Best 10mm Pistols & Handguns: Go Big or Go Home
Sometimes you need something a little bit bigger. These are the best 10mm handguns out there that pack a punch at all different price ranges.
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There was a time not so long ago when 10mm seemed to be on the verge of extinction.
But thanks to some die-hard consumers and more and more ammo manufacturers making full-power rounds, 10mm has made a comeback in recent years.
With deeper penetration and greater muzzle energy than the 9mm and .45 ACP, 10mm can be very alluring. And at the end of the day, who doesn't love something with a bit of bite behind it?
But now that there are more 10mm pistols on the market than ever before, it can be tough to decide which one to spring for.
Don't worry, we've got you covered as we go hands-on with some of the best 10mm pistols out there and tell you why these are our favorites!
The Quick List
- Editor's Pick: Glock 20 V MOSJump to Details ↓
- Highest Capacity: FN 510 TacticalJump to Details ↓
- Best DA/SA 10mm: Sig Sauer P220 Legion 10mmJump to Details ↓
- Best Compact 10mm: Springfield XD-M Elite Compact OSP 10mmJump to Details ↓
- Best Ergonomics: Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10mmJump to Details ↓
- High-End Pick: Dan Wesson Specialist 10mmJump to Details ↓
Table of Contents
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10mm Pistols Comparison Chart
Below is a side-by-side comparison of our top 10mm pistol picks, showing current prices, calibers, capacities, and dimensions to help you choose the best 10mm handgun for your needs.
| Price | Action | Caliber | Capacity | BarrelLength | Frame Material | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FN 510 Tactical | $999 | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 10mm | 15 (flush), 22 (extended) | 4.71" | Polymer | 32 oz |
| Sig Sauer P220 Legion | $1,599 | Semi-auto, DA/SA or SAO | 10mm | 8 | 5" | Stainless Steel | 44 oz |
| Glock 20 V MOS | $620 | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 10mm | 15 | 4.61" | Polymer | 30.6 oz |
| Springfield XD-M Elite Compact OSP | $579 | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 10mm | 11 | 3.8" | Polymer | 27 oz |
| S&W M&P 2.0 10mm | $589 | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 10mm | 15 | 4" - 4.6" | Polymer | 27.8 oz - 29.3 oz |
| Dan Wesson Specialist | $2,299 | Semi-auto, SAO | 10mm | 8 | 5" | Stainless Steel | 42.3 oz |
How We Tested the 10mm Pistols
Between the entire Pew Pew Tactical staff, we’ve shot thousands of rounds and spent hundreds of hours with various 10mm guns during our hands-on reviews, shooting events, and guns from our personal collections. We have hands-on experience with every gun on this list.
We selected these pistols based on reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, recoil mitigation, feature sets, price point, and availability.
Round Count & Reliability Testing
To test reliability, we have put a minimum of 500 rounds through each gun, except the Dan Wesson Specialist, using both FMJ and defensive ammo.
Accuracy Testing
Standard accuracy is conducted by firing 5-shot groups at 7 and 10 yards freehand. Further accuracy testing is conducted by shooting at 15 and 25 yards, sometimes beyond. Both FMJ and defensive/hunting ammunition are used during accuracy and reliability testing.
Want to learn more about how we rate guns? We got in-depth on our process here!
Meet the Experts
Input from this article came from both writers and various members of the full-time staff at Pew Pew Tactical.
Spearheading this article is Pew Pew Tactical Editor, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He owns multiple 10mm handguns himself and has hands-on time with every single gun on this list.
Best 10mm Handguns
1. Glock 20 V MOS - Editor's Pick
Pros
- Extremely reliable
- Low bore axis
- Good accuracy
Cons
- Mediocre trigger
- Optics mounting system isn't the best
The Bottom Line
I don't know what wizardry Glock did with their bore axis and recoil springs, but the G20 V MOS shoots softer than any other 10mm on the market. It has excellent reliability and accuracy to boot.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 15
- Barrel Length: 4.61"
- Weight: 30.6 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
There is plenty of argument to be made that there are better or nicer 9mm striker-fired pistols than Glocks. But when it comes to 10mm specifically, Glock really starts pulling away from the pack.
I had a range day where I took the 510, an S&W M&P 10mm, a Sig P320-XTEN, and a Gen 5 Glock 20 out to test them all back-to-back.
