If a lot of companies decide that full 10mm power is too much for their recoil sensitive customers and underpower their 10mm offerings to 40S&W specs, the obvious answer is to buy a 40 instead of finding quality ammo loaded to spec.
Categories: Guns
21 Comments
Michael · July 15, 2026 at 7:19 am
Caliber discussions never end. If you’re needing to stop a charging Bear, then I’d go for a 10mm with a heaver pistol for controllability. Deep penetration and rapid follow up shots are needed. No hollow points. That’s for soft and weak targets like humans.
(Really a centerfire non-5.56mm rifle is better but..)
If you’re trying to stop a drugged up raging manic rapid accurate hits of 9mm or better will do the job. Hollow points a good idea.
(Really police *Still*reach for Mr. 12 Gauge or an AR Carbine for that but…)
Downloading a 10mm to short and weak 40 cal. is begging for malfunctions as the pistol was designed for full power loads.
In many cases even a “Dead” already human can get to knife range and ruin your say. I’ve been to EMS runs on Officer down to see this personally.
TRX · July 15, 2026 at 9:36 am
The problem is, none of the 10mm shooters I’ve talked to were aware that they were shooting “10mm” loaded down to .40 ballistics.
That’s like buying a .357 Magnum and finding out most commercial .357 was actually loaded down to .38 Special ballistics, but you were being charged .357 prices anyway.
The crazy thing is, as far as I know the ammo manufacturers haven’t ever made a statement as to why they’re selling castrated 10mm. I can’t imagine their reasoning… you’re only looking at a few cents’ worth of powder per round, and they’re making that up and more with inflated “10mm” pricing anyway.
Tree Mike · July 15, 2026 at 7:33 am
I don’t get that either. I’m not a 10mm guy, I’m so old, I was a dedicated 9mm, 45acp, 357 guy by the 80’s. With that said, the REASON for 10mm, is 10mm performance! Hell, it hit’s harder than anything non magnum. It’s practically a magnum!
Might be a dangerous over penetrator for urban defence, so there are reasons for reduced velocity loads with premium boolits. 9, 40, 10, 45, it’s not what you choot ’em with, it’s where you choot ’em. Got that from a special forces guy back in the 80’s, while us amateurs were arguing over caliber selection. Forever put an end to that argument for me.
Dangerous game caliber discussions however, will go on forever.
Thanks fer blogging!
TRX · July 16, 2026 at 3:26 am
A few years ago the FBI announced that the 9×19 was “too much for some agents to handle” and was commissioning a study about adopting a less-powerful cartridge. Which would probably have put them right back with the .38 Special they started with.
In the end, nothing came of it. I suspect the Feebs were just playing one of those DC funding games.
Stefan v. · July 15, 2026 at 8:00 am
May as well go back to good old .45 ACP, the way Saint Browning intended.
Divemedic · July 15, 2026 at 9:04 am
The good thing about full power 10mm is a .45 weight bullet at 9mm velocity.
ghostsniper · July 15, 2026 at 8:18 am
Unless I land upon a once in a lifetime deal, I’m reluctant to get involved in a whole nuther caliber. And, my grocery list is such that the only thing on my radar sweep in that “lifetime deal” idea is a Colt Python. Been wanting one for all of my life but could never justify the cost.
TRX · July 15, 2026 at 10:01 am
> Python
—
You know, both Coonan and LAR made 1911-platform pistols in .357 Magnum…
ghostsniper · July 15, 2026 at 5:38 pm
The reason I want a Python is not the caliber but rather the look.
Divemedic · July 15, 2026 at 5:43 pm
I get that. I once bought a large frame because I watched Dirty Harry.
JimmaJoe · July 15, 2026 at 11:28 pm
Appreciate you honesty‼ And you are FAR from alone on that “large frame” move, bro…
Divemedic · July 16, 2026 at 8:27 pm
It was during the COVID lockdown. We were binge watching all kinds of stuff. I saw that 44Mag and wanted one. The best I could do was a large frame .357Mag. I still wouldn’t mind the 44…
JimmaJoe · July 15, 2026 at 11:29 pm
Appreciate your honesty‼ And you are FAR from alone on that “large frame” move, bro…
ghostsniper · July 16, 2026 at 5:56 am
At 16 I had a 66 Mustang 289 hipo with loud glasspacks and got pulled over by a deputy because of them. He had a Python and it was the first time I seen one. He let me hold it and I was smitten. Turns out, he was the previous owner of my Mustang and he had installed the glasspacks. He didn’t give me a ticket and just wanted to see who now owned his old ride. This was back in 1971, Fort Myers, FL.
The Southern Nationalist · July 15, 2026 at 10:22 am
While the 10mm may be a decent round, the .45 and .357 magnum have always been my favorites.
Divemedic · July 15, 2026 at 12:01 pm
I own a wide array of calibers, including all of the above.
The Southern Nationalist · July 15, 2026 at 4:50 pm
At times I wanted to buy some of those other caliber handguns since they were very popular, but I guess I’m an old “fuddy duddy” when it comes to firearms. The .45 and .357 magnum have always been close to my heart.
Tom Hyland · July 15, 2026 at 6:49 pm
I have no idea what these feds were packing when they approached their intended victim but they couldn’t withstand the verbal assault he laid on them. This is the best thing I’ve seen lately.
https://www.theburningplatform.com/2026/07/15/now-that-is-winning/
Divemedic · July 16, 2026 at 3:43 pm
This isn’t wise. You don’t have to open the door. If you do, the only answer is “I don’t answer questions.”
Tom Hyland · July 16, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Yeah, but it was fun to watch. You didn’t enjoy that?
Daniel 2.0 · July 16, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Hornady Backcountry Defense — 240 GR .44 magnum. Git er dun.
Comments are closed.