What’s so great about 10 mm?

[Hair Trigger]

I was a 10mm fan before it was cool. The attraction is a cheap to shoot revolver capable of killing anything in the 48 states. I won’t get into the autos, but with a revolver the 10mm shines as it is the most recoil I want in a < 42 oz revolver such as a 4” 610. The real 10mm loads are 180 grains at 1250 plus. That load beats 357 mag no matter how you look at it with 12% more weight and 12% more sectional density.

The Hornady manual lists the 200 grain XTP bullet as a SD of .179, the 158 grain XTP as SD of .177, almost equal. Of course the 10mm MV with that bullet is around 1150 fps, the .357 with the 158 is around 1450 fps (full power loads). The velocity difference makes up for the lighter bullet in kinetic energy, so I'd call it a dead heat. Either way, whatever gets hit probably won't get back up.

I shoot the 155's mainly because I also load and shoot a .40S&W a great deal; I can load that bullet for both guns. My first 10mm was a 2nd gen G20, bought it the month it was released in 1992. kept it until last year, sold it and bought the SR1911.

 

[357 shooter]

It sounds cool.

That's all the reason you need.

If the 44 magnum had been called the "44 tinkerbell" it would not have gained quite so much popularity.

Of if it were not the choice of Inspector Callahan.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

The Hornady manual lists the 200 grain XTP bullet as a SD of .179, the 158 grain XTP as SD of .177, almost equal. Of course the 10mm MV with that bullet is around 1150 fps, the .357 with the 158 is around 1450 fps (full power loads). The velocity difference makes up for the lighter bullet in kinetic energy, so I'd call it a dead heat. Either way, whatever gets hit probably won't get back up.

I shoot the 155's mainly because I also load and shoot a .40S&W a great deal; I can load that bullet for both guns. My first 10mm was a 2nd gen G20, bought it the month it was released in 1992. kept it until last year, sold it and bought the SR1911.

My mistake, I should have said 12% more cross-sectional density referring to a .357 bullet compared to a .40 bullet. I have never seen a major manufacturer, meaning I’m excluding boutique ammo, produce 158gr 357 magnums at more than 1250 for a 4” barrel. I just bought Blazer Brass 10mm that is a 180 grain at 1200 fps in a 5” semi auto. A 5” 1911 and a 4” revolver are apples to apples IMHO.

I have eight times as many 38 and 357 mags as I have 10mms. This is my only 10mm. I have had a 10mm 1911 and a Glock 20 in the last 15 years.

 

[oldman10mm]

I have all 3. A 1006 for about 30 years, a 57 nickel 6" pre-lock about 6 years, a 610 pre-lock 6.5" about 5 years. I enjoy shooting all 3.

 

[ejr10mm]

Variety is the spice of life. A 610 is on my short list right now. Do I need another 10mm gun? not really, but they are cool.

 

[Darkenfast]

This just my personal opinion (and nobody needs to justify that new gun they want to buy!): for an all-around OUTDOORS firearm, the best choice was settled years ago - a six(ish)-inch barrelled, adjustable sighted .357 magnum in flavor of your choice. Yes, it can be a bit heavy (but the 10mm Smiths are heavy, too). Yes it's a bit long, but that's where the magnum really gets going, and there was a video and pic posted here recently showing LA law enforcement carrying six-inch Colts in suits. The long sight radius really helps, when precision is necessary. It will most likely be more accurate. Some sort of ammunition is usually available, and for less money. It's good for up to deer-sized game, which is the biggest that most will ever need. I personally think that, in a heavy six-inch version, it's the most powerful handgun that anyone can shoot (assuming comfortable grips). It also serves very well as a defensive weapon (as it has for decades).

If bigger game is on the mission list, I think a .41 or .44 is a better choice.

If personal defense is the main mission, there are a lot of 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .38 Special handguns (and others), out there that will do the job with a lot less fuss, cost, recoil and noise.

I believe the .357 Magnum in target revolver format is the .30-30 of the handgun world. Note that I am not saying it's as powerful, I am saying that it occupies a similar niche for handgun shooters as the old 30 does for rifle shooters.

Now, after all that, I will confess that I find 10mm autos very interesting!

P.S: In a Paul Harrell video a while back, he demonstrated a new gun of his. It was a stock 686+, six inch. He chronographed some Federal 158-grain JSPs and they averaged 1375 fps. That is a plain-vanilla .357 load that has been around for decades and is not very expensive (in normal times!). It also performed well on his famous "meat target".

 

[Dfish1247]

Otherwise, having a 10mm revolver is great justification for buying a 10mm semi-auto. I don't know of any 41mag semi-autos offhand.[/QUOTE]

Desert Eagle has a 41 mag kit. Darn good setup as well. But, try carrying the thing around, yuck. It’s a range or woods gun only.


10mm is an awesome cartridge, plenty for North American critters, no matter how many legs.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I’m a big fan of the 10 auto, bought my first St. Delta Elite over 20 years ago, added a few more semi autos afterwards, a blued DE, a G20 and a S&W 1006

So I had to have a 610. Only took me 20 years to find one, no dash 5”.

Seen a few S&W 57 for sale over the years, but .41 Mag ammo is very hard to find here

 

[shocker]

Agree with the idea that the 10 is the 357 of auto cartridges except it can throw heavier bullets.
Main reason I have been tempted to get a 10 revolver is the somewhat lame excuse of not having to search for brass. But for the cost of the revolver I can buy a lot of brass. So for me, 10 stays as an auto cartridge.

 

[03hemi]

10mm Auto is way cool, I have a few.

