Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Big bore pistols - 10mm vs 45 auto vs 45 GAP - what do you like?

In a big bore pistol, like a Glock, between the 10mm, the 45acp and the 45 GAP, which one do you prefer - and why?

I've heard it said, that of the above three, the 10mm is the one that suffers the most as barrel length comes down from full size to compact. The two 45's suffer less, depending on thier bigger bore size (11.5mm vs 10mm) and less speed for their power.Of course if the full size pistol is bought, then that would be irrelevant.

I see that the shorter GAP 45 is almost up to equalling the 45acp, with the top loads better than the regular 45 ammo, but slightly under the +P loads. Other than a smaller grip, does the Glock cartridge offer anything else over the older 45 that I should be thinking about?

In the Glock, I see that the 10mm and the 45acp have bigger hand grips than the other calibers. I have hands that are about average for a 6ft 200lb guy. I also would probably like to reload whatever I end up getting.

Which cartridges do you prefer - and why?

I've got two Glock 21's & I'm hunting for a Glock 20, or I may just buy an aftermarket barrel & 10mm mag & convert one of my 45's to 10mm. They are both such sweet shooters that I'm afraid to mess with them.

Although the brass can be expensive, IMO the 10mm gives you more flexiblity in reloading. Full house loads can safely give you approx.1200fps from a 200gr bullet.
I don't know about Canada, but in the US, 10mm ammo can be difficult to find at the local gunshop, and is rather expensive.
No other drawbacks of the 10mm that I can see.

I had a G37 untill about a month ago. Nothing wrong with the pistol BUT the .45GAP is really hard to find in my area, not many brands being made or loads, and didn't feel like reloading for another round, soooo if I had a "do over" I'd get a G22, 23, 27 or 21 30, 36 in that order. Like full size carry guns.

+ 1. That's my take as well.

If not the 10, then certainly the .45ACP. The GAP is an answer to a question VERY few asked.

Brian;

FWIW, I have average size hands, am 6'1", and about 180; roughly your size. I find the G20 to fit me well, and the 10 to be VERY controllable in that platform. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the Glock 20 and 10mm, stock up on Winchester 175 gr. STHPs, and call it good. Which, btw, is what I have done.

Thanks for the replies!

Being a total neophyte to center-fire handguns, I know nothing about the characteristics of the penetration vs expansion of the differing makes of bullets.

Which handgun bullets are extreme "expanders" (say like a Nosler Ballistic Tip in rifles) verses the brands that are extreme "penetrators" (like a Barnes "X"'s in rifles) and what other factors make you choose the bullets or brands of cartridges that you choose to go with (like the affordability of Hornady Interlocks in rifles) for the various types of shooting you do? Do you practice with the same brands that you would pack for self defence?

Thanks

Brian;

In the big bores, you don't want an "extreme expander". You want a quality JHP that will expand reliably, repeatably (round to round), and penetrate well.

In the 10, as far as factory loads go in the 10mm, the Winchester 175 gr. STHP is excellent, as are the Hornady JHP/XTPs. The custom factory loads from Buffalo Bore are simply superb. As far as reloads go, stick with Speer GoldDots and Barnes Xs, and you're golden.

Personally, I practice and carry the Winchester STHPs in my G20. They shoot great, expand and penetrate incredibly well, are relatively cheap and easy to find, and give me .41 Magnum ballistics, with 15 rounds in the magazine. I can like those traits.

Another option to explore for the deep penetrating bullets would be 200 grain and up hard cast lead bullets. However, I would want an aftermarket barrel(in the Glock) since they(Glock) warn against shooting lead as they say it builds pressures to potentially unsafe levels.
There is a company in Utah by the name of DoubleTap that makes some HOT 10mm ammo,and they have some pretty stout hunting loads that I would love to try on deer or perhaps even elk.

All that being said, I have no idea about the availability of aftermarket Glock barrels in Canada.

rockinkz. Be carefull swapping barrels and slides. IIRC the 20 slide is thicker(internally) than the 21 slide, thus making it a "stronger" platform for the higher pressure 10mm. I know the frames are the same size, but check particluars on the slides. I've seen photo's but do not rememeber where.

I have read the same thing, and that the Glock 20 Slide is actually several ounces? heavier than the slide of the G21.

I'm trying to find the pics. It was plain as day that the insides were thicker. I'd believe ounces worth.

I have never heard that a 10mm and 45ACP were interchangeable in a Glock and don't believe they are.

I'd stay away from the GAP. It offers nothing a 45ACP won't do ballistically.

There are lots of good bullets for either pistol. Hornady XTP's and Remington Golden Sabers are good too. I'm sure there are more, but those are what I have experience with, along with some already mentioned.

If you want a high intensity pistol round with out going to a Desert Eagle, a 460 Rowland might be worth a look. It will kick a 45 caliber 185 out at 1350+ and a 230 at 1200+ but is a reload only proposition. It uses unique brass but the dies and bullets are the same as any 45ACP uses.

The 460 Rowland is quite the cartridge. I read about it in my "Glock" book. I wonder how difficult it is to modify a big Glock to shoot them? I'm also wondering what the damage would be in $ to my wallet too.

Not worth it, IMHO, considering the trade-offs and the ready availability of the 10mm.

I've never heard of a Glock/Rowland conversion. Did your book mention if someone did one?

Mine is based on the 1911 and was supposed to be a drop in, but my Kimber didn't think it was, so Clark did the fitting free of charge. They're very nice folks.

It's got a larger frontal area, with a bit more energy, and a good variety bullets are easier to find than with the 10mm, but you won't find any loaded 460 Rowland on the shelf, either. One day that might change, but I'll load my own anyway.

Ever hear of the 45 Super? Used to be a smith out of Texas that converted the 1911 45ACP to the super. The super is the same size as the 45ACP. Would shoot so the smith said a 230 grain bullet to around a 1,000 to 1100 FPS. Certainly have to reload although +P loads should work okay. Just thought I would throw this out here.

Brian planning on moving to the States soon? Your one legal immigrant we wouldn't mind.

To heck with it, I'm going with the 400 Corbon, basically 10mm Power from a 45 ACP cartridge, only thing is that it is a bottleneck like the 357 Sig. Les

357 Sig never has taken off much out here. I can like a 10mm though.

The 400 Corbon is a 45 ACP necked down to 40 Cal, get about the same performance from it that you do with the 10mm, puls the grip isn't too big for my hand in the XD-45 Tactical. Also notice the ft pounds.

400 Cor-Bon

Corbon Factory Ballistics
135 GR. JHP 1450FPS/630FTLBS
150 GR. JHP 1350FPS/607FTLBS
165 GR. JHP 1300FPS/619FTLBS


10MM

Corbon Factory Ballistics
135 GR. JHP 1400FPS/588FTLBS
150 GR. JHP 1325FPS/585FTLBS
165 GR. JHP 1250FPS/537FTLBS