In about a year I will be going to police academy. Of course some ignorant buffoon established a rule banning single actions. So I bought a sig p220, (which I love even though its as ugly as margret thatcher.) As it turns out, they supply free ammo if you have a 9mm or a 40. A 9mm is out of the question. I don't believe compromise between weight and power is a good idea, and I'm not a small framed woman working for the FBI, so I don't want a .40. I would take a 40 if it could be converted to 10mm and it was at least the size/weight of my 220, particularly if it could save me all that money on ammo. Keeping in mind I absolutely don't want a Glock or a para LDA, whats a good option for a reliable DA/SA convertible between 10mm and 40 S&W?
Need a reliable DA/SA convertible between 10mm and 40 S&W
- Thread starter 1911JMB
- Start date
- Status
I don't think there is one, unless you would stake your life on a Tanfan with a custom barrel.
I like the 10mm too, and despite the reasons behind the development of the .40, the .40 can be a very potent round.
I have a Sig P226ST .40 that is as reliable as the sunrise and has plenty of power with the right load.
IMO, the Glock 20 is the only reliable non-custom 10mm.
I like the 10mm too, and despite the reasons behind the development of the .40, the .40 can be a very potent round.
I have a Sig P226ST .40 that is as reliable as the sunrise and has plenty of power with the right load.
IMO, the Glock 20 is the only reliable non-custom 10mm.
"I would take a 40 if it could be converted to 10mm."
Not sure I'm clear on this, but if you had a 10mm Glock 20 (or 29), you could buy an aftermarket barrel in .40S&W that fits it from Federal Arms, KKM, Jarvis or Bar-Sto and get the same result.
This, of course, assumes that your hand "fits" the large-framed G20.
Not sure I'm clear on this, but if you had a 10mm Glock 20 (or 29), you could buy an aftermarket barrel in .40S&W that fits it from Federal Arms, KKM, Jarvis or Bar-Sto and get the same result.
This, of course, assumes that your hand "fits" the large-framed G20.
Jim Watson
Member
There are very few .40s that can be converted to 10mm; things like Para Ordnance. Conversion of a 10mm to .40 is iffy. Barrel change is not the problem, getting the shorter cartridge to run out of the long magazine is.
I'd get a P226 in 9 or .40 for the free ammo. You can always find a use for a spare gun, even if only to trade off.
I'd get a P226 in 9 or .40 for the free ammo. You can always find a use for a spare gun, even if only to trade off.
gunfan
Member
Glock 20 with a .40 S&W Spring and barrel!
Problem solved. You could also buy a Tanfoglio Witness and get a .40 S&W barrel/spring setup. That would also work. Remember... you MUST start with a pistol chambered in either 10mm, .38 Super (or even .45 ACP if you're willing to change the slide as well) to accomplish the desired conversion.
That is the ONLY way to do it.
Scott
Problem solved. You could also buy a Tanfoglio Witness and get a .40 S&W barrel/spring setup. That would also work. Remember... you MUST start with a pistol chambered in either 10mm, .38 Super (or even .45 ACP if you're willing to change the slide as well) to accomplish the desired conversion.
That is the ONLY way to do it.
Scott
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Ya know, I am as big a fan of the 10mm as they come, as you can see from my signature and all the 10mm's I own.
I do, however, think highly of the .40 as well. In your case I just don't see
any advantage the 10mm would provide.
The story that .40 is somehow a "girls 10mm" doesn't wash. It has as much to do with the fact that the 10mm was hard to get into existing 9mm/.45 sized weapons as anything else. The manufacturers got behind .40 because they could avoid a redesign of their frames with that round.
There is some truth to the over power story as well, but I don't think it's really that much.
Even if you could get a 10mm, you will be hard pressed to find ammunition for a 10 that meets
the original Norma specs for the load. Most of the 10 out there is downloaded anyway.
Georgia Arms is an exception, some others. Silvertips are as hot a "big name" round as I can find
but they are still not up to what I was buying in the early/mid 80's.
So even if you had a 10, you would only have it in name in most cases.
.40S&W is good stuff and in the right loading, PLENTY potent.
You'll be fine with .40, and better off financially in the long run.
10mm at this point is for collectors, hunters, and those of us that just like to be difficult/different.
I do, however, think highly of the .40 as well. In your case I just don't see
any advantage the 10mm would provide.
The story that .40 is somehow a "girls 10mm" doesn't wash. It has as much to do with the fact that the 10mm was hard to get into existing 9mm/.45 sized weapons as anything else. The manufacturers got behind .40 because they could avoid a redesign of their frames with that round.
There is some truth to the over power story as well, but I don't think it's really that much.
Even if you could get a 10mm, you will be hard pressed to find ammunition for a 10 that meets
the original Norma specs for the load. Most of the 10 out there is downloaded anyway.
Georgia Arms is an exception, some others. Silvertips are as hot a "big name" round as I can find
but they are still not up to what I was buying in the early/mid 80's.
So even if you had a 10, you would only have it in name in most cases.
.40S&W is good stuff and in the right loading, PLENTY potent.
You'll be fine with .40, and better off financially in the long run.
10mm at this point is for collectors, hunters, and those of us that just like to be difficult/different.
Devonai
Member
I'd get a Sig P226 in .40. Even if you can actually bring yourself to sell it after all of your academy shooting, you'll get training with a weapon that is very close to your P220.