To put it plainly, the Glock 20 felt like it had 20% less recoil than everything else. It also churned out great accuracy, even with iron sights. My fiancée shot the same four guns, and she felt the same exact way.
Deciding to pick one up was an easy choice because not only did it feel and shoot great, but these guns are known for being among the most reliable and least ammo-picky 10mms on the market.
My only major complaint is that the MOS mounting plates and screws don't provide adequate thread engagement. This is easily remedied by ordering an aftermarket plate.
If you are looking for a rugged, reliable, affordable 10mm for bear country or even handgun hunting, the Glock 20 is tough to beat.
You can also check out our Hands-on Review of the Gen 4 Glock 20 to see why these guns have been at the top for a while.
2. FN 510 Tactical - Highest Capacity
Pros
- Great accuracy
- Threaded barrel
- Awesome capacity
- Ambidextrous
Cons
- Hinged trigger
- Lackluster grip texture
The Bottom Line
A great capacity, threaded barrel, and a robust optics mounting system make the FN 510 Tactical the most modernized 10mm on the market.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 15 (flush), 22 (extended)
- Barrel Length: 4.71"
- Weight: 32 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
Many readers were disheartened by the lack of the FN 510 Tactical last time around. We took that to heart and got our hands on the 510 to see if it was worthy of this list — and it definitely is.
A threaded 4.6-inch barrel, 15-to 22-round (yes, 22) capacity, and an optics-ready slide make the 510 Tactical a very appealing package.
I experienced good reliability, excellent accuracy, and a reasonably comfortable recoil impulse. The optics mounting system is super solid, as is the overall build quality.
If you are looking for a suppressor-ready pistol with all the tactical features and the highest stock capacity you can get in a 10mm, the FN 510 Tactical is the clear winner.
Check out our hands-on review of the FN 510 Tactical!
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3. Sig Sauer P220 Legion - Best DA/SA
Pros
- Excellent accuracy
- Great trigger
- Comfortable
Cons
- High bore axis
- Lower capacity
The Bottom Line
Sig has taken the venerable P220 platform and given it some much-needed upgrades with their Legion version. This is a heavy, easy-to-shoot, robust 10mm. If you like DA/SA guns, this is the one.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, DA/SA or SAO
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 8
- Barrel Length: 5"
- Weight: 44 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
The Sig P220 is one of the most proven DA/SA handguns in the world. They are known for their legendary durability and accuracy.
Furthermore, the Sig P220 Legion offers excellent upgrades over the base model.
You get Sig's excellent Short Reset Trigger (SRT) combined with the Grayguns P-SAIT trigger for an absurdly smooth double-action pull and a crisp single-action.
Also standard is the optics-ready slide, tritium night sights, G10 grips, an improved beavertail, and a nice trigger guard undercut. A complete stainless steel frame and a hefty 44-ounce weight really help to tame recoil.
This gun inspires confidence, even with 10mm. And best of all, you get a highly accurate pistol that still keeps the core reliability that the P22X series of pistols is known for.
4. Springfield XD-M Elite Compact OSP - Best Compact
Pros
- Concealable
- Fully ambidextrous
- Good trigger
- Removable flared magwell
Cons
- Higher bore axis
- Grip safety may bother some shooters
The Bottom Line
Springfield is pretty much the only game in town when it comes to optics-ready, sub-compact carry-sized 10mm. These have awesome features and shoot great for their size.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 11
- Barrel Length: 3.8"
- Weight: 27 oz
- Country of Origin: Croatia
Is 10mm a spicy round? Absolutely. Do some people still want a spicy round in a small gun? Abso-freaking-lutely.
Designed for people who want to harness the power of 10mm in a concealable package, the Springfield XD-M Elite Compact is a welcome entry into an otherwise lacking category of smaller 10mm pistols.
Sporting a 3.8-inch match-grade barrel, this gun is definitely doable for those who wish to carry a 10mm and not be weighed down with a boat anchor.
It should be noted that 10mm is a very efficient cartridge, only losing about 25-75 fps of velocity between a 3.78-inch barrel (G29) and a 4.61-inch barrel (G20). With the Elite Compact, you are still getting most of the juice out of the cartridge.
