Looking into my next pistol, I have two smith and Wesson 9mm but I want something with a little more or a lot more firepower. I saw the glock 30s also, it was pretty sweet, but since I am a 9mm guy I have this fear of running out of ammo. Lol. Any opinions on larger caliber semi-auto pistols will be appreciated. (Not 40s&w) 40s&w=lame
Also maybe a little big bore m&p vs big bore glock info would be nice.
Almost forgot about SIG**
This is going to be my everyday carry so it needs to be reliable. I haven't gotten my concealed yet, still waiting.....
But we have open carry here in nc, so I'll just do that for now :)
Space Cowboy2014-10-15T08:34:13Z
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Yes...they are a very good gun in an even better caliber...however, in Canada, G-20's are as scarce as good Hunting questions are on here and the ammo is a lot harder to get and is about $15 a box more than my G-21 ammo is. I would buy this again...ONLY if we were allowed to open-carry in the bush as I think this is where the 20 would shine....as a very capable backup weapon. That said...on the street...in the US, I would love to have one. Even though I'm 5'8"...( of solid sinewy muscle ) I have large hands and the grip is OK, for me. I am looking to sell it because of the above mentioned reasons and am considering going to a Tanfoglio 10...if I get another one. I just wish the ammo was cheaper and more readily available...so I could properly use it.
I have shot the Glock 20; fine gun. In my opinion, the 10mm is mostly a handloader's round. The few off-the-shelf ammo selections you will find for it tend to be very anemic (similar to the .40 S&W, which is a cut-down version of the 10mm), but loaded closer to its maximum potential, a full size 10mm will do its best to hit you in the head. This is not ideal for a carry gun, or any self defense gun.
Words like "firepower" are very telling. Bad guys don't go down because your gun makes a bigger boom, they go down because you can hit what you aim at and you can control your firearm. The chances of this happening go down dramatically as gun size decreases or muzzle energy increases. If you want to up your chances of surviving an encounter, the answer is virtually never to just pack a bigger gun. Spend that money on range fees and ammo, and work on your shooting.
There's nothing wrong with wanting a big gun because you want a big gun. Just don't fall into the myth that bigger is always better in a gunfight. Incidentally, open carry is a terrible idea. Not only does it guarantee that you're the first target if something does happen, but it makes you a target for theft, attracts unwanted attention from police and civilians, and just makes people generally uncomfortable. Contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible to protect yourself without carrying a giant hand cannon on your hip so people know that you're a badass and not to be f**ked with.
10mm Auto is a really neat cartridge. Large bullet, tons of power (there are light .44 Mag rounds in the same power range).
Definitely not a whimp.
That being said, it isn't the only kid in town when it comes to high-power semi auto cartridges.
Its two closer competitors are the .45 ACP, which can top 500, even 600 ft-lbs energy (10mm Auto is in the 700-750 ft-lb range), sling heavier bullets, and there are many more guns chambered for it, and the .357 Sig.
357 Sig is a real peach, in that it was designed to mimic .357 Magnum (in lighter weights), widely regarded in ballistic tests and statistics as the most effective man-stopper cartridge there is. 357 Sig loads can easily top 600 ft-lbs, offer a fairly large capacity, and is what a lot of special-LEO organizations like the Air Marshals and Secret Service carry, not to mention state police and highway patrol in many locations across the country.
As for the Glock 20, it was originally marketed as a hunting gun because of its power and size. That being said, it'd be a pain in the butt to carry. If you can handle the recoil, I would look at the Glock 29. Same cartridge in a smaller package. Much better for your belt, much better concealed.
Despite what Lana says, 10mm Auto is NOT a "half dead" cartridge. It's actually enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
It will probably never be as common as 9mm Para or .45 ACP, but it is a niche round with a valid use. It's an excellent substitute for a .357 Magnum revolver. Comparable muzzle energy in a semi-auto that holds more ammunition.
As for the Glock 20, I've never shot one, but as others say, Space Cowboy has high praise for it, and I respect his opinion.