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10MM I want opinions!

4K views 26 replies 19 participants last post by  Old School or Nothing 
#1 ·
I starting to get that feeling, I am thinking I want a 10MM, because.....
1. I don't have one
2. I already have everything to reload them (although a little lite on brass)
3. I want something more powerful in automatic

So, I would like your opinions on which 10mm pistol to get. Please include why. (if someone states a pistol you don't like, do not slam them) please state any known problems with any pistols.....I just wanted to know "what ya think"!
Thanks for your responses....Cmax :cool:
 
#4 ·
What platforms are your other guns? I would choose based on what platform I'm most familiar with. If you already shoot, and practice with the 1911 platform, then you don't have to worry with changing anything you have already got a mind set for. The same applies to Glocks, and other striker fired guns. I don't see much in the way of ammo for 10 though. Things might be a little different where you are.
 
#10 ·
Which platform do you like the best? 1911's have a safety, the striker fired pistols do not. No safety to remember on the striker fired guns. Just point, and shoot. I don't like switching between the two. It's hard to remember to switch off the safety if you are used to DAO pistols.
 
#5 ·
When the Colt Delta Elite 10mm came out in the late 1980's I wanted to be the first on the block to buy one and I was. So early in fact that I could not get reloading tools or reloading supplies or find viable reloading data (guessing cost the automatic removal of primers....NOT GOOD). But finally and today there is plenty of stuff for 10mm.

When loaded close to max (200 gr Hornady bullets at close to 1200 FPS) the gun recoiled like no other (and I have many guns). While not like a 44 mag, the recoil was substantial and with an un-nerving twisting motion in the hand. In short, I did not particularly like the recoil. So I down loaded it to the feel of a 45ACP in a 1911. It turns out the FBI found the recoil too much for women and smaller agents and asked the ammo supplier for down loaded ammo (FBI 10mm load). Later the 10mm case was shortened for the download and S&W came out with the 40S&W which is nothing more than a 10mm short. Police forces and the FBI (at least for some time) commonly use the 40S&W.

Today I use the "FBI Load" because it is much more fun to shoot. While full loads are not as abusive as 44Mag loads can be, the downloaded 10mm version is much more pleasant to shoot.

I like the Colt platform because it is actually a beautiful gun. But the reality is a good 1911 in 45ACP is probably all a shooter really needs. The hot magnum load level 10mm may be good for hunting but a bit too much for target practice for me. I have a CZ75B in 40S&W that is unique enough to satisfy my quest for different guns and calibers and is actually a very nice combo for target shooting. I'd not sell the Colt...EVER. But the practical part of me would suggest that a all metal 40S&W gun might be a better choice for a target shooter. Hunters will get the best duty from the full power of an all metal 10mm, though.

As an aside, I also have a TC Contender 10 inch barrel in 10mm and it is a pussy cat to shoot at any load level found in reloading manuals.

LDBennett
 
#11 ·
I like my Glock 20. it has handled at least 1000 rounds of full power loads without issue although I down load a little for shooting sessions with newbies before moving them up to full power loads. Recoil is considered stout by most (I am a bad judge of recoil in handguns, I love shooting my S&W 66 snub with full power 357s and don't find it to be a problem, most others take 2 or 3 shots and are done, same thing with the 10mm).
 
#16 ·
I have an EAA Witness in 45ACP and a CZ97 in 45ACP. While my Witness is every bit as nice and as accurate as my CZ97, the "word" is all EAA Witness guns are not necessarily like mine. It turns out some are great and others are not so great. I like my Witness but others who report here say that EAA quality can be spotty. Just saying. Look any EAA Witness over real thoroughly before buying it. Even shoot it if you can.

LDBennett
 
#17 ·
I've been carrying my Coonan Classic for years, it is 48 oz loaded, but IWB, I never even notice it. Any, I can't get used to any of the little pop guns out there, even 45's seem weak in my hands. I guess I just love my Coonan. ANYWAY, I need to turn her into a safe queen since Coonan is out of business since 2019, {can you say rare gun?} ANYWAY, again, the closest I can get to .357mag, in a semi-auto, is 10mm. I personally am looking into the Rock Island Armory 1911 10mm.
 
#19 ·
Recoil is typically much like a very hot .45 ACP or .45 Super, with 200 gr. bullets. The 10mm feels sharper to me, but it may be JUST me. Various firms are making perfectly good 10mm 1911s, while other platforms like the Glock are also around. If you can stand their stupid trigger, the Glock G40 Gen4 MOS may be your best bet. It gives you a longer barrel, high mag capacity, and great shootability.
I grew up on 1911s, so if I ever own a 10 mm, it'll likely be in that form. The original ballistics for the 10 mm were 200 gr. FMJFP at 1150 f/s, which is difficult to duplicate with handloads. On the other hand, a 180 gr. JHP can be launched to ~1250 f/s with slightly greater ease, using Alliant Blue Dot.
I had plans to obtain one in the near future, but since the same ballistics are available from a modified 1911A1 in .45 ACP, I'm a little less enthusiastic.
 
#20 ·
I have a couple of 10MM - two in 1911 frames and a Glock 20. I love the cartridge itself and as a reloader the 10mm offers many great reloading options from 155gr through 185gr. I do hear a bunch of folks compare it to a 45ACP but I think there are too far apart for any comparison. I do prefer my Colt Delta Elite 1911 10MM over my Springfield Ronin. And as much as I do like my Glocks, the action on G20 seems slow compared to a 1911. The round itself, in my opinion has a moderate recoil and very crisp sound. Still looking to build a PCC using a 10mm.

Good luck on you quest - let us know what you end up buying.
 
#21 ·
I'm not a Glock guy, per se (I no longer even own any though I've had six in the past). I carry SIG, Beretta, S&W M&Ps and Ruger (and I've owned many others), but after researching it, if I was going to buy a 10mm, I would absolutely buy either a Glock 20 or a Glock 40. I'm not saying there aren't other great options, I'm just saying I would go Glock on this one.
 
#23 ·
I owned a Colt Delta Elite soon after they came out. Had it heavily customized and loved it. It was the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. Loaned it to a "friend" who swapped out parts and beat it up to the point when I got it back I almost cried. Gun and "friend" are both long gone now.
The 10mm cartridge is a great round. It did everything I ever asked of it, and did it well. Killed a few deer and all kinds of varmints. It was easy to load for and not too picky about loads. Really wish I still had that gun in its pre destruction condition.
 
#24 ·
Back in the late 1980s a friend had a S&W 10mm, probably the 1006. That was a large handgun. I ran a few rows of plates with it at the PASA Park where they used to hold the Masters. I can't say it caused me to really want one. Really, I didn't care for it all that much and as has been said earlier, I could load my .45 acp pretty hot it I wanted to. But, I can surely see how many are attracted to the hotter round.

I still remember all the writing back when the Bren 10 first came out and then the Colt Delta Elite 1911. I really had my doubts that they would hold up, but it looks like many have survived and are still being enjoyed here.
 
#25 ·
If there is one thing I do not like about 10mm's it is the fact that ammo is ejected to the next town, otherwise my only experience is with the Springfield TRP in a long slide. I always wanted at 1911in 45 acp with a 6" barrel but had a hard time finding one I liked, so I settled for the TRP. Fun to shoot and not snappy at all, but it is a large gun .
 
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