Springfield's flat-faced trigger is a notable improvement over the previous XD series triggers. It breaks pretty cleanly around the 5-pound mark, which is a reasonable weight given its intended role.
The gun also features fully ambidextrous controls, a fiber optic front sight, a removable flared magwell adapter, and interchangeable optics mounting plates included for mounting your red dot of choice.
Two 11-round magazines are included, and extended 15-round magazines with grip sleeves are also available.
What's your take on the Springfield XD-M Elite Compact OSP? Give it a rating below.
Readers’ Ratings
4.98/5 (2457 Votes)
Your Rating
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5. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm - Best Ergonomics
Pros
- Good trigger
- Great ergonomics
- Lightweight for its size
Cons
- Magazines may be finicky with hot ammo
- Taller stock iron sights are a bit tougher to use
The Bottom Line
Smith & Wesson has managed to make a 10mm striker-fired pistol that has a good trigger and doesn't feel like a 2x4 in your hand. The compensated versions are particularly appealing for further recoil reduction.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 15
- Barrel Length: 4" - 4.6"
- Weight: 27.8 oz - 29.3 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm is one of the newer entries in the world of 10mm pistols.
Smith & Wesson took their tried-and-true M&P platform and adapted it for the heavier-hitting cartridge. The result is an excellent duty pistol with a solid 15-round capacity.
Some keen design choices were made here, including using the updated M&P trigger that uses a flatter curvature for a crisper, more natural break.
Additionally, the gun is optics-ready and comes standard with tall sights that will co-witness with most standard-height red dots.
An ambidextrous slide release, reversible magazine release, and interchangeable backstraps help ensure that most users will find this to be a relatively comfortable gun to hold.
The standard versions are available in either a 4-inch or a 4.6-inch barrel, and can be had with or without a thumb safety.
For people looking to tame the recoil of 10mm, Smith also offers a 5.6-inch ported barrel and a 4-inch carry comp option as well.
You can check out our full review of the M&P 2.0 10mm here!
6. Dan Wesson Specialist - High-End Pick
Pros
- Amazing trigger
- Great ergonomics
- Top-notch fit and finish
- Outstanding accuracy
Cons
- Lower capacity
- Expensive
The Bottom Line
If you are a fan of the 1911 platform, a fan of the 10mm cartridge, and want a gun you can stake your life on, the Dan Wesson Specialist is it. It is spendy, but you get amazing fit, finish, reliability, accuracy, and a top-notch trigger.
Specs
- Action: Semi-auto, SAO
- Caliber: 10mm
- Capacity: 8
- Barrel Length: 5"
- Weight: 42.3 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
It is no secret by now that we are big fans of Dan Wesson handguns here. But that love is well warranted.
Dan Wesson has become a staple in the industry for offering near semi-custom fit and finish on 1911s, but at a more affordable price point than manufacturers like Les Baer, Ed Brown, and Wilson Combat.
The Dan Wesson Specialist 10mm brings just about everything you'd want in a 1911 platform to the palm of your hand.
Tight tolerances? Check. Reliability? Check. Ultra-crisp 1911 trigger? Check. Thin profile and amazing ergonomics? Check.
In addition to the gun feeling like a Swiss watch, you also get a front night sight and tactical rear sight, front slide serrations, aggressive grip checkering, a flared magwell, G10 grips, an ambi safety, and an accessory rail.
If you are looking for a tack-driving, reliable, smooth-shooting 10mm experience and are okay with shelling out a few extra dollars and a bit lower capacity, the Specialist is about as good as you can get under the $2,500 mark.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for a woods gun, a stout carry piece, or just a fun power blaster for the range, there is likely a 10mm pistol out there for you.
But at the end of the day, it's all about finding the right gun to fit your needs and the one that feels the best in your hand.
Do you shoot 10mm? Let us know what you run in the comments below! Interested in other heavy-hitting handguns? Check out our article on the Best .357 Magnum Revolvers!
Latest Updates
July 2026: Removed Sig P320-XTEN. Replaced Glock 20 Gen 5 MOS (discontinued) with the Glock 20 V MOS. Reorganized article.
June 2025: Added quick comparison chart.
October 2024: Removed RIA Tac Ultra and added FN 510 Tactical, Dan Wesson Specialist. Added information on how we chose the pistols for this list.