Thoughts on the 10mm Auto

[jeff-10]

No Delta but I have a Kimber Stainless Target II, S&W 1076 and a 5" GP 100 in 10mm. The 1076 and obviously the GP100 are 100% reliable however the 1076 is way too loose and doesn't shoot well. The Kimber is accurate but not reliable. My issue with the 10mm and some semi's (especially the 1911's) is that the ammunition is loaded so differently that not all guns will feed all 10mm ammo. Compare that with my Glock 23 that never met a 40 S&W round it didn't like and ditto with my 226 in 9mm.

After playing around with the 10mm for a couple of decades, I kind of feel like the 10mm belongs in moon clips more than single stack magazines. As far as a self defense, I would only use my GP 100 and that would be for a house gun. I would load it with Winchester Silvertips or 200gr HST's.

 

[Reloadron]

Back around 1990 I had the bug and bought a Colt Delta Elite. It was the stainless version. The gun pretty much every bullet style and type I fed it. After about 3,000 rounds it got really lose on accuracy and was starting to rattle. Even back in 90 the ammunition was expensive which was not a big deal. A friend wanted the gun so I sold it. The worst part was I also gave away a 5 gallon bucket of brass. One of those guns I wish I had never parted ways with and wish I still had the brass. I could have tightened the groups up with a little effort. I guess it comes down to would I own another one? Absolutely but I am a 1911 type, especially the older Series 70 1911 guns. Looking back at a lot of years I wish I had never parted with that gun. I also wouldn't mind a Kimber.

Ron

 

[TTv2]

For 10mm at medium to full power, I see no reason to go below 180 grains, the hollow points can't take that kind of velocity when they hit soft tissue. When you want a low recoil load for defense, that's where 155 and 165 is a great choice. More velocity than .40, but not so much the bullets fall apart.

Overall probably the most practical pistol caliber out there and thankfully its practicality is being rediscovered as more people realize the limits, complexity, and diminishing quality (relative to those made in the 90s and prior) and high price of newly produced .357 revolvers.

 

[sparkyv]

I pretty much came to this same conclusion recently, but it didn't take me so long. I may need to reconsider and have a look at double stack options such as the XDM.

After playing around with the 10mm for a couple of decades, I kind of feel like the 10mm belongs in moon clips more than single stack magazines.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I love the 10mm. It's the best straight walled semiauto cartridge out there in my opinion. Recoil is manageable from the right gun, more velocity and/or mass than other semiauto cartridges. It's my just right cartridge.

I've heard older Delta's had chamber support issues. So check your brass.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I love the 10mm. It's the best straight walled semiauto cartridge out there in my opinion. Recoil is manageable from the right gun, more velocity and/or mass than other semiauto cartridges. It's my just right cartridge.

I agree!!

 

[Buckeye63]

Pic of my Glock 20SF ....

 

[James Fonteneaux]

Here is the Alphawolf 10mm I put together this year. I've been feeding it 180gn Montana Gold HP's over Blue Dot, but I've got some Accurate #9 on the way. So far I'm really liking it.

 

[Meeks36]

Thinking about getting one. Shot a colt delta elite a few years back. And fell in love. In the next year or so things will calm down and ill pick up a Glock.

 

[Dibbs]

Got an old S&W 1066. Shoots well, to POA. I like 180 grain FMJs or SJFPs, but it's hard finding ammo that has
got more punch than 40S&W. Seems like the ammo companies aren't really committed to trying, all that hard, right now.

 

[Meeks36]

Got an old S&W 1066. Shoots well, to POA. I like 180 grain FMJs or SJFPs, but it's hard finding ammo that has
got more punch than 40S&W. Seems like the ammo companies aren't really committed to trying, all that hard, right now.

Try underwood. Its just like buffalo bore only cheaper.

 

[sequins]

I've had the best velocity from AA#9 and Longshot. I load 180gn FMJ and I consider 1300-1400 fps to be top end velocity for that weight of projectile and i can hit 1300 in my glock 20 with longshot.

 

[sparkyv]

Yes, and Blue Dot delivers good accuracy for me as well.

I've had the best velocity from AA#9 and Longshot. I load 180gn FMJ and I consider 1300-1400 fps to be top end velocity for that weight of projectile and i can hit 1300 in my glock 20 with longshot.

 

[Lennyjoe]

My 10MM experience started with a S&W 1006 and like an idiot I sold it after I picked up a G20 Gen 3. The 1006 was too heavy on the hip going up and down hills in Arizona so I went to the lighter G20.

Sold the G20 after I decided to get out of 10MM. Ended up buying a used Witness 10MM and accuracy was poor so I sold that. This year I got back Into the 10MM group with a new G20 Gen 4 and added a KKM stainless barrel and Wolff recoil spring. Still shooting the 800X 180 grain Hornady XTP load I generated so many years ago.

For me the 10MM is my choice for field carry.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Underwood and Double Tap for factory defense ammo, usually their 200 gr XTP load, as I find that is one of the best projectiles available at true 10mm velocities. Mike McNett breathed new life into the 10mm Auto when he started Double Tap Ammunition in his garage, he started a resurgence. Us 10mm fans are obligated to show some respect and throw some hard earned money his way every now and then. Double Tap is, unlike Buffalo Bore, SAAMI spec and quality ammunition. I like their 180 gr Gold Dot and 180 gr FMJFP Match practice load, and bought both extensively early on when I was just getting into the 10mm Auto. Underwood is also good stuff, and their 200 gr XTP @ 1250 fps I think is the best all around load for 10mm Auto on the market. I've taken deer with it, trust it for home defense, and carry it in the woods. The 10mm Auto still begs to be handloaded, but if you like factory ammo for defense or are unable to handload, there are good choices out there, and I don't find Underwood or Double Tap 10mm to be prohibitively expensive compared to other calibers they offer, or other premium boutique manufactures.

 

[Dibbs]

Try underwood. Its just like buffalo bore only cheaper.

Case in Point: Went to a popular firearms retailer in Tampa, today. 50$ for a box of 10MM. Not anything special, this stuff didn't even have
MV information on the box. Basically 10MM ammo loaded to 40 Small and Weak specs, for 50$ a box. I shudder to think what they would have charged for spec'd 10MM ammo.

 

[CDW4ME]

For me the 10MM is my choice for field carry.

For me the 10MM is my choice for f̶i̶e̶l̶d̶ everyday carry.
FIFY
Of the concealable handguns that I own, I think the Glock 20SF is the one I would most prefer in hand to defend my life. I strive to carry that.
Glock 22 and 23 are 2nd & 3rd choices.
Location, time of day, statistics, anticipated threat, ... Nope, just carry the most preferred everywhere, simple.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I alternate between G43x or Sig 365 for summer, G19, PPQ 40, XD45 or Kimber Pro Carry in winter. Could carry the G20 if I wanted to for CCW but I have too many other options for that.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I've recently acquired a new model Colt Delta Elite in 10mm Auto. I found a bunch of 180gr FMJ cartridges, and a box of 200gr TMJ bullets for reloading.

What other sort of ammo do you all like in this caliber? Any particular thoughts on this pistol if you have experience with it?

Thanks!
SP

I carried one of these for a living for awhile. Excellent gun, but I don't think it would survive full-power loads for long as the gun was designed for 17k PSI pressures, not 37.5k. You might try loading down to .40cal pressures for practice.