I always attack 10mm as being ballistically almost useless for price. Gold Dot and HST are at 40 FPS. Should say everything about it since 40 with both those rounds do exactly what they need to do. Making a working round go faster isn't a benefit.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=160
But making it heavier, and faster, is a benefit. You won't get a 220 gr bullet to 1200 fps with a 40 S&W. Double Tap has a 200 gr load at 1300 fps.
But I do understand where you're coming from and on one level I agree. For 2-legged predator defense I don't see any reason to choose anything bigger than a 9mm with the best loads.
I do have pistols in 45 as well as 9mm and 10mm, but the 10mm fills a role that the others can't. I spend a lot of time hiking/camping in bear country. The hotter 10mm loads fill that niche. Otherwise, I'm usually carrying a 9mm and occasionally just to be different a 45. It is the 40 S&W that fills no role for me. I can shoot 40 ammo through my 10mm's if I want to, or have to.
Which 10mm?
My needs may be different than yours. Since it is usually carried in a Hill People chest pack I want something fairly light and compact so I want plastic. And I want to be able to attach a light for night time camping use.
I used a G29 for many years and often used it with a 15 round G20 magazine. But I was never 100% comfortable with no external safety on a gun kept in a sleeping bag at night. Unless it was holstered the chamber was empty.
When Smith & Wesson came out with their M&P in 10mm with a 1911 style safety it checked off all the boxes important to me. I sold the Glock.
Price is comparable to Glock, but I like the sights better. The trigger is better, and I'd not want a trigger that light without a safety. Mine is the compact with a 4.25" barrel. They are not showing that option right now, only the 4.6" barrel.