10mm recommendation for the fairer sex

[WKR]

Glock 20sf or glock 29sf are great guns and you can best them to hell and they still run. Plus you have a ton of aftermarket support to make it fit you. I own both and my lady can shoot both just fine (though she prefers her .357 revolvers) she is 5'10 and slender. her hands are smaller than mine but the sf frame fits well enough to have a proper grip. I'd suggest shooting both before you buy one if possible.

 

[Greyinggrayling]

Well at least now I have a working list of what to ask to see at the counter instead of them telling me what I need.
I’m still not completely ruling out the 9mm with heavier loads.

The .44magnum has its place, but I’m about 20 years too old for it. My wrist and finger joints do not appreciate the practice. If I am going to stay accurate, I have to lighten up the punishment so I can work the next day.

 

[CobraChicken]

I have a 10. They can be bulky. Imo it's a 40 with more powder. Find her a 9 or 40 with a good load and she will be okay

 

[WKR]

Well at least now I have a working list of what to ask to see at the counter instead of them telling me what I need.
I’m still not completely ruling out the 9mm with heavier loads.

The .44magnum has its place, but I’m about 20 years too old for it. My wrist and finger joints do not appreciate the practice. If I am going to stay accurate, I have to lighten up the punishment so I can work the next day.

If you net set on a 10mm auto, why not a .357?

 

[Bubblehide]

You may want to consider a threaded barrel and a compensator to help with lightening the "punishment".

 

[Greyinggrayling]

If you net set on a 10mm auto, why not a .357?

I live in Alaska. The .44 mag is my normal carry for angry grizzlies. Since we will be hunting Kodiak bears this fall, I feel ready to replace my heavy friend with a lighter friend with more accuracy and decent punch. Just seems like a sensible upgrade as I get older.

 

[B23]

Have you handled or shot anything in a 1911? 1911's just seem to always feel good in the hand and point//shoot well. I've had 10's in G20's and Sig 1911 10mm, I no longer have the G20 but I still have the Sig 1911 10mm.

 

[Greyinggrayling]

Have you handled or shot anything in a 1911? 1911's just seem to always feel good in the hand and point//shoot well. I've had 10's in G20's and Sig 1911 10mm, I no longer have the G20 but I still have the Sig 1911 10mm.

I have shot 1911s but not carried. Definitely would take some retraining due to the safety. But any new gun I purchase will take training, so there’s that.
I am not opposed and I do like the 1911 grip.

 

[Greyinggrayling]

You may want to consider a threaded barrel and a compensator to help with lightening the "punishment".

But at what added weight? The revolver is already a heavy MF, looking to reduce weight.

 

[WKR]

I live in Alaska. The .44 mag is my normal carry for angry grizzlies. Since we will be hunting Kodiak bears this fall, I feel ready to replace my heavy friend with a lighter friend with more accuracy and decent punch. Just seems like a sensible upgrade as I get older.

I understand, what I meant is if you don't find a 10mm of your liking then maybe consider a smaller frame .357 before looking at a 9mm with heavy bullets. The .357 and 9mm are pretty much the same diameter bullet but the .357 has heavier options with alot more powder and power behind them.

 

[Bubblehide]

But at what added weight? The revolver is already a heavy MF, looking to reduce weight.

I was not referring to the revolver, although that could be done. I was referring to whatever gun you settle on. A quarter inch more barrel for threads and a light weight compensator may be well worth the slight weight gain.

 

[Greyinggrayling]

I understand, what I meant is if you don't find a 10mm of your liking then maybe consider a smaller frame .357 before looking at a 9mm with heavy bullets. The .357 and 9mm are pretty much the same diameter bullet but the .357 has heavier options with alot more powder and power behind them.

Got it. I shall ponder.

 

[Wrench]

I would not shoot a striker fired 10mm as a defense gun unless you 100% can get it to function flawlessly with your weak hand. The long reach of the g20 plus the recoil are a recipe for fail to feed for anyone with less than great grip strength and form.

I have killed a bear with a 10mm at very close range and find myself packing a 9 or 40 more often since then.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Out of curiosity, what are you trying to get the bullet and delivery system to achieve for her?

 

[OKHunter84]

I have a gen 4 Glock 20 and I don't find the recoil that uncomfortable, not too different from my 40 cal. I have a 44 mag super redhawk Alaskan and it's definitely worse.

I changed the recoil spring with a stainless 20# spring and it seemed to help a little. That's my main gripe with Glock. I end up wanting to make a lot of changes when I get one, (sights, trigger, etc).

 

[Greyinggrayling]

Out of curiosity, what are you trying to get the bullet and delivery system to achieve for her?

It’s for me. I am the female in question.
I want a lighter weight pistol with less recoil so it re-acquires the target faster and can kill a 10 ft grizzly sow that is coming at me because her cub is standing behind me and my pants are around my ankles because all I wanted to do was pee and my rifle is leaning against a tree and I can’t scooch over to my rifle without falling over
And my current bear-defense revolver is too heavy at this point in my life. Time to trade it in for a lighter model.

 

[Wrench]

Running the numbers on recoil, a 200@1250 in a g20 has recoil velocity that's about 1.25 to 1.5x faster than the 6" s&w 44mag.

People who tell you the recoil is mild are either badass or are shooting 40sw velocity ammo....and I lean on the latter.

 

[Wrench]

If you need to kill a bear in that situation, you'll need to have your nerves wired tight and land a cns hit.....there's no other way. The headstamp will matter less than your accuracy.

 

[Maverick1]

It’s for me. I am the female in question.
I want a lighter weight pistol with less recoil so it re-acquires the target faster and can kill a 10 ft grizzly sow that is coming at me because her cub is standing behind me and my pants are around my ankles because all I wanted to do was pee and my rifle is leaning against a tree and I can’t scooch over to my rifle without falling over
And my current bear-defense revolver is too heavy at this point in my life. Time to trade it in for a lighter model.

Hey, great thread. A couple things to consider/look into:
Do some research on shooting .40 S&W out of a 10mm Glock pistol. (But not the other way around!). Good way to practice with lower recoiling rounds (.40 S&W) while getting to know your 10mm. When it comes time to carry, use the 10mm rounds. Glock.

Same approach with the .357 magnum and 38 special. (The 38 Special cartridge can be safely fired in guns marked 357 Magnum, but not vice-versa.)

 

[Greyinggrayling]

If you need to kill a bear in that situation, you'll need to have your nerves wired tight and land a cns hit.....there's no other way. The headstamp will matter less than your accuracy.

If I am shaking like hell with my 9mm or shaking like hell with a 10mm, guess it doesn’t matter either way. Maybe a heavier gun will shake a little less?? Just putting that out there. I don’t know. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Maybe I’ll run a box of Buffalo Bore through the Glock 43 and see if it tears it up.
Kinda takes the fun out of buying a new gun