Get into 10 mm?

[SKILCZ]

I'm debating getting into 10 mm. My primary purpose is to have a potent semi-auto trail gun (and some fun at the range).

What are the downsides, other than cost of ammo? Anyone have a better recommendation for a trail gun? I'm on the fence about .44 mag & .357 mag, and I'm not much of an expert on wheel guns.

In 10 mm, what is a gun that can handle everything from full power loads to light "pseudo-.40 S&W" loads w/o blowing up? Witness? Glock 20? S&W? Kimber? Dan Wesson? Colt?

I've always been intrigued by the caliber & have wanted to get into it. I'm not really a Glock guy, but I love CZs, which makes me want a Witness. I haven't seen reviews of the polymer-framed 10 mm Witness, but I'm skeptical. Steel seems like a better bet (strength, weight to absorb recoil, etc.).

Thoughts? Opinions? Is it better to just stick to a potent wheel gun (.357 mag, .44 mag, etc.)?

 

[ReloaderFred]

I didn't vote, because I feel it's a personal decision and only you can make it.

I own several Witnesses in 10mm, both full-size and compact. I also own two Colt Delta Elites, a S&W 1006 and a S&W 610 Revolver. I like the caliber, but to get the best from it, and keep the costs down, you must reload for it. The only commercial ammunition that even comes close to being loaded to it's potential is the Winchester 170 grain Silver Tip ammunition, which is very expensive and also very hard to find. There is Double Tap, and it's good from what I hear, but I've never fired it, since I load almost all my ammunition.

I live in bear country, and I carry one of my Witnesses when walking the dogs in the woods behind our house. I feel comfortable with the 16 rounds of 10mm the Witness affords me.

If you don't handle recoil well, then you may have a problem with the 10mm, even though I don't find it uncomfortable, but I carried a .41 Magnum S&W Model 57 as my duty weapon for many, many years, and shot it a lot. The 10mm isn't for everyone, but those who like it, really like it. My suggestion would be to shoot one, if possible, before buying one.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[SKILCZ]

I've only fired Glocks in 10 mm b/c I can't find anything else in 10 mm at any ranges & I don't know anyone else who's into 10 mm. I can handle the recoil (of the Glock, anyway) and still shoot it accurately, but I'm not a big fan of Glocks overall. The grip angle just doesn't work for me intuitively.

 

[AFPVet]

I love my Glock 20 with Double Tap! Recoil is not much more than a .45 with the full size platform IMO.

 

[surjimmy]

I love the 10mm, I have one in a Custom Delta. With hot loads you are in the same class as a 41 mag. Pro's over revolver, more rounds, easier to carry. Cons you are only guaranteed 1 shot. All autos as you know can jam.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The Glock doesn't fit my hand, either. I have large hands, and the angle is all wrong. I was forced to carry a Glock 22 for the last year and a half before I retired, and I put a lot of rounds through it, but it never felt comfortable to me, which is why I don't own one now. I own a lot of handguns, but only ones that fit and feel good to me.

The Witness fits like a glove and points well. The S&W doesn't fit as well, but still shoots good. It's built like a tank, and it's too bad they dropped them from the line-up. The Delta Elites are, well, 1911's with a louder bark and harder bite. The 610 Revolver is deadly accurate, and with it's 6.5" barrel, gets the most out of the round.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Chuck Warner]

....he just has to make that 1 count! the ten will do it.

 

[wally]

What are the downsides, other than cost of ammo?

The difficultly of finding your empties if you think you will reload. I've three 10mm, Delta Elite, EAA Elite MAtch, and Glock 20SF. All launch the brass into near earth orbit, I'm lucky to recover half

--wally.


--wally.

 

[SKILCZ]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[kdstrick]

I've heard great things about the D Wesson 10mm.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I know you don't like it but here it goes anyway...

The Glock 20 is always with me in my backcountry ventures through the Rockies. I am one of the rare few who actually like the great big grip. It does great in rain, dirt, mud, snow, cold, etc. The polymer frame is the way to go for 10mm IMO... it's more durable and it helps tame recoil. I can't say enough about my G20... I absolutely love it. I just wish I could afford to shoot it more. I will definitely get the Lone Wolf .40 conversion barrel soon and get a couple cases of .40 chew on.

G20 + full house DoubleTap loads = A thing of beauty (make that 15+1 things of beauty)

 

[trstafford]

Best of both worlds

Love my Delta Elite but you can have the best of both worlds

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=86953&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

 

[1911 Operator]

i'd go with 357 magnum. most 10mm loads these days are downloaded to almost 40 cal velocities, so what's the point?

and the 10mm is harder to find and more expensive than the 357 magnum.

plus nothing beats the reliability of a good wheelgun.

besides, what do you need 16 rounds of full power 10mm for anyway? planning on getting jumped by a squadron of wild animals?

