Well... I mean regular .45 ACP isn't that impressive in terms of ballistics. It's a good choice, heavy and slow does work... but if you want more power, try running .45 Super. It's the same dimensions as .45 ACP, just higher pressure and can meet and exceed 10mm ballistics.

 

I like 10mm, but if you're a .45 guy, I don't really see a compelling practical reason to switch. I guess slightly higher ammo capacity in similar sized guns could motivate some to switch to 10mm. It looks like .45 ACP might currently save .01 - .02 a round for new ammo. Is it significantly cheaper to reload one over the other?

Are there dangerous large animals in your area to justify a 10mm?

Or, this is America, if you want to switch to 10mm, go for it. I got to shoot a .500 Bushwhacker over the weekend and it has me thinking about Magnum revolvers.

 

This is America hahaha, so true. I think I will stick with the .45 in the end. I just get antsy!

 

If you want one and can afford it in your budget, get it. Problem solved.

It seems to work for me.

 

However, the ballistics make me want to swap over and get something like a G20 or even a 29 to carry.

Why?

 

I've got nothing against .45 cal. However, the performance of 10mm for close to the same price per round as .45 cal. leads me to favor 10mm. Hits hard at a greater distance! There are a variety of pistols including 1911's, full-size and compact polymer framed pistols, as well as carbines available now for sale in both .45 and 10mm.so take your pick.

 

I have a G20 and a G21, I do not reload, only use store bought ammo

If you are protecting yourself against animals then 10mm all the way
For humans, either works

If you are shooting targets, you can load your own 10mm a little weaker, to maybe similar performance of a 40 cal and do well with it

Even shooting light store bought 10mm loads, I have better times with the 45 cal, no question

All boils down to what you are doing and why

side note, the G20 handles the 10mm recoil noticeably better than the Springfield XDM
I have shot both side by side with the same load, even the XDM owner that dislikes Glocks was impressed with how well the glock ate the recoil of his heavy bear loads.

 

Me personally if I can’t get it done with a .45 ACP or .45 ACP +P, I probably won’t be able to get it done with a 10mm.

When I am out in the woods or desert I am more worried about two legged threats than four legged threats, and I don’t frequent areas with the large bears. Yes, like any gun guy I would like to have a 10mm, but with 8 .45 ACP handguns I think I will survive .

 

 

Carrying the same size gun, I would go 45 for ccw, just me. Where the full 10 is a bit better is as a trail gun running 200-220gr solids or tough jhp like the xtp. I always carried a 4" 44mag or hvy 45colt when packing meat in Montana grizz country, but bought my g20sf for the weight savings. I dont think I need the 15rds but do like the easier shooting pistol v a heavy revo.

 

I agree with Fred. I’ve owned a G20 and a 29. Ended up selling them. Still have a few .45’s but mostly 9mm nowadays.
When I was younger my father and I would bowhunt Montana and Colorado for elk. One night as we we approaching our truck for the ride back to camp we happened upon a few other hunters and their guide. The conversation turned to what we were carrying for defense. I had my G20 at the time, the guide asked me how well I thought that slide would do if I was pinned under a grizzly.
Started carrying a double action .44 mag after that.
BTW, he carried a semi-auto 12 gauge with slugs and a .44 in a chest rig.
OP, the question you need to ask yourself is, why? What’s the purpose?
if it’s small animals, and you want it, go for it.
if it’s to carry, and you want to, go for it.
if you just want it and have the means, go for it.
I will bet eventually you’ll end up selling them and just stick with the .45.
Someone mentioned, just buy a G21 and covert it to .45 Super, it’d be much easier.

 

I have 3 - 10's and I shoot a lot of 40's in my 10's in IDPA or just blasting ammo. I know the safety Nazi will be out for me again. Reloading the 10 is the same cost as the 40.

 

I know the safety Nazi will be out for me again.

Eh, it's not unsafe.

I just did a case where a bad guy had shot .40S&W, 10mm and 45ACP from a S&W M&P in 45ACP. He did not blow up. 🤪

I've shot about 50 rounds of .357 Sig from Glock .40s. 😬

 

Okay, kidding.

Big bad bears aren’t the only reason to get something chambered in the most-awesome 10mm AUTO.

Truthfully, the .45acp is solid choice for EDC. There are a ton of platforms for it and I have a bunch of 45s. My old S&W DA/SA 645 is a key favorite but recently that’s switched to a MEUSOC 1911 build my gunsmith & I did.

Despite all the back-n-forth between 10mm fans and everybody else, the 10mm, in my opinion, edges out the .45acp slightly in, first, versatility of use, second, consistent penetrative ability (especially where intermediate barriers are present) and, maybe third, mag capacity if that matters. Usually it’s only one or two rounds. So not a huge deal.

These days I EDC a S&W 1066 or 1013, but my Sig 10mm P220 has proven to be a beast of a shooter. Since getting it, it’s been fed only real 10mm ammo - factory sometimes but mostly my high-performance handloads.

 

I agree. 10mm when you need it (bear defense and short range deer hunting). .45 for availability and proven performance against two-legged predators. I also have a .480 Ruger for the bigger stuff and hunting but I like to celebrate diversity!

 

10mm is pretty overrated if you're used to big bore revolvers.