Here's another point. Even if you buy a Ruger .40 for $300, aren't you doing so to get free ammo in the first place? How many rounds are they planning on making you fire? Somehow I doubt it will be $300 worth. It would probably be cheaper to just buy your own .45 ammo and bring your P220.
Here's another point. Even if you buy a Ruger .40 for $300, aren't you doing so to get free ammo in the first place? How many rounds are they planning on making you fire? Somehow I doubt it will be $300 worth. It would probably be cheaper to just buy your own .45 ammo and bring your P220.
gunfan
Member
TexasSIGman said:Ya know, I am as big a fan of the 10mm as they come, as you can see from my signature and all the 10mm's I own.
I do, however, think highly of the .40 as well. In your case I just don't see
any advantage the 10mm would provide.
The story that .40 is somehow a "girls 10mm" doesn't wash. It has as much to do with the fact that the 10mm was hard to get into existing 9mm/.45 sized weapons as anything else. The manufacturers got behind .40 because they could avoid a redesign of their frames with that round.
There is some truth to the over power story as well, but I don't think it's really that much.
Even if you could get a 10mm, you will be hard pressed to find ammunition for a 10 that meets
the original Norma specs for the load. Most of the 10 out there is downloaded anyway.
Georgia Arms is an exception, some others. Silvertips are as hot a "big name" round as I can find
but they are still not up to what I was buying in the early/mid 80's.
So even if you had a 10, you would only have it in name in most cases.
.40S&W is good stuff and in the right loading, PLENTY potent.
You'll be fine with .40, and better off financially in the long run.
10mm at this point is for collectors, hunters, and those of us that just like to be difficult/different.
That's a lot of hooey! If you want to shoot a 10mm, do it. It isn't just "different." If you can handle a "full house" .45 ACP, you can handle the 10mm.
The .40 S&W is quite potent, but the 10mm can run rings around it in other situations. Accuracy, not "lots-of-shots" is the imperative. Placement, penetration and tissue disruption. That's what does it, and you know it.
Double Tap ammunition has loads for both the .40 S&W and the 10mm that are at the top of thier respective classes.
As far as being financially feasible, this is an expensive sport. Learn to live with it. The 10mm is about as costly as the .45 ACP is to shoot. You don't hear most .45 ACP shootes bellyaching about their shooting costs. You can reload the 10mm, reducing the costs to those of the .40 S&W. Amazing how that works, isn't it?
The 10mm is simply a carridge with broader applications. Get a Witness with a conversion barrel and have a blast. It will be cheaper than you think!
Scott
Last edited:
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Witness for a duty weapon? Eeek.
I love the 10mm too, but to suggest such a thing is downright scary.
Grayrider
Member
I beg to differ. While I agree that one may need to work over the base guns to ensure reliability, having owned over a dozen I can attest that once done they are good weapons. Certainly dependable in 40. If one invests in the Elite series guns, such as this:
One can have a truly superb carry gun. I am currently toting my 40 caliber Stock in an HBE Leatherworks DC Special. I am not at all worried about its reliability for defensive purposes. I have yet to have a malfunction save for a couple user induced limp wrists during the first 100 rounds. It simply goes and goes, puts all rounds dead center (if the shooter can cooperate), and is a joy to shoot. They are available in 10mm, although I am not sure in what quantity. I need to inquire about getting a conversion barrel for my 40, but as these use special cone-locking barrels they do not accept standard Witness barrels. If one could swap calibers, it would certainly make a suitable duty gun meeting your requirements. The large frame magazines hold 15 rounds of 40 or 10mm.
GR
PS: See also this article:
http://www.ssaa.org.au/newssaa/101-StoriesReviews/handguns/tangfoliomatchle.html
I have a Match in 10mm shipping this week. It would also be a good candidate for 40 caliber conversion.
One can have a truly superb carry gun. I am currently toting my 40 caliber Stock in an HBE Leatherworks DC Special. I am not at all worried about its reliability for defensive purposes. I have yet to have a malfunction save for a couple user induced limp wrists during the first 100 rounds. It simply goes and goes, puts all rounds dead center (if the shooter can cooperate), and is a joy to shoot. They are available in 10mm, although I am not sure in what quantity. I need to inquire about getting a conversion barrel for my 40, but as these use special cone-locking barrels they do not accept standard Witness barrels. If one could swap calibers, it would certainly make a suitable duty gun meeting your requirements. The large frame magazines hold 15 rounds of 40 or 10mm.
GR
PS: See also this article:
http://www.ssaa.org.au/newssaa/101-StoriesReviews/handguns/tangfoliomatchle.html
I have a Match in 10mm shipping this week. It would also be a good candidate for 40 caliber conversion.
gunfan
Member
The only problem that I have ever had with my Witness...
was a problem with the magzines. The rest of the pistol functions perfectly! I cant see why everyone has such misperceptions about Tanfoglio's products. Their magazines may have some difficulties, but I have het to experience a problem with the quality of the pistols themselves.
BTW, I have owned two of them. One was stolen.
The one I have now shoots extremely well. (Yes, it is chambered in 10mm Automatic. The cartridge's profile is one of the best for reliable feeding.)
Scott
was a problem with the magzines. The rest of the pistol functions perfectly! I cant see why everyone has such misperceptions about Tanfoglio's products. Their magazines may have some difficulties, but I have het to experience a problem with the quality of the pistols themselves.
BTW, I have owned two of them. One was stolen.
The one I have now shoots extremely well. (Yes, it is chambered in 10mm Automatic. The cartridge's profile is one of the best for reliable feeding.)Scott
- Status
