Mastering the 10mm: Top Pistols and Essential Buying Tips

1. Best Overall: Sig P3230 XTEN

What we like:

The XTEN is a bruiser that feels and shoots great – even in the hands of someone who does not enter strongman competitions at the semi-competitive level.

What we don’t:

• Too big and heavy for most to carry every day
• At least the size of a comparable 1911
• Likely requires a chest rig when taking it into the woods as a ballistic bear repellent.

Specs:

• Caliber: 10mm Auto
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 33 ounces, unloaded
• Magazine Capacity: 15+1

This big 15+1 shot 10mm polymer-framed beast uses one of the most popular fire control systems on the market today. SIG introduced its first caliber change to the P320 system in 2022 and went big– stepping up to 10mm Auto.

The pistol, based on the company’s XSeries practical/tactical variants of the P320 (hence the XTEN name), provides peace of mind for those strolling about in dangerous animal territory or want a serious home defense piece, or are looking to knock down some stingy plates and pins on the range.

XTEN runs a 5-inch bull barrel and comes with an optic-ready slide compatible with SIG’s Romeo2 and Trijicon RMR footprints.

The XTEN includes ambidextrous slide catch levers that are easy to use, as well as a large push-button magazine release that comes installed on the left side of the frame for right-handed shooters but is swappable to the other side. The magazines drop free easily.

Boasting a serious magazine capacity for the caliber, the XTEN incorporates a contoured, slimmed-down grip and a high cut under the trigger guard to allow most users to get a handle on this big 10mm. The texture is aggressive but not overly so.

I fired a mix of 300 rounds through the XTEN. Most of those were full-house personal protection and hard-cast hunting rounds. I encountered only one malfunction, which was easily cleared.

Besides the option to run a red dot, the pistol ships with steel XRAY 3-dot day/night sights. They are easy to see and catch the eye when coming up on target, even in low light.

The XTEN ships with an excellent flat-faced XSeries trigger installed. With a 90-degree break, it hits the wall almost instantly.

The XTEN, with its long sight radius, great trigger, ergonomic grip, and excellent sights, is flat shooting on the range. We found no issue hitting center mass in practical off-hand shooting at 25 yards and, heading to the bench, could zap torso-sized steel at 50 yards.

Since the grip module size is new, finding a suitable holster can be challenging. Also, this is a SIG-only pistol when it comes to mags and parts, at least for now.

2. Glock G40 10mm Pistol

What we liked:

• Very well-made through and through
• Comes with a modular optical system for sight mounting
• Very comfortable to hold
• Adjustable sights
• Has a gas nitride finish

What we didn’t:

• Optics not included
• Heavy at over 40oz fully loaded

Accuracy over distance thanks to a 6-inch barrel

Glock returns once again for this budget 10mm pistol choice – the Glock 40. Like the last model, it’s fantastic in terms of durability and overall ease of use.

It has a comfortable handgrip with grooves for several holding positions orientations. The grip holds a 10-round magazine, with room for an additional round in the chamber.

Same Glock reliability, same Glock magazines

The weapon features a 6-inch barrel for added power and accuracy at a distance.

Even more importantly, this Glock handgun features a modular optical system. In a nutshell, it allows you to quickly and easily mount a variety of popular optics to your handgun without having to machine the pistol’s slide with the help of a gunsmith.

This also comes with a cover plate so you can still use the weapon to its fullest extent whenever you aren’t using an optic. You can even add tall iron sights if you want to improve your accuracy that way.

The weapon features a gas nitride finish to reduce corrosion damage on the metal parts and an adjustable rear sight. This allows you to compensate slightly for windage or elevation.

For competition or longer-range handgun needs, the G40 ticks a lot of the right boxes.

