10mm or 40 as Home Defense Gun

[trey gil]

Hello High Roaders,

Long time lurker, first time poster.
I know the home defense gun topic is posted over and over, and for bringing it up yet again I give my humble apologies. I have searched prior posts and decided that the best answer would be from a direct question, so to the point...
Does the 10mm have a place as a home defense gun?
I have read some posts here that state some 10mm factory rounds are about the same as some 40S&W rounds. I do not reload, so I will not be making "hotter" 10mm rounds than ones that can be found over the counter (or the net).
So, is there an advantage to replacing my current HD weapon (.40) with a 10mm?
Also, I am not the only one in my house and I do live in the suburbs, so overpenetration is a concern to a reasonable extent. Is overpenetration a bigger problem with the 10mm and does the 10mm make sense for use as home defense weapon?

 

[Preacherman]

Yes, overpenetration would be a concern, IMHO, with the 10mm. That said, however, a light round like Cor-Bon's 135gr. JHP (or their newer Pow'rBall design, if it's available in 10mm.) would be very unlikely to overpenetrate, so that would be a good choice to cater for this concern.

Personally, I like adequate penetration in a round. I think that a .40 S&W JHP like the Golden Saber 165gr. would give me that, with reasonable prospects of not over-penetrating. The same weight of bullet at higher velocity would probably overpenetrate, so I wouldn't go to 10mm. in that weight.

 

[Ivy Mike]

If you want to get technical, many handgun rounds penetrate hard targets better than 5.56mm ammo.

Since this isn't about rifle rounds, I'll post my thoughts on the topic at hand.
Both calibers are proven performers in many loads. Don't worry so much about over-penetration when defense of ones family is on the line. You have no control over the bullet after it leaves the barrel and either one with any bullet could very well over penetrate. The only exception might be a frangible round, but those tend to not penetrate deeply enough.

I'm rocking .40 now in a 180grn Gold Dot.
I'll do the same with my 10mm when it arrives. If I could get a heavier Gold Dot, I would.

 

[stans]

Trey Gil, welcome aboard!!!!

Now, why do you want to replace your current home defense weapon? The .40 is a fine caliber, it ain't a 10mm, but the 40 is better than a .25 or .32 caliber pistol. The .40 actually offers 45 ACP power in a 9mm size package and I think this is really a good combination. The 10, and I have one, has its place in the world, it is the 357 magnum of semi-auto pistols. So if you need a pistol that can put down a deer, then get a 10, but if the gun is not going to be used for anything but home defense, the .40 is just fine.

Also, 40 S&W ammo can be found dirt cheap, almost as cheap as 9mm and that is something that the 10mm lacks.

 

[Beren]

A new Glock 20 with 15-round magazines is on my "future buy" list. I used to own one, but foolishly traded it a few years ago. If you have big hands, it's a nice combination, but I couldn't honestly say it would be "more effective" than .40S&W or even 9mm. But I'm just a keyboard commando, so take my advice fwiw.

 

[otomik]

if you don't reload and aren't doing anything long distance or hunting then I'd say the potential of 10mm is wasted and you might was well go with a .40

also 10mm is LOUD for home defense but that's not a big consideration when your life in the line.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Preacherman, in an indoor setting, what would you consider over-penetration?

I see this cited sometimes as a reason to pick one round over another, but seems to me that in an indoor setting, with walls made of nothing but but sheetrock, every good defense caliber will "over-penetrate", even if hollowpoints are used.

In other words, I think people who are worried about over-penetration need to realize that no one is safe in the next room over no matter what round is being used.

 

[Trisha]

Just my two cents from a woman who lives in the mountains:

If you like your .40 (accurate, reliable and so on) then I'd suggest you get a nice shotgun (an 870 Police, used and in good shape will probably cost well under $200)!

And if you live in a climate where the parkas and heavier cold weather gear is coming out I'd suggest you carry 180gr truncated cone .40 ammunition (you have no way of knowing what's underneath those parkas) and practice the 'two to the chest and one to the head' drill until it's automatic.

