The 10mm is a rimless large pistol that comes with a maximum pressure of 33,000 psi. As such, it packs some serious power. The findings of multiple ballistic gel tests even found that the 10mm caliber can travel more than 17 inches after impact, whereas the 9mm could only travel 13 inches after impact.
In layman terms, a 10mm round could penetrate 2 people at center mass and continue traveling. While the 10mm was pushed to the sidelines for many years, recent advances in metallurgy have brought the 10mm back to a surge in popularity. Modern 10mm pistols are better equipped to handle the 10mm caliber than those built in the 1980s. As such, you won’t want to miss out on buying the best 10mm handguns.
| Pistols | Name | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Colt Delta Elite | Most Recommended Option 1. 1911 styling and ergonomics | 10/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Glock G40 Gen4 | Best for Money 1. Adaptable for sights and optics | 9.0/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Glock G20 Gen 4 | 1. Customizable grip and magazine catch 2. High capacity magazine 3. Inexpensive | 8.5/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | SIG Sauer P220 Elite 10mm Auto | 1. Accessory rail 2. Durable and reliable 3. Long barrel and long sight radius | 8.5/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra MS | 1. Full length guide rod 2. Smooth angled 3. Skeletonized hammer and trigger | 8.0/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 | 1. 2-tone handgun 2. Full size grips 3. Chamber indicator port | 8.0/10 | Currently unavailable |
 | Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS | 1. Match-grade stainless barrel 2. Serrated slide 3. Premium grip panels | 7.5/10 | Currently unavailable |
Important Components for A 10mm Pistols
Due to the sheer number of options available on the market, choosing the best 10mm pistol can be overwhelming. As such, there are a few factors you should consider when buying the best 10mm pistol.
Accessories
The common misconception is that gun accessories can only apple to large firearms i.e. rifles and shotguns. In fact, there are plenty of accessories made for handguns as well. For example, Beretta offers a wide variety of handgun/pistol accessories such as custom grips, lasers, and lights, rear and front sights, magazines, and etc.
Before purchasing any magazines from such manufacturers, it may be a good idea to confirm how many rounds your 10mm pistol can hold. Whether you’re a day or night shooter, lasers and lights are going to be of great aid to increase your shooting accuracy.
Ammo
Many shooters tend to neglect the ammo they feed to their 10 mm pistol. If you didn’t know, the ammo you use is just as important as the gun from which you are firing from. Although the 10mm caliber is gaining well-earned reputation among shooters, brands and styles form an integral part of the shooting process.
There are debates as to the best ammo for a 10mm pistol/handgun everywhere as different shooters have different expectations and views. The general rule of thumb is this: you don’t want a load that tops out at the teetering edge of SAAMI specs, but you also won’t want something like a 230 grain load which will have too much penetration for defense situations.
You would want ammo that fires cleanly and accurately from your 10mm pistol every time. Although many shooters underestimate the power of a 10 mm pistol due to its checkered past, it can do alot of damage with very little. As such, a mediocre bullet like a 165 grain Montana Gold can deliver a pretty substantial wound.
Top 7 Best 10 mm Pistols – Reviewed
1. Glock G40 Gen4
Specifications
- Type: Striker Fired
- Barrel Length: 6″
- Capacity: 10+1-Round
- Cartridge: 10 mm Auto
- Finish: Gas Nitride
- Front Sight: Fixed
- Length: 9.49″
- Magazine Included: 3 x 10-Round
- Magazine Type: Removable
- Muzzle: Plain
- Rear sight (adjustable)
- Stock Material: Polymer
- Weight: 1.76 lbs
Features
Since day 1, Glock has been striving to fill every shooter’s request for semi-auto pistols with longer barrels and slides since the introduction of the 6.02’ barrel 9mm G17L back in 1988. The benefits of an extended slide assembly seen in the Glock G40 Gen4 features a longer sight radius for a more precise sight picture, more rifling for bullet stability, and longer burn times for the powder which essentially increases bullet velocity.
It’s no coincidence that the G40 Gen4 arrived in the same year where Glock officially launched the factory MOS (Modular Optics System) for mounting red dot and reflex sights. You guessed it right, the MOS feature is now available on this model.
