Hey guys and gals! I have always considered myself a complete revolver nut, but most of the time, I have some kind of automatic on hand. I have been doing some thinking about getting a 10mm.
I am wondering if I could get some ideas for the best 10mm auto for the money. With the internet I've been able to view several smith's, the Colt delta elite, cz, and even glock! For those of you who really like this caliber...I'd like your thoughts please.
Also, I've been told that the 10mm is very hard on the gun itself. Is durability and reliability an issue? Also, is this such a punishing cartridge that it is unpleasent to shoot often? I'm a big guy and don't mind recoil, but I prefer a pleasent experience. Should I just get another 45acp, or is there that much benefit to the 10mm. I reload my own ammo, so the prices on ammo in stores has no affect on me.
Thanks for any info and pics you can offer. Reading up, I really like this caliber, on paper at least. This just seems like it has the possibility to finally be the automatic that ends my search.

Hey guys and gals! I have always considered myself a complete revolver nut, but most of the time, I have some kind of automatic on hand. I have been doing some thinking about getting a 10mm.
I am wondering if I could get some ideas for the best 10mm auto for the money. With the internet I've been able to view several smith's, the Colt delta elite, cz, and even glock! For those of you who really like this caliber...I'd like your thoughts please.
Also, I've been told that the 10mm is very hard on the gun itself. Is durability and reliability an issue? Also, is this such a punishing cartridge that it is unpleasent to shoot often? I'm a big guy and don't mind recoil, but I prefer a pleasent experience. Should I just get another 45acp, or is there that much benefit to the 10mm. I reload my own ammo, so the prices on ammo in stores has no affect on me.
Thanks for any info and pics you can offer. Reading up, I really like this caliber, on paper at least. This just seems like it has the possibility to finally be the automatic that ends my search.

Here is a good article:
http://www.bren-ten.com/website/id55.html
I have S&W 1076 and Glock 29SF, I really like. The one article shows shooting 10,000 rounds of full power loads in like two days. They are as durable as a S&W .40 or a .45acp. You might not be able to afford enough ammo to wear one out. The recoil was a lot less than I thought it would be.

I have a 1026 which my son gave me. I haven't fired it a lot, but it shoots to POA and the recoil is reasonable with full-power loads. The 1026 and 1076 have the same simple controls as the SIG 225, 226, 228 and 229.

Very nice gun.

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Formerly Model520Fan

crash, thanks for the response, and welcome to the forum. If I'm not mistaken, the glock 29 is their subcompact 10mm; the thing that worried me about this particular gun was the lack of grip in my hand. I have big paws, and usually like a lot of grip in my hand, althought it would be ideal for ccw, which is important too. Does the recoil in the 29 have an affect on your 2nd/follow-up shot. And, I was also wondering what the SF stoof for. Thanks again.

10mm is a great cartidge. The S&W 10xx series was overbuilt for 10mm. It runs like a tank, and is heavy (around 40 ounces) too, but is very reliable and takes up alot of the recoil because of its weight. If you like plastic pistols, the Glock is just fine. The Delta Elite would be nice, but they are more expensive then the 10xx series. I have heard mixed reviews on the EAA 10mm's, but for their price I would be willing to give it a shot. That being said I personally think that the S&W 10mm's are the best looking versions out there.

Here is a picture of my 1076 and 1066.

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J.D. Roy

Firebird, nice pics and nice auto's! I agree with you about the colt's being pricey, and I have always told anyone who would listen to me that I would never own a glock, I just think that they are ugly...but they are cheap. Still, I would have to want something really bad to get one. It has nothing to do with thier performance though.
I believe that both of these have the shorter 4.25" barrel...would you ccw either of these. I often carry my N-frames concealed, but it's tough to tell by a picture. I wish my local dealer had one I could play with, but alas...not at this time.

As long as you stick with the commander sized 10xx series, 1076, 1066, 1086, they have the bobbed hammer and a short enough barrel to ccw. They are a little heavy, but one can get use to that. I do plan on carrying my 1066 for ccw, but I have to get some night sights installed before I do. It fits in the same iwb holster as a 40xx/59xx. Also, if you can find a 4566, it is the same size frame as the 1066.

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J.D. Roy

The Bren-Ten is now being produced by Vltor Weapon Systems, and being called the Fortis. http://www.vltor.com/pistol.htmAnd I believe that Wilson Combat and maybe Kimber offer 10mm 1911 platforms.

Spearcrow since you reload this will be a big advantage for this calibre, you can load from 135 grn up to 200 grn bullets. Pretty wide range of bullet weight and power. You can load 10 down to the 40SW or the full power loads. The S&W frame can handle any load. The Glocks mod 20 & 29, (i have both) are ok but not in the same class as the S&W's. I load all the popular handgun calibers and 10 is my favorite.

I said the same thing ever since Glocks came out. Then... Last week I broke down and bought a Glock 10mm.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1014973

I did a fair amount of research almost 2 years ago as I wanted and still want a 10mm semi auto. I am not a Glock person as they just do not seat in my hand well (this is truly the only beef I have with them). However after talking to some intelligant folks and doing quite a bit of reading I am convinced the Glock 20 is the perfect platform, as I know it, for the 10mm. Wish I found it comfortable. Good luck, let us know if you find what your looking for. Mike.

Yes, Kimber makes a 1911in 10mm. The Model is: “Stainless Target II”. Mine has functioned almost faultlessly. The few problems are FTF on the last round from one of my magazines. A good pistol IMO.
I also have a 1006 & 1076. The 1006 is a great carry in the woods pistol. The 1076 is a super pistol just the right size for concealed carry if you are going in harms way.
With Double Tap full bore 200gr, I consider myself adequately armed.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Your writing my diary. I too had several ftf's on the last round, while firing Doubletap's 200gr hardcast, in my Kimber Target II. I did put in a 23 or 24# recoill spring before I ever fired anything in it.

