I have a basically new Ruger SP101 stainless with a 3" barrel. Beautiful gun and a joy to shoot, but I have an itch for a 10mm. I have always wanted a 10mm and have a chance to trade it for a Glock 20 with 10 rounds it. I have heard nothing but great things about this round. I do a lot of hunting all over the west and use the Ruger for woods carry right now. The Glock would be used for the same thing. I absolutely love the .357 but have talked to some folks who have said the 10mm will out-do the .357 with the right loads. I do not reload handgun ammo YET, but I don't really worry about the cost of ammo so that isn't a factor. Anybody with experience with both have an opinion here??? Thanks in advance.
Would you do it?? Glock 20 vs. Ruger SP101
- Thread starter Q!!
- Start date
Sorry...but IMO neither of the guns you mentioned come to mind when refering to actual hunting. Backup maybe...
Cost of ammo may not be a factor but...availability might. If you go into some backwoods feed or hardware store that sells ammo...I bet they will have the .357 well before they have the 10mm.
That the 10mm is the "best" round in this case might be debatable by many...the proven stopping power and availability of the of the .357 is a given.
I have several Glocks for entirely different use but in the application you mention?
I would probably stick with the Ruger.
Just my .02.
Cost of ammo may not be a factor but...availability might. If you go into some backwoods feed or hardware store that sells ammo...I bet they will have the .357 well before they have the 10mm.
That the 10mm is the "best" round in this case might be debatable by many...the proven stopping power and availability of the of the .357 is a given.
I have several Glocks for entirely different use but in the application you mention?
I would probably stick with the Ruger.
Just my .02.
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Thanks for the reply. And I should have specified that this gun will not be carried for back-up only, not for actual hunting. I have a couple .44's and a .454 for that.
As far as availability, I have already talked to my dealer and he can order it whenever I need it. No problem there.
As far as availability, I have already talked to my dealer and he can order it whenever I need it. No problem there.
Rather than give you unsolicited advice regarding your finances, I'll just give you solicited advice about the G20. It'd be hard to beat a G20 for your intended purposes. If God had wanted you to carry a Ruger, he wouldn't have made Gaston Glock so smart and Bill Ruger so stupid. 
chris in va
New member
I advise you shoot the Glock first if you can. Just because others say it's a great gun doesn't mean it's to your liking.
On a side note, I saw a guy shooting a long slide compensated Glock 10mm at an oudoor range plinking my bowling pins hung at 100 yards. He was having no trouble hitting them at least half the time. It was also interesting how much they danced, even compared to my AK.
On a side note, I saw a guy shooting a long slide compensated Glock 10mm at an oudoor range plinking my bowling pins hung at 100 yards. He was having no trouble hitting them at least half the time. It was also interesting how much they danced, even compared to my AK.
azredhawk44
Moderator
You have a new 3" SP-101 and you're already itching to add another gun.
Sounds like the revolver ain't doing it for you, for whatever reason.
I would add the fact that you might want to consider the Glock model 29 instead of the 20. It will stay out of the way better than the 20 for hiking or hunting. The 20 is a big gun.
Sounds like the revolver ain't doing it for you, for whatever reason.
I would add the fact that you might want to consider the Glock model 29 instead of the 20. It will stay out of the way better than the 20 for hiking or hunting. The 20 is a big gun.
Thanks for all the replies guys.......
Seems like there is a lot of confusion as to why I want to get rid of a perfectly good like new SP101 for a Glock. I have 3 other .357 revolvers. 1 Colt and 2 Smiths. I spent a lot of money on guns this year already and promised my wife I would take it easy for awhile. So, if I want a 10mm I have to trade one of my guns. I chose the SP101 since I have only shot it a few times and I have more experience with my others.
I guess my main question is, is the 10mm THAT much better than the .357.
Also, tell me more about the G29. I have always shied away from compacts. I have a couple carry guns so I tend to lean towards the bigger guns. How much accuracy will I lose with the smaller gun??
Seems like there is a lot of confusion as to why I want to get rid of a perfectly good like new SP101 for a Glock. I have 3 other .357 revolvers. 1 Colt and 2 Smiths. I spent a lot of money on guns this year already and promised my wife I would take it easy for awhile. So, if I want a 10mm I have to trade one of my guns. I chose the SP101 since I have only shot it a few times and I have more experience with my others.
I guess my main question is, is the 10mm THAT much better than the .357.
Also, tell me more about the G29. I have always shied away from compacts. I have a couple carry guns so I tend to lean towards the bigger guns. How much accuracy will I lose with the smaller gun??
Hagar the Republican
New member
You won't lose accuracy, what you actually lose is sighting radius, and the ability to aim the gun accurately. (That and a wee bit of velocity.) The result, however, is the same.
