10mm Glock 20

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PapaG

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I helped a friend out and wound up with an unfired Glock 20. I'd had an XD40 a while back and wasn't too thrilled with it. I'm a 70% of the time a revolver shooter, but normally carry an EC9, LCP, or CW9. I won't be carrying this thing except perhaps on a hog hunt. My questions are, what kind of accuracy might I expect (I have no problems with anything from a MKI through my 29-2), what bullet weights do you users prefer for target, hog/deer, and are there any mods you'd recommend on this stock Glock? (Accuracy=heart/lung area hits at 50 yards, two handed, supported). In another week or so when my knee is a little more stable I'm taking it out for a trial. New knee four weeks ago. Any quirks to look out for. I reload 98% of what I shoot but probably won't set up for this.
 
I have both a G20 and G29. I've not shot either beyond 50 yards, but I'd be able to hit deer vitals with either at 50, most of the time. But I don't hunt with mine. They are my hiking/camping/woods knock around guns. The power is there, but if I were handgun hunting I'd still prefer a longer barreled magnum revolver. The longer sight radius and barrel along with a better trigger just mean more accuracy. But for both 2 and 4 legged predator protection the more compact size, lighter weight, and ammo capacity make them quite versatile. And they are accurate enough for that purpose at SD ranges.

I don't shoot mine enough to justify handloading and can pick up 180 gr FMJ locally for about $14/box. I use that for general range use. Both of them shoot 40 S&W ammo just fine, but anymore I can get 10mm just as easily and at the same price. But it is good to know you can use 40 in a pinch. When hiking I carry either Double Tap or Buffalo Bore 200 gr hard cast ammo that gets 1250-1300 fps from my guns. I've seen testing where either of those loads penetrated 50-60" in gel. But for hunting I'd probably use a 180-200 gr HP. I don't really have a preference as to brand. You'd get much less penetration, but on game animals the HP ammo will generally penetrate enough and will probably put them down quicker.

If you plan to use it for carry where human threats are more of a concern I think that any of the 155 or 165 gr loads would do just fine. And even the lighter loads not much hotter than 40 S&W. You just don't need the full power loads to stop most human threats. When in the woods I carry at least 2 magazines, one loaded for "bear", and the other with 155 gr loads at about 1400 fps.
 
I've got a G20SF and I shoot heck out of it. I cast my own 180 grain, 40 cal bullets and just finish a run of 8,000 in storage right now if that gives you an idea of how much I shoot it and my Colt. I run that hard cast lead about 1250 - 1300 fps.
 
165 and 180 grainers over blue dot are my go to. I have G20SF and a couple 1911 platform 10mms. The biggest improvement for the G20SF was sending the frame to Taran tactical to have it stippled partially removing the finger ridges and undercut the bottom of the trigger housing. Replaced some parts w ZEV components (which was not really necessary in retrospect), cocking serrations added to the front of the slide and two tone cerakote. Picked up a 357 Sig conversion bbl from Lonewolf which adds to the fun. Great gun/platform.
 
most shoot a glock low-left. adjust and carry on!

I own a g19 and g30 and can shoot both to poi. my grip is a bit unorthodox, but still shoots to poi.

luck,

murf
 
A agree. If the OP already loads his own, choosing not to load this cartridge is really limiting if for no other reason than capability and flexibility of the cartridge.

In most cases, buying factory 10mm ammo is basically a way to buy really expensive 40 S&W Long ammo.

Until I started loading my own ammo, I never even considered 10mm as a cartridge I would shoot. Same for 38 Super.
 
Federal Vital Shok is widely available off the shelf and it's a full power load, and it would be a good choice to carry in the woods. The boutique stuff is also full power - Underwood, Buffalo Bore, etc. Beyond those options I'm not sure what's available that isn't loaded down. For cheap range ammo being full power probably isn't important as long as the point of impact isn't drastically off.
 
165 and 180 grainers over blue dot are my go to. I have G20SF and a couple 1911 platform 10mms. The biggest improvement for the G20SF was sending the frame to Taran tactical to have it stippled partially removing the finger ridges and undercut the bottom of the trigger housing. Replaced some parts w ZEV components (which was not really necessary in retrospect), cocking serrations added to the front of the slide and two tone cerakote. Picked up a 357 Sig conversion bbl from Lonewolf which adds to the fun. Great gun/platform.
This post needs a couple good pics, Brother!
 
