.45 vs 10mm

[Justin lewis]

Im looking at the G30 and have been for a long time but started to read about the G29 (10mm) and have had LEO prefer the 10mm over the .45.

What is the difrence other than the calaber on the G30 vs G29?
What is the main difrence between the 2 calibers?
What is the average price difrence in ammo between the two?

Sorry for all the questions but im going to buy one of the two this week and need a little insight on this area,. This is my First Glock and i just want to make the correct decision.

Justin

[lendringser]

The 10mm has more muzzle energy and throws a fast bullet that's a little lighter than most 45-caliber bullets. Bullet weights in 10mm range from 135 grains to 200 grains, while .45ACP ranges from 165 grains to 230 grains.

(There are super-light and super-heavy loadings in .45ACP, but those are not all that common.)

The .45 throws a slower, heavier bullet with less velocity and energy, but more diameter.

10mm has some theoretical advantages over .45ACP. It satisfies the speed crowd, the bullet diameter fans, and the energy/foot-pound proponents. In the "normal" 10mm bullet weights of 180 grains and 200 grains, the 10mm has higher sectional density than the .45 in any weight, and it generally offers superior penetration.

Disadvantages of the 10mm are high operating pressure, which is hard on guns, and more recoil than the ,45, especially in the warmer loads. In contrast, the .45 is a low-pressure cartridge, and gets the job done at little over half the operating pressure of the 10mm.

Both calibers require large-framed guns. Both have a very good reputation as excellent fight stoppers. It all boils down to whether you want to make a bigger hole, or throw a slightly lighter bullet with more speed and energy.

I prefer the G30 over the G29, because I like guns that make as big a hole as possible. The G29 is a nifty gun, though, and lots of fun to shoot.

10mm ammo is a little more expensive than .45ACP, although the price difference is minimal when shopping online at places like Georgia Arms. There are far more practice and self-defense loads available for the .45ACP, although the 10mm has enjoyed a resurgence, and there are many good loads available for it as well.

[agtman]

".45 vs 10mm."


Actually, Lendringser's post gives a pretty fair and balanced summary for both cartridges. But the 10mm Smiths and Glocks I've shot have all held up well firing 1000s of rds of warm-to-hot factory loads. Properly sprung, 10mm guns have more longevity than they're given credit for.

Another point of difference when comparing some 45 and 10mm pistols is mag capacity - although if you're limited to 10rd "post-ban" mags, it's a wash.

The 10mm typically holds 1 or 2 more cartridges than its .45 counterpart in similarly sized pistols. (Example: with "pre-ban" mags, the .45 G21 holds 13+1, while the 10mm G20 holds 15+1).

OTOH, with the G30 & G29, which were designed in the context of the 10-rd mag restriction, it's probably a moot point. The G30 starts out as a 9+1 proposition, but adding a largish "+1" floorplate gives you 10+1 capacity.

The G29 starts out at 10+1 with a flush floorplate. (A number of G29 owners have reported carrying theirs loaded with a 15-rd mag from the G20, but IMO this sacrifices some of the benefits of the G29's concealability).

[Schwatt]

According to Boston T. Party in the most recent additoin of Boston's Gun Bible, the Glock 29 doesn't have a long enough barrel to produce enough muzzle velocity. He claims that it is almost equivalent to the .40 S&W out of a barrel that short. Out of the full size Glock 20, however........



My .02

Schwatt

[noway]

Also one other factor is the G29 like the 20 is changeable to shoot alot more common fcatory calibers than what a 30 can every do, with ONLY a barrel change.

G29/20 = 40sw/357/10mm
G30/21 = 45acp & ( non-factory wildcat 40super )

also lendringser post is incorrect in that bullet weights reaching 220-230gr are available thru offerings of Double Tap ammo all of which exceed the performance of the hottest 45acp ammo.


http://www.doubletapammo.com/main_site/index.html

Both calibers are more than enough for self defense with the 10mm giving you the edge in power and versitale

[lendringser]

Hey, I'm a big 10mm fan, but I wouldn't cite the specialized Double Tap ammo as typical for the 10mm. Their 230 grain offering is a duplex load, a 135 grain JHP over a 95 grain lead ball. Their 220 grain load is a hardcast hunting load that's entirely unsuited for self-defense.

There are similar loads available for the .45ACP, like 255 grain hardcast bullets or the ultra-light Aguila IQ. Then there's .45 Super/.45 SMC, which is a whole different ballgame altogether.

It's not a contest about muzzle energy. For someone looking for the difference between .45 and 10mm, you ought to consider what's available on the shelf as mainstream loads in your avaerage gun shop.

