Five Best 10mm Pistols, Power Personified: “Sometimes it is entirely acceptable to kill a fly with a sledgehammer.” That’s a quote a Navy SEAL once told me on a podcast. I can’t remember who exactly it was for the life of me, but that one isn’t mine. However, it entirely fits the discussion about the 10mm round.
If you’re looking for a self-defense round, the 10mm is maybe overkill; it will kill a grizzly bear. But since my earliest days in Special Forces, I have been enamored with the 10mm round because I like powerful weapons. I loved my S&W Model 29 in .44 Magnum, and it was a blast to shoot. Around 1983, a Bren 10mm (made popular by Miami Vice) was a hot commodity. But those were only made for 4-5 years, and now? A used one runs over 9 K.
Image: Springfield Armory.
5 Best: The 10mm Automatic Pistol Cartridge Packs A Punch
Today, the 10mm cartridge is making a comeback as hunting enthusiasts use it to hunt wild boar, bears, deer, and everything in between. The 10mm Auto is among the most powerful handgun cartridges commonly chambered in semi-automatic handguns. Muzzle energy is nearly twice that of a 9mm and exceeds all but +P varieties of .45 ACP.
But it comes with a kick to it. Having fired 10mm pistols, the fundamental question is whether you can handle the recoil. Then, the ballistics of the 10mm make it a very potent self-defense round. I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot several 10mm autos, and they are different. Like any other weapon, they require more practice with this caliber to get maximum proficiency.
So here is a list of my five best 10mm pistols.
SIG Sauer P320-Xten Comp 10mm
There are two SIGs on this list (not surprisingly), and this one shoots the most like a 9mm than any others in terms of muzzle rise. The COMP means it is compensated. The comp isn’t attached to a threaded barrel. Instead, it’s built into the slide slightly longer than the barrel. This creates the port that allows gas to be redirected to counter muzzle rise.
Firing rounds designed to stop bears, it functions smoothly and surprisingly softly. It is made to place optics easily, and the SIG optics are good. I have the Romeo sights on my P365XL.
Sig Sauer P320 X-Carry in 9mm. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The magazine is a double-stacked 15+1, which tends to be bulky. If you have small hands, it may be a bit wide. Like all SIGs, it is reliable, has excellent ergonomics, and is fun to shoot.
FN 510 Tactical
The FN 510 Tactical is a polymer-frame, striker-fired semiauto. It is a duty-size handgun comparable to the benchmark Glock 17.
The FN is an “effin” beast. It comes with a threaded barrel, either a 15 or 22 (yes, 22) round magazine, and optics-ready. The pistol is very accurate and has very good ergonomics. I was not a fan, however, of the 22-round magazine. While fun for target practice or plinking out in the country, I didn’t like the feel of the extra rounds for self-defense purposes.
I would rather have two 15-round magazines, but when you order one from the factory in Columbia, SC, they send one of each. But it is an outstanding one for hunting or self-defense.
SIG Sauer P220 Legion 10mm
I absolutely love this pistol, with one caveat, which I’ll get to in a bit. The Legion is an enhanced version of the gun that started it all for modern-day SIG. And boy, it is advanced. The 10mm version is the big brother of the original, and it is a fantastic weapon.
It’s big and bulky, but the Legion is a highly accurate and beautiful weapon. The trigger on the SIGs is still, IMO, the best, and the Legion is no exception. It comes optics-ready, and the one I shot also had the Romeo sights.
SIG Sauer P220 in different caliber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Carrying it concealed may be an issue for some folks, but a shoulder or chest rig in specific scenarios may be more applicable. Yes, it kicks hard with the recoil, but that is what the enhanced cartridges are for.
The only thing I don’t love is the magazine capacity of 8 +1. But it is a fantastic pistol and would become a favorite to shoot. They come from the factory with three magazines.
Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS
The Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS is everything you would expect from a Glock. Like the SIG, it is the bulked-up big brother to the 9mm counterpart, the outstanding Glock 17. It is accurate and reliable (it’s a Glock) and is only slightly larger than the G17, so it is suitable for an everyday carry weapon.
The trigger is still an issue, but it is better than the older models. It is also affordable—you can still find them for sale for $620 at multiple stores. The magazine holds 15 +1. It is optics-ready; with the Holosun SCS MOS, it was accurate well beyond 50 meters.
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP 10mm Auto Pistol
The Springfield XD-M Elite 10mm was one that I had never seen in the flesh until I got to put a few rounds downrange with it. It had a bit of an uncomfortable feel, but once I fired it, the pistol was just fine.
Although they were all close in size and weight, I did think that the red iron sights felt bulkier in my hand. The red iron sights are awesome for target shooting. One drawback is that the weapon doesn’t come optics-ready. You have to buy adapters separately, and they aren’t expensive.
The Springfield was quite accurate, and the recoil wasn’t too bad. The magazines hold 16+1 and are the most affordable of the lot.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
