Learn more about 10mm Handgun Cartridges

Looking to find out more about firearms before you apply for your SAPS firearm licence? Learn all there is to know about 10mm handgun cartridges right here.

Initially made by Norma and chambered in the Bren Ten pistol in 1983 the 10mm Auto was right off a formidable round. While the Bren Ten was not successful, the 10mm cartridge was. In 1989 the FBI announced the 10mm Auto as their officially favoured sidearm. While the cartridge has proven itself over time, many felt that the cartridge was a little long for semi-auto pistols, making the pistol grip a little big for some comfort levels. When the shorter .40 S&W cartridge with very similar ballistics was introduced, it soon won popularity over the 10mm round. The 10mm Auto cartridge still has a strong following and manufacturers are still making pistols chambered for this round.

10 mm Handgun Cartridges

**See below for further reference regarding the power rankings listed in the tables above:

MV-Muzzle Velocity
Muzzle velocity when fired from a typical handgun. Measured in feet-per-second.

ME-Muzzle Energy
Muzzle energy when fired from a typical handgun. Measured in foot-pounds.

PF-Power Factor
In shooting competition the Power Factor is used to determine the competitive division in which a particular handgun/cartridge can be used. A simple calculation of the bullet's mass times its muzzle velocity.
PF = bull. mass x muzzle vel.

TKO-Taylor Knock Out Formula
Developed by big-game hunter John Howard Taylor in the 1940's. Calculates the relative effectiveness of bullets for hunting game.
TKO = (bull. mass x muzzle vel. x bull. dia.)/7000

Link back to the main table listing of handgun and rifle cartridges HERE.