Kimber also makes an Eclipse 10mm. Both models are "approved" here in KA.

But getting back to the gist of this thread, I encourage you to at least try the 10mm. Most people find it's addictive. Also, any gun with higher pressure and more powder will shorten the life of the gun. Colt used to figure about 85=90% the life of a 45acp on a 1911. Just get a new one.

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9tenz

Guys I really appreciate all the responses, information, and opinions. Most people say that the 10mm is somewhat of a wildcat cartridge, with no place except it's little niche of people who like them, but I think (on paper) that this cartridge has mega potential. A friend called me tonight and said that a pawn shop in the next town over has a smith 10mm..he thinks it's a 1076. He said he didn't really get a good look at it, but said it seemed to be in pretty good shape. Dealer is apparently asking $599. I know it's impossible for you guys to tell me if this is a good deal, without a lot more information. I'm gonna go check it out as soon as I can, maybe tomorrow night. Thanks again, and I'll be sure to let you guys know if it comes home with me

Been reading some of the archived articles here on the forum regarding the 10mm. In several places, people mention a mag disconnect..some like it, and some don't. Can anyone educate me on what this is, and how I can tell if the one I'm going to look at has this or not. Pros/cons. Thanks

When there is no magazine in the pistol, the trigger and hammer are useless.

That's what I figured it was, thanks for the info sonny!

For those of you who do your own reloading, are there any availability issues? Since this is not a hugely popular caliber, just wondering if there was ever any problems getting brass, etc.

I was the same way too till the PD I worked for bought them and issued them. I shoot mine better than any other gun I own and it has been ultra reliable. I went to the armorers school and I really like the simplicity of the design too, less parts = less things to break.

The magazine disconnect is a safety feature designed into 3rd Gen S&W pistols. It prevent the pistol from being fired when the magazine is removed from the pistol. E.g., if there is a round in the chamber and you reove the magazine the pistol will not fire that round.

Generally 1076s shipped to law enforcement agencies had the feature disabled. The FBI 1076s being the most well known of these agencies. When checking out the pistol check to see if the pistol will fire with the magazine removed. Also check to see what caution statement has been etched on the slide.

Good luck,
D

Forgot to address the pro/con. Some like it and some hate it. For someone in law enforcement it is a gift. The safety issues are fairly obvious. There is a downside from that perspective. For non-law enforcement purposes I can see the safety justification for the magazine disconnect. However, personally I dislike the disconnect and non of my 1076s have it. Note that it is easily disabled by a competent gunsmith at any time.

The 1911 has no disconnect in its usual form so I have S&W 3rd generation pistols with and 1911s without.
For my purposes it makes little difference. The FBI manual (others are more expert here than I) suggests that the lack of a disconnect permits you to change magazines and still have a round ready to fire, allowing partial mags to be consolidated etc.
With a little practice, mag changes are very fast in any case.
In my rather long search for a 1076 I found that those with disconnects could be had at a lower price than ex-LEO pistols.
I have heard that Glock counsels against using lead bullets, if you heed them, your reloads will be much more expensive. You can change barrels I suppose.
Disabling the disconnect is really quite simple.
Cost of reloads; powder, primers, and lead bullets are the same price as for any other handgun w/the same scarcity right now. Brass is another matter, it is scarce and expensive. Once you have a supply you are fixed though. The pistols have a tendency to throw brass to hell and gone.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

The Glock 29Sf is ugly,it is dependable, accurate and easy to conceal. The big things that help it is a Pearce PG-29 mag extension, and a Wolff 21# recoil spring. The felt recoil is not much more than a Glock 27 (.40 subcompact). Yes, follow up shot is really not a problem. The 1076 is easier to shoot and is good looking, concealable, but not as easy as the G29. Replacing the grips on the 1076 with the S&W (FBI) palm swell grips is a big improvement for me.Both are accurate and either is a good choice, get which ever one feels best to you and enjoy.

The 10mm is a great cartridge, but be warned it is addicting!

NordicG3K.....That Bren Ten is wild looking! Is that a Roman Numeral X on the grip? Stock grips? Very cool. Thanks for the pics.
Mike.

Alright guys, I really really appreciate all the responses so far, as usual the forum proves to be a wealth of knowledge and information. I checked out the 10mm that my friend saw at the gun show. Turns out it is not a 1076...it is actually the DAO 1086. I am really not put off either way, since I've never had either. It appears to be in really good condition...nice clean bore..parts look good, and it appears not to have been shot very much. he didn't think that he had the box, but it comes with 2 mags, and a small bag full of once fired brass. I 'think' that I can get it for $500 out the door. So what do I do??? Is this a good price, average, too high?? I appreciate the opinions everyone.

Considering that there were just over 1600 1086's made.. yeah.. that is a good price!

Right now, that is an average to low price so I'd say go for it. Haggle and bicker, if you're good at it in a friendly way, just to see what comes of it. The magazines are getting expensive so having 2 of them inclusive is a key factor. I'll be curious to hear your range report for the DAO. Congrats!

Buy it.....Quick

The DAO trigger on the 1086 does take some getting used to so you'll need lots of practice, but it makes for a great CCW piece.

FWIW, I get my 10mm brass from StarLine.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I have thought about getting some of that.. how well does it work for you?

I have a 1076 and a Glock 20SF. I hate to say it, but I prefer the Glock. 15rds of 10mm, hits POA for me, and is controllable for me.

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439