The Glock 20 is a fine gun, however, it is a lot of gun. I carry the 21 (same size) and it can really pull on the right side of my pants. Your question, "Is the 10mm THAT much better than the .357?" I'd have to say no. Especially for what you said was the purpose for the gun, for backup. The Glock 20 is a hell of a back up gun! It will be just as heavy as your .44 hunting gun. Why duplicate yourself? (Maybe for more balanced walking? One on each hip?) I did know one guy who would only deer hunt with his Glock 20, and with 15 rounds of 10mm, who the heck needs backup?!!?
It seems that you are pretty well covered in the .357 realm if you have a Colt and two S&Ws. I don't know what models you have, but the SP101 would be a terrific, small .357 to carry for backup or for a concealed carry gun. For .357 loads, I really wouldn't want anything smaller. It's actually more pleasant to shoot with .357 loads than my K-frame snubbies. (I don't even try to shoot .357s in a J-frame.) Since I have both (3" 101 and Glock 21), if I was gonna be toting something through the woods as a backup gun, I'd sure rather carry the SP101 than the Glock.
My favorite woods gun is a N-frame 4" 57, however, I don't carry that and something else for backup, as well.
The Glock 20 is a fine gun, however, it is a lot of gun. I carry the 21 (same size) and it can really pull on the right side of my pants. Your question, "Is the 10mm THAT much better than the .357?" I'd have to say no. Especially for what you said was the purpose for the gun, for backup. The Glock 20 is a hell of a back up gun! It will be just as heavy as your .44 hunting gun. Why duplicate yourself? (Maybe for more balanced walking? One on each hip?) I did know one guy who would only deer hunt with his Glock 20, and with 15 rounds of 10mm, who the heck needs backup?!!?
It seems that you are pretty well covered in the .357 realm if you have a Colt and two S&Ws. I don't know what models you have, but the SP101 would be a terrific, small .357 to carry for backup or for a concealed carry gun. For .357 loads, I really wouldn't want anything smaller. It's actually more pleasant to shoot with .357 loads than my K-frame snubbies. (I don't even try to shoot .357s in a J-frame.) Since I have both (3" 101 and Glock 21), if I was gonna be toting something through the woods as a backup gun, I'd sure rather carry the SP101 than the Glock.
My favorite woods gun is a N-frame 4" 57, however, I don't carry that and something else for backup, as well.
No, 10mm is not superior to the .357 Magnum ballistically. While Double Tap and Buffalo Bore's 10mm ammo may be a good bit warmer than your typical .357 Magnum ammo, the .357 when loaded to it's full potential by DT and BB is still a bit more powerful than the 10mm. Basically, the 10mm offers you true top-end .357 Magnum power in a semi-automatic platform.
While the Glock is a nice enough gun, I like the option of using cast bullets in my 10mm such as Double Tap's 230grn loading. While DT apparently tests this loading out of a G20, Gaston specifically admonishes agains using cast bullets in his polygonal barrels. Because of this, I would not want to shoot cast bullets out of a Glock without adding an aftermarket barrels such as one from Lone Wolf, which will run about $100.
While the Glock is a nice enough gun, I like the option of using cast bullets in my 10mm such as Double Tap's 230grn loading. While DT apparently tests this loading out of a G20, Gaston specifically admonishes agains using cast bullets in his polygonal barrels. Because of this, I would not want to shoot cast bullets out of a Glock without adding an aftermarket barrels such as one from Lone Wolf, which will run about $100.
I assume that you have researched the availability of .357 magnum ammo and 10mm auto ammo. If you compare what is out there you can find .357 bullet weights running from 100gr to 200gr and 10mm bullets ranging from 135gr to 200gr.
If you compare 180gr loads by DoubleTap they list:
.357 Magnum 180gr .357 load 6"bbl velocity is 1425fps
10mm auto 180gr. @ 1350fps - Glock 20 (4.6" bbl)
I would take the manufacturer's velocity claims with a grain of salt.
I chronographed some of DoubleTap's 10mm auto 200gr Controlled Expansion JHP yesterday for which they claim 1250fps / 694ft lbs. - Glock 20.
Out of my Colt Delta Elite's 5" bbl it averaged 1067 fps / 506ft lbs.
Having addressed the ballistics and showing that they are close; you should consider the effect of the bullet's diameter. Larger being better in most cases. Some people find that a comparison of a hand gun bullet's momentum times the cross sectional area equals the relative effectiveness in stopping a threat. It is not the most comprehensive method but gives a general means of comparison that many have found born out by real life experience later. This comparison tends to fail at very low velocities with large mass and at high velocities with low mass. It is not meant to compare bowling balls to .45acp's bullets or rifle bullets to a defensive hand gun's bullets.
Next, your personal preference/interest seems to suggest to me that since you already have three other .357s; you should try out the new cartridge and see if the grass is really greener on the other side of the fence.