3. Sig P220 10mm Pistol

What we liked:

• Small and easy to conceal carry
• Easy-to-use beavertail grip safety system
• Features a finish for enhanced durability
• Made with great materials
• Includes an integrated accessory rail

What we didn’t:

• OEM sights may not be to everyone’s taste

Smaller 10mm pistols are going to be the best choice if you are looking for a sidearm you can carry in a concealed holster. The Sig Sauer P220 does the job admirably. It’s a Sig Sauer, one of the best pistol brands in any caliber, and this particular model has recently been updated so that some variants are chambered for 10mm ammo.

Regardless, this weapon only weighs 2.45 pounds and features a short barrel length of 4.4 inches. This will allow you to fit the handgun into concealed carry holsters with relative ease virtually anywhere on your body.

Despite its small size, the weapon has an eight-round magazine. It’s also built to last, featuring a stainless steel slide that’s machined from barstock.

To make things even better, the pistol comes with a wear-resistant finish to reduce corrosive damage.

We also like that it comes with an integrated accessory rail, so you can easily combine this weapon with different optical attachments if you decide to use it as a primary pistol instead of a backup weapon only.

A four-point safety decocking lever is also included. This proprietary feature prevents accidental discharges, especially useful during quick draws.

A safety intercept notch and trigger bar disconnect are also included for even more practical discharge prevention measures.

All in all, it’s a fantastic 10mm pistol that’s compact, safe and carries lots of value for its size.

4. Dan Wesson RZ-10 10mm Pistol

What we liked:

• Good OEM sights
• Fantastic aesthetic
• The grip is comfortable and smooth
• Has a good trigger guard
• Quality steel components and finish

What we didn’t:

• Grip doesn’t do much to stop slippery palms
• Rear sights are a bit larger than average

Some folks might prefer using their 10mm auto pistol for target practice or shooting competitions with friends at the gun range.

If that’s the case for you, be sure to check out this Dan Wesson RZ-10 that’s designed just for that purpose. It features fantastic fixed sights that can also be used for defensive purposes.

Interestingly, there’s a match-grade barrel that’ll allow you to use custom 10mm ammo. Ammunition reloaders will really love this aspect, particularly if they want to craft a great 10mm round for added accuracy or just save on ammo costs.

The weapon as a whole has an excellent forged frame with an undercut trigger guard. This gives it a fantastic aesthetic and added safety.

The grip looks and feels phenomenal, giving the weapon a sleek and stylish appearance that shouldn’t be underestimated. With a barrel length of 5 inches and a weight of 2.3 pounds, it’s easy to wield and draw quickly.

With a stainless steel finish and a nine-round magazine, it’s a quality piece through and through.

5. Colt Delta Elite 10mm Pistol

What we liked:

• Great aesthetic
• Good sights
• Provides enough range and accuracy to hit/kill small animals
• Crisp, smooth trigger pull
• Comes with two magazines

What we didn’t:

• The barrel could be a bit longer for longer-distance shots
• A bit pricier than average

Lastly, you might want a 10mm pistol that’s more suitable for hunting pests on your property or other small animals.

This Colt Delta Elite is a great choice if you’re looking for the best 10mm pistol for hunting.

It features an eight-round magazine and a 5-inch barrel, plus a stainless steel finish that gives it a great aesthetic and lasting resistance to corrosion damage.

More importantly, it features a classic, comfortable stock and fixed two-dot sight at the rear. These give you the target acquisition assistance you need to land shots on moving targets.

It’s not too heavy, either, weighing in at 2.19 pounds. The trigger has a few holes punched into it for aesthetic value, but the serious shooter will appreciate the crisp feel of the trigger pull, which offers better firing control.

We’d be remiss to not mention the twin magazines that come with the purchase. All told, there’s lots of value in this pick and it’s a great 10mm pistol all around, not just for pest-hunters.

6. Smith & Wesson M&P 10

Smith & Wesson’s last entry into the world of 10mm pistols, the S&W 1000 series, last saw the light of day in the 80s — way back when Don Johnson was running around Miami in a Lambo.