Trisha

 

[obiwan1]

Unless you really want a 10mm, keep the .40. It's the issue caliber of many police agencies and many federal agencies (including mine). I like it and have 2 plus my issued Beretta. If you're really worried about penetration, use Glasers or MagSafes. I have seen/heard of very few problems with it. Since I don't hunt deer, the .40 has my confidence.

 

[trey gil]

Thank you all for the advice.
I have no reason to replace my current gun and don't plan on getting rid of it.
I was just trying to see if there are better handgun options for me to consider, I was also trying to do this without getting into the .45 vs. 10mm debate. While the advice is varied, it seems like there is no clear cut reason for me to upgrade from a .40 to a 10mm for a home defense purpose. Please let me know if I am wrong...but that is the conclusion I am leaning towards. I too was eyeing a Glock 20, and was wondering if it would have a reasonable place by the bed.
Thanks again for the advice and comments, and please, keep em' coming.

 

[Sean85746]

Use the 40

I have used my .40 to save my bacon when I was still a leo, and since then it has done a great job on javelina here in AZ.

I have used it in my Glocks, and a 1911, and a few other guns, and use it quite successfully in a Smith Mod 610 10mm revolver for inexpensive wheelgun practice (The Wal Mart 100 packs) make it cheap to shoot for non-reloaders. This is especially true since Wally World has Remington jhps in hundred packs now.

I have come to trust it absolutely. I am past the point in my life where I like a lot of recoil, and the .40 is a great balance of power and controllability.

It is accurate, and it works.

The 10mm, which I have in a Delta Elite, a Smith 610, and a Glock, is a bit of a kicker, and it went through and through a fat Michigan white tail deer. I Do like the near .41 mag performance when needed though.

I'd stick with the .40.

'Nuff said.

 

[Tom Servo]

also 10mm is LOUD for home defense but that's not a big consideration when your life in the line.

Actually, that could be a BIG consideration if your family's spread out over different rooms and you have to rely on verbal communication to keep track of them. That's the reason I wouldn't want to have to use my beloved 357Sig for home defense. If the confrontation happens before I've got a chance to reach the light-switch, I could be flash-blinded as well.

That said, if you're not interested in a shotgun (the best weapon for home defense), stick with the .40. You're not eliminating the possibility of overpenetration, but the 10mm would be worse of a risk.

 

[sigmaman]

40

if your local leos are using .40 there wont be no question in court that you were using some hot round cause your a killer.
my wife can shoot .40 really well so if the lady of the hosue needs it it is there
everything in our house is .40 saves money and the ammo is interchangeable

 

[hillbilly]

Trisha nailed it.

For home defense, a good pump-action 12 gauge just cannot be beaten.

And, at inside-the-house distances (like 20 feet or less) it really doesn't matter if you put birdshot or buckshot in it.

CLACK-CLACK!!!!!!!

hillbilly

 

[gripper]

Keep th e.4o,its not my prefeence,but keep it,shoot it regularry and consider a conversion barrel in .357Sig;than if you want to shoot longer and flatter......Hey I like the bottlenecks;what can I say?

 

[Marcus]

I agree with the general consensus that there`s no reason to replace the .40 with a 10mm. BUT if you already had a 10mm I`d say there was no reason to replace it with a .40 either! The 10mm is extremely flexible,low end loads are identical to .40 S&W so it`s a dead heat there. If you want more power it`s easily available but I wouldn`t bother for this application. Personally I`m a big 10mm fan but my HD pistol is a .40 simply because it has a rail for my M3 light. Marcus

 

[trey gil]

thanks for the help, all good points. Looks like that is the end of my debate, stick with the .40 it is. Or, use the shotgun......

Sigmaman and Marcus, your posts helped to drive the majority opinion home.
Thank you all.

 

[mrapathy2000]

if he had a 10mm the change to 40 S&W would be as simple as barrel change.

if you got 40S&W already stick with it.

second hillbilly on the shotgun.

 

[Sean Smith]

Does the 10mm have a place as a home defense gun?

Sure it does. It isn't for everybody, however. Superior power comes at the cost of greater blast and recoil. If this is an issue, stick to .40. If not, the 10mm has superior external ballistics even with factory ammo.

I have read some posts here that state some 10mm factory rounds are about the same as some 40S&W rounds.