I doubt that you will find that the animals that you hunt will know any difference whether they are hit with a .357 mag or a 10mm auto, assuming you select a bullet properly constructed for the task.
dairycreek
New member
My opinion is that with the 357 you get more variety across a wider spectrum of both bullet and load choice. The mitigating issue lies with the short barrel of the Ruger. The shorter barrel just does not give you all the variety that the 357 promises.
On a somewhat more practical level, 10mm ammo is both doggone expensive and exceedingly hard to find in my part of the world. Along that line of reasoning the 357/38 special becomes more of a "safe bet". FWIW
goodspeed(TPF)
New member
Do it says I. 
Personally the 357 and 10mm are about equal. The 10 mm gets compared to a 41 mag (180 grain bullets in both) but the 41 is more versital when loaded with heavier bullets. The big plus for the 10 over the 357 is more ammo per load, 5 rounds of 357 or 15 rounds of 10mm (10 rounds in Glock 29). I sold my Glock 20 and now use a 40sw as backup in woods. Good luck : Bill
I would and did take the 10mm myself and highly recommend it. Your dealer may be surprised when he goes to order ammo though as most all suppliers are showing backorders for a couple of months. I have been waiting 3 months for an order from Georgia Arms but when filled they sell it for only 21 a box of 50.
The only reason to ditch the SP101 is if you're tired of it. They're fine little revolvers. After using several I finally settled on the shorter barrel, with a Meprolight front dot. I shoot it just as well and it does carry better.
Frankly, you don't need a a 10mm to essentially match what you'll get from a short .357 Mag. The .40 in it's better loadings will get so close that anything shot with it will probably never know the diff.
The 10 is a good cartridge and if you're sold on it, consider the G29. It'll carry nearly as well as your SP101 and meet or exceed its ballistics- twice as many times w/o reloading.
Frankly, you don't need a a 10mm to essentially match what you'll get from a short .357 Mag. The .40 in it's better loadings will get so close that anything shot with it will probably never know the diff.
The 10 is a good cartridge and if you're sold on it, consider the G29. It'll carry nearly as well as your SP101 and meet or exceed its ballistics- twice as many times w/o reloading.
MR4SHOOTIN
New member
Don't trade a fine steel gun for a piece of plastic that feels like a 2x4 in your hand.
Tough call. Both are good guns but for the uses you describe I have chosen the Glock 20. A good 357 or 44 mag would be my 2nd choice.
I actually own a Glock 20 as well as 3 and 4" barreled 357's and 44's. When it is time to step into the woods the Glock is the one I usually carry. Here is my rational. The Glock is lighter, smaller, and is more accurate in my hands than a revolver fired double action. If I think I may actually hunt with it, the revolvers go because when fired single action they are much more accurate at any distance. The fact that the Glock holds 16 rounds vs the 5 in the sp-101 would also influence my decision. I am more concerned about 2 legged predators than 4 legged and feel the Glock offers the best compromise.
As far as power is concerned on paper it is a virtual tie using the best loads in both. I feel the 10mm has a slight advantage because of 2 reasons. Most revolvers with barrels shorter than 6-8" do not get anywhere near most published velocities. The 3" SP-101 will be shooting considerably slower than most published velocities. I think the .40 cal hole vs a .35 cal hole is another slight advantage.
If someone else thinks a revolver is a better choice I certainly won't try to convince them they are wrong. This is just the decision I have made and the rational behind it. Read what others have said and make your own decision.
I actually own a Glock 20 as well as 3 and 4" barreled 357's and 44's. When it is time to step into the woods the Glock is the one I usually carry. Here is my rational. The Glock is lighter, smaller, and is more accurate in my hands than a revolver fired double action. If I think I may actually hunt with it, the revolvers go because when fired single action they are much more accurate at any distance. The fact that the Glock holds 16 rounds vs the 5 in the sp-101 would also influence my decision. I am more concerned about 2 legged predators than 4 legged and feel the Glock offers the best compromise.
As far as power is concerned on paper it is a virtual tie using the best loads in both. I feel the 10mm has a slight advantage because of 2 reasons. Most revolvers with barrels shorter than 6-8" do not get anywhere near most published velocities. The 3" SP-101 will be shooting considerably slower than most published velocities. I think the .40 cal hole vs a .35 cal hole is another slight advantage.
If someone else thinks a revolver is a better choice I certainly won't try to convince them they are wrong. This is just the decision I have made and the rational behind it. Read what others have said and make your own decision.
Keep in mind that the 3" barrel on that Ruger is robbing a lot of the performance from your 357s. The G20 with the higher performing 10mm loads would be a much more effective cartridge. Then too consider the 5 round capacity of the Ruger vs 16 rounds in the G20.
I know what I'd do...or I should say what I already did. Sold the last SP101 I had a number of years ago. Have two G20s in residence. (smile)
Dave
I know what I'd do...or I should say what I already did. Sold the last SP101 I had a number of years ago. Have two G20s in residence. (smile)
Dave