10mm or .45 for self defense?

ccwnut · April 7, 2013, 04:27 AM

Which would you guys choose for a possible EDC weapon? I do have experience with the 10mm, as a 1st Generation G29 was one of my first guns ever.
But given this ridiculous shortage of guns andammo, is either one a good buy? In case you're wondering, I currently have a Glock 26 Gen 4, which I carry every day. But I'd like to have a little variety in my gun safe. Whichever one I end up with will be a Glock, hopefully a Gen 4 model.

therifleman556 · April 7, 2013, 08:49 AM

For some reason in my neck of the woods, .45 is easier to get your hands on. 9mm is out of the question, and .40 is spotty at best. Not one of my regular haunts has ever stocked 10mm.

I would say .45 just for the sake of availability. Next consideration would be recoil, how do those Block 10 mils handle? I shyed away from a 30 just because It didn't feel right in the hand, I can't imagine a 10 making matters easier unless it was a full size.

BuckRub · April 7, 2013, 09:14 AM

10- you'd never find ammo and when you did, very expensive. I prefer a 40 and second a 9MM.

Strafer Gott · April 7, 2013, 09:30 AM

I have been able to find 10 mm right along, and .357 Sig as well. I'm just now seeing 9mm at $20, and .45acp gold dots at $51. This makes 10mm at $35 a bargain.

Noreaster · April 7, 2013, 10:02 AM

45 acp hands down just for ammo selection and availability. Plus I like the 45acp. Now if I lived in bear country, that would be another conversation.

Dashunde · April 7, 2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Which would you guys choose for a possible EDC weapon?

Honestly? None of them. They're all far too thick and heavy for my EDC tastes.
If I just had to carry a 45 it would be the G36 (too bad there is no 10mm version).

I dont think the 45 is any more effective than a good 40, and the 45 gives up capacity and usually requires a larger framed pistol...neither are desirable EDC CCW characteristics.
With that in mind I think the G27 packs the same overall firepower as the G30 in a smaller, thinner and lighter package.

The 10mm is in its own realm as far as auto loaders go when its loaded to its full potential.
The G29 is the answer there for EDC, but only if that extra power is a high priority.

Wreck-n-Crew · April 7, 2013, 10:36 AM

For some reason 10mm is easy to find in my area, 357 sig harder than 9mm and 40.

45 acp is as available as 40 and 9mm more rare but there.

For the sake of staying away from the "where is the ammo" discussion and sidetracking the discussion, ...I prefer the 45.

zeke4351 · April 7, 2013, 10:39 AM

Which one would you rather be shot at of the two? I can find any ammo easier than 9mm. I wouldn't want either caliber in a plastic gun.

Ruger45LC · April 7, 2013, 12:41 PM

I vote .45 ACP. I didn't see a Gen4 G30 listed so I picked the closest thing, a G30sf. Easy recoil, big bullet and 10+1rds capacity. I've also clocked 230gr handloads over 950 fps out of it, which is pretty sweet.

I have nothing against the 10mm, but I don't find it to be particularly better than anything else, just more pricey.

therifleman556 · April 7, 2013, 01:04 PM

"polymer" guns have their place. Namely on the hip of someone who's carried a 5" 1911 around for more than a couple of hours.

Personal preference more than anything, and anything is better than nothing.

g20gunny · April 7, 2013, 01:18 PM

Here in central Kansas 10mm is more available than 45, also do you want the extra power or is the extra 250-500 lbs energy not worth the inconvience of finding 10mm ammo? I have both 45 and 10mm and you don't have to shoot them long before you see a real difference in performance. I have seen 45 bounce off a plastic combine gastank! I can shoot 100 yards with my 10mm without aiming off target, the 45... not so much, but you will be able to watch it skip a few times on its way to the target. With my 10 I know that if my target dives behind my couch or hides around a corner he is still in danger of my 10.
You make the call but I chose 10 when my families safety depends on it.

Theohazard · April 7, 2013, 01:45 PM

When using good hollow points a 9mm, .40, and .45 are all basically the same in terms of terminal effectiveness on the human body. However, the 10mm is a noticeable step up from those rounds, but only when it's loaded to its potential; many 10mm loads are underpowered and pretty much the same as the .40.

That said, 10mm ammo is pricey and sometimes hard to find, even when an ammo shortage isn't going on. Also, the recoil on a full-power 10mm can make follow-up shots more difficult.

I say go with the Glock 30; ammo will be cheaper and easier to find and you may find you shoot it faster and more accurately than the 29 because of the recoil, and for a defensive carry weapon that's what matters most.

ezmiraldo · April 7, 2013, 04:02 PM

10mm ammo has been available online without an issue either from double-tap, buffalo bore, or underwood.

despite all the valid downsides, I'm biased in favor of 10mm (flat trajectory, high energy, versatility).