The one person I knew who was in a gunfight decades ago with a Colt Delta Elite 10mm immediately went back to packing a .45 ACP 1911.

I do have a 10mm G20, mostly because some people told me a G21 wouldn't handle a regular diet of .45 ACP +P loads.

I prefer to carry a big bore revolver.

 

10mm is pretty overrated if you're used to big bore revolvers.

Well, 5- and 6-shot boat anchor mega-magnum wheelguns make for great range toys and Safe Queens.

 

X-Ten Comp has become a new favorite in the EDC rotation. Definitely a heavier package, but it carry’s great regardless

 

I haven't shot my 10mm in several years. I shot a .45 yesterday. Hope that answers the question.

 

.45acp = fat and slow

10mm = chubby but fast

Up to you who you want to date.

 

10mm is more versatile and is capable of deeper penetration with the right loads.

 

Wrong~

 

I'm a huge 10mm fan, and I like 1911s too.

But WHY and WHAT are pertinent questions.

With a 10mm for SD, a great bullet to limit over penetration is needed. Also a very robust pistol as it's right on the edge of the operating window for most pistol designs, if not over. It does get you a few more cartridges in the same platform.

If a good .45 ain't enough for SD, neither will a 10mm be enough in almost all situations. 10mm ammo is more expensive too.

 

This answer right here helps a lot. If a .45 won't handle a SD situation, then the 10mm probably won't solve it either.

 

Get whichever you like best. I own guns in either but there is always a fondness for the 45.

 

Thanks for all the info everyone! I think I will stick to the .45, but I will also be getting another 10mm

 

I've shot a 45, I think it was a glock 21? I've never owned a 45, but when I shot that gun it was comfortable, may sound weird, but it reminded me of shooting trap loads on my 12 gauge. I just purchased a 10mm G20.5 with some 180 grain underwood ammo. Lol I have no idea what to expect honestly. The main reason I got it is for deer hunting and the occasional armadillo lol.

 

10mm G20.5 with some 180 grain underwood ammo. Lol I have no idea what to expect honestly

Expect fun.
Expect being able to hit targets out to 50-75 yards with ease.
Expect brass to fly into outer space.
Expect loud.
Expect fireballs.
Expect less recoil than you thought you would.
Expect a smile that hurts.
Expect that can't wait to do it again feeling.

We expect you to report back with how it went.😁

 

If you are near the city or suburbs (not the smokey mountain bear country): 45 acp or 45 +P
For two legged small or large: Use in a FNX 45 Tactical, Glock 21 (with or without a CAA MCK), or Glock 30 (not S).

Out in the country, 45 acp +P or 10mm..

 

Yet more unexplained initials!

 

I love 45ACP and 10mm and have Glocks and other brands in both calibers. There's no bad choice. I'll add that 10mm recoil with stout ammo is extremely over-hyped. 45 is sweet, and 10mm is fun, so why not have both?

 

JK nails it. I personally would pick one or the other, but there is no wrong choice here.

 

G20 or even a 29 to carry

I edc a G20 AIWB.
Have been for over 4 years.
It's loaded with Underwood 200gr XTPs.
Not everyone will like carrying one daily because of it's weight and size though. Most will opt for the G29. But it does have a short grip making it a bit more jumpy. You can put extensions on the magazines though.
I chose the Glock 10mm. because of the different loads you can fire through it.. You can shoot .40 s&w out of it all the way up to the mean Underwood or Buffalo Bore screamers.

 

Get a Glock 21 and the parts to convert it to 10mm.

 

Or convert to .460 Roland

 

I've gone from 45 auto, jumped on the 10mm big time when I joined GT, YIKES, 20 years ago.

Now I'm back to the 45 auto, +P, 45 Super and 450 SMC

45 Super, 460 Rowland and 45 ACP+P have something the 10MM does not — significant bullet diameter — Buffalo Bore Outdoors

www.buffaloboreoutdoors.com

With the 45, I can also handload 400 Corbon, at healthy velocities.

The game changer for me, can be carried cocked/locked, and it's overbuilt for running a steady diet of +P ammunition

At the top of the middle row of magazines is Underwood's 45 Super 255gr WFN (28,000 operating psi SAAMI spec), the HK handles this ammunition very well. The two magazines on the left are Corbon's 185gr DPX ammunition, very light recoil for fast follow-up shots. This all copper hollow point is barrier blind, it won't clog.

 

Aren't the Colt Delta Elite's considered the worst 10mm pistol ever made? So, if that's your only experience, you may want to shoot a different 10mm.

 

They're pretty though.

 

I have a Glock 21 and changed long ago the recoil spring to a stronger one. It has worked fine with range 45 ACP as well as some store bought more powerful rounds. Several months back I bought it a 10 MM Conversion barrel from that store in Nashville and sent a half box each of store bought 10mm and 40 S&W down range. Absolutely no giant revelations, they felt like 45 ACP. Perhaps this kid is as insensitive as the long suffering wife says. Result: Problem solved, no new G 20 here.

If needing a handgun to pretend being a macho hombre a Ruger Convertible with the 45 Long Colt chamber and big boom ammo will have to take on the imaginary grizzlys or aggravate the arthritis.

 

Ruger Convertible with the 45 Long Colt chamber and big boom ammo

45 Colt is a fantastic round. Very under appreciated.