Last Updated July 7th 2024
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Winners at a Glance
The latest Glock 20 is the best 10mm handgun on the market, but there are lots of choices in 2024.
Image | Product | Detail | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Glock 20 |
| Lowest Price | |
Colt Delta Elite |
| Lowest Price | |
Springfield XD-M Elite |
| Lowest Price | |
Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra |
| Lowest Price |
Intro
10mm pistols are back! It was always a better round than 9mm, but the crippling cost of ammunition and a few recoil issues meant 10mm guns simply took a backseat and this perfect self-defense round fell by the wayside. Now, that’s changing.
FBI agents made the round famous by bringing it onboard after the 1986 Miami shoot-out revealed a lack of stopping power in the 9mm pistols.
When the FBI dumped the 10mm caliber Bren Ten et al due to excess felt recoil of the 10mm and large pistol sizes, it just went out of fashion with gun enthusiasts thanks to the exorbitant prices.
It still isn’t cheap, but then the best 10mm handgun isn’t for plinking at the range. This is an equalizer to bring down furious vengeance and lay some wrath when you need it most. Or it’s an actual hunting weapon.
Here are our best 10mm pistols, handguns, revolvers and a surprise or two…
1. Glock G20 Gen 5
- Price: $620.00
- Caliber: 10mm Auto pistol
- Barrel length: 4.61″
- Weight: 1.73lb
- Capacity: 15+1
Best Overall
Price | Reliability | Concealability | Capacity | Prestige |
3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Online gun reviews all say the same thing. The Glock 20 Gen 5 is untouchable and these are top rated pistols for good reason.
This is a cost-effective package and you get 15+1 rounds, which basically means you’ve got an army in your hand. If it sounds like complete overkill, then read stories of hunters that have emptied an entire mag into a charging bear before it came to a halt.
Bear country used to be the reserve of big revolvers. But the polymer frame Glock Gen5 10mm is taking over as the preferred weapon of choice thanks to the capacity, control and cumulative damage of the large mag.
It’s also super reliable and the controlled recoil means you can actually group shots, so it’s great for bear defense and one of the best 10mm handguns.
If you want the long slide hunting handgun, then check out the full power 10mm Glock 40 MOS 10mm, but we went with the more practical semi automatic pistol here. You can still buy a Gen4 10mm for less money, too, but don’t.
Or the Glock 29 with a 3.78 inch barrel for concealed carry. Again, don’t, it’s too much recoil for most shooters…
2. Colt Delta Elite 10mm
- Price: $1,639.99
- Barrel: 5″
- Weight: 2.19lb
- Capacity: 8+1 rounds
The Colt Delta Elite is a United States legend. And now there’s a Delta Elite Rail gun, if you want to go that way.
The Colt Delta Elite single stack pistol is a legend in FBI circles. It’s a modified version of the classic M1911 Series 80, chambered in 10mm, and has been with us since 1987.
It has a cult following to this day and we love it all, from the extended thumb safety to the signature ergonomic grip and crisp single action trigger pull.
Availability on this full sized pistol was terrible, but there are more of them around now. So get your Colt Delta Elite semi automatic handguns while you can…
3. Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP
- Price: $571.99
- Barrel: 4.5 inch
- Total: 7.7 inch
- Weight: 2lb
- Capacity: 16+1
Price | Reliability | Concealability | Capacity | Prestige |
3/5 | 3.5/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
This is a match 10mm polymer pistol that can finally mount a challenge to the Glock 10mm guns.
The optic ready Springfield XD-M Elite OSP 10mm Auto is the
You get a polymer handgun that looks like a Glock just got back from Agency Arms, for less money than a stock striker-fired pistol.
With the right gun deals, this full size 10mm auto semi-auto pistol with the 4.5″ barrel and luminescent night sights is also one of the cheapest 10mm home defense handguns here.
You can opt for the optics ready 3.8 inch barrel OSP Compact as well, which is one of the best 10mm handguns for concealed carry.
