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Old February 21, 2013, 04:05 PM   #1
SC4006
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Thinking about a glock 20, need advice

Hey all, recently I've really gained an interest in the 10mm cartridge and the glock 20. A couple of weeks ago my brother and I went to our local range and rented a glock 20, and I loved the thing. Now I think I might want one, but I have some questions. My first being... I already have a S&W 4006 in .40 S&W, is there really THAT much of a power difference between 10mm and .40 to warrant buying a 10mm? I might also go hunting for the first time maybe next season, and I want a nice sidearm to come with me, is 10mm a good choice?. It also makes me feel a little more comfortable having a pistol with me when venturing out in the woods, there are quite a few black bears and other big animals here in NH. One thing that I know is certainly better in the glock regardless of power, is that it holds 15 rounds and my S&W holds 11. Lastly what is a reasonable price for a new Glock 20, preferably a gen 3 or 4?
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Old February 21, 2013, 04:18 PM   #2
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Unless you roll your own, or buy boutique brands like Underwood, no, there's not much difference between most commercial 10mm and 40 S&W loadings.

I have a handful of 10mm's and it is by far one of my favorite handgun calibers.
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Old February 21, 2013, 07:55 PM   #3
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I do plan on reloading in the future, but for now I would probably be using full power 10mm loads for protection, and regular loads for practice/fun.
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Old February 21, 2013, 08:03 PM   #4
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Save your brass. Once the frenzy dies down PBR would be the first place I'd look for bulk cheap plinking ammo. Underwood lives up to their published velocities and is reasonably priced.

https://www.pbrammo.com/

http://www.underwoodammo.com/
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Old February 21, 2013, 09:49 PM   #5
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Hey thanks for the links, looks like a great source for all of my possible future 10mm needs.
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Old February 22, 2013, 08:25 AM   #6
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Get one.

I bought one recently after my local FFL Dealer put the bug in my ear that he one. I tried it out and loved it. And yes, it is the ideal sidearm if you have big game hunting concerns.
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Old February 22, 2013, 09:31 AM   #7
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I felt a disturbance in the force, so I headed to the LGS. There in the case was a G20, the first Glock they have had in a month or more. I think you know the rest of the story. I'm actually impressed by the build. This is the big Glock, and it appeals to the large bore pistol side of my nature. Plus, there is ammo available!
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Old February 22, 2013, 10:18 AM   #8
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Was it the Gen4? I got one last week.

I love 10mm also and the Gen4 Glock 20 is an excellent gun.

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Old February 22, 2013, 12:27 PM   #9
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Was it the Gen4?
I believe the one I used at the range was a gen 3, I'd definitely like a gen 4 though if I have a choice.
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Old February 22, 2013, 01:19 PM   #10
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Well, its not a 10mm, but I finally had the chance to shoot my new G19 Gen 4 this morning, and I have to say that is one sweet gun! The most popular Glock out there, and I can see why. Not too big to CC, and not too small to have accuracy and it feels great in my hand. Ammo is a bit less expensive also. And anyone says a 9mm doesn't have knockdown power, is very wrong. I would recommend the G19 without hesitation. But thats just me.
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Old February 22, 2013, 01:34 PM   #11
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Oh, good, I was just wondering about the price of tea in China.

The G20 is a fine pistol for sure, but I'd go with the G21 instead...why you ask?
It can run 45 and 45 Super and 10mm with a barrel and magazine swap... its simply much more versatile overall.
You may even pass on 10mm altogether after reading up on the 45 Super.
The 21 is also likely to sell faster if you decide you want something else
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Old February 22, 2013, 02:47 PM   #12
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^^

You forgot 460 Rowland, .400 Corbon, and 40 Super.
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Old February 22, 2013, 03:08 PM   #13
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The Glock 20 and 10mm cartridge is becoming very popular with western guides and bowhunters as a bear backup. 15 rounds is very nice to have if needed. I switched to one, leaving my .44 SBH at home because of the weight factor.

If you plan to carry one while bowhunting, be sure to check you state regulations. Some states prohibit carrying any sort of firearm while bowhunting.
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Old February 22, 2013, 03:22 PM   #14
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SC4006, admitted 10MM fan here. I have owned quite a few 10MMs since my first, a Bren Ten, along about 1984. Gotta agree with Dan-O about most factory 10MM being not much different than .40 S&W. I have seen this trend toward loading down the Ten since the FBI's short lived adoption of the 10MM, and concluding that 180 grains at about 1000fps was the way to go. I can sure understand why some, especially younger, shooters wonder why the 10MM is worthwhile at all. At least a couple over the years asked me if 10MM and .40 S&W were actually the same cartridge. I used the difference between .38 Special and .357 Magnum to try to explain.