Not really. There are some weak 10mm factory loads, but there are also .40 S&W loads that are weaker than 9x19mm.

Winchester, Pro Load, Cor-Bon, Double-Tap and others make factory 10mm ammo that is considerably hotter than the hottest .40 S&W ammo.

So, is there an advantage to replacing my current HD weapon (.40) with a 10mm?

Only superior ballistics.

Also, I am not the only one in my house and I do live in the suburbs, so overpenetration is a concern to a reasonable extent. Is overpenetration a bigger problem with the 10mm and does the 10mm make sense for use as home defense weapon?

10mm overpenetration is a bit of a fallacy. With hollowpoints 10mm penetration is in the same range as you see in .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

 

[jc2]

It should be noted that while the 10mm has greater external ballistics (as witnessed by the acknowledged increased in blast and recoil), it does not have an advantage over the .40 S&W in terminal ballistics. The .40 S&W delivers the same level of effectiveness (terminal ballistics) as a home/self defence cartridge without the negatives (blast and recoil) associated with the unnecessary higher external ballistics. The greater external ballistics of the 10mm do not become a factor in the 10mm's favour until you move to the hunting fields or ranges in excess of 20 to 25 yards.

 

[MCNETT]

I use one of G20's loaded with 15rds. of DoubleTap 135gr @ 1600fps. 10.75" in denim covered 10% ballistic gelatin and a nasty wound channel.
-Mike

 

[PO2Hammer]

10mm muzzle blast and recoil is over-rated by people who don't like/shoot the 10mm.
I have a good quality 10mm (Glock 20) and a real nice .40 (HK USP).
I don't see any downside to the 10mm as a defensive pistol, but it's not a huge leap over the .40 either.
If you were comparing 9mm vs. 10mm, it would be a no brainer. McNett has some great .40 loads and some slightly greater 10mm loads.
If I had to choose one load to save my hide with, it would be McNetts 10mm 135 grain JHP.
Anyone who says 'terminal ballistics are the same as .40' is just guessing.
P.S. Mike! How about something light and FAST in .40?

 

[Gunnutz13]

Repel boarders...

I'm with everyone who said why replace the 40...it's better than no gun at all...you probably have practiced with it...are familiar with it as far as being able to flip off the safety, doing reloads, clearing stovepipes, etc...and probably won't get what you paid for it in a trade / upgrade situation. When things go bump in the night here in the burbs N/W of Philly, I can grab my Mossberg 500 shotgun ("Cruiser" model), rack the action...which has that distinct ball shrinking sound of defiance...and repel boarders with 8 shots of 12 gauge persuasion. But, as always, have a plan and practice home intrusion scenarios to include: when the alarm is given every family member knows the safest room to go to...or knows to hit the deck...uses a cell phone to call 911...and that you know your backdrop and identify your target prior to shots being fired...( and no warning shots or shouting " I got a gun...or I called the police ", so as not to give away your position in your dark and familiar enviorment )...and always shoot to end the threat. They are not there to invite you to the chuch social at 3am.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I will go ahead and disagree with the consensus that a 12ga is a great home defense weapon. While they are know to stop a BG in his tracks, the 12ga loaded with buckshot (the ONLY acceptable defensive round) has a nasty habbit of not deforming when hitting harder targets. A 12ga loaded with buckshot will blow right through a wall and into the next room. You had better be damn sure of your shot before letting loose nearly a dozen projectiles in a house.That is a lot of powder behind those pellets.
Birdshot may just piss the person off. Birdshot stands a good chance of not penetrating deep enough and that isn't good; especially when an intruder could be hopped up on all kinds of drugs. If you must use a shotgun, at least load it with buck.

Do yourself(and family) a favor and use something that will more than likely stop in the BG or at the very worst, in the wall behind him should you miss. Believe it or not .223 stands just as good a chance(better in some cases) of stopping in walls than handgun calibers.
http://www.olyarms.com/gunsite.html

 

[screwman]

Well, I've never been shot, but I reckon, if hit in the chest, it's gonna suck. So if you can shoot a handgun either will do. If you can't , go with the shotgun.


Mike