 

[jwalker497]

For those that understand the Law of Diminishing Returns, the Glock 20 is the APEX!!

15 rounds of 10mm in a SF Glock. Who could ask for me?? Although I would like to see a single stack 9mm. Honestly, It doesn't get any more powerful and practical than this.

 

[rondog]

I'm afraid to shoot a 10mm. I've found some empty brass, and I know that if I shoot one, I shall lust insatiably for one. I don't think I could resist a 10mm carbine though.

 

[Mainsail]

G20SF. The short frame model fits the hand better.

 

[atblis]

Glock 20
or
329 PD. Very light. 44 Mag > 10mm

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I'll say with the others that the Glock 10mm is your top logical choice. 15 rounds, lightweight, weather resistent, established durability and reliability, all in a potent package, equal to or better than a hot .357. The 10mm can launch a 200 grain pill that cuts a bigger swath than any .357. Not a bad thing for the woods, or on the street. That being said, I like the 1911 in a 10mm, too. Below, a custom 10mm with conversions for .45, and .38 Super (extra 9mm barrel not shown).

[/IMG]

 

[IdahoLT1]

Im not a fan of Glocks at all. Yea if you hurled it from a space shuttle, it wouldnt burn up in the atmosphere but the grip is all wrong. It can withstand a nuclear explosion, but what good is it to you if you cant shoot it accurately and none of the shots that matter hit their target?

Ive owned a G23C and a G19 and shot thousands of rounds through them and will never own one again. I have my 1006 and it points like a 1911 and is just as accurate as my EAA match 10mm. So if you know you dont like Glocks, why consider one? There might not be alot of options out there for 10mm, but there are some good guns to choose from.

If you have a black bear charging you, do you want a gun that has 15+1 capacaity but you'd be lucky to land a shot or do you want a gun that has an 8 or 9+1 capacity(1911, S&W 1xxx) that youre more accurate with. If i get charged by one, i would be damn lucky to get 3 or 4 shots off. I want as many of those to hit. plus, Glocks are notorious for jamming from limp wristing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsewsolPyBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh9JhCyFFxA

If you have a 400-500lb animal on top of you, i dont think youre gonna have the best grip on your psitol, if its even in your hand.

 

[Mastiff]

I'd go with a 1911 chambered for 460 Rowland in a trail gun. I reload, so the relative scarcity of store bought ammo is not a problem. It can exceed 44 Magnum performance in the 1911 platform.

 

[tango2echo]

One more vote against the Glock grip angle.

I think the 10mm is great, but the cost of the ammo drove me away. I sold mine a few years back (built on 1911 platform). In my area ammo is hard to find and over $45 a box. I can buy/load a crap load of .45acp for what a few boxes of 10mm cost.

t2e

 

[TurboFC3S]

I wouldn't get a Glock 10mm if you reload, they definitely bulge brass ... I only shoot mild-to-medium loads from my G29. For the hot and nuclear stuff I use my Fusion 10mm's, or even my Witness 10mm. You could always get a 10mm double stack built from Fusion, I'm fighting the urge to have one built myself.

 

[IdahoLT1]

It can exceed 44 Magnum performance in the 1911 platform.

No it cant. A .44mag can push a 340gr bullet at the same speed a .460 Rowland can push a 230gr. bullet. The .460 Rowland is a good, hard hitting caliber, but its not 44mag performance. Just like the 10mm isnt .41mag performance. All the data from buffalo Bore and double tap(2 manufacturers that are known for loading "hot, hot" ammo) suggests that the 10mm has the same amount (+/-10fps) of performance as the .357 mag in the same barrel lengths and bullet weights. the top loads for the .460 Rowland are ~300fps slower than the tops loads for .44mag, with the same bullet weight and barrel length.

 

[CZF]

If I wanted a .357 magnum diameter and power, I'd go .38 super +P.
Only the people who own the 10mm will understand the magic.

I still think you can find 10mm ammo easier then .41 Magnum.

 

[1911 Operator]

No it cant. A .44mag can push a 340gr bullet at the same speed a .460 Rowland can push a 230gr. bullet. The .460 Rowland is a good, hard hitting caliber, but its not 44mag performance. Just like the 10mm isnt .41mag performance. All the data from buffalo Bore and double tap(2 manufacturers that are known for loading "hot, hot" ammo) suggests that the 10mm has the same amount (+/-10fps) of performance as the .357 mag in the same barrel lengths and bullet weights. the top loads for the .460 Rowland are ~300fps slower than the tops loads for .44mag, with the same bullet weight and barrel length.

yeah the 10mm does not even approach the 44 magnum in power, or energy delivered.