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Sidearms & Scatterguns 10mm pistol options

jbell

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jan 16, 2010
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    Lewiston, ME
    I have the itch for a 10mm pistol and would like to get some real world user feedback. Here is my criteria:

    -has to have left hand safety (if a safety is used) but left hand controls like a mag release and slide release I can deal with
    -no super long slide / barrel, I would like to keep it around a 5” or less barrel because I am going to carry it (mainly hiking and backpacking)
    -fire control group doesn’t matter to me as long as it is not DAO, striker fired is perfectly fine
    -prefer the ability to have aftermarket sight options
    -not really interested in a 1911 but because I love JMB I am open to sleeper 1911 pistols (high quality at a good value)
     
    Don't know of any left hand models, maybe the new Sig?

    When getting a 10mm ideally you want one capable of firing full power ammo, that's why you got it, right? So get a pistol whose frame was designed from scratch to be a 10mm, not a modified .45 frame.

    Smith 1006 is the tank. It'll be the limit for what a 10mm can do and can handle ammo that makes even the Glock feel like it's gonna come apart.

    Glock 20/29 are best all around, one high cap the other concealability. Can handle full power ammo but I'd shy from some of the 800x and maybe the blue dot loads.

    New Bren Ten but I don't know much about it.

    All the above were built with 10mm in mind (yes, the Glock 10mm came out before the .45 did, the .45 is built off the 10mm frame, the way it should be if you're offer those calibers in the same pistol.

    There are some others I'm sure but I'm not hitting on 'em right now. Glock is the best all around for sure though. I have a 1006 I'm selling, and like I said, it is a tank that can handle full power loads no problem and I got a lot of extras, but that cannon ain't for everyone.
     
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    Smith Model 610 if you can find one bonus is you can shoot .40 in it as well.

    EAA makes a fine 10mm but it isn't set up for wrong handed people. Bonus is the steel construction, negative is also the steel construction. Some of the best ergo's of any semi-auto pistol, accurate, reliable and easy on the eyes as well.
     
    Glock 20. As light as you can go before the 29 for backpacking. Handles the round really well. Not disappointed in it at all.
     

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    Reactions: Adam B
    a nice double stack rock island could be a nice option
     
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    Get a Glock 20 and just get it out of your system. Buy a used one. Have fun, then realize, "I don't need this" and sell it. Worked well for me.
     
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    The Glock 20 will definitely scratch that itch! I got mine and bought the highest power loads I could find from Buffalo Bore. Aside from a big boom they put out an awesome cloud of smoke, as if they were loaded with black powder. I found the Glock 20 to be extremely comfortable to shoot with great capacity. I better stop talking about it or I will be tempted to buy another!!
     
    Consider a Glock 21 with a conversion barrel.

    I still need to finish up my project (slide cut) but mine is using an older "Tactical" length Lone Wolf slide and a 6" conversion barrel. The extra length and optic should offset the lighter weight of a .45 cut slide. It should also add some velocity without going to nuclear level reloads. Lastly, I can always go back to .45 if I tire of 10mm.
     
    Another vote for the G20. Recoil is very manageable, surprisingly. I carry one in a Kenai holster here in Grizzly country. Figured I can at least piss the bear off if nothing else ;)
     
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    Love the glock 20, but was considering a 29 for a while.. anyone have any experience with it? Curious to know if the recoil prevents it from being a descent shooter.
     
    Love the glock 20, but was considering a 29 for a while.. anyone have any experience with it? Curious to know if the recoil prevents it from being a descent shooter.

    I had one and sold it. It's a snappy little bastard with full power handloads. I tried the G29, G20, and XD before settling on a 1911 that I still own.
     
    I debated the same thing a couple years ago... narrowed it down to the Glock 20 and the Glock 40. I ended up with the longer Glock 40 because I needed the extra barrel length to be legal for hunting in my state. Put a Trijicon RMR on it and carry it in the woods with me all the time.
    I prefer a 1911 at the range, but the Glock is a great tool to have in the woods. And it easily handles any 10mm!
    Dan
     
    I've got the Glock and the Sig P220 in 10mm. The Sig gets trigger time and carry time in the woods on hunting trips. The Glock resides in the safe. I just prefer the Sig. Not quite as many rounds but it's a tack driver, the weight soaks up the heavy loads and feels better in the hand than the Glock. You won't go wrong with either. As others mentioned, if you're into wheel guns, the Smith 610 and Ruger GP 10mm's will serve you well.
     
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    I have the Sig Elite and it is the shiznit. Rock solid lazer. One gun that I will probably never sell.
    Had the XD 4.5 and sold it quickly After 2 boxes of ammo through it. Bruised my trigger finger something fierce.
    Want to try the G40 someday.
     
    I have the G40 MOS, it's a monster. I would have bought the G20 if they made a MOS version. If they don't come out with Gen 5 10mm guns in the next year (doubt they will) I'll likely buy a G20 and have it sent off for frame work (shave the finger grooves, stippling) and to have the slide cut. I carry mine as a hunting sidearm/secondary.
     
    @tex68w you can always get the EGW red dot mount that fits in the rear sight dovetail. See my EAA above. Just another option.

    I have considered it. I figure if I am going to be sending the frame off for work I might as well send the slide in too. Now to find a clean G20 for a good price.
     
