10mm vs. 45 ACP: Old Reliable, or New and Undeniable?

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Dec 30, 2023

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "10mm vs. 45 ACP: Old Reliable, or New and Undeniable?"
(https://ammo.com/comparison/10mm-vs-45-acp)

There’s no doubt that the 10mm Auto and 45 ACP ammo each have their own strengths and weaknesses. But which one is right for you? This article will help you answer that question and know whether to get a Glock 21 or Colt Delta Elite.

10mm vs. 45 ACP Cartridge Comparison

Cartridge Specs

Comparing the specifications of these two handgun cartridges helps to clarify the differences between them. Although there are some similarities between the rounds, the most substantial difference is their maximum pressures. As you can see in the chart, the 10mm Auto has a much higher max pressure than the .45 Auto: 37,500 psi vs. 21,000 psi, respectively.

Recoil

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On average, a 45 ACP 230 grain round generates 7.5 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of free recoil energy, whereas the average 10mm 180 grain load generates 11.4 ft-lbs. That means the 10mm has over 50% more recoil than the 45 ACP. The difference will feel pretty substantial to many shooters.

Several variables can increase or decrease recoil. Muzzle velocity, propellant charge weight, projectile weight, and firearm weight all determine how much free recoil energy a cartridge can generate.

For example, let's assume we are firing two different 2.5 lb handguns. An average 10mm cartridge (10 grains of propellant, 180 grain bullet, 1,235 fps muzzle velocity) would generate 9.4 ft-lbs of recoil energy. Conversely, a conventional 45 ACP cartridge (8 grains of propellant, 230 grain bullet, 900 fps muzzle velocity) would generate 7.7 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

A heavier firearm will reduce felt recoil. But generally speaking, the 10mm *always* kicks harder.

Trajectory

It's no secret that the 10mm has a flatter trajectory than the 45 ACP. Its bullets are both narrower and faster than the 45 ACP's – both reasons why they fly across a flatter trajectory toward their target. Suppose both pistols' sights are 0.19" high, and you are aiming at a 50-yard target:

• 45 ACP with a 185 grain bullet and 900 fps muzzle velocity will rise approximately 1.4" at 25 yards and drop -12.3" at 100 yards
• 10mm with a 180 grain bullet and 1,245 fps muzzle velocity will rise approximately 0.7" at 25 yards and drop -6.7" at 100 yards

Accuracy

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Accuracy is a pretty big deal. Unfortunately, it's a bit challenging to say which cartridge is more accurate, as much of that depends on the shooter and their firearm.

Go to the range and see which handgun round works better for you. Your own impression outweighs anything this article could tell you.

10mm vs 45 ACP Stopping Power

Both the 10mm and the 45 ACP can deal enough damage to instantly stop a threat. The 10mm has roughly 100 ft-lbs more muzzle energy than most 45 ACP rounds – but that's not all that counts.

Shot placement is much more important than energy transfer. The most powerful handgun in the world will prove useless if you don't hit your target. I'd rather land one great hit than 16 mediocre ones.

Ammo selection also plays a pivotal role. For example, despite having higher striking energy, a Federal American Eagle 10mm 180 grain FMJ bullet's inability to undergo terminal expansion means it isn't as well equipped for defense as a Hornady Critical Defense 45 ACP 185 grain FTX JHP load.

It is interesting to note that the 10mm Glock 20 is the most popular semi-auto handgun for bear protection sold in Alaska. If you're heading into the woods and are concerned about crossing paths with an angry grizzly, then a 10mm is probably the better choice. However, if you're only concerned about two-legged varmints causing you trouble, then the 45 ACP is more than enough.

Defense

Ultimately, determining which is the better round for defense is up to the shooter. Both are adequate threat stoppers. With that said, the 45 ACP's weaker-yet-adequate striking power and softer recoil make it the better choice for most shooters.

The one significant instance is in bear country. The 10mm Auto is the more popular option for bear defense because it penetrates deeper and has more stopping power. Penetration in that role comes from the bullet as much as the cartridge, so bear country loads skew heavy and non-expanding – Underwood 10mm ammo runs 200 and 220 grain hard cast for exactly that.