It's not about one being "better" than the other. The .45ACP and 10mm have their own specific applications, strengths and weaknesses. There's no law against owning both calibers, either. I dislike the 10mm vs. 45ACP whizzing contests that pop up every so often. It's a gun and a caliber, not a religion.

Any bad guy won't know the difference between a well-placed bullet out of a G29, or one out of a G30, because they'll both kill him deader than Elvis.

[Harlequin]

Good call. The only difference for me was the cost of ammo. Without practice you suck. Practice costs more for 10mm whether you reload or not. I carry a .45 with +P loads whose performance rivals most (but not the hottest) 10mm rounds that I've seen ballistic tests for.

[noway]

{ There are similar loads available for the .45ACP, like 255 grain hardcast bullets or the ultra-light Aguila IQ. Then there's .45 Super/.45 SMC, which is a whole different ballgame altogether.

and;


It's not a contest about muzzle energy. For someone looking for the difference between .45 and 10mm, you ought to consider what's available on the shelf as mainstream loads in your avaerage gun shop.}


I wouldn't consider anything above 230gr in 45acp as mainstream or available on the shelf.

10mm still gives a hunter and selfdefense or recreational shooter a big broad range of bullet weights and applications then most other std calibers or "common" calibers out on the market today.

That was one positive argument that nobody can beat down. And once you handload it, they you have even more options.
;f

I have both and love the hell out of my 21 but I really love the hell out of my 20 and other 10s. Don't get me wrong 45acp is a great caliber, but the 10mm is capable of so much more and specially in the pkg label glock 20.

[jprj]

I do agree on most of what they've said. And I believe there's no wrong decision whether you get .40 or .45. They're both good. However, IMHO, you should get a .40 if you want to engage your self more in a competion and .45 if its more on defense/encounter.

[jprj]

Ooooops. I mean 10mm instead of .40

[wuhungsix]

Balistically(sp?) the 10mm blows the doors off of any .45 load out there...take a look at doubletapammo.com they have HOT stuff with anything from 230gr. to 135gr...a glock 20 or 29 will hold up no problem to high pressure stuff...after all the did design the gun from the ground up for the 10mm loads and then adapted the same frame for the .45...i have both full size frames in both calibers...i like shooting the G21 the most but you cant argue much with the stats of the 10mm...which is why i use it for SD either at home or in the woods...

[10mm_Bob]

The only points I haven't seen mentioned here already is "overpenetration" and "recoil recovery".

The 10mm is more suseptible to overpenetration than a .45 is, and it certainly has more recoil. These are both important points to consider if the guns primary use is concealed carry/personal defense. Both are excellent "man stoppers". I don't think you'll go wrong either way.

[Justin lewis]

Thanks everyone, Im still torn between the two. I love the feel of both the guns in my hand but it is just plain hard to decide on which one. I am still leaning towards the 30 so i guess i will get that one.

Justin

[Polo]

Wise choice my friend.

[JMag]

Originally posted by Polo
Wise choice my friend.

Plus, you will likely delay/avoid any hand surgery down the road if you shoot much by going .45. Recoil is subjective...but, your hand/wrist still notices and will talk back over time...guaranteed!;f

[kd7fko]

I bought the g20 first and the g30 second... I have to say I am a 10mm nutt and really like the velocity. I carry the g30 but I use my 20 when I am hunting or more remote locations.... Working in the ER for years, I can truly say without being biased on stats, You get hit with either one and there is not alot that can be done for you, even with all the modern advances in medicine... When half of you insides were left at the crime scene and stung half down the street, PUT A FORK IN YOU, YOUR DONE.....

[Tito]

Originally posted by Denver Bob:
The 10mm is more suseptible to overpenetration than a .45 is, and it certainly has more recoil.

Both false.

[bambihunter]

Most of the data has been given, but if the original poster isn't all that familar with the different cartridges then A picture is worth a thousand words...


http://bambihunter.myftp.org/images/10mm/pistolcartridges.jpg

I will be carrying a Glock 29 when it comes in... I've got it ordered and just waiting on it. I've got a G20, a Kimber 10mm, and am looking for a FBI model 1076 (no mag disconnect).

[MtnBiker]

10 mm vs. .45 ACP

I have both. For a woods, hiking, hunting pistol; I'll take the 10mm hands down.

For defense and carry I go with the .45. All things being equal, I find the .45 to be more fun to shoot and for me more accurate.

If you haven't already figured it out, this can become a discussion of almost religious fervor with some posters.

Either caliber is a good one. It is mainly a matter of personal preference.

[Harlequin]

based on that pic I'd still chose the .45. Look how much bigger the hole would start and it would only get bigger with expansion. Bigger hole with proper penetration = more chance of hitting something that will stop the bad guy.