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10mm Ammo
About 10mm Ammo
Created by Lt Colonel Jeff Cooper in 1983, 10mm ammo was initially designed to be an improvement over the 45 ACP and eventually be its replacement as the ideal combat pistol.
With a cartridge short enough to use in a semi-automatic pistol, 10mm ammo is available in both full metal jacket (FMJ) and hollow point (HP) variations.
The 10mm bullet measures 10.17mm (.400 inch) and sits in a rimless, straight-walled casing that’s .992 inch long. Together, they measure 1.250 inches, according to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI).
The Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms (C.I.P.), the European equivalent of SAAMI, measures the ammunition standard slightly larger at 1.260 inches.
Common Names for 10mm Ammunition
Since its initial release over 35+ years ago, 10mm ammunition has had many different name variations. Some of the most common include:
- 10mm
- 10mm Ammo
- 10mm Caliber
- 10mm Automatic
- 10mm Auto
- 10mm FBI
Regardless of your preferred terminology, 10mm ammo has come a long way and gained its fair share of popularity over the years and why it's available in the lineup of every major American ammo manufacturer.
What Guns Shoot 10mm?
GLOCK 10MM HANDGUNS
Glock 20 Glock 40
SMITH & WESSON 10MM HANDGUNS
M&P10 2.0 Model 610
SIG SAUER 10MM HANDGUNS
Sig P220 Legion Sig P220 Emperor
Sig P320 XTen Sig 1911 10mm
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 10MM HANDGUNS
XD-M XD-M Elite Compact
XD-M Elite
ROCK ISLAND 10MM HANDGUNS
TAC Ultra TAC Ultra FS
TAC Ultra MS
10mm Ammunition Features
HIGH POWER
10mm ammunition delivers high power, making it an effective choice for self-defense and hunting medium to large game.
FLAT TRAJECTORY
10mm ammunition typically has a flat trajectory, which allows for accurate shooting at longer ranges.
PENETRATION
10mm ammo typically has good penetration, allowing it to penetrate deeply into a target.
LOW RECOIL
While 10mm ammunition can produce significant recoil, it is generally less than other high-powered pistol cartridges, making it easier to shoot accurately for extended periods of time.
RANGE
With its high velocity and flat trajectory, 10mm ammunition is effective at longer ranges than many other handgun calibers.
AVAILABILITY
While not as widely available as 9mm ammunition, 10mm ammo is still relatively easy to find at most gun shops and online retailers. Additionally, buy 10mm ammo in bulk can also save you money in the long run.
10mm Ammo FAQ
QUESTION: What is 10mm ammo used for?
ANSWER: 10mm ammo is a powerful pistol round commonly used by law enforcement personnel and some armed forces members worldwide.
Over the years, 10mm ammunition has become a popular choice for personal protection, home defense, and is even used as a hunting handgun (or backup firearm for big game) by some firearm owners.
QUESTION: What are the different types of 10mm Ammo?
ANSWER: Like most handgun ammunition, 10mm ammo is available in a variety of configurations.
FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) and JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) are the most popular styles available for sale on the market and are made by all the major manufacturers.
QUESTION: What is the best 10mm ammo for self-defense?
ANSWER: Although 10mm ammo is powerful enough to stop a threat, certain types like FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds can easily over-penetrate targets. To help reduce this risk, many owners opt for JHP (jacketed hollow points), which expand more on impact, slowing the bullet.
In addition, 10mm ammunition specialty rounds, such as Hornady Critical Duty or Speer Gold Dot, offer precision ballistics and top performance for any situation.
QUESTION: Does 10mm Ammo have a lot of recoil?
ANSWER: To the unknowing firearm owner, 10mm ammo is often considered a similar substitution for 9mm, but firing a 10mm handgun can be a drastic experience.
Unlike 9mm ammunition that produces a quick but firm shove, 10mm ammo gives you all its recoil at once, with a much sharper, more intense feeling against the hands.
QUESTION: What grain is best for 10mm Ammo?
ANSWER: Depending on your desired use, there are many great options when purchasing 10mm ammo. Available in 180-grain FMJ, Magtech Sport 10mm auto ammo is perfect for throwing some practice rounds downrange.
If you're searching for personal defense, the 200-grain JHP with skived jacket by Federal Personal Defense is a reliable round made with high-quality components.
QUESTION: Is 10mm ammunition more expensive than other handgun calibers?
ANSWER: 10mm ammunition is typically more expensive than 9mm or .45 ACP ammunition, but is often less expensive than larger calibers like .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum.
QUESTION: What is the muzzle velocity of 10mm ammunition?
ANSWER: The muzzle velocity of 10mm ammunition can vary depending on the specific load, but typically ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 feet per second.