Anyway, I have owned the 10MM in both semi-autos and revolvers and consider it to be an excellent cartridge. In 5" barrels, the old Norma 200 grain actually did do 1200 fps, or a little over. The Norma is no longer available but some of today's smaller manufacturers still produce similar loads. The older CorBon 135 grain , since loaded down, averaged 1475fps in my S&W auto and 1585fps from my 5" S&W revolver. The Buffalo Bore 180 grain JHP averages 1380 fps in my 5" S&W 1026. These are velocities I've personally chronographed, not something that some guy in a gun shop heard from his friend's cousin, or read on the internet. The Glock 20 is not my favorite, mine was not the most reliable of 10MMs, but I can say it is durable and obviously holds a lot of ammo. Having owned the aformentioned Glock G20 and Bren Ten, Several S&W 10MM autos, Colt Delta, Kimber Eclipse, S&W 610 and Ruger Blackhawk revolvers in 10MM, I've come to favor the, unfortunately out of production, S&W autos. The several I have owned have just been good, solid, reliable, accurate and durable pistols. Most of the ammo used in them has been the "real" 10MM type, not the .40 S&W equivalent type ammo. Just never any issues. But, G20s are in current production, have a warranty and are highly thought of by many owners...ymmv
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Old February 22, 2013, 04:26 PM   #15
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I failed to mention. I carry my G20 with heavy handloads. I strictly use heavy controlled expansion bullets like the Hornady 180 XTP. Do not expect to stop a protective mama bear with 135gr Hollowpoints. All you will do is really make her mad.
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Old February 22, 2013, 04:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
The G20 is a fine pistol for sure, but I'd go with the G21 instead...why you ask?
It can run 45 and 45 Super and 10mm with a barrel and magazine swap... its simply much more versatile overall.
You may even pass on 10mm altogether after reading up on the 45 Super.
The 21 is also likely to sell faster if you decide you want something else
This is true, but the Glock 20 10mm can run a .40S&W conversion barrell as well. Which is silly - I don't see why the Glock 21 can be converted to 10mm but not 40S&W... that's why I have BOTH.
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Old February 22, 2013, 04:55 PM   #17
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I have a 10mm 1911, I hand load, and I enjoy the cartridge. I was thinking of buying a G20SF, but the more I read, the I question the benefit.

First, you don't find 10mm range brass lying around, so you will either have to buy ammo and shoot it, or buy new Starline brass.

The Glock and its "generous" chamber dimensions will not treat that brass well, and the hotter you load it, the (exponentially) shorter the brass life will be.

Moreover, some of the "best" factory ammo (sold by BB, PBR and GA) use bullets which were designed for .40 S&W, and driving those bullets at "true" 10mm velocities can cause fragmentation and loss of penetration. This is a thread I have been following:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...highlight=10mm

I am not a .40 fan, but looking at it objectively, I may be better off selling the 10mm and buying a .40. Brass is so common that it is essentially free, and using the bullets as designed will get good performance.

The only things missing are the 10mm cachet...and the cost.

Good luck with your decision, but do your homework first...
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Old February 22, 2013, 05:05 PM   #18
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I've had a G-20 for a long time and it is one of my most useful and well liked guns. But it is also for a very specific role. For just shooting at the range, or as a personal protection gun from 2 legged predators I don't think it is necessary. There are plenty of very good loads in 9mm, 40, 45 etc., that are more than up to the task for that use.

I spend a lot of time hiking and camping in black bear country. With the best loads my 10mm gives me power equivalent to the hottest 357 mag loads. I get a chronographed 1315 fps with 200 gr hardcast Double Tap ammo. About the same performance capable in a 4" 357 mag with equal bullet weights, and not too far behind 44 mag performance when fired from short barrels. My 3" 629 only shoots 240 gr bullets to 1150 fps and the Glock is still 3/4 lb lighter, an inch shorter and holds 2.5X more ammo.

The woods is the only place I carry my G-20. Even in the woods I still feel any threat is from 2 legged predators and having the ammo capacity of a semi along with the power of a magnum revolver in one lightweight package is comforting. In town, or when hiking/camping in areas where there is no possiblity of bear I carry one of my 9's or 45's. I like the 40's well enough, but since buying the 10mm sold them since with most 10mm ammo they are really duplicates.