 

[uncleted327]

I have nothing against 10mm, owned one myself in the past. However, it does nothing a 357 Magnum won't in a lighter gun with more capacity. If you're buying an N frame why not get a 41 or 44 which the 10mm cannot and never has duplicated. Or get an 8 shot 357 Mag. At it's best the 10mm is about equal to a good 357 Magnum. People that think it's something more are living in a fantasy world.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

With a .41, you fire six rounds, and it's empty.

With a 10mm, you still have 10 left.

Really? Must be a glock. My single stack 1911 & 1006 only hold 9. ! don't do glocks.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The Hornady manual lists the 200 grain XTP bullet as a SD of .179, the 158 grain XTP as SD of .177, almost equal. Of course the 10mm MV with that bullet is around 1150 fps, the .357 with the 158 is around 1450 fps (full power loads). The velocity difference makes up for the lighter bullet in kinetic energy, so I'd call it a dead heat. Either way, whatever gets hit probably won't get back up.

I shoot the 155's mainly because I also load and shoot a .40S&W a great deal; I can load that bullet for both guns. My first 10mm was a 2nd gen G20, bought it the month it was released in 1992. kept it until last year, sold it and bought the SR1911.

Run that357 out of a 4-5 In.barrel and you'll never ever see 1450 fps. It will be close to the 10 velocity.

 

[gerhard1]

Liking both the 10mm round and revolvers, that's enough for me.

BTW Idon't have a 10mm semmi-auto.

 

[SuperMan]

Since you are just talking N-frame revolvers, already have two .41 Magnums and don't own any 10mm semi-autos, unless you can get a SMOKIN' deal on the 610 I would not bother. You won't be gaining anything at all other than adding another two cartridges to your inventory (10mm and .40 S&W).

Have been shooting .41s since about 1974. Just started shooting 10mm about five years ago. Have one Glock and several 1911s as well as a Ruger GP-100 which I consider one of the finest all-around revolvers I have ever owned. That said the .41 in a revolver is just head and shoulders above the 10mm.

Bob

 

[rubiranch]

I have a 4" 57, but it's too nice to shoot and ammo is $25/20 rounds--ouch!

My 58 is in excellent condition but not too nice to shoot.
I lucked out big time and stocked up on .41 Mag ammo
before the prices skyrocketed.

 

[Erocksmash]

I can't say anything about 41mag never shot one, on the other hand I'm in love with the 10mm in the S&W auto platform, I could only imagine it in a revo...

Not that it helps just IMO

Tlawler brings up a good point just for collectable reason...

 

[Univibe]

Really? Must be a glock. My single stack 1911 & 1006 only hold 9. ! don't do glocks.

XDM in 10mm.

 

[Marty Weatherup]

I was a little surprised at first at how many carry a Glock 10mm up here for bear protection. After some research I found there are some substantial heavy bullet loads available for the 10 specifically for that purpose. I carried a 10mm Special (40 S&W) Glock as a duty weapon and have always liked it, though now I have a 48 9mm on my hip most days, simply for the weight reduction.



The 610 has intrigued me, especially the four inch. I am a big fan of four inch N frames. I have thought for some time that S&W should bring out a run of Mountain Guns in 10mm. I'd buy one. I have also occasionally pondered having a four inch 28 rebored and chambered for a 401 Powermag, a rimmed 10mm so to speak. I have one of the single action Powermags and over 700 rounds of brass. Seems like a four inch 28 would be a natural for that conversion.



As has been stated, you'll not gain anything over your present 41 magnums. But does that matter? To me a 610 sounds like fun and certainly a useful iteration. Nobody ever accused gun nuts of being practical.

 

[k22fan]

In timed matches started holstered I fired my 3 7/8" 610 more than any other revolver. I will step out on a limb and write that is what most owners use 610s for. Revolvers that can not use moon clips are not competitive. One competitor brought a .41 Magnum that was altered to accept moon clips to local matches.

Only one. The clips for rimmed revolver cartridges are much thinner than 10 mm and .45 ACP clips. During filling and emptying they are easily bent. Once bent they act as spring cushions causing missfires. That occurs more frequently in in match tuned revolvers that can only reliably set off Federal primers. Also, the longer the cartridge the further the noses of clipped cartridges wiggle out of alignment. In full moon clips .357s are the slowest cartridges to reload. Despite their short comings, 686s set up for matches and firing shortened spit wad power cartridges in shortened .38 Special cases often are the revolver to beat. However, the match director can set up his match so that 625s are more competitive.

The only revolvers that are faster to reload than 610s are 625 .45 ACPs. Round nose bullets and thin walls between chambers enable tossing .45 moon clips into the cylinder with a slight spin with the revolver only in your peripheral vision. If the match layout puts more emphasis on fast reloads or the steel is set so that it requires more momentum to knock it down, 625s are the most competitive revolvers. That's that.

Firing my 610 I was the highest scoring revolver shooter for awhile. I was over taken by a competitor who usually fired a .38 Super 686. Why the odd revolvers? This is a hobby. Collectors and hoppyists love odd ball stuff. Ultimately practice, not equipment, wins sporting events.

My 610 did have one advantage over other revolvers. Before 9mm revolvers became common, in normal years, 40 S&W was the least expensive factory revolver cartridge. Swinging buy Wal-Mart for a $16 100 round box of Win. white box .40 S&W was not a wildly unreasonable thing for a reloader to do. Unlike spit wad power .38s factory .40 always whacked the steel right down.

Now if the O.P. only shoots his revolvers off the bench for groups than at 100 yards and beyond his .41s have an edge over all the revolvers I've written about. The 610 is one of S&W's tightest grouping models but it's no .41 Magnum.