Should I convert my Glock 21 to 10mm?

[LoneRanger]

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/12/daniel-zimmerman/frankenglock-10mm-45-glock-21/

Didn't know it was that easy. Apparently just a barrel, recoil spring, and guide rod swap. Surprised the extractor didn't need changed. Oh, and Glock 20 mags.

 

[skyactiv]

I wouldn't. Some of the 10MM ammo like from Federal has been watered down to .40SW velocity to provide less recoil. .45 ammo is cheaper than harder to obtain 10MM stuff.
You can get powerful 10MM ammo from BuffaloBore if you really desire to.
The only advantage you'll get is being able to carry more rounds.
I think the Glock 20 is an interesting gun. It's a 10MM pistol, but people supposedly shoot .40SW in it with zero parts being swapped even though there are aftermarket companies making conversion barrels for .40SW for that gun.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I think the Glock 20 is an interesting gun. It's a 10MM pistol, but people supposedly shoot .40SW in it with zero parts being swapped even though there are aftermarket companies making conversion barrels for .40SW for that gun.


Aren't you thinking of revolvers with Moon Clips chambered in 10 MM? How is that possible? They both headspace on the mouth of the case. The .40 S&W is a shorter cartridge. In fact it is one of the few cases that can be sized in a "push through" reloading die. Which eliminates Glock "case bulge" from firing it in an un supported chamber. The .40 S&W case would chamber too deep in the 10 MM barrel, preventing firing pin contact. A bit like trying to fire a .45 GAP in a .45 ACP barrel.

 

[Roadkingnc]

I have shot the 10mm glock with full power loads, lots of fun and the power of a 41 magnum. A bit pricey to shoot though.

 

[nwjones18]

Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I think the Glock 20 is an interesting gun. It's a 10MM pistol, but people supposedly shoot .40SW in it with zero parts being swapped even though there are aftermarket companies making conversion barrels for .40SW for that gun.


Aren't you thinking of revolvers with Moon Clips chambered in 10 MM? How is that possible? They both headspace on the mouth of the case. The .40 S&W is a shorter cartridge. In fact it is one of the few cases that can be sized in a "push through" reloading die. Which eliminates Glock "case bulge" from firing it in an un supported chamber. The .40 S&W case would chamber too deep in the 10 MM barrel, preventing firing pin contact. A bit like trying to fire a .45 GAP in a .45 ACP barrel.


I've also heard many stories about people shooting .40 in 10mm Glocks with no problems what so ever.. Not sure I'd try it myself. I'm a big fan of the 10mm, but you really have to reload to get the most out of it.

 

[BISCUT]

No reason not to buy a conversion barrel and change up your caliber in the right manner. Shooting 40 out of 10 or 10 out of forty is NOT exactly the best idea. Asking for trouble somewhere down the road for sure.

Some of what's said isn't exactly true as far as cost goes. I shoot a lot of 10mm and Armscor can be had in 50rd or 500/1k rounds packs for a very similar price to lots of other rounds out there. Not as cheap as 9mm tho. Reloading is the way to go if your planning on shooting thousands of thousands per year. But if you were doing that you wouldn't be looking into a conversion barrel.

Good way to add an extra caliber for minimal expense. 10mm full power will pound out components and the Glock platform pretty easy to replace parts without a smith. Watch the recoil spring and youll be in good shape.

 

[bsmithwins]

Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I think the Glock 20 is an interesting gun. It's a 10MM pistol, but people supposedly shoot .40SW in it with zero parts being swapped even though there are aftermarket companies making conversion barrels for .40SW for that gun.


Aren't you thinking of revolvers with Moon Clips chambered in 10 MM? How is that possible? They both headspace on the mouth of the case. The .40 S&W is a shorter cartridge. In fact it is one of the few cases that can be sized in a "push through" reloading die. Which eliminates Glock "case bulge" from firing it in an un supported chamber. The .40 S&W case would chamber too deep in the 10 MM barrel, preventing firing pin contact. A bit like trying to fire a .45 GAP in a .45 ACP barrel.


You're right, they do both headspace off the mouth of the case.

In the case of shooting .40 S&W out of a 10mm ACP, you're using the extractor to hold the case head onto the bolt face, which is how the firing pin can get to the primer.

