New member from WY - which auto to start with?

[wyguy]

Hello List,

I am new to the 10mm world having been a long time .45acp guy.  Big slow bullets have always worked well for me, and the .45 has proven itself time and again.  That said I have enjoyed the wife's .38/.357 wheel gun, and started thinking I would like to try a ~.357mag sort of caliber in a semi-auto.  This has brought me to the 10.

Question:  For a new guy who can only afford one 10mm semi for awhile...which one should I start with?

I have had several flavors of Glock .45s and none of them appealed to me.  So another glock would not be my first choice...unless it is the best to start with.  What does that leave - the S&W 10 series (which one)?,  Colt Delta (too expensive), others?

Thanks for the help.  Any and all advice in getting started (i.e. reloading expertise) is welcome!

[sqlbullet]

If a Delta Elite qualifies for a (too expensive) parenthetical comment, then I can only say Glock 20 is your gun. 

Glocks are going to run around $500.  Used Smith 10XX are going to be $750 and up.  1911's will start about $850 and up.

All of those are solid performers in 10mm.  I, and many others here, are fans of the EAA Witness ELITE series of guns, but most of us stop short of endorsing the standard Witness line.  I do have a standard Witness full size, and it is a solid gun.  But I don't have high confidence that your experience would be as positive as mine, so I don't really endorse them.

If you are will to spend the extra money, a 10XX is a great gun.  I would probably favor a 1076, just for the nostalgia of having the "FBI" 10mm, but any of them will serve you well.  My EDC is a wide body 1911 in 10mm.  But, it was a custom build.  I could afford it as I did most of the custom work myself.  Not everyone has that skill and willingness to engage.

[wyguy]

thanks for the reply sql,

I have seen a few 1066 models going for $600 or so.  The 1076 are, as you say, much more expensive.

What would you say are the biggest differences between the G20 and the 1066?  Mag capacity is one, I suppose.  How about long term reliability/cost of mags and best ergonomics?  As I mentioned earlier I have owned several .45 glocks and the grips were not comfortable to me at all.  Maybe the G20 is different....

As you can tell I have yet to shoot any of these.  They are not popular in my area so I may have to purchase "sight unseen".  I hope to make the best decision I can given these constraints.

[rw]

If you had a glock 21 it is the exact same frame as the model 20 in 10mm. They do make the 20sf that is slimmer. I haven't handled an sf to know what to compare it to.

[The_Shadow]

Welcome to the forum many here can offer you info on the various makes and models based on their experiences...
The Glock SF models have a "Short Frame" meaning there is about 0.3mm difference in trigger reach.  The new G-20 gen 4 has a few grip panels that add to the grip like a palm swell, some have had issues with the new G-20 gen4's with the higher impulse ammo.  Others have had good experiences.

Any of the S&W10xx series should be good to go, the 1006 5" is the most produced, the 1066 is the same slide mounted decocker (DA/SA)(long takeup trigger)  but  4.25" barrel.  The 1026 5" and 1076 4.25" (DA/SA)(long takeup trigger) have frame mounted decocker and then there is the 1046 5" the most rare 151 units made and then the 1086 4.25" about 1660 units next rare and these are (Double Action only).
These have Nine rounds in the mag with +1 in the pipe. Factory parts are getting scarce but there are some aftermarket springs and sights are available. 

EAA has a good upper end product and many like the trigger and grip feel, they had some issues with slides and many have been repaired with better quality slides.  Do a little research on these...

The 1911 styles are the sweetest trigger (single action) you may want one that has a feed ramp barrel style barrel.  Many are very overpriced in my opinion...

Good luck with your decisions,

[yankee2500]

wyguy welcome to the forum.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the S&W 10s everything I've read has been positive.

[sstewart]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 10mm Rock Island 1911 and I like it very much. I paid approx. $640. Certainly an alternative to the Glock. I don't like Glocks myself because of the ergonomics. They are good pistols, they just don't feel right to me.
Looks like you had one, so if you liked it, get the Glock.
Also you could get an all steel EAA Witness for $500 approx. online. Also an alternative.
I agree with Shadow's comment about most 1911 10mms are very premium priced, the RIA I think is the only exception. Other brands are good like Kimber, Para Hunter, Delta Colt, etc just a lot more money.

[Dave84]

I would personally recommend the Glock 20sf. As you said you didn't care for the 45 Glocks. My next recommendation would be the EAA Witness Elite Match. They have a much better feeling grip than the Glocks and I've yet to hear anyone truly complain about these like the standard Witness that for awhile was produced with a thin slide that was prone to cracking. All new Witness' should have the thicker slide these days and an accessory rail. My vote is for the MATCH though.

[sstewart]

I agree with the match part. Hard to find one. I know cause I've been looking

[10mmfan]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 10mm Rock Island 1911 and I like it very much. I paid approx. $640. Certainly an alternative to the Glock. I don't like Glocks myself because of the ergonomics. They are good pistols, they just don't feel right to me.
Looks like you had one, so if you liked it, get the Glock.
Also you could get an all steel EAA Witness for $500 approx. online. Also an alternative.
I agree with Shadow's comment about most 1911 10mms are very premium priced, the RIA I think is the only exception. Other brands are good like Kimber, Para Hunter, Delta Colt, etc just a lot more money.

I have the ria also but I couldn't promote it, it took a fair amount of work to get it running right. My kimber was good right out of the box.

[Geeman]

If you didn't like the Glock in a 45, you won't like it in a 10mm either.  Conclusion, don't get a glock.

1911
2011
Tanfoglio
Smiths

Me, I'm liking my Limited Pro.  I also get along fine with the G20 too.

Greg

[10mmfan]

Any problems with the witness polymer?

[yankee2500]

Any problems with the witness polymer?

You may want to read this:

http://10mm-firearms.com/10mm-semi-auto-handguns/my-experience-with-the-10mm-eaa-witness-polymer-frame/

[denclaste]

I've got 2 of the RIA Tac FS plus the gen3 g20. The RIA's were good to go right out of box although I did immediately replace the recoil spring, mainspring, and install a flat bottom firing pin stop. Both have at least 800+ rounds thru them. The g20 immediately got a Storm Lake barrel and better recoil spring guide rod. I hate glock smiles on my brass. I had a new Witness match but it pig bellied Win Silver Tips and EAA would not do anything for me. They appear to have the worst customer service in the firearm industry. The Colt Delta Elite will not handle full pressure loads. It has very poor chamber support. The S&W are the tanks of the 10mm world and worth the money. If you can find a Glock gen 3 SF it would be a good first 10mm, otherwise the RIA 1911 10mm's are great if you like the 1911 platform. Farther up the $$ scale Dan Wesson, STI, Kimber, and the semi customs are all nice. Good luck in your search.
,

[DenStinett]

Welcome to the Forum WyGuy
Take a good look at the Witness line-up
They make some very nice 10mms

Any problems with the witness polymer?

Yeah, they're Poly Guns 

BUT, even the entry level Witness is a nice 10mm
One thing nice about the Large, Full sized Witness in the unlimited convertabiliy
Almost anything from 22, 9mm thru 45
3.6" Compact thru 6" Longslide Uppers