In terms of design, the G40 Gen4 shares the same design used for the G41 .45 ACP. As such, it features a polymer frame, recoil assembly, controls and 15 round magazines that are lifted directly from the Gen4 G20 10 mm model. The G40 Gen4 comes with the Rough Texture grip frame, 2’ accessory rail for lights and lasers, removable back straps and an enlarged reversible magazine release button. All these features will come in handy in the range.
Although the G40 does not come with a cut out at the top of the slide, it still weighs 2.5 ounces less than the standard size G21. Hence, this 10mm pistol will have much better balance than you would expect from a long slide pistol.
When firing the Glock G40 Gen4, you won’t suffer from painful or punishing recoils even with the hottest loads. The elongated slide and other ergonomic features made the Glock G40 Gen4 controllable and hence, enjoyable to shoot. Although the 10 mm round is not as popular as some semi-auto calibers, it’s still great for practice, defense, and hunting.
You will like this product if:
You want great reliability. The Glock G40 Gen4 never fails to deliver Glock’s usual level of reliability. After feeding, firing, and ejecting rounds for long hours, you won’t notice any malfunctions along the way. All the controls will work properly with the slide locking open on the last shot so you can enjoy your shooting sessions.
You want something lightweight. The Glock G40 Gen4 weighs under 2 pounds (unloaded) and hence, you won’t need to take too many breaks in between your shooting sessions.
You might not like this product if:
You don’t like Glock sights. As most Glock owners would know, their factory plastic sights are ‘place holders’ until you pony up for metal night sights. Running a factory rear adjustable sight with a pistol like this…Glock could’ve gone the extra mile and adopted a taller sight to co-witness with the optic.
You don’t want too many extras. Extras are generally not a bad thing, but finding a place to put them can be. If you lose your 43 mag loader and try selling it, buyers will ding you for $50 for not being ‘complete’. That said, you can just store all the ‘extras’ that come with the Glock G40 Gen4 in a Tupperware box.
2. Colt Delta Elite
Specifications
- Action Type: Single Action
- Barrel Length: 5″
- Capacity: 8+1-Round
- Cartridge: 10 mm Auto
- Finish: Stainless
- Front Sight: Novak Fixed White Dot
- Length: 8.5″
- Magazine Included: 2 x 8-Round
- Magazine Type: Removable
- Muzzle: Plain
- Sight: Novak Fixed Two Dot
- Stock Material: Wood
- Weight: 2.19 lbs
Features
This government model sits pretty high on top when it comes to 10mm semi-automatic handguns. Everyone knows that Colt was 1 of the original pioneers of the 10 mm and now, they’ve only gotten better with time. Much better.
The Delta Elite is a Series 80, rather than the older Series 70 design. In addition to the other manual and automatic safety devices, the pistol comes with a firing-pin lock that prevents the firing pin from moving forward until the trigger is pressed. Many veterans, especially older guys tend to go emotionally berserk over this feature.
The Delta Elite is available in either stainless or blue steel. Right out of the box, the pistol will work just fine and no break-in period is necessary unlike many other 10 mm pistols. The controls are very well designed by Colt and the prominent ‘speed bump’ on the grip safety will ensure proper disengagement while the large beavertail grip safety will provide ample protection from slide cuts.
This pistol comes with a slender, strong-side thumb safety that allows easy manipulation and facilitates a proper firing grip at the same time. This combat pistol blows away most competition thanks to its power for medium size game hunting in addition to its close quarters combat abilities.
Each Colt Delta Elite will come with Novak sights and dots, an enhanced hammer, wide slide serration, a lowered ejection port and an upset beavertail grip safety. At such a price point, this pistol is available at a more affordable price than its counterparts.
You will like this product if:
You want the most bang per buck. The Colt Delta Elite might not be the cheapest 10 mm pistol on the market, but it’s definitely one that’s worth every penny. You will be able to notice the difference in quality and durability once you’ve put your hands on this bad boy and start shooting it on the range.
You want to upgrade. Unlike some pistols, there is a large number of aftermarket parts available on the market for the Colt Delta Elite. As such, you won’t have any trouble in replacing or buying new parts to upgrade this piece.
You might not like this product if:
You want something light. If you are looking for something light to carry around with you, the Colt Delta Elite might not be the best option for you as it weighs over 2 pounds unloaded.
You want larger magazine capacities. One of the signature downsides to owning a 1911 pistol is its smaller magazines as compared to the likes of Glocks and etc. The Colt Delta Elite’s magazine can only fit 8 rounds at a time (Glocks can fit 15). Hence, you’ll find yourself reloading pretty often with this pistol.