Federal Vital Shok is widely available off the shelf and it's a full power load, and it would be a good choice to carry in the woods. The boutique stuff is also full power - Underwood, Buffalo Bore, etc. Beyond those options I'm not sure what's available that isn't loaded down. For cheap range ammo being full power probably isn't important as long as the point of impact isn't drastically off.
Yes, there is full power stuff available, but it isn't cheap. Sig loads their 180 gr ammo to 1200-1225. Warm enough, but my tests indicate they are padding their numbers by about 25 fps, as many manufacturers do. Federal offers a 200 gr HST load that is supposed to hit 1130 fps. Not the fastest stuff, but that's a great bullet and in a scenario where expansion is desired it should kick ass.

However the availability of full power ammo ignores the cost, but more importantly to me, it ignores the versatility of the cartridge. There are bullets and load data going down to 115 gr screamers, to 220 gr thumpers. Plus you can down load to plink if you so desire. The more I study load data, the more I realize that the capability of 10mm auto, or even better, 10mm magnum, encompasses the same capabilities of so many other semi auto cartridges, that it almost renders them irrelevant. With the right bullet it will plow threw dangerous animals, with a different bullet it can be made to hunt medium sized game, and with other bullets it's an excellent self defense round against people. If I was forced to give up all my handguns except one, it would likely be a 10mm I'd keep.

I also like to load my practice ammo warm, so when I am shooting in defensive training, the recoil is equivalent, and it's a more realistic test of my skills. For plinking, I 'd load plinking loads. Of course I'd be more inclined to plink with a 9mm.

But that's just one man's opinion. The OP should do what works for them of course.
 
I helped a friend out and wound up with an unfired Glock 20. I'd had an XD40 a while back and wasn't too thrilled with it. I'm a 70% of the time a revolver shooter, but normally carry an EC9, LCP, or CW9. I won't be carrying this thing except perhaps on a hog hunt. My questions are, what kind of accuracy might I expect (I have no problems with anything from a MKI through my 29-2), what bullet weights do you users prefer for target, hog/deer, and are there any mods you'd recommend on this stock Glock? (Accuracy=heart/lung area hits at 50 yards, two handed, supported). In another week or so when my knee is a little more stable I'm taking it out for a trial. New knee four weeks ago. Any quirks to look out for. I reload 98% of what I shoot but probably won't set up for this.

10MM’s are pretty accurate. I modify all my Glocks with a 3.5 connector ($20ish) and an extended slide lock/release like on the G34 ($20ish). I also generally upgrade the sights.

If f I were looking to hunt a lot with this gun, I’d get it milled for a red dot sight. Something like a Leupold Deltapoint Pro . Keep the MOA to 3 or less. I like my Vortex Venom too, and it’s less $ and a great warranty.

As for ammo, if you handload, it’s your world. May look at 200gr hard cast bullets. I’ve heard the Glock 20 doesn’t like the 220’s, but 200’s are fine. YMMV

Enjoy it!



https://www.full30.com/watch/MDE3MTIw/glock-20-big-game-hunt
 
I use 3.5 lb connectors and load 180 or 200 gr. Xtps depending on where and what I'm hunting. They are cheap, accurate, and available at walmart. They penetrate farther than most HP bullets in my experience shooting big game, almost between cast and a good defensive HP. I shoot beyond 50 yards often.
 
As for ammo, if you handload, it’s your world. May look at 200gr hard cast bullets. I’ve heard the Glock 20 doesn’t like the 220’s, but 200’s are fine. YMMV

Enjoy it!

I had a Glock 20, and mine would not feed 220's reliably. It worked well with 200's.
 
I don't reload any rimless pistol ammo as stuff like .380, 9, or .40 is cheap enough for me to shoot with factory ammo regularly. .45 FMJ is cheap to shoot, but anything that's intended for defense is very expensive, while 10mm is just expensive no matter what you shoot. Not only that, but so many of the factory loads are .40 S&W power levels.

So, to save money and get REAL 10mm power, you have to reload it. I'm sure it's not something you want to put the time into, but it's the only practical way to shoot the caliber.

As for projectiles, I'd go 155 grain for the light recoil and 200 grain for power. I want to say the 200 grain stuff is better in that the bullet is probably made for 10mm velocities as there are no 200 grain JHP loads for .40 S&W that I know of, but that's just me guessing.
 
I have a buddy with a G20.3. He swears by 180s and has used his for pigs and deer down here on the coast. He seems to think the Glocks run best with 180-200gr bullets at about ~1200fps or so. He thinks that’s the sweet spot for the 10mm in the Glock platform.

In as much as I have thought about a 10, I’m content with my Glock 30 and +Ps for field work, or a .41 Magnum.
 
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