4. Rock Island Armory Tac Ultra HS
- Price: $696.99
- Barrel length: 5 inch barrel
- Total Length: 7.3
- Weight: 2.9lb
- Capacity: 16+1
Best Cheap Double Stack 1911
Price | Reliability | Concealability | Capacity | Prestige |
4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
This is a 10mm 1911 semi auto pistol with a double stack magazine and 16+1 rounds. And if we had more balls, this might just be the winner.
There’s just so much to love about these 10mm handguns, but the Glock-style capacity in a 1911 is enough for some to smash that buy button.
The 1911 size and heft suits the 10mm round and helps tame the felt recoil and muzzle flip.
10mm kicks hard and suddenly it makes sense to hold a full size 2.9lb counterweight in your hand. Not so much for concealed carry, but certainly the 10mm Rock Island Armory is a beast for home defense and recreational shooting.
5. Sig Sauer P220 Legion
- Price: $1,672.99
- Barrel: 4.4 inch
- Weight: 1.9lb
- Magazine capacity: 8+1
The P220 Hunter is the field sports edition for 10mm ammo. But honestly I don’t think the deer cares if you shoot it in the head with a camo finish or a grey Sig P220 Legion.
With that in mind, we prefer the high quality P220 10mm guns with the iconic matte
The 9mm ammo Sig P226 is a legend with Law Enforcement, and with 10mm loads these 10mm handguns are beyond special.
It’s a basic fixed dot front and open rear sight, which you should upgrade to day/night sights.
6. Dan Wesson Kodiak
- Price: $2,627.99
- Barrel: 6″
- Weight: 2.75lb
- Capacity: 8+1 rounds
What kind of person buys a Dan Wesson Kodiak? Well, according to the company, it’s becoming a popular handgun hunter for small to medium sized game.
Other people might say it’s for range queens that like to turn out with the absolute best of the best gear & accessories.
The Dan Wesson Bruin is another great option if you’re really discerning with your 10mm handguns.
7. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm
- Price: $599.99
- Barrel: 4.6”
- Total Weight: 1.9lb
- Capacity: 15+1
You can get an S&W M&P 2.0 10mm with everything from a 3 inch to a 4.6 inches in length barrel, and just about all the handgun calibers you can think of. It’s one of the most popular 9mm handguns on sale and it’s a real Glock alternative.
Now you can get this full sized handgun with a longer barrel, and an optic ready carry pistol that is just waiting for red dot sights.
It’s a whole model line of polymer frame pistols and features include a real thumb safety. That is a bigger deal than you think with the S&W M&P striker fired handgun.
We’re glad to see the high quality 10mm show up to this party and owner reviews suggest this lightweight 10mm version is a one of the best home defense handguns here in stock black or Flat Dark Earth.
You can order a 10mm Smith & Wesson M&P Performance Center firearms, handguns & pistols with integral compensator and custom porting in the barrel too.
8. Kimber Eclipse Custom
- Price: 1,219.99
- Barrel:: 5 inch
- Weight: 2.38lb
- Capacity: 8+1
Kimber has embraced the caliber of late and this and the TLE II are new additions to Kimber’s 10mm pistol stable. We could own them both, but this is the full Kimber Custom workshop gun, and that is sexier.
Simple sights, elegant slide cuts with contrasting matte black finish all add up to a full sized 1911 masterpiece.
Kimber has also stayed within the bounds of engineering common sense and hasn’t tried to do anything too spectacular with this single stack handgun.
9. Sig Sauer P320 XTEN 10mm
- Price: $799.99
- Barrel: 5 inch
- Weight: 2.06lb
- Capacity: 15+1
If Sig had launched the full size P320 XTEN 10mm striker fired handgun about 5 years ago, we would probably still love it and maybe laud them as the best 10mm handguns.
Features on the Sig P320 XTEN include an optics ready slide, X-Ray Day/Night sights up top for rapid target acquisition and a match grade bull barrel.
It’s a great striker fired handgun and a real rival for the Glock. Put a red dot sight up there and this is an absolute weapon for home defense.