Now, after a 25-year drought, Smith has brought the 10mm to the M&P M2.0 handgun line.

We’re big fans of the M&P series — with their ubiquitous pistol making the cut on more guides than we can count, the question in everyone’s mind is whether Smith can take the success of their M&P pistols and parlay that into a hit with the 10mm set.

We’d like to think it possible, but until we have the gun in our hands we’re putting this one on “TBD” status.

Available in 4.6- and 4-inch formats, both optics-ready, with a solid 15+1 capacity and price point right about $650, depending on the model.

I think they’re likely to snatch the 10mm crown from the very dated (not to mention non-optics-ready) Gen 4 Glock 20 and G29s of the world.

Before you spend your hard-earned money on any 10mm pistol, consider the following factors to ensure you choose a firearm that’s worth your time and meets your goals.

1. What ammo is best for it?

First, determine what type of ammunition a specific 10mm pistol can use. Of course, all these guns are chambered for 10mm caliber rounds, but different weapons are suitable for different types of powder, which can produce different results.

For instance, some 10mm powders are better for target shooting and general accuracy or range ammo. Others excel in delivering significant stopping power.

For our money, we like the Underwood 165 grain Gold Dot, Reed’s 180 grain Golden Saber, and Hornady 175 grain Critical Duty powders for 10mm pistols. All of these provide great performance and work well with all the pistols described below.

But don’t be afraid to do a little more research and dig into what ammo types work best with certain 10mm handguns.

2. Does it accept accessories?

We also recommend checking if a 10mm pistol is compatible with accessories. Some 10mm handguns have longer barrels than their 9mm counterparts, which means they might come with accessory rails built into their side.

These allow you to mount optics, scopes, and different types of sights on the weapon, which can enhance your accuracy or allow you additional tactical or hunting options.

Think of a night vision scope, for instance, when using your pistol to hunt pests on your property.

You should also see whether a pistol has a rail on the bottom for a tactical flashlight. This can be great if you’re looking for a pistol for tactical engagements or patrol duty.

3. Size and Weight

Naturally, the size and weight of a given 10mm pistol can affect who it works best for and how quickly you can draw it. Smaller pistols are better for concealed carry purposes, can fit into smaller holsters, and are better for quickdraw situations.

They’re also better for those with smaller hands, like women who might need a self-defense weapon of their own.

However, smaller guns aren’t always the better choice. Sometimes larger 10mm pistols can be used for better shooting performance on the range or for hunting, and longer, heavier barrels will help with muzzle flip.

It all depends on personal preference, so just take a moment to think about what you need before purchasing a gun.

4. Durability

Lastly, keep durability in mind before you select a 10mm handgun. Not all firearms are made alike; some are built to last, either through the materials that comprise most of their components or through special finishes that may be layered on after the weapon is built.

For instance, a common blue nitrite or black nitride finish can provide corrosion resistance for pistols, which will help their metal parts last longer even if they get wet or are used outside all the time.

Certain 10mm pistol brands, like Glocks, are already renowned for their overall durability. You can drop those weapons from several meters up and they won’t accidentally discharge or break. Some budget-focused semi-autos won’t offer that same level of durability.

Obviously, it’s more important to pick up a durable pistol if you plan to use it for tactical activities or hunting. But it’s certainly important for everyone, even if you mostly plan to use it on a range.

Ultimately, each of the above 10mm pistols are great choice overall, especially compared to the glut of firearms you can find on the market these days.

But we feel that the Sig P3230 XTEN is the best choice overall for its versatility, safety features, and overall ease of use. It represents everything you could want in a staple sidearm for multiple purposes.

We hope one of the mentioned weapons aligns well with your needs. Good luck and good hunting!

1. Gun Digest, Bill Vanderpool, 10mm Handguns and the FBI, July 25, 2018
2. Guns and Ammo, History of the 10mm Auto
3. Military Wiki, Bren Ten Pistol