Hi All:
This is my my first post. I've wanted a 10mm for 15 years, and have never got around to it. I've finally decided to drop the hammer. I've been looking at a number of 10mm pistols and need your input.
I may want to reload, and would like the option of shooting the full power Buffalo Bore, Underwood, Cor-Bon, etc. So, I'm wanting a fully supported chamber (Delta Elite is out).
I like the feel of the Kimbers, and they have a couple of good options. I'm impressed with how tight their actions are. Triggers were decent, but I'd still want a trigger job.
The new Para Ord 6" Hunter is OK; the slide to frame fit was much looser than the Kimbers. The trigger was heavy and creepy. I'd expect better from a gun that costs so much.
I'm a big Glock fan, and own several. Even the Gen 4 G20 seems like it has the girth of an oil tanker. If I went this route I'd need to get a quality grip reduction, and that's a roll of the dice, because I'm not sure if it will be slim enough. I'd need to get an aftermarket barrel with fully supported chamber, and I'd need some work on the trigger.
I've shot some STIs and have been impressed with their quality. The Nitro 10 looks interesting, and expensive >:( it's so new that there aren't a lot of reviews there in it right now. Big risk.
Some folks have said "Look, maybe you won't like the 10. Get an RIA. If you like it, either sell it and get the primo brand or enhance it with quality parts." Intriguing.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
You know what would be best? Buy at least a few boxes of upper end ammo in all flavors. Hopefully get up with a group of 10mm owners trying all the pistols. You will find your personal winner immediately!
Or just buy... buy and weed them out ;D I wish I would have done the first suggestion (whatever it took) but here is how my progression has panned out:
EAA Polymer - It was wore out and had the old red follower mags. Didn't run right and traded it in on a GP100.
EAA Match - Shot it for several years and it was still like new even after thousands of Nuclear rounds. Still wish I had it! Sold it to finance two pistols (EAA Limited Pro/EAA Elite Limited).
Dan Wesson Razorback 1911 - Never cared for how it shot the 10mm. Too front end light, grip wasn't as good and it didn't like 200gr+ bullets much. Sold it and agree a 1911 is a .45ACP pistol.
S&W 1006 - Shoots the 10mm like no other in the recoil department (like a long-slide). Due to the crap trigger it would be the one to sell should something else come along.
EAA Limited Pro - No complaints about anything with it to date.
EAA Elite Limited - No complaints about anything with it to date.
EAA Hunter - The two-piece guide rod broke the cross pin once and I had to Loctite the rear sight elevation screw. Both were easy fixes and I wouldn't sell this 6" piece.
I haven't tried a Polymer 10mm since my first one. I don't even like the Polymer flex in my XD 9mm.
180@1300, Welcome to the forum! If you're wanting a trigger feel that is crisp and clean, I think the 1911 style is what you will want, I'd suggest Fusion Arms or Kimber seeing how you are favoring it anyway. The RIA has many raving over their handling of the 10mm rounds and at the price point for what you get makes it a worthy pistol.
The S&W 1006 has a good grip but the take up on the trigger may not be to your liking, but they have been strong and reliable and great chamber support.
The EAA upper end pistols seem to hold up and work well as Intercooler has pointed out. Chamber support is great too.
The thing that the Glocks have going for them is the are reasonably priced, have tons of factory parts and aftermarket parts available, barrels are looser chambered but when they work they run like a sewing machine!
Best regards! :D
This might help also:
http://guns.findthebest.com/
Quote from: 180@1300 on June 07 2014 08:26:19 AM MDTsnip...
G20 seems like it has the girth of an oil tanker. If I went this route I'd need to get a quality grip reduction, and that's a roll of the dice, because I'm not sure if it will be slim enough. I'd need to get an aftermarket barrel with fully supported chamber,
Thoughts? Suggestions?
welcome... Good people and plenty of knowledge here...
