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Best 10mm Glocks: Subcompact To Full-Sized

10MM IN ALL SIZES OF GLOCK, FIND THE PERFECT FIT FOR EVERY OCCASION

9mm is the most popular handgun round, and the Glock 19 is probably the single most popular concealed carry weapon. The full-size Glock 17 isn’t exactly an unpopular handgun, either.

But as 10mm Auto grows more popular as an alternative to 9mm and other popular handguns rounds like .45 ACP and .40 S&W, it just makes sense that more people are turning to 10mm alternatives to Glocks in those calibers. 

Let’s get started!

Why 10mm?

Despite a growing cult following, 10mm is still far from the most popular handgun round out there. So why go with it over more popular options like 9mm and .45 ACP?

One of the main sources of appeal is the round’s power. It’s far more powerful than 9mm and even a bit more powerful than .45 ACP. It also has a lot of recoil compared to 9mm but only a bit more than .45 ACP. 

So why not just go with .45 ACP?

Well, because 10mm is significantly smaller so you can fit more rounds in the same amount of space. That means you get capacities closer to what you’d expect from 9mm — usually 8 to 15 rounds in a full-sized pistol — but with greater than .45 ACP power.

This makes for an incredibly versatile round. It’s a great bear gun and is particularly popular for self-defense. However, it can also be used for hunting medium to large game, as well as for competition and just killing time (and rounds) at the range. 

It’s also popular enough that there’s a good range of ammunition on the market. You can find a ton of different options online, though the selection in your local sporting goods shop will typically be more limited.

It’s also worth noting that 10mm tends to be quite a bit more expensive than 9mm but, again, not that much more per round than .45.

Why Glock?

So now you know why you might want to opt for 10mm, but why choose a Glock?

Basically, because it’s a Glock. Glock pistols are insanely reliable, fairly priced, and come in all flavors. If you own a Glock in any other caliber or size, you basically know what it is like to shoot one – plus or minus some felt recoil, depending on caliber selection.

This level of comfort and familiarity makes going from Glock to Glock easier.

Of course, the reliability is only enhanced by Glock’s incredibly simple design. Fewer parts mean fewer opportunities for malfunctions. 

The three-part Safe Action System incorporates a trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety, which means that accidental discharges are unlikely as long as you follow basic gun safety protocols. At the same time, there’s no manual safety to stop you from firing when you need to. 

The Safe Action System also allows the trigger to reset without having to travel back forward fully, allowing quicker, more accurate follow-up shots. This is very helpful in situations where quick shots under pressure are necessary, whether that’s self-defense or competition.

In addition, Glocks have a huge array of aftermarket parts and upgrades available. That means the potential for customization is outstanding. 

Finally, people love the sheer variety of Glocks available. 10mm has fewer options than other, more popular calibers, but there are still a few options to choose from. So let’s talk about those options and what makes them different from each other. 

Glock Gen4 Vs SF

The Glock 20 and Glock 29 are both available in Gen4 and SF (Slim Frame) versions. They’re similar enough that it doesn’t make sense to talk about the Gen4 and SF versions of each of those guns individually. 

So before we talk about the differences between the different model numbers, let’s talk about the differences between Gen4 and SF models. 

SF models were introduced when Glock was still on Gen3, so it’s in many ways similar to the Gen3 design, but with some features friendlier to smaller hands. 

Glock 20 SF
Glock 20 SF

When Glock introduced Gen4, however, some of the features of SF models, like shorter trigger reach, were incorporated into the design of the new generation, making Gen 4 and SF models even more similar than the previous generation. 

For the most part, Gen4 and SF versions are identical. In fact, if you look at the specs side by side on the Glock website, you’ll notice that they’re nearly identical. The only noticeable difference is that SF models are a fraction of an ounce lighter than their Gen4 counterparts.

However, the two versions do have a few small differences, primarily related to the grip. 

One of the main differences is that SF models have slim backstraps to accommodate smaller hands, while Gen4 models utilize Glock’s modular backstrap system, which allows you to switch out the backstrap to fit your hand. 

It also means that you can easily use the various aftermarket backstraps on the market, so you can find one that best suits your preferences if you aren’t thrilled with the factory options.

The other major difference is that SF models use the same single-spring RSA (recoil spring assembly) as Gen3 Glocks. Gen4 Glocks use a dual-spring RSA that has a much longer life than the single-spring RSA. Some people also notice a slight reduction in felt recoil with the Gen4 RSA, but it’s not much at all. 

Glock 20
Glock 20 Gen 4

A small difference is that Gen4 models have a larger magazine release, so it’s a bit easier to manipulate than the mag release on SF models. The mag release on both model types is reversible, so it’s friendly to both left and right-handed shooters. 

Finally, the grip texture on the SF is the same as the Gen3 grip texture, so it’s not quite as aggressive as the grip texture on the Gen4 models. Most people seem to prefer the Gen4 grip texture, but it is subjective, so it’s worth it to try handling both to see what you think. 

Glock 10mm Pistols

Glock 20

First up is the Glock 20. As I’ve already covered, this pistol is available in both Gen4 and SF models, but aside from the differences discussed above, the pistols are the same.

The G20 is a full-sized pistol with a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds. It’s about 8 inches long in overall length, with a 7.6-inch slide and a 4.6-inch barrel, so it’s a bit large for concealed carry. 

(top to bottom) G40, G20, and G42

It’s a good option for home defense or hunting. I particularly recommend it as a bear gun when open carry is an option. 

The Gen4 model weighs about 3.7 ounces, while the SF model is a touch lighter. Both versions come with standard Glock sights, but you’ll need to swap out the slide if you want to add a red dot. 

Glock 40 Gen 4 MOS

The Glock 40 is another full-size model, but it has a couple of key differences from the Glock 20.

For one, it’s a long slide model. That means, as you can probably work out, that it has a longer barrel and slide than the Glock 20. The slide of the Glock 40 is about 9 inches long, and the barrel is just over 6 inches, while the pistol’s overall length is about 9.5 inches. At about 9.5 inches, it’s about the same height as the Glock 20, and both pistols are 1.34 inches wide.

Glock 40 MOS (without optic)

The G40’s longer barrel allows the round to build up greater velocity, giving you the ability to make the most out of the power in 10mm. On the other hand, it makes the G40 even worse for concealed carry.

Further aiding the G40 as a hunting or competition gun is another feature of the pistol’s slide. Unlike the G20, the G40 has an optics-ready slide, which makes it easy to add the red dot of your choice. It has standard Glock sights too, but if you can upgrade, why wouldn’t you?

Glock 29 

Finally, we have the Glock 29. This is Glock’s subcompact 10mm, and it’s my recommendation if you’re looking for a 10mm Glock for concealed carry. 

With an overall length of less than 7 inches and a weight of about 26.8 ounces, this little pistol should be easy to conceal. 

Glock 29
Glock 29

Like the Glock 20, it’s got standard Glock sights, and the slide is not optics-ready, so you’ll need to swap it out if you want a red dot. 

If you are looking for a lot of power in a small package or want a backup gun that doesn’t screw around, 10 rounds of 10mm in this subcompact pistol make a strong statement.

Loose Rounds

Glock makes great handguns, and the G20, G40, and G29 are certainly not exceptions to that. All three are solid options, whether you’re already a Glock fan or are just looking into your different options for a 10mm pistol. 

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One response to “Best 10mm Glocks: Subcompact To Full-Sized”

  1. TridentFlyer says:

    SF is for Short Frame, not ‘slim’ frame.

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