Thanks very much, I've learned more in the past few hours than I've learned in the past few Weeks.

Define 'better'.   More reliable, more comfortable, more accurate?

I'm kinda leaning Tanfoglio, the Witness P Match looks particularly handsome.

I contacted Eagle Imports recently and they said they have NO plans to import the 5-inch barrel versions either in 10mm or .45ACP. 

Hi there!

I've been collecting firearms, specifically handguns, off and on for most of a decade.  I have for reasons I'll leave you to speculate a fondness in particular for pistols (semi-auto and revolver) which lean away from light, fast, and high-capacity and towards heavy, slow, fewer but Bigger.

This brings me to the 10mm and the rather scattered information I've been able to glean on my own before taking the plunge and diving into forums such as this one to get the specifics.

From what I (Think) I know.

1) 10mm Auto is also known as 10mm Norma.

2) 10mm Auto was originally intended for a CZ-75 clone known as the 'Bren Ten', made famous by Miami Vice.

3) 10mm Auto was briefly considered as the standard service round of the FBI, trials testing it's suitability led to the development of the .40 S&W cartridge.

4) 10mm Auto in it's original configuration is comparable in performance to .357 Magnum, perhaps .41 Magnum.

5) 10mm Auto in it's original loading is suitable for mid-size and larger game (white-tail deer, wild pigs etc..)


Here's where it get's iffy.

6) Most contemporary commercially available 10mm Auto ammunition is loaded to a spec that emulates .40S&W and is significantly weaker than original factory spec.  Some smaller manufacturers (like Buffalo Bore) offer 'Full House' 10mm Auto ammunition.

7) Most contemporary commercial semi-auto pistols chambered in 10mm Auto are optimized for the commercial '10mm Lite' chamberings and can't reliably operate with 'Full House' loads.

8 ) Modifying a commercial factory 10mm gun to reliably handle 'Full House' ammo ruins it's ability to run more common '10mm Lite' loads.  You can't swap loads without swapping parts.


I live out in a lovely spot of rural nowhere such that wild pigs are definitely a problem, having a pistol on my hip that could reliably deal with such pests would be a boon for hiking down in the back-40, but unless my above info is incorrect it sounds like 10mm Auto might be more of a hassle than it's worth... especially since I don't have the time or bench-space to devote to picking-up hand-loading.

If any could help expand my knowledge on this subject I'd greatly appreciate it.