Ammo Cost and Availability

The 45 ACP is the clear winner of this category. As the more popular cartridge, ammo and firearms chambered for it are both easier to find.

Every big manufacturer loads .45 Auto ammunition in a variety of designs and price points. 10mm Auto ammo is more challenging to find in large quantities and at comparable price points. This is a non-issue if you're into handloading, of course. (If you're looking to purchase large quantities of 45 ACP, be sure to visit our bulk 45 ACP ammo page!)

Best 10mm and 45 ACP Handguns

Top 10mm Auto picks:

• Glock 20 or 29
• Springfield XD-M Elite
• Colt Delta Elite
• FN 510
• Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0

Top 45 ACP picks:

• Glock 21 Gen 5
• 1911 by any reputable brand
• HK45
• FNX-45 Tactical
• Walther PPQ

10mm vs. 45 ACP Ballistics

Take a gander at the following tables to better understand the differences in these two rounds' ballistics. Take care that these data come from ammo manufacturers. Actual performance can differ considerably from that which is advertised (especially if your firearm has a different barrel length than whichever test barrel the manufacturer used to record their own data).

10mm Ballistics

The 10mm Auto offers impressive ballistic performance with a variety of load options. Our 10mm ballistics charts provide additional data that is useful for both defensive and hunting applications.

Note: This information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

45 ACP Ballistics

The 45 ACP's legendary reputation is built on decades of proven performance, but understanding the nuances between different loads can help optimize your selection. Our detailed 45 ACP ballistics resource expands on this data with comprehensive testing across various barrel lengths and manufacturers to help you make the most informed ammunition choice.

Note: This information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

45 ACP History: The Champ Is Here

John Moses Browning gave the world the 45 ACP in 1904 as his way of answering the United States government's call for a more lethal and practical handgun cartridge.

Browning initially designed a round that would fire a 200 grain bullet at 900 fps. When Winchester and UMC got involved, the 230 grain bullet and 850 fps muzzle velocity were adopted.

After several years of testing, the U.S. military selected the Colt M1911 over Savage Arms' sidearm for its superb reliability (Colt had zero failures during testing; Savage had 37). The M1911's 45 ACP cartridge served the U.S. military through both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam.

10mm Auto History: Everything the FBI Wanted but Couldn't Handle

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The creation and development of the 10mm began with Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper in the early 1980s. He wanted something with a flatter trajectory that would stop threats at longer ranges.

Lt. Col. Cooper teamed up with two other experts – Whit Collins and Irving Stone – to create a brand new cartridge by cutting a 30 Remington case down to .992 inches and filling it with a .40 caliber bullet.

Lt. Col. Cooper began searching for manufacturers to further assist him in developing a heartier and more desirable large-bore handgun. Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises, Inc. (owned onboard (with some help from Norma) to manufacture the Bren Ten 10mm Auto (based on the CZ-75). There were many issues with the Bren Ten, though it did gain some popularity owing to Don Johnson of Miami Vice). Colt ultimately saved the cartridge from obsolescence by introducing their 10mm 1911 Delta Elite in 1987.

Despite Colt jumping on board, the 10mm still wasn't getting much popularity. After an FBI manhunt for two armed and dangerous bank robbers ended in several casualties on April 11th, 1986, the agency re-evaluated its weaponry and ultimately landed on the 10mm.

The 10mm's recoil was a bit too much for smaller FBI agents to handle. This led to the production of a shorter, weaker variant of the 10mm that would become known as the .40 S&W.

Parting Shots

Choosing your next semi-automatic handgun is never easy. There are several factors to consider beyond whether you prefer a Colt, SIG, or Glock.

If you want a round that can stop forest threats, then the 10mm is worth the time, effort, money, and recoil.

However, if you want something to protect you in populated areas, the 45 ACP is likely the better bet.

Want to see which .45 ACP and 10mm ammo we have in stock? Click HERE!

Written by

Wes Littlefield