Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 10mm platforms

I've had a Smith 1006 for about 8 years now.
I dearly love the 10mm caliber, but there are a few things about the 1006 that have me thinking of peddling it and buying a different 10mm pistol.

The biggest problem is just that, it's big. The factory grip with curved backstrap makes it just a little too big for my short fingers for best comfort and control. I haven't had any luck at all in finding one of the straight backstrap grips, it seems they've dried up.

Plus the fact that I'm going to put a reflex sight on it in order to get satisfying accuracy out of it.
I'd rather not have an RMR cut put in the slide of this discontinued model of Smith.

Sooo, Which other 10mm should I look for? A 1911 would work, but the EAA Witness is an interesting looking piece.

The Ruger SR1911 Target looks like a very nice option, especially for the street price of $750 or so.

Any experiences with any of the 10mm's available at this time would be appreciated.

I’d say the G40 is a no brainer.

But I would not sell that 1006.

ANYTHING Dan Wesson 10MM.

Of the two you mention, I'd go with the Witness. I'd try it first though, to make sure it fit your hand. I had a Wit years ago, in 45 ACP, and it was a big gun. I didn't have any trouble with it, but I didn't have any trouble handling/controlling my 1006 either. The Rugger might be easier to control.

SIG SAUER P220 R 5 10mm & don't look back.

They're available in DA/SA or SAO configurations.

If you want something smaller look at a Glock 29 or Fusion Firearms Combat in a 1911

Sig or kimber but I’m digging the G20 with a rmr. And amera glows.

If the 1006 grip is too big for you, a Witness likely would not be a good choice. If you can get a good hold on a Glock 40 MOS it'd be the cheapest option, but if you really want a smaller-framed 10mm the 1911 platforms are the way to go.

I have two EAA Witness 10mm's, a "Wonder" finish and a blued version. Like them both, would recommend them. Also have a RRA 1911 10mm I like, but haven't shot it much yet. Had a G20, did not trust in after the first magazine I fired resulted in a case rupture and damage to the gun.

I also like the 10mm cartridge very much, good hunting round.

Mike Holmes

It's a great time to be getting into 10mms. You have more choices for a handgun now than ever before. I tend to like efficient and accurate designs. Big and heavy is good for recoil reduction, but if I'm going big and heavy, I'll opt for a 44 mag. (Think Ruger Super Redhawk.) My favorite by far is a G20 with a 5.5" aftermarket barrel. It's a little homely looking, but it shoots as good as or better than anything else I've tried. And I've tried a lot. The Sig 220 is basically a modern version of the 1006. A single stack boat anchor, had they made it a double stack, my thoughts would be different. The G40 is great, but a little on the big side for most needs, though it shoots like a mild 40SW. STI's 2011 are great quality, but they are magazine picky and the trigger housing in the grip frame bites the web of my hand - bad. Numerous companies make 1911 10's and I have a customized Kimber. It's a great gun and with a 9+1 round count, is pretty appealing. Accuracy is good, parts readily available, down side is that the fully loaded 1911 with 9 rounds weighs more than my G20 fully loaded with 15 rounds (and the Glock 20 has less felt recoil for me). 1911's have integral feed ramps (Kimbers) and detached (Delta Elites). I think both are reliable with proper ammo and tuning, but favor seems to go to the integral ramp. You will be tuning a 1911 one way or another - guaranteed, whether it's ammo selection, magazine selection or actual smithing of the gun. You can say that about most 10's but the 1911s for me just tend to be more picky. The EAA witnesses feel great in my hand, but I personally think that their quality is hit or miss. Springfield just came out with two 10's in their XD line, and while I've never been a fan of XD's in lesser calibers, the design seems perfect for the 10 and I'm anxious to add one to list of 10mm options in the safe.

I prefer my Glock 20 or a single stack 1911 in 10mm. The Glock grip may be too wide, though, for your “short” fingers, as you mentioned.

Nothing feels better in my hand than a 1911. Lots of great options & brands available too. And I sure wouldn’t be afraid of the Ruger 1911 in 10mm for $750 bucks. Never had a problem with any Ruger I’ve ever owned. EVER.

Forgot to mention, Glocks are out. I've tried to get used to them, but every one I've shot hit high. Especially in a hurry. Many are too thick in the grip.
EAA Witness sounds too big.

For a couple of decades my only centerfire semi auto pistol was a Colt's Combat Commander.
Through many thousands of rounds and a couple of spring set replacements I'm muscle memory'd up on 1911's.
If a good 1911 will hold up under the more vigorous loads, I'm fine with one of them.

M stevenson: The answer to your inquiry is easy- peasey I'll spell it our for you G-L-O-C-K!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The 'fire.

I have a factory straight back grip for my 1006 around here somewhere. If yours is the factory curved one I’ll swap you.

Search for the 1006 grip by part number - they seem to be readily available: 203620000

The same grip is used for a number of different models.

Get back with me if you find it please.
Mine is the curved backstrap factory Nylatron or whatever they called them.

I'm wondering if a G40 has a shorter reach than the 1006.

Glock 20 SF could be a little easier. I still vote 1911. Just picked up a Springfield RO 10mm and love it

I think it is.

But that's just my perception. Never measured it.

(that's what she said)