I'll never tell anyone not to buy a G-20. They are great guns, but 10mm is a bit more expensive and harder to find. It is worth the effort to me,but not for everyone. I don't think 10mm is going to ever be obsolete but it will always be a niche round. It fits in a very narrow niche for me.
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Old February 22, 2013, 05:25 PM   #19
SC4006
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thanks for all of the info you've all given me. I'll certainly do my homework and think about how much I would be using it and what exactly for. I don't think i'd plink around with it enough for ammo price to be too big of a concern, but that is something to consider. I know its not the best choice since I have a .40 already, but what if I wanted to carry a 10mm once in awhile for protection from two legged bad guys, is that still a viable option or is it just over doing it?
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Old February 22, 2013, 07:23 PM   #20
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For years I passed on buying the Glock 20, due to the too-large grip. I could reach the trigger but always felt it was just the opposite of ergonomic.

Not long ago I first saw a 20 Short Frame (SF) version. Bought it right away. The changes just made all the difference to me. So this is my advice - buy one!

Now I have to get some of that real-deal full power 10mm ammo, for the shooting adventure of firing hotter loads.

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Old February 22, 2013, 09:35 PM   #21
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Gonna go against the grain and say no. Niche product, good for tinkering with loads. Its nice to have so much firepower in one package but in reality its expensive and lacks development. If I have to do it all over again I would do G21, just like this post number

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Old February 22, 2013, 10:54 PM   #22
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Not a lot of difference. I have a 10 and a 40 and 40 is a lot easier to find and cheaper. Stick with a 40.
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Old February 23, 2013, 02:54 AM   #23
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Quote:
Swampman1 posted:
And anyone says a 9mm doesn't have knockdown power, is very wrong.
Actually, they'd be completely correct considering there's no such thing as "knockdown power".

(Sorry, but that term drives me crazy.)

Quote:
BuckRub posted
Not a lot of difference. I have a 10 and a 40 and 40 is a lot easier to find and cheaper. Stick with a 40.
Sure, there's not much difference if you're using the anemic 10mm loads that are basically the same as a .40. But if you use the real 10mm loads - the loads that actually take advantage of the cartridge - then you have a very powerful round that completely eclipses the 9mm, .40, and .45 in terms of energy and ballistic effectiveness.
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Old February 23, 2013, 07:03 AM   #24
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I have a 10mm G20 hog hunter I have equipped with the Ameriglo ghost ring.

I typically shoot 220 gr hard cast Buffalo Bore (which they claim is about 700 ft lbs at 1200 fps).

I've been able to drop 200-300 pound hogs at 20 yards through dense underbrush with a single shot.

As for the typical 10mm load, it tends to be on the upper end of a hot factory 40SW because no manufacturer wants to take the blame for an exploding gun when you feed one to an unramped barrel.

...and, yes, 45 super out of a Glock 21 is an alternative.

The G20, tho, is a big game handgun. It has no other uses. The G21 is a pretty decent 45 ACP target pistol. But I prefer 1911s for that, so I could justify getting a G20.
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Old February 24, 2013, 04:50 PM   #25
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I'm going to be the one to say it, there isn't much difference between a 10mm and a .40. Take note that I reload and have loaded for the 10mm and .40 for quite a while and I don't see what the 10mm truly offers over the .40, it's just more expensive. I have nothing against the 10mm at all, but it's not what most make it out to be. People buy a 10mm for velocity, the problem is that they don't know when to quit and push bullets too fast, which is bad.

From similar barrel lengths the 10mm has a 100-150 fps advantage, and I'm talking about a warm loaded 10mm vs. a warm loaded .40. The issue is that both the .40 and 10mm can push .400" JHP bullets fast enough to reach the point of bullet failure, which hurts penetration and that's what you need when hunting.

For instance, using Longshot powder in the 10mm and .40, I can get a 180gr JHP @ 1250+ fps from a Glock 20 10mm. From a Glock 35 .40 I can get a 180gr JHP @ 1250+ fps also, but have a lighter gun with a longer sight radius and still have 15+1 capacity. The extra 100-150 fps the 10mm gives isn't even going to be noticed, especially when the velocities are at levels that surpass what the particular bullet is designed for. Moral? Faster doesn't mean better, especially when the result is less penetration and bullet failure.

You're better off buying a .44 Mag, for example. Instead of pushing the exact same bullet 100-150 faster, you get a bigger bullet, a heavier bullet and faster velocity at the same time. If it can't be killed with a .40, don't count on the 10mm killing it either, you would be much better off with a big bore revolver.
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