I suppose I’d choose a .45 ACP

I own more of them, ammo is easy to come by (not that 10MM is hard to find, but maybe you end up in a small town) and it’s less expensive. Also not worried about over penetration as much. The only 10MM I own is a G20 and I keep it for a “woods carry” (there’s a few others I have my eyes on).

Wouldn’t have an issue carrying a 10 as an EDC I suppose, but you’re making me choose. Moving to a 1911 currently as my EDC (at least going to try it for a while) so I guess that’s an easy decision for me. The best EDC is the one you’ll actually carry IMO

 

I would pick the .45 too, mostly for over penetration concerns with 10mm in an urban environment.

 

In which category?

Ammo availability or cost?
Stopping power? (I had to stop laughing to list that one)
Proven lethality?
Cool factor? (That's for the fanboys and dilettantes)
Inherent accuracy?
Ballistics?

Your question has no qualifiers. It's like asking "How much rifle do you need for hunting."

 

dilettantes

had to look that one up, you teach me something new everyday 😂

 

Yes.

 

My preference is .45 Colt in a Blackhawk or Redhawk, or a 10mm Glockypoo 20.

If I had to pick only one, choice would vary depending upon mood or what I was doing, but if only one it would probably be a single action Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

 

I believe the 45 is the better choice for everyday carry since it is less harsh on the shooter. I am sure there are experienced shooters that will be just as fast with the 10 mm as they are with the 45 acp. The choice for those shooters could be different. The 45 has been doing a pretty good job of stopping fights for over 100 years.

 

I went 45. In full power loads, its just a bit easier to hit with quickly. For woods i like the full 10.

 

I prefer the 10mm for carry outdoors.

 

Given that I carry a Glock 29 every day, 10mm is my preference.
The 10 is more versatile than a 45 ACP and more readily available in a broad range of loadings. One also gains a bit of capacity when carrying a 10 in the same form factor.
Better barrier penetration and the greater speed at which 10 is loaded actually reduces the danger of over penetration.

 

Spoiler, I’d pick 9mm

 

 

In my opinion only, neither caliber is superior, they both do the same things when viewed in their role as a carry gun. I’ve carried both at work for long periods. By that I mean 10 years or more each as a primary duty pistol. Couldn’t really care less. Give me either and I’ll make it work.

If you mean a woods gun for furry critters I’d select the 10mm, but I’ve used a .45 ACP in the Alaska bush for the exact same role.

 

In my opinion only, neither caliber is superior, they both do the same things when viewed in their role as a carry gun.

And that's the reality- above .380 and below .41 magnum, the end result is roughly identical.

 

It’s kinda like asking me if I want regular potato chips or wavy, really like em both. Being forced to choose goes against my principles! Life is better with options and whatever may strike my fancy on a particular day. Wish I could do it with motorcycles and vehicles too (I need to win the lotto). Muscle car or exotic? Lifted truck or Jeep? I want em all…

These contrived “debates” always crack me up.

 

YOU MUST PICK!

 

You know you might want to consider simultaneously asking respondents whether they're rural or urban. You might also want to consider asking them what (realistically) they have or might have to do with their handgun. Also, is their handgun something they actually use, or is it more like a fashion accessory?

Leaving those little details out can pretty much render answers to your question moot.

 

I suppose. I’m surprised asking folks which they would prefer for their EDC is so difficult! Don’t overthink it guys lol.

 

This is a difficult choice, I am nobody special, I do not carry because of where I live, my opinion is 10mm, but there is nothing wrong with choosing 45.

For the best of both world's buy a G21 and buy an extra slide, a G20 slide.
Or vice-a-versa.

The pro for 45 ACP is, you start with a larger diameter bullet, and end up with a larger diameter expanded bullet. Recoil is OK. Velocity is ideal for suppressor use.

Now for 10mm.

Flatter trajectory for distance. But, not needed for self defense. I just don't see ordinary people shooting at each other at 50 yards.

Can get conversion barrels for 357 Sig and 40SW, but not important.

If I were to move to a pro carry state, I would have a spare mag with high penetrating rounds. If the first mag does not stop the threat to my life, maybe it is because the enemy is behind a good barrier.