10. Ruger SR1911 10mm
- Price: $1,036.99
- Barrel: 5”
- Weight: 2.52lb
- Capacity: 8+1 rounds
The Ruger SR1911 single action pistol chambered in 10mm is, in our humble opinion, the best value 1911 on the market at this price point.
Note we say
11. Wilson Combat CQB Tactical
- Price: $4,220.99
- Barrel: 5”
- Weight: 2.52lb
- Capacity: 8+1 rounds
Wilson Combat make some of the finest pistols & handguns out there, and this 10mm version of the CQB is no different.
Now these 10mm guns are not too common, but if you find one then splash out on arguably the best shooting pistols on this list.
But they’re expensive, so there are pros and cons…
12. Ruger GP100 Match Champion 10mm
- Price: $998.80
- Barrel: 4.2″
- Weight: 2.31
- Capacity: 6 rounds
The Ruger GP100 Match Champion is a specific gun for a class in competitive
With the 10mm cartridge, it’s a real niche market, then.
But if you have a collection and just want something else, then match grade 10mm single/double action revolvers certainly will do that job and this is a good one with open iron sights at the rear and fiber optic sights.
Some folks just like a long double action revolver for safety and reliability. Others like left field shiz and there are pros and cons with revolvers.
Where to Buy Ammo
If you’re looking for rifle ammo by caliber, 10mm ammo, 9mm ammo for rifles, handguns and more, we can help you with 9mm and 45 ACP, ammo storage and just about everything else.
Full house 10mm loads are pretty thin on the ground. If you’re looking for monsters, then 220gr Buffalo Bore hardcast is pretty much the full house 10mm Auto, but the recoil is pretty major
- Firearms Depot – 10mm Auto, Compact pistol ammunition and more. A wide range of rounds of 10mm with varying muzzle velocity.
- Palmetto State Armory – Handgun bullets for the right price with daily deals on 10mm cartridge.
And accessories….
You need a wide range of gun parts for a Bren Ten? Upgraded sights for you tactical 10mm handgun ammo? Is it an optics ready 10mm auto and you want red dot sights? CCW holsters? The best shooting supplies?
Gun safes for bolt action rifle storage? A new fully adjustable rear sight? Gun cleaning stuff? Gun deals on bolt action rifles & shotguns? Pistols in rifle calibers? We got all that stuff. rifles, shotguns, gun parts and more.
So does Palmetto State Armory again, honestly, and Primary Arms. Brownells, too, to be fair. A lot of people do really….
- Palmetto State Armory – The best gun accessories, adjustable sights, firing pin block, gun deals.
- Primary Arms – Get a 10mm Glock or grip panels for your Kimber, or gun cases.
Finally the best concealed carry insurance
If you got this far, man we appreciate you, and just as a final thing we’d like to offer you the chance to get concealed carry insurance. Because, well, yeah you know…
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This was one of the most well-balanced articles on available 10mm handguns that I have seen. You admit your favorites and your prejudices, but every handgun got a fair shake relative to its quality, value, and strengths / weaknesses. I would like to see you do this again some time, including an EAA Witness and the new Springfield XDM. Thanks, Nick–really well thought through and well written.
Thanks kindly, we try and be as transparent as possible! I will get to your suggestions asap!
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eaa is the best gun maker ive ever seen.
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I love all the different gun reviews, I actually have four of the 10mm listed. And love them all, it goes hand in hand with the 11 different 41 magnums that I own. Please keep up the good and honest reviews
Thank you, we try! And we’re incorporating feedback from you guys all the time. So as an owner, let me know if you’d have done this list differently. They’re so subjective that we like to hear other people’s opinions too!
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Great article that was comprehensive yet succinct. Not an easy accomplishment. Kudos.
I do have one clarification though, in regards to the TRP:
“It’s one of the best 10mm pistols for non-professional, all round shooters and hunters.”
By “non-professional”, may we take that to mean it’s not a “competition” level pistol? And why?
If that’s the case, then that would probably be a good thing for those looking for something that will stay reliable under rugged conditions for an extended time? Ridiculously tight tolerances vs field tolerances and that sort of thing.