I personally like Sigs, but they don't make a 10mm... Yes the G20 is fairly large in the hand, not sure if a 4 model with the diff fits (backstrap) make it any better over the 3.
As to the stock barrel re full support, I've shot most of the heavy comm loads that are on the market today and haven't seen any bulges that were past reloading. ( tho I have seen it with some reloads )... Yes the barrels tend to be loser fiting, but that's done for reliability factor. The only fully supported round will be in a 10mm S&W revolver, it's the nature of the semi auto beast.
The Glock is a great gun for the money... and for the price of my last Sig, I can get 2! :)
I have to agree with The Shadow. If a nice trigger is a deciding factor, I would say a 1911. My RIA has an extrodinary trigger. Adjustable sights, etc. a very nice handgun. But I also have a Kimber. I got rid of my Glock because of the trigger. Steve
"Fully supported chamber..."
Narrows it down a ways. :) For what it's worth I'd advise going with a Kimber unless price is a major concern. If it is, then the Rock Island also has a ramped barrel.
Smith 10XX are an option but harder to find. Besides the trigger I don't like the grip size as much as a 1911, but that's a purely personal/physical opinion. YMWV
I have a Delta, G20SF and a 1006....all have their good points. Like most things you just have to decide what is more important to you.
Welcome! You have come to the right forum for advice. 8)
My personal Glock runs very well, and even with the standard stock barrel has handled the hottest loads from Underwood, Buffalo Bore, and PBR without a smile or bulge. The issue for you is grip, and if the Gen 4 is already too big for you I would definitely not suggest removing any of the polymer material if you tend to shoot hot loads (some have done this without issue but I suggest not due to the frame flex Intercooler mentioned).
Kimber makes some very nice 1911's in 10mm.
As far as Rock Island goes, a friend of mine has two in .45 ACP which are built like tanks. Time will tell on the how the 10mm's in Rock Island hold up to the hot stuff, but as was mentioned above they might make nice entry level pistols if they hold up over time (which I think they probably will).
Good luck with your choice!
I decided on the Kimber TLE II. Put some $ down on it yesterday. :D
(http://www.kygunco.com/kimber-custom-tle-ii-pistol-10mm-64435)
Thanks for all the info and input. Hopefully I'll be buying another 10 in the future. Now, for some ammo...
In case anyone wants to see what they look like:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=421148924
Quote from: 180@1300 on June 08 2014 09:54:44 AM MDT
I decided on the Kimber TLE II. Put some $ down on it yesterday. :D
(http://www.kygunco.com/kimber-custom-tle-ii-pistol-10mm-64435)
Thanks for all the info and input. Hopefully I'll be buying another 10 in the future. Now, for some ammo...
I like mine but keep in mind it has a plastic msh. Mine has cycled everything straight out of the box.
I did notice the plastic MSH >:(. I'm wondering if i should try it without replacing, but I probably know the answer to that already.
I ordered a msh from fusion with a magwell the same day I ordered the tle I took it to the range once before switching it out. My msh had a hairline crack when I removed it.
While I was at it I replaced the mainspring with a 26lb
A-ha. Please school me on the benefits of a stronger mainspring. I'm ignorant.
I was planning on ordering a 20 lb and 22 lb recoil spring to experiment with (the benefits of those are obvious). Any experiences and input on this is most welcome
It helps slow the slide to prevent battering, replacing the firing pin stop with a flat bottom firing pin stop helps also. I have a 20lb recoil spring in mine
What is the advantage of a stronger mainspring?
ETA: Creates greater resistance for the slide and slows it down during recoil. Got it. Hope a 25 or 26 lb spring won't increase my trigger pull too much :-X .
Quote from: Intercooler on June 08 2014 10:30:49 AM MDT
In case anyone wants to see what they look like:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=421148924
I kind of like that black on black. If my RIA didn't have an ambi safety that gets in the way it would wear the same Crimson Trace laser grips as my other two.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Gandog56/SANY0191_zpsf7367415.jpg)