Hundy · April 7, 2013, 04:27 PM

I love my 45. The ammo has been easier to find than 9mm or 40. I have never seen any 10mm. No facts or figures, just my personnal opinon the 45 has always been the standard on stopping power. I do feel your pain on the choices, I have a 45 and a 357. I am now trying to figure out if I want to get a 40 or a 9mm. I wanted to get one, before California changes the laws and makes my choices of firearms fewer.

good luck

Jay

t4terrific · April 7, 2013, 04:55 PM

45 Auto is more shootable, with less recoil, and extremely effective.

Departed402 · April 8, 2013, 12:07 AM

Both of those models are think, and either round would serve you well. Try for a G30S with the narrow slide.

NWCP · April 8, 2013, 02:35 AM

I don't own a Glock, but I prefer .45ACP and carry an HK45C.

thedudeabides · April 8, 2013, 05:25 AM

I have a 29SF and a 30. I even put up a thread about them a while back.

Short rundown:

SF is not for small hands. It's a reshaped Glock frame for certain Gen 3/3.5 guns that fits your hands better than the "regular" frame. It's less blocky, especially up high where they have cut out a waist at the level of the mag release and tang. It fits people with small hands better, but it also makes the weird Glock grip more manageable for everyone. I like it.

G30S has the G36 slide. It's a gimmick. If you've handled a G30/29, etc, the fat is where the grip is to accommodate the double stack. Taking a quarter inch here or there from the slide still gives you a massive gun that's not really smaller.

10mm vs 45 ACP is an easier argument. Both the 29 and 30 are virtually identical, but 45 is bigger so the mags fit flush with the 29--so if you have big hands you will need a grip baseplate extension for the 29. The 30 comes with one from the factory, Pearce makes them for the 29 that look factory. Both guns hold 10 rounds with the most common variant of mags available. The 45 ACP will be harder to get the mag to lock with all 10 bullets jammed up in there.

New 10mm factory defensive ammo is a slightly hot 40, which sits at or slightly above most normal 45 defensive non +P 185gr loads.

10mm CAN handle ridiculously high pressures and you can shoot some 1350 fps loads out of the G29, but the recoil becomes mean. The G30 will shoot +P and 45 Super, but also starts to turn mean with 45 Super.

Both guns are accurate. Both guns come with crappy plastic Glock sights. Both guns are reliable. Both guns are on the big side for carry and heavy fully loaded.

10mm is hard to find. 45 ACP is everywhere.

I think the G30 variants are the best choice.

Pico · April 8, 2013, 05:46 AM

Since the question was what's best for self defense, absolutely .45 ACP. If more than that, hunting, target shooting, etc, 10 mm. No argument, the big 10 is the most versatile handgun caliber since .357 magnum.

I was thinking 10 mm may - ahem - slightly over-penetrate with most self-defense scenarios and that could be a risk.

Even before the ammo availability fiasco, ammo availability is generally better for .45 and the price is less expensive. A self-defense weapon you can't afford to learn to shoot well or find ammo for is not very useful.

Pico

stephen426 · April 8, 2013, 07:12 AM

Based on ammo availability and cost, I voted for the Glock 30S. 10mm was never really that common to begin with, especially compared to .45. The snappiness of the round also makes it harder to control. I have a G26 and have never felt under-gunned. Then again, I have never been in a fire fight either! I do carry +P+ Hydra-Shoks in it which just approaches the lower end of .357 mag velocities.

BuckRub · April 8, 2013, 12:22 PM

If which one if a firefight started or to defend yourself. Both would work great. If which one has the advantage over the other and it doesn't matter on finding ammo or cost then the 10 MM would be my pick.

ClydeFrog · April 8, 2013, 04:07 PM

I'd go with a Glock 30S pistol or the sub compact 36 .45acp.
Add Trijicon HD 3 dot night sights; www.trijicon.com .

CF

DaleA · April 8, 2013, 05:48 PM

Nothing but personal biased opinion here in my reply so take it with a grain of salt.

I don't care for the 10mm because I think it's too hard on the gun. But since you'll be using it in a Glock and not a nice 1911 go ahead and pick the 10mm.

If you're will to make certain you always have some 10mm around I'd lean toward the 10mm.

mrvco · April 8, 2013, 08:55 PM

No one ever got fired for choosing .45ACP (as far as I know).

Buckdown · April 9, 2013, 07:47 AM

For a carry gun gun if your not going to carry it everyday all year long because of weigt,bulk ect it might as well be a paperweight or a hammer.Get a gun thats small enough to carry everyday and powerful enough to get the job done.I like the Keltec PF9 .I would not carry anything less powerful than a 9MM.

