock 40 is appealing, but the 1911 will have a faster trigger.

If you want to go that route, just mill the slide.. You will end up spending around the same $$$ and the sight will sit lower than the MOS system.
I bought a 34MOS when they first came out and would just mill if I had to do it over again. The plate thickness appears to be trivial until you mount the gun repetitively.

 

[TTv2]

Now that I think about it, IDK if the micro red dots will hold up to the 10mm's recoil. Forget about MOS or red dots, I can't trust them until they've had more time out in the field.

Existing choices:

• Tanfoglio/EAA (happens to be what I have and like a lot), the main other higher-capacity option
• Sig
• A bunch of other 1911 makers
• Ruger's 10mm revolvers

For a while, Grand Power was sending some 10mm's into the market, but I have the impression that has dried up. In any event, there are a pretty decent number of choices already. If you want to play with the 1cm cartridge, things are waiting for you!

The GP100 10mm would be a cool gun to have given all the .40 S&W ammo I have, but suppression is something I want to do with the handgun and that rules out revolvers.

I'm only interested in doublestack 10mm's. On the off chance that more companies start making 10mm carbines, they'll only build them to accept doublestack mags. I mean, how many PCC's that use single stack mags do you see available? Just Hi Point and those are proprietary.

 

[JR24]

If you are thinking PCC compatibility you're gonna want the Glock. Much higher chance of that working than the RIA I'd wager.

I am curious why you want to suppress the 10mm with subsonics, that seems to negate the advantages of 10mm. Might as well use .45 or .40 at that point. But, hey, if it makes ya happy!

 

[JR24]

Double Tap.

 

[TTv2]

If you are thinking PCC compatibility you're gonna want the Glock. Much higher chance of that working than the RIA I'd wager.

I am curious why you want to suppress the 10mm with subsonics, that seems to negate the advantages of 10mm. Might as well use .45 or .40 at that point. But, hey, if it makes ya happy!

Between 10mm and .45, I'd rather have 10mm. I'm not into having a pistol in both calibers, not when a subsonic 10mm handload can be effectively suppressed. If I can make a good subsonic handload, then I'll also have the option of the max power 10mm in the same gun and get all the advantages of the caliber over .45 ACP- higher capacities, flatter trajectories, and better ballistics.

Glock mags are popular in non Glock guns and the magazines, both Glock and aftermarket, are a large part of the reason I bought Glock.

 

[ATLDave]

You can definitely make a nice subsonic handload in 10mm. I make and shoot a lot of 220’s running ~800 FPS.

 

[FL-NC]

I have nothing against 1911's, I have several. But the idea of one in a caliber other than 45 ACP or maybe 38 Super just seems "wrong". The idea of one in any caliber made in the Philippines seems... "unseemly". I'm not trying to be a snob, that's just the way I feel. I have heard good reviews about those guns, but I'm happy with my Colts, Kimbers, and Springfields, as well as my GI Remington Rand. If I felt the need to carry a handgun for protection from critters (other than the Glock 23 (40) and Glock 21 (45) I use for that purpose now), I would buy a 10 mm and it would be a Glock, since I don't care for revolvers, which would eliminate magnum calibers. Otherwise, I have no use for 10mm, due to price of ammo and what is more recoil than I care for.

 

[TTv2]

I feel the 10mm is the best all around large pistol/duty pistol cartridge. It's got a variety of power levels it can shoot, from 9mm level to full power 10mm, it's got better ballistics than 9 or .45, it holds more than .45, it penetrates barriers well, it works well on people and fine on large, dangerous animals.

I've felt for years now that 10mm has all the strengths of .45 and the only weakness is ammo cost and availability at the local store. The only reason to buy a .45 is if you want to run it suppressed and if you aren't going to do that and use it only as a home defense pistol, then a .45 Hi Point is the best $200 you'll ever spend money on.

 

[JR24]

I feel the 10mm is the best all around large pistol/duty pistol cartridge. It's got a variety of power levels it can shoot, from 9mm level to full power 10mm, it's got better ballistics than 9 or .45, it holds more than .45, it penetrates barriers well, it works well on people and fine on large, dangerous animals.

I've felt for years now that 10mm has all the strengths of .45 and the only weakness is ammo cost and availability at the local store. The only reason to buy a .45 is if you want to run it suppressed and if you aren't going to do that and use it only as a home defense pistol, then a .45 Hi Point is the best $200 you'll ever spend money on.

If you're talking hand load or boutique (Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Doubletap, etc) I would tend to agree.

Most other factory loads, particularly SD loads, dont impress me over .45, or even .40.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/10mm-auto-self-defense-ammo-ballistic-gel-tests/

 

[TTv2]

If you're talking hand load or boutique (Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Doubletap, etc) I would tend to agree.

Most other factory loads, particularly SD loads, dont impress me over .45, or even .40.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/10mm-auto-self-defense-ammo-ballistic-gel-tests/

I am talking handloads or the premium 10mm ammo. But were one to want a lower power 10mm, the standard loadings from other companies *cough* Federal *cough* are more in line with .40 ammo, if not a warm 9mm load.

Standard 10mm isn't impressive, but it's not useless, not when the upside is Buffalo Bore, Doubletap, and Underwood stuff can also be shot in the same gun. Think of it like .38 Special and .357 Magnum, but in the same cartridge.

BTW, thanks for the link to the luckygunner tests for 10mm. I had no idea they did it last month.