So, 1 mag of 10mm HST, a spare mag with 10mm underwood.

Or 1 mag of 45 HST, a spare mag of Buffalo Bore 45 Super.

I once played with getting a G21 to work reliably with both 45 ACP and 45 Super, and I could not find a configuration with high reliability with both.

Stock G20 can do both. Maybe stiffer recoil spring is best if going to shoot full power 10mm regularly, but standard recoil spring worked OK.

So, I will prefer 10mm for readily switching between FBI specs tested ammunition and underwood hunting barrier blind ammunition.

Keep in mind 9mm will work for most people in most circumstances, but you did not ask about 9mm.

My opinion

 

You know you don't need a G20 slide to fire 10mm out of the 21. You only need a G20 conversion barrel and a 10mm mag. You may also need a recoil spring change depending on loading.

 

I chose the 10mm. I have 2 that I carry. As with anything, tailor the load to the task.

 

The best answer, as always....get both.

 

Honestly, good answer.

 

When you say EDC, are you just talking the ammo or are you including the gun ?

 

Haha oh my goodness. Idk what do you think?

 

Seriously, I carry a .45 ACP. The ammo is more available and that's what I already have. I do find myself wanting a 10mm EDC at times. But when I look at my inventory, the idea is always squashed.

 

.45acp has a bigger diameter at the start and a bigger diameter upon expansion. This means each hit is more likely to damage a major artery or nerve path/cortex to stop the fight. The .45 is also easier to control so you are more likely to hit what you are aiming at, which should be a major artery or nerve path/cortex.

 

10 mm because I have several to choose from and carry them frequently, always when running around in the bush. I only have one 45, a commander size 1911, just because everyone should have at least one 45 auto. Can’t remember the last time I **** it let alone carried it. I have a lot of rounds through the Glock and da/sa platform so carry those.

 

10mm beats 45 in power and capacity and I was a 45 fan boy

 

Definitely does. I just prefer .45 or 9mm for carry in my situation because of over penetration concerns (typically carrying in an urban area).

 

Is it possible to shoot 45GAP out of a .45ACP pistol? Maybe. But we all know you'll find more .40 in the wild than 45GAP.

10mm handguns hold more rounds.

.45ACP +P will get you some good (near 10mm) performance. But that recoil might be a bit harsh on the gun. Versus a 10mm firearm that was built for punishment.


My vote is for the 10

 

The real world is not black and white, people are posting real life answers to a meaningless fantasy poll, IMO. I live on a ranch too and my EDC is .357mag this time of year, the few times I go to town, it could be a P220 45auto. During warmer months, coming soon to Arizona, it could be a 1911 in 38 Super, or it could be a 1911 in 10mm, but I probably would carry a 19X because big 4 legged predators leave the valley and head back into the mountains. Now if I travel into our local mountains, I'm back to carrying a .357mag...then I need to decide if I want to carry a 3" Python or 4.25" Python...life is full of tough choices when there are so many different shades of gray.

I voted 45auto, because it's still officially winter.

 

Right, it was just for fun. Some folks took it really seriously apparently!

 

If you shoot thousands of rounds of factory ammo only, .45. If you handload, 10mm. If you want to own lots of different pistols so your training is not as effective, .45 plus others. The 10mm will cover what the .45 does with reduced loads and go quite a bit beyond. Love my G20 with lots of accessories/barrels/longslide etc and etc.

 

Lets put perspective on cost of shooting thousands of rounds.
Sticking with new, no remanufactured.
.45 ACP/Auto Ammo
10mm Auto Ammo
45 acp is approximately 34 cents round - $338 thousand
10mm is about 40 cents round - $400 thousand

Yes, 45 acp is cheaper, but the disparity aint that bad, like 15% higher for 10mm.

 

I think the 10mm is a more flexible round then the .45, but many don't like it.

 

I use hsts for everything else. And sometimes critical duty in 9mm because I still have so much. Haven’t decided on a carry round for the new 29.

 

.45 as EDC, only because my 10mm is a G20 and it's too big (IMO) for me as an EDC. My EDC is a G30SF and it works perfectly in that role.

Hmm...maybe I should consider a G29...

 

I recently got a 29. Awesome little gun.