View Poll Results: 10mm or .45 for self defense?
Glock 29	6	9.84%
Glock 29 SF	13	21.31%
Glock 30 SF	26	42.62%
Glock 30s	24	39.34%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

April 7, 2013, 04:27 AM	#1
ccwnut Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: The United States Posts: 95	10mm or .45 for self defense? Which would you guys choose for a possible EDC weapon? I do have experience with the 10mm, as a 1st Generation G29 was one of my first guns ever. But given this ridiculous shortage of guns andammo, is either one a good buy? In case you're wondering, I currently have a Glock 26 Gen 4, which I carry every day. But I'd like to have a little variety in my gun safe. Whichever one I end up with will be a Glock, hopefully a Gen 4 model. __________________ "Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."- Benjamin Franklin

April 7, 2013, 10:36 AM	#7
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	For some reason 10mm is easy to find in my area, 357 sig harder than 9mm and 40. 45 acp is as available as 40 and 9mm more rare but there. For the sake of staying away from the "where is the ammo" discussion and sidetracking the discussion, ...I prefer the 45. __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

April 7, 2013, 10:39 AM	#8
zeke4351 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 119	10mm or .45 for self defense? Which one would you rather be shot at of the two? I can find any ammo easier than 9mm. I wouldn't want either caliber in a plastic gun.

April 7, 2013, 01:18 PM	#11
g20gunny Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2012 Location: A wheat field in Kansas Posts: 141	Here in central Kansas 10mm is more available than 45, also do you want the extra power or is the extra 250-500 lbs energy not worth the inconvience of finding 10mm ammo? I have both 45 and 10mm and you don't have to shoot them long before you see a real difference in performance. I have seen 45 bounce off a plastic combine gastank! I can shoot 100 yards with my 10mm without aiming off target, the 45... not so much, but you will be able to watch it skip a few times on its way to the target. With my 10 I know that if my target dives behind my couch or hides around a corner he is still in danger of my 10. You make the call but I chose 10 when my families safety depends on it. __________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." --George Washington

April 7, 2013, 08:49 AM	#2
therifleman556 Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 43	For some reason in my neck of the woods, .45 is easier to get your hands on. 9mm is out of the question, and .40 is spotty at best. Not one of my regular haunts has ever stocked 10mm. I would say .45 just for the sake of availability. Next consideration would be recoil, how do those Block 10 mils handle? I shyed away from a 30 just because It didn't feel right in the hand, I can't imagine a 10 making matters easier unless it was a full size.

April 7, 2013, 09:14 AM	#3
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	10- you'd never find ammo and when you did, very expensive. I prefer a 40 and second a 9MM.

April 7, 2013, 09:30 AM	#4
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	I have been able to find 10 mm right along, and .357 Sig as well. I'm just now seeing 9mm at $20, and .45acp gold dots at $51. This makes 10mm at $35 a bargain.

April 7, 2013, 10:02 AM	#5
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	45 acp hands down just for ammo selection and availability. Plus I like the 45acp. Now if I lived in bear country, that would be another conversation.

April 7, 2013, 12:41 PM	#9
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 768	I vote .45 ACP. I didn't see a Gen4 G30 listed so I picked the closest thing, a G30sf. Easy recoil, big bullet and 10+1rds capacity. I've also clocked 230gr handloads over 950 fps out of it, which is pretty sweet. I have nothing against the 10mm, but I don't find it to be particularly better than anything else, just more pricey.

April 7, 2013, 01:04 PM	#10
therifleman556 Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 43	"polymer" guns have their place. Namely on the hip of someone who's carried a 5" 1911 around for more than a couple of hours. Personal preference more than anything, and anything is better than nothing.

April 7, 2013, 01:45 PM	#12
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	When using good hollow points a 9mm, .40, and .45 are all basically the same in terms of terminal effectiveness on the human body. However, the 10mm is a noticeable step up from those rounds, but only when it's loaded to its potential; many 10mm loads are underpowered and pretty much the same as the .40. That said, 10mm ammo is pricey and sometimes hard to find, even when an ammo shortage isn't going on. Also, the recoil on a full-power 10mm can make follow-up shots more difficult. I say go with the Glock 30; ammo will be cheaper and easier to find and you may find you shoot it faster and more accurately than the 29 because of the recoil, and for a defensive carry weapon that's what matters most. __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

April 7, 2013, 04:02 PM	#13
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	10mm ammo has been available online without an issue either from double-tap, buffalo bore, or underwood. despite all the valid downsides, I'm biased in favor of 10mm (flat trajectory, high energy, versatility). __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber???