3. Glock G20 Gen 4
Specifications
- Cartridge or Gauge: 10mm
- Model Number: PG2050201
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Barrel Length: 4.6″
- Hand: Right
- Finish: Black
- Stock Color: Black
- Round Capacity: 10+1
- Gun Weight: 30.69 oz.
Features
This specific model has been around for almost 3 decades. Since its release, Glock has been committed to producing the most reliable semi-auto pistols, particularly for law enforcement and the military. Over the years, it has gone through significant upgrades with new generations. The Glock G20 Gen 4 is a 10, and comes in the signature Glock double-stack form.
The Glock G20 Gen 4 comes with a 15+1 capacity and is pretty lightweight even when loaded. When empty, it merely weighs 27.52 ounces and 39.86 ounces upon being fully loaded. From the Glock G20 Gen 4’s 4.61 inch barrel, a commercially loaded 180-grain 10 mm cartridge can deliver velocities up to 1300 fps with approximately 675 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Such energy levels are on par with the 180-grain .357 Mag.cartridge that’s fired from a 4-inch revolver. If you are a hunter and want to boost the Glock G20 Gen 4’s power a little more, you may consider getting factory-manufactured 6-inch barrel that is available from Glock themselves and 3rd party vendors.
For the pistol to handle the 10mm cartridge’s increased length and pressure levels, the Glock made the G20 0.10-inches wider and 0.13-inches longer than most Gen4 duty-size Glocks such as the G17 and G22. That said, the polymer frame on the G20 will keep the unloaded weight of the pistol to a reasonable 27.51 ounces so you won’t have to worry about the gun being too heavy to carry around.
On the range, most shooters will expect the G20 to provide a bit of a workout just like other 10 mm pistols on the market. Truth is, the Glock G20 Gen 4 is surprisingly comfortable to shoot, even if you’re shooting for long sessions. Glock managed to manufacture a pistol that delivers a workable level of recoil even when shooting some of the hottest loads, which is pretty awesome.
You will like this product if:
You want great accuracy. The accuracy of this pistol is amazing, especially for an out of the box service 10mm pistol. Out of most 10 mm pistols, the G20 is probably the softest shooting and hence, you won’t have any regrets in owning and shooting it.
You have smaller hands. The Glock G20 Gen 4 is extremely comfortable to work with for shooters who have smaller hands largely thanks to its reduced grip size, texturing, and the Glock’s enlarged mag release. If you have smaller hands, you will love this pistol!
You might not like this product if:
You don’t like Glocks. It’s not uncommon to overhear a few shooters complaining how Glocks are ugly, heavy and hard to aim. That said, they are one of the most reliable pistols available on the market. Most shooters will never have any issues with it so long you aren’t shooting max loads for grins as you would try to avoid for every pistol.
You use poor quality ammo. Honestly speaking, you will experience more jams with poor quality ammo, it’s by no means Glock’s fault for your poor choice of ammo. To avoid jamming, you should avoid using poor quality ammunition regardless of the pistol model.
4. Sig Sauer P220 Elite 10mm Auto
Specifications
- Cartridge or Gauge: 10mm
- Model Number: 220R5-10-HP-SAO
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- 5 inch barrel
- Hand: Right
- Finish: Kryptek Typhon
- Stock Color: Kryptek Typhon
- Round Capacity: 8 + 1
- Gun Weight: 39.4 oz.
Features
If you didn’t know, the Sig Sauer P220 was adopted by Switzerland as their military standard issue firearm. With its world renowned reliability, other nations soon followed suit and the pistol is still actively used by military and law enforcement services around the glove.
The P220 Elite 10 mm Auto comes with a 5.8’ barrel that will provide you with a long sight radius and extra velocity as you shoot. As such, it’s well known for hunting and self-defense applications.
This 10 mm pistol features extremely rugged constructions along with a strong frame and slide. Furthermore, Sig Sauer also included the G-10 grips for enhanced comfort so you can enjoy your shooting sessions more. With added comfort, accuracy will come naturally whether it’s on the shooting range, or out in the woods.