I've seen a similar thing down with 45GAP in a .45 ACP pistol. That one was a mistake by the owner and the 45GAP didn't feed all that well before we figured out what was going on, but they did fire.

BSW

 

[bubbatime]

I would say what are you trying to accomplish with the 10mm conversion? It you want a 10mm, just buy a 10mm. The Glock 21 is plenty plentiful in its own right. 10mm is not exactly cheap to shoot.

If you wanted a hunting or self defense 10mm, I would feel much better with an actual 10mm gun than a conversion.

 

[UNC164]

A 10mm semi is an adequate defense sidearm while hunting in bear country. Using it in for personal defense against human sized aggressors seems a bit much. I'd rather have a lighter easier to handle 17-19 shot 9mm semi for home or car defense. Your hearing would almost certainly be damaged if you had to multi-fire a 10mm inside a closed room or car.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
I have shot the 10mm glock with full power loads, lots of fun and the power of a 41 magnum. A bit pricey to shoot though.
The 10mm is not close to the power of a .41 mag.

 

[hatt]

If you want to mess around with something with a little more power try some .45 Super ammo in your 21. A new recoil spring should get you by. If you want a 10mm I'd just buy a 10mm.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: hatt
If you want a 10mm I'd just buy a 10mm.


This is what I don't understand. It reminds me of all these guys back in the 70's, blowing up .45 Colt revolvers trying to make them into .44 Magnums.

 

[hatt]

I could see doing the conversion if it were super easy like going from .40 to .357. But buying a barrel, mags, recoil spring, and likely replacing the extractor to get it 100%, is a lot. You'll be half the price of a G20, and can't easily switch back and forth. He could do a .400 Corbon, but you're pretty much limited to the internet on ammo.

If you really want a 10mm the Glock 40 looks like a beast.

 

[Al]

I made no change to the extractor or ejector or any other parts. If you want the utmost in reliability, you may want to do so. So really any gun you carry needs to be as close to 100.00% reliable as possible.

I feel your mod will not be as reliable as the original 21. Granted this is just a very strong guess.

 

[billt460]

The slide on the 10 MM Glock is beefier with more mass. This is because the 10 MM cartridge is a much higher pressure cartridge than the .45 ACP. If Magnum caliber performance is desired, then a 10 MM pistol should be purchased. Glock's are not that expensive.

 

[nwjones18]

Originally Posted By: hatt
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
I have shot the 10mm glock with full power loads, lots of fun and the power of a 41 magnum. A bit pricey to shoot though.
The 10mm is not close to the power of a .41 mag.


Winchester factory loads for 10mm: 175gr 1290fps/649ft lbs

Winchester factory loads for 41 mag: 175gr 1250fps/607ft lbs

Not saying the .41 can't be loaded hotter.. but they are comparable with factory loads.

 

[hatt]

You can't look at a couple loads. .41 can get four digits energy numbers. 10mm can't dream of such things out of a handgun.

 

[Robenstein]

10mm is more in the 357 mag territory in my honest opinion.

 

[hatt]

10mm and .357 are pretty close. .41 is a whole other ball game. It's a lot closer to a .44 mag than a .357.

Approximate case capacities:
10mm ~ 24 grains
.357 ~ 25 grains
.41(.410) ~ 35 grains
.44(.429) ~ 40 grains

.41 is a nice round. It just got left behind because of the excellent .357 and .44.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: hatt
10mm and .357 are pretty close. .41 is a whole other ball game. It's a lot closer to a .44 mag than a .357.

Approximate case capacities:
10mm ~ 24 grains
.357 ~ 25 grains
.41(.410) ~ 35 grains
.44(.429) ~ 40 grains

.41 is a nice round. It just got left behind because of the excellent .357 and .44.



Indeed, the 41 Magnum was an answer to a question that no one was really asking. When presented to police, it had many of the issues that the 10mm did. It was "too powerful". Just as the FBI was used to the 9mm and found the 10mm recoil too severe, the police that were used to the 38 special wheelgun found the 41 mag much the same. The solution was to water both of them down to make them more pleasant to shoot.

So in the sense of reception, the 41mag and the 10mm do have some similarities.