I’m looking for a SHTF 6″ 10mm and this is on the short list. I know many would recommend the G40, but under such circumstances, the quality of ammo one might be forced to use could be highly suspect. And every Kaboom I’ve read about from a 1911 type firearm leaves a (at least generally) functional firearm in it’s wake.
Not so much with Glocks.
Is the TRP the ticket?
Yes, that’s kind of what I was getting at, and could probably have worded it better. It’s a great gun, with custom tolerances and proper matching etc, but it’s an all-rounder with durability in mind. Not the nth degree of competition performance, and the rebuilds that go with it. So yes, I think it is.
Thanks for the kind words and I might revisit that part for a clarification!
Also it pretty much is competition grade, although you could argue it’s not tailored to that crowd. By definition, with the accessory rail and the fact it hasn’t been shaved down in weight, it’s an all-rounder rather than an absolute specialist.
But for your purposes, those ‘weaknesses’ are actually strengths.
Thank you for the clarification and expounding on it. Rugged AND competition grade… what’s not to love? Heck, for all it’s tank-like appearances, it’s on par with the Bruin (2.8 lbs vs 2.75 lbs) and even LESS than the Kodiak (2.95 lbs). And I must confess, I am COMPLETELY sold on those Dirty Olive grips.
Anyway, thanks for both confirming and pointing out some things that will likely lead to my next purchase!
As an aside, I own both the G20 and Delta Elite. I don’t exactly remember what all I put through the Glock, but when I first got it I ran it hard and hot. No issues. I’ve stopped using it the last couple of years to conserve trade value. In the Delta, I incrementally pushed hotter and hotter ammo, always checking for bulges. The most recent was Buffalo Bore Heavy 10MM Outdoorsman – 220 gr. Hard Cast – FN
(1,200 fps/ME 703 ft. lbs.), with ZERO bulging.
I believe the KABOOM factor with these two models is entirely overstated. With decent ammo, they are champions. That said, I also believe they MUST be run with decent ammo, as they leave little room for error (weak brass, overcharge, etc.). I would trust my life to either of these for EDC using quality ammo. It’s the extenuating circumstances that worry me, where one might be forced to use less than top quality ammo. Under those circumstances, I would NOT trust my life to either of these.
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I would add to your list the Iver Johnson New Eagle XL, it’s a potted, 6” inch barrel 1911.
Yes you’re absolutely right. I’m going through making additions to a lot of posts now, that is on my chaotic mental list 🙂 Thanks for mentioning it and I hope you like the rest of the post!
*ported. Stupid autocorrect.
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Sig P220 10mm
Barrel length 5 inches
Overall length 8.8 inches
Weight 2.75 lbs.
The stats you have listed are for the .45 cal.
I own an EAA P witness and a 6.5″ S&W M610. I like them both. But the revolver I can load it up to shoot like
an 41 mag for Elk hunting. Hard to put that much feet per second thru an semi auto. My 10mm semi is for target
shooting & self defense against the 4 legged. The 10mm hurts a lot less that my 500 S&W mag. Lighter to carry also.
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Enjoyed the article, would be interested what if anything would change if you were to re-write it now in 2021. I have put off owning a 10mm for a long time, probably due to shooting one of the original Colt Delta Elites with the original Norma ammo prior to Colt putting the beavertail grip safety on. Since then I have fired more Glock 20’s than any other model of 10mm pistol, I am a big fan of Glock and am a certified armorer, but that doesn’t stop me from owning other makes. Recently purchased a Springfield XDM 10mm OSP and this has to be the softest shooting 10mm I have fired to date and fits my hand better than the Glocks, I did just finish a P80 frame with Glock parts and enjoy it almost as well. Just my $.02. Would also like to see what you would think of the Rock Island ROCK ULTRA FS HC 10mm with 16 rds. and 1911 styling this might be hard for me to pass up.
It’s definitely due an update and I’m a fan of Rock Island products. They always punch above their weight. I might revisit this shortly, thanks for the push!
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