    Nothing wrong with a G20. Fun.
    As mentioned above, the G29 is snappy with full go 10mm stuff. Underwood or the like will make it jump but I don’t find it too much. It’s a fairly short, lighter 10. Of course it’ll jump. Mines in the truck console.
    If you DO decide 1911’s aren’t out of the equation, consider the Springfield TRP Operator. Awesome 10 imo.
     
    Just in case you do end up going with a 1911, I recently bought a 10mm TRP. It wouldn’t cycle at all so I returned it.
     
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    I'm also looking at adding a 10mm to the safe. My current pick is a grand power P40L.
     
    I recently sold my 20 and went with the 29. I Primarily use it while backpacking. Nothing wrong with either, I just wanted to save weight and be more compact. The 29 is snappier, but it’s not terrible..l I won’t be going back to the 20.
     
    Rock Island 2011 10mm
    Fantastic pistola’
     
    I will never trade my G20 but, a few months ago and after reading a ton of reviews, I bought an XD-M 5.25. It is very accurate and soft shooting even with full power rounds. I was able to shoot several 1-1 and 1/2" groups off a bag at 50 yards with both full power rounds and the Hornady CD 180's. That's as good as my current G20 and better than some older G20's that I traded. I've been shooting the XD a lot lately and have zero complaints. It's been 100% reliable with everything I've put through it but I've certainly found some preferred accuracy rounds. Just my .02.
     
    I’m in the process of building another 10mm on a Polymer80 frame. I’ll be ordering an optics cut slide from lone wolf and suppressor ready barrel from KKM in the near future to complete the build. Then I’ll just need a day without the family around to spray the Cerakote so I don’t have to hear bitching about the smell coming from the workshop and I’ll be set! Not really the cheapest way to go, but I’ll have what I want when I’m done. And ETS makes G20 magazines in standard 15, 20, or even 30rds. I bought a few 20s, and they stick out a bit, but not too bad...
     
    My 40sw Infinity will shoot the same bullet at the same speed with the same pressures, reason why is is because I load at 1.2coal, so don't discount a 40sw 1911, with rounds loaded long and 10mm mags
     
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    I will never trade my G20 but, a few months ago and after reading a ton of reviews, I bought an XD-M 5.25. It is very accurate and soft shooting even with full power rounds. I was able to shoot several 1-1 and 1/2" groups off a bag at 50 yards with both full power rounds and the Hornady CD 180's. That's as good as my current G20 and better than some older G20's that I traded. I've been shooting the XD a lot lately and have zero complaints. It's been 100% reliable with everything I've put through it but I've certainly found some preferred accuracy rounds. Just my .02.

    Interesting and informative thread, The XD-M 10mm caught my eye and the threaded OSP version is nearing irresistible since I already have a can for it. Just wasn’t sure about the shorter barrel down from 5.25?
     
    I own both the Glock 20 and Springfield XDM 4.5”. Both of them are fun to shoot and sufficient. Haven’t had any problems with either shooting weak ass 10mm loads and shooting full power.

    Only think I don’t like is not being able to find for the life of me a threaded barrel for the XDM. I know they sell the OSP model with threaded barrel, but I can’t find a standalone barrel for it unlike glock where there’s a couple options.
     
    God I miss my G20! Nasty basterd! I still have about 100 hi power rounds somewhere around the house..lol After I recover a bit from what I just did. I may have to get another one! But I also miss my USP Expert...🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
     
    Love the g20 good choice! I have an original it’s a gen two technically speaking I think correct me if I’m wrong cause I don’t think they made the 20 in the gen 1 era. My awesome Dad bought it for me when I was in high school and I remember just wanting a 10mm and my only two options were the brand new g20 or a colt delta elite. Only thing I did was change the sights on it years ago.
     
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    The EAA match guns have a single action trigger with overtravel stop, mine shoots great. Not ideal for carry though, all steel with front slide serrations. Should probably just get a G20 and call it a day. Plenty of aftermarket parts available for glocks.
     
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    I put a 460 rowland conversion on my glock 21. I carry that over my glock 40 when I am in bear country. I have a muzzle break on it so it recoils about the same as the glock 40, has much more energy on target, and is as compact as a glock 20. The muzzle break is not an issue when drawing from a retention holster.
     
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    My beater 10mm is a G21 converted to 10mm, then a DW Wraith and DW Bruin. If you want to go the 1911 route the Dan Wessons are really nice, and you can get them with ambidextrous controls. The G20 is a hard to beat.View attachment 7308410

    GREAT picture. Man I’d love a DW Bruin, what a bruiser of a gun. Another 1.5” of velocity generator compared to the standard Springer XDM...
     
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    GREAT picture. Man I’d love a DW Bruin, what a bruiser of a gun. Another 1.5” of velocity generator compared to the standard Springer XDM...
    Thanks, the Bruin is a really nice gun. I used to have a Delta Elite, but I lost interest in it after handling the DW.
    My converted G21 gets a lot more use just because I’m not afraid to get it muddy and scratched up. It’s hard to beat the Glocks and XDMs in any caliber. I was happy to see Springfield add 10mm to their line up, and I will likely end with one of those in the next year or so. I’m hoping S&W offers their M&P in 10mm too🤞.
     
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    Striker - G20
    1911 - DW

    Dropped a KKM barrel in my G20, 100% reliability no belly brass and shoots stupidly good for a otherwise stock gun.
     
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    My Glock 20 I use for hog hunting at night and carry deer hunting.
    This is the quintessential picture of a G20 field gun. Love it.

    What supressor are you using?