It seems as though 10mm has become the new hotness, or at least an increasing number of manufacturers are coming out with 10mm handguns. 10mm might have once been considered the purview of handgun hunters, but it’s become quite a bit more popular for other uses such as self-defense and range days. Check out our list of the top five handguns in 10mm we think you should check out (in no particular order, of course.)
Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS
Yes, there’s a Gen 5 model of the Glock 20 available, and it’s optics-ready. It might seem surprising to find a Glock heading the list, but this is a gun that’s proven itself as a solid performer for years. Also, it has a lower price point than many 10mms, so it puts the big bore into the financial reach of a lot more people. It really is just a great gun. This is a handgun that can withstand the dirt, mud, and rain of handgun hunting feral hogs but is equally capable of range days and high round count sessions.
The Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS is a full-sized handgun with a 4.61-inch barrel. It has an overall length of 8.07 inches, a slide length of 7.52 inches, and a height of 5.51 inches. With an empty magazine, it weighs 29.81 ounces and with a loaded magazine, it’s 38.80 ounces. This gun is well-balanced enough and large enough to help offset felt recoil and muzzle rise (although you might discover 10mm doesn’t recoil quite as much as you expect). It has a 15-round capacity and because it’s an MOS model there’s a removable plate if you want to mount a red dot. This is a well-made, durable handgun that’s nice for both an entry into the 10mm world or simply another addition to your collection.
Dan Wesson Razorback
The Dan Wesson Razorback is a high-quality 10mm that’s both aesthetically pleasing and a fantastic workhorse of a gun. This is a Government-sized 1911 platform handgun, meaning it’s full-sized. It has a 5.0-inch barrel, an overall length of 8.75 inches, and a 1.45-inch width. The frame of the gun is forged stainless steel, giving it extra strength and durability, and it has an empty weight of 40.1 ounces. This is the gun you want if you’re looking for a 10mm that can handle hard use while also delivering awesome results on target.
Features of the Razorback include serrations at the rearward portion of the slide, an undercut trigger guard, and textured, double diamond cobolo grip panels. Both the hammer and trigger are skeletonized to reduce weight somewhat and the hammer is also rounded to make it far less likely it’ll snag on something. It has a flat mainspring housing with 25 LPI checkering for a firm grip and a smooth front strap. The gun ships with Novak-style sights. It has an 8-round capacity, so depending on the use, you might consider carrying a spare magazine. Controls are ridged or otherwise textured for no-slip operation. The Razorback is a beautifully made gun that’s well worth considering.
SIG Sauer P220 Legion
Want a hammer-fired handgun but not a 1911? SIG has you covered, and they do it with style. The SIG Sauer P220 Legion is the manufacturer’s enhanced version of the standard P220 and it’s definitely impressive. It’s a double-action/single-action gun with an excellent P-SAIT trigger designed by Grayguns. This pistol is made to perform with a solid steel guide rod, enhanced polished action, and low-profile controls to reduce the risk of snagging. It has an 8-round capacity so it’s another one that might require carrying a spare mag, but it’s worth it.
The P220 Legion in 10mm has serrations at the rear of the slide and also immediately ahead of the trigger guard. An accessory rail makes adding aftermarket accessories like lights and lasers easy. If you want a red dot, you’re in luck, because this gun is also optics-ready. Other features include an undercut trigger guard, ambidextrous safety, and black G10 grips. The gun comes standard with X-RAY3 Day/Night sights, so it’s good to go right out of the box (but there’s always that removable panel if you want a red dot). This gun is also available as a single-action-only model. If you have experience with the Legion line of handguns, you’re familiar with how phenomenal they are, and if you don’t, it’s something to remedy. This is a fantastic gun.
Smith & Wesson M&P2.0
For a 10mm chambered handgun that’s full-size, aggressively textured, and designed with an eye for carry, you want the Smith & Wesson M&P2.0. This gun is part of the ever-popular M&P line which is used by countless gun owners for concealed carry. Whether you choose to carry a 10mm for self-defense comes down to personal choice, but if you do, just make sure you’re familiar with the way your chosen ammunition penetrates (that goes for any and all guns, really). The M&P2.0 sports the familiar, aggressively textured grips that make it easy to keep ahold of the gun even with wet or sweaty hands. It does ship with four different palmswell grip inserts so the shooter can choose the fit, which is useful.
Features of the Smith & Wesson M&P2.0 in 10mm include serrations at the front and rear of the slide for smoother manipulations, an accessory rail in front of the trigger guard for lights and lasers, and an optics-cut slide. It has a 15-round capacity, which is a big plus. This gun has a 4.0-inch barrel, an overall length of 7.2 inches, and a width of 1.3 inches. It weighs 28.5 ounces empty. Although you might feel the recoil of this one a little more due to the shorter barrel, it’s still a large enough gun to mitigate felt recoil and muzzle rise somewhat. It’s a reliable, well-made handgun that’s useful for range time, defensive purposes, and some hunting (the shorter barrel makes it less preferable for handgun hunting, but it doesn’t make it impossible).
Colt Delta Elite Rail
Colt is a name that many of us associate with revolvers, but the venerable gun maker also designs and produces some great 1911s. The Colt Delta Elite Rail is a 10mm chambered, Government-size 1911 with a sturdy steel frame and proven reliable performance. As a Government model, it has a 5.0 inch barrel and a full-size frame. Its overall length is 8.5 inches, its overall height is 5.5 inches, and it is 1.25 inches in width. Capacity is 8 +1, as expected for a classic 1911.
This gun has a skeletonized trigger and hammer, serrations at the rearward portion of the slide, and an upswept beavertail grip safety. It ships with Novak Low Mount Carry Sights and is a Series 80 1911. Empty, it weighs around 35 ounces, so it has enough heft to it to cut down on felt recoil and muzzle rise. The rail on this gun means you can put a light or laser on it if you so choose, and if you prefer a sleek frame without a rail you can always go with the original Delta Elite. This is a classic combat model from Colt that’s known to be comfortable in the hand, accurate, and reliable.
What’s your favorite handgun in 10mm? Share your thoughts in the comments.