The Sig Sauer P220 Elite 10 mm Auto comes with a fixed front sight and an adjustable rear sight. An external hammer can be de-cocked by using a de-cocking level which contributes to the safety of this gun. In fact, the Sig Sauer P220 Elite 10mm Auto has what Sig calls a Four-Point System to keep you safer on the range.
Firstly, the decocker will allow you to lower the hammer even with a round loaded within the chamber. Secondly, there is a safety notch available that keeps the hammer from hitting the firing pin. Thirdly, the pin itself actually comes with a safety in order to keep the pin in place until the trigger is pulled. Lastly, there’s a trigger bar disconnector that prevents the firing pin from hitting the primer while the slide is still moving.
You will like this product if:
Safety is your top priority. When dealing with a live firearm, safety should always been your top priority. As mentioned above, the Sig Sauer P220 Elite 10 mm Auto features a ‘four-point system’ to ensure that you’re well protected on the range.
You are looking for a hunting and/or self-defense pistol. The Sig Sauer P220 Elite 10mm Auto comes with a 5.8’ barrel and hence, you will have a long sight radius and extra velocity. With Sig being renowned for its reliability, it’s perhaps one of the best hunting and/or best self-defense 10mm handguns available on the market.
You might not like this product if:
You have a tight budget. As with most of Sig Sauer’s products, they don’t come cheap and hence, they may not be very friendly to those with smaller budgets. That said, if you’re willing to invest a little more, you will notice the difference between a regular 10 mm pistol and a Sig.
5. Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra MS
Specifications
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 8 Rounds
- Barrel Length” 4.25 in
- Grip: G20
- Finish: Parkerized
- Trigger Pull: 4 – 6 lbs
- Dimensions: 8 in x 1.406 in
- UPC: 4806015514879
Features
The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra MS comes with a full tactical rail and is built with 4140 Ordnance steel refined with Rock Island’s carefully managed hand fitting process. As such, you know this 10 mm pistol was truly built to last. You won’t be looking for a replacement 10 mm pistol anytime in the near future.
The pistol is chambered in the 10mm caliber along with a 4.24’ button rifled barrel that’s well supported by a full length guide rod and a full dust cover. As such, you won’t have to worry about shooting under unfavourable weather conditions.
This pistol comes with a low profile adjustable rear sight along with high visibility fiber optic front sights. This essentially means that the gun is good to go right out of the box. You won’t have to source for additional sights for you to hit the bullseye.
The snub-like and sleek design of the Ultra MS makes it the superior pistol for conceal and carry applications. The gun is compact, ergonomic, and contemporary with a modern three-slat trigger, front and year CNC angle grooves and a Picatinny rail.
The Ultra MS will be able to deliver a stunning 1850 fps with only a mild recoil that runs counter to this immense muzzle energy. Additionally, the skeletonised armor and trigger are also pretty awesome. Along with the G10 tactical grips, the pistol will have a pretty intimidating appearance, which is what many shooters want for conceal and carry weapons.
You will like this product if:
You are shopping on a tight budget. The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra MS is available for only $814, which is more affordable than most 10mm handguns in the same league. With such attractive features and price tags, it makes the gun the most affordable representation of the classic 1911 on the market.
You might not like this product if:
You want the best performer on the range. Although the Rock Island Armory Ultra MS performs pretty well on the range as it has excellent accuracy, reasonable recoil, and is pretty comfortable to grip, yit might not be your best buy if you are looking for the best performer on the range as there are other better options that will cost a little more.
6. Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911
Specifications
- Height (inches): 90° to barrel: 5.25
- Weight (ounces): with empty magazine: 38
- Length (inches): 8.7
- Magazine capacity: 8
- Recoil spring (pounds): 18.5
- Full-length guide rod
- Material: Stainless steel
- Finish: Brush polished (flats)
- Width (inches): 1.28
Features
Elegance is pretty hard to define but you’ll be able to easily recognize it on the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911. This pistol comes with a brush polished finish over a stainless steel slide and frame and both are accented with black small parts, hence, it gives off an exquisite image. Furthermore, these pistols perform as good as they look, which makes a bolder statement.
The true beauty of the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 ultimately lies on the pistol’s performance. Equipped with match grade barrels and triggers, it is no wonder this pistol is one of the best 1911s in the market.
To further ensure that you get a reliable and fast shooting experience, the magazine releases are checkered. Furthermore, thanks to the polished breech faces, the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 is able to consistently provide great feeding so you can fully enjoy your time on the shooting range.
The Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 is the only 4-inch Kimber that comes with an adjustable sight. As such, the pistol will be ready for the shooting range right out of the box. You won’t have to spend an extra penny on getting additional sights because this pistol is accurate as heck.
Coming with a stainless steel slide and frame that are finished in tough matte black oxide, it gives an incredibly stunning appearance when paired with the brushed polished all flat surfaces. In terms of design, you won’t find anything that even comes close to this pistol. It’s so beautiful, some shooters even buy it for display purposes.
You will like this product if:
You want a great looking pistol. In terms of looks, the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 sits at the top. Coming with a stainless steel slide and a matte black oxide frame, this 10mm pistol looks incredibly stunning. Guess what’s the good news? It performs as good as it looks too.
You want to shoot it right out of the box. Unlike many other pistols, the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 comes with adjustable sights. These sights feature 3 dot night sights so you’ll still be able to hit the bullseye under low light conditions. You won’t have to spend a single penny on sights for this 10mm pistol.
You might not like this product if:
You want a larger magazine capacity. Like all 1911 style handguns, the Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911’s magazine capacity is only 8 10mm bullets. This is something that all 1911 users have to deal with. That said, you aren’t going for war. For home defense and the shooting range, the magazine capacity on this pistol will be sufficient for reasonable use.
You want the cheapest 1911. The Kimber Eclipse Custom II 1911 is available for a pretty reasonable price tag. That said, good things usually don’t come cheap, and that’s the case for this pistol as well. If you want the cheapest 10mm 1911 style handgun on the market, this isn’t your thing. But if you’re willing to invest a little more to get a stunning piece, you’ll love this pistol.
7. Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS
Specifications
- 6” Stainless Match-Grade Barrel – For superb accuracy
- Accessory Rail – For Light or Laser Attachments
- Wide Rear and Front Cocking Serrations – For positive grip regardless of field conditions
- LPA Fully Adjustable Match Sights – For precision shooting
- Extended Beavertail Grip Safety – For sure grip in the field
- Adjustable Skeletonized Trigger – For a clean crisp break
- Tough PVD DLC Finish – For durability in all conditions
- Operator II VZ G10 Grips – For solid hold while firing
- Two 8-Round Stainless Steel Magazines
- Stainless Steel Frame and Slide
Features
The ergonomics of the Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS are incredibly appealing. It will be so comfortable on your hand largely thanks to the rounded sides of the operator II VZ G10 grips and its extended beavertail safety. As such, you won’t have an issue shooting this 10mm pistol throughout the day on the range.
The ambidextrous thumb safeties and mag release are easily within reach. As you shoot, your index finger can rest along the side comfortably without maneuvering. Similarly, your finger’s reach to the trigger will feel natural too thanks to the overall design of the Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS.
In terms of durability, Remington designed this 10mm pistol to take substantial beatings and last. For a hunting handgun, this is what you should be looking for. The pistol will be ready for anything thanks to its stainless steel frame, slide, barrel. It will be ready for anything you throw at it.
Even on a muddy winter hunt, you can expect to easily drop a 150 pound wild hog at 30 yards. If you think the winter is going to slow the Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS down, you’re wrong. Despite frigid temperatures and even muds, the pistol will not fail to deliver consistent accurate shots.
The Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS comes with LPA Fully adjustable match sights and red fiber-optic front sight. This is an excellent set up to give you great performance at a variety of distances. If you have long fingers, the R1 Hunter will fit even better by providing you with a positive grip that’s well balanced and pointable.
You will like this product if:
You want a versatile pistol. Whatever purpose you’re buying it for, the Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS is accurate, simple to get on target rapidly and nicely balanced for target shooting and etc. Besides being a pleasure to shoot, it’s also reliable enough to be a carry handgun.
You might not like this product if:
You want a concealed carry firearm. Although the Remington 1911 R1 Hunter LS is reliable enough to be a carry gun, it can be difficult to conceal it. That said, if you are an open carry kind of person, you might find it to be just your thing. Mount a laser/light on its accessory rail and it’d be the perfect choice for home defense.
Hello there, it’s Michael here. A gun lover since young, served the country for the last 20 years. I started the blog to share my experience and gun-related knowledge accumulated throughout the years. Hopefully, you will find something useful over here or just have fun! You can learn more about me here.