April 7, 2013, 04:27 PM	#14
Hundy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Posts: 111	45 ACP I love my 45. The ammo has been easier to find than 9mm or 40. I have never seen any 10mm. No facts or figures, just my personnal opinon the 45 has always been the standard on stopping power. I do feel your pain on the choices, I have a 45 and a 357. I am now trying to figure out if I want to get a 40 or a 9mm. I wanted to get one, before California changes the laws and makes my choices of firearms fewer. good luck Jay

April 7, 2013, 04:55 PM	#15
t4terrific Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Posts: 307	10mm or .45 for self defense? 45 Auto is more shootable, with less recoil, and extremely effective.

April 8, 2013, 12:07 AM	#16
Departed402 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 884	Both of those models are think, and either round would serve you well. Try for a G30S with the narrow slide.

April 8, 2013, 02:35 AM	#17
NWCP Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 1,903	I don't own a Glock, but I prefer .45ACP and carry an HK45C.

April 8, 2013, 05:25 AM	#18
thedudeabides Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1,031	I have a 29SF and a 30. I even put up a thread about them a while back. Short rundown: SF is not for small hands. It's a reshaped Glock frame for certain Gen 3/3.5 guns that fits your hands better than the "regular" frame. It's less blocky, especially up high where they have cut out a waist at the level of the mag release and tang. It fits people with small hands better, but it also makes the weird Glock grip more manageable for everyone. I like it. G30S has the G36 slide. It's a gimmick. If you've handled a G30/29, etc, the fat is where the grip is to accommodate the double stack. Taking a quarter inch here or there from the slide still gives you a massive gun that's not really smaller. 10mm vs 45 ACP is an easier argument. Both the 29 and 30 are virtually identical, but 45 is bigger so the mags fit flush with the 29--so if you have big hands you will need a grip baseplate extension for the 29. The 30 comes with one from the factory, Pearce makes them for the 29 that look factory. Both guns hold 10 rounds with the most common variant of mags available. The 45 ACP will be harder to get the mag to lock with all 10 bullets jammed up in there. New 10mm factory defensive ammo is a slightly hot 40, which sits at or slightly above most normal 45 defensive non +P 185gr loads. 10mm CAN handle ridiculously high pressures and you can shoot some 1350 fps loads out of the G29, but the recoil becomes mean. The G30 will shoot +P and 45 Super, but also starts to turn mean with 45 Super. Both guns are accurate. Both guns come with crappy plastic Glock sights. Both guns are reliable. Both guns are on the big side for carry and heavy fully loaded. 10mm is hard to find. 45 ACP is everywhere. I think the G30 variants are the best choice.

April 8, 2013, 05:46 AM	#19
Pico Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2002 Location: Ga Posts: 515	Self defense = .45 Since the question was what's best for self defense, absolutely .45 ACP. If more than that, hunting, target shooting, etc, 10 mm. No argument, the big 10 is the most versatile handgun caliber since .357 magnum. I was thinking 10 mm may - ahem - slightly over-penetrate with most self-defense scenarios and that could be a risk. Even before the ammo availability fiasco, ammo availability is generally better for .45 and the price is less expensive. A self-defense weapon you can't afford to learn to shoot well or find ammo for is not very useful. Pico

April 8, 2013, 07:12 AM	#20
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	Based on ammo availability and cost, I voted for the Glock 30S. 10mm was never really that common to begin with, especially compared to .45. The snappiness of the round also makes it harder to control. I have a G26 and have never felt under-gunned. Then again, I have never been in a fire fight either! I do carry +P+ Hydra-Shoks in it which just approaches the lower end of .357 mag velocities. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

April 8, 2013, 12:22 PM	#21
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	If which one if a firefight started or to defend yourself. Both would work great. If which one has the advantage over the other and it doesn't matter on finding ammo or cost then the 10 MM would be my pick.

April 8, 2013, 04:07 PM	#22
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Glock 30S or maybe a Glock 36 .45acp... I'd go with a Glock 30S pistol or the sub compact 36 .45acp. Add Trijicon HD 3 dot night sights; www.trijicon.com . CF

April 8, 2013, 05:48 PM	#23
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Nothing but personal biased opinion here in my reply so take it with a grain of salt. I don't care for the 10mm because I think it's too hard on the gun. But since you'll be using it in a Glock and not a nice 1911 go ahead and pick the 10mm. If you're will to make certain you always have some 10mm around I'd lean toward the 10mm.

April 8, 2013, 08:55 PM	#24
mrvco Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2011 Posts: 214	No one ever got fired for choosing .45ACP (as far as I know).

April 9, 2013, 07:47 AM	#25
Buckdown Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 26	For a carry gun gun if your not going to carry it everyday all year long because of weigt,bulk ect it might as well be a paperweight or a hammer.Get a gun thats small enough to carry everyday and powerful enough to get the job done.I like the Keltec PF9 .I would not carry anything less powerful than a 9MM.