Anyone make a small gripped 10mm?

[SunsetMan]

I'm considering getting a 10mm, but grip size is holding me back. I have a Glock 23 that fits me perfectly. I just handled a G20 at the local gun store and I still can't get over the size of the gun. I also handled a 10mm Kimber. The Kimber's grip felt better than the G20, but I really don't want a single column magazine and I'm not a big 1911 fan.

I'd love to see Glock make a 10mm based on a stretched G19/G17 frame. Until that happens, what are my options for a 10mm pistol with a smaller grip than the G20?

[agtman]

Your grip options in 10mm pistols are really limited to 2 types: single stack & double stack.

The 10mm Glocks have a pretty healthy double stack grip, as you know. Another double stack is the 10mm Witness pistol (full-size & compact), which is a CZ-derivative design produced by Tanfoglio (imported by EAA). The Witness' ergonomic grip makes a lot of shooters happy. You might check out one of these just to see what a CZ-style grip feels like, if you haven't held one.

In single stack 10mms, besides the 1911-types (Delta, Kimbers & DWs), there's S&W's whole 10XX-series to consider. Here, the neat option is that S&W made 3 factory grips that'll fit these guns (arched backstrap, straight backstrap, moderate arch w/ palmswell). You can pick the one that works for you, if any.

Some S&W 10mm models (those without the frame-mounted decocker, i.e., 1006/1066/1086) will accept Hogue's soft rubber grips which also fit certain 45XX-series guns. (The S&W 10mms & 45s both use the 3rd Generation large frame). A lot of people like the Hogues.

[Bullman]

Hey, when I win the lottery I am going to put myself through gunsmith school and dedicate my career to the 10mm. Pray that I do, and I will build such a gun. Something along the lines of a 4516, or a large Kahr.

[SunsetMan]

agtman, thanks for the great reply.

I've always had the feeling that the G20 got so big so it could have a decent capacity .45 double column magazine. The resulting size has turned me away since I first held one.

I'm sold on the 10mm. I just need a platform. Somebody get the Bar-Sto grip reduction on the G20 and give us a report.

[JSK333]

I was going to mention the grip reductions too. Robar does it. Bar-Sto does. And so does Bowie (http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/) - he's a great guy; teaches at TDI here in Ohio.

[xd>glock2me]

large Kahr.

+1

I have been saying for a while that the ULTIMATE ccw would be a Kahr sized, all metal, single stack, 6+1 in 10mm. One with a really supported chamber to handle all the hot 10mm loads. Add on a wrap around rubber grip and with finger grooves (like the 239 hogues) and you would be set. Also lose the DA trigger and make a SA with a grip safety like the XD's

I would also offer this gun in .45 ACP

[spcwes]

I say that we all get together and tear Glock a new hole. What they have needed for the longest time to completely capture the gun market is to take the G36 and stretch the barrel out to 4" then to 5" and do so with the mag well.

You would then have the slimmest glock made with mag that with 45ACP should get 10 or 12 rounds, then you could offer it in all the available calibers and bam, they would capture the market completely with the exception of the magnums.

I would give up certain parts of my body for a Glock with the frame and slide of the 36 with a 5" barrel and full mag well chambered in 10mm! Man, they need to do this.

[SunsetMan]

Amen spcwes.

How long has the G36 been out?

We need a some firearms designed specifically for the 10mm.

[spcwes]

I agree, I think if more desirable handguns and more companies offered well designed weapons in that caliber more folks would buy them. I also think certain ammo companies have reduced the power of the 10mm ammo to a point that most often find no reason to have one as well.

With companies like Double Tap making ammo the way it is supposed to, now all we need is good firearms to go with it. I will put it to you this way, I have wanted a good 10mm for along time and was decided to get a Glock 20 which I will. But was kind of hesitant to do so because of the ammo options.


I have seen the light with DT. Just yesterday I picked up a new addition with a Glock 31 with night sights and have a new 32 on the way and will have a Glock 20 on the way at the end of the month. I wish it was a big version of the Glock 36 chambered in 10mm but oh well.

I also talked with a guy I know at the Glock Plant and he told me something that I read in their annual mag, there is something that is going to hit the floor around the end of this year I guess that is supposed to put the shooting community on its ear. He told me that they are even keeping it under raps from most all of the employees in fear of a leak. I am ready to see something new that is for sure. I may end up owning a 37 and 38 but I have to say, they just don’t do anything for me at all.

[SunsetMan]

I had a Model 57 in .41 Magnum. I got it back in 1979 when .44's were hard to get (no Ruger Redhawk yet). The .41 is a fine round. At the time I thought it was held back since it was only available in the N-frame. There was no advantage size wise in going with the .41. I thought then that what the .41 needed was to be chambered in a L-frame sized revolver. Who would have envisioned the day when an N-frame would be a mid-sized revolver. Now Taurus chambers the 5 shot tracker in .41 magnum. This is what I was thinking was needed back then. I don't really have a desire for it now though and the .41 is perhaps more of a bastard cartridge now than it was then.

The 10mm looks like a great cartridge that has been held back by a lot of things, most of them just false perceptions. It is thought of as being too powerful for defense when it appears to be most comparable to the best .357 Magnum loads. I've heard it compared to the .41 Mag, but it isn't nearly that powerful. 180gr@1300fps (Doubletap) versus 210gr@1300fps (Remington). This is good as it means it should be controllable and not as scary as it has a reputation to be. It is thought of as penetrating too much. This is probably because of the first 180gr loadings. With present day 155 grain bullets I doubt overpenetration is a problem.

For ten years the Brady bill took away the advantage of higher capacity over the .45 ACP away.

We have good loadings now and can have standard capacity magazines again. Now we need some better platforms for the cartridge, including some carbines :)

[F4GIB]

The single-stack Colt Delta Elite is my favorite for small hands. The Kimber is good too.

[grecco]

eaa makes a 10mm clone of the cz75