Recommendation Glock 30S or Glock 20

[Port Authority]

I don't reload so .45 super or .460 rowland is not going to work for me.

I know 10mm is expensive, but it's just to have so I'm ok with a hundred rounds each outing at the range.

Looks like more than a few don't have issues with their gen4 G20. I think i'm starting to lean towards the gen4 G20.

Heavy XTP to heavy XTP, Underwoods prices are similar (+- $2) between 10mm and 45Super.

Reloading is not neccessary, you can buy them both outright.

What should be neccessary is a stronger RSA for both, when using this hot ammo.

The factory 10mm spring has to be soft enough to cycle the 'FBI' load of 180gr at 1050fps for about 400lbft (40SW).

Similar in energy to a 45ACP of 230gr at 900fps for about 400lbft.

If you use 45Super of 230gr at 1100fps for about 600lbft w/ that 400lbft rated spring, what do you think will happen to the gun when the slide bottoms out in recoil?

If you use a full power 10mm of 220gr at 1200fps for about 700lbft on that 400lbft rated spring, what do you think will happen to the gun when the slide bottoms out in recoil?

The standard proceedure for the .45Super is to upspring from 17lb to 23lb (G36).

The standard proceedure for the 10mm is to let it beat itself silly, usually causing failure to feed on the last round when it is lightest and moving the most in the hand.

I always thought that Glocks were really tough guns, but to run hot 10mm on the weak spring offends my engineering sensibilities.

I find the heaviest spring that still reliably cycles, to have the softest 'feel' in recoil regardless of other factors.

Still, a tough call between the two.

Port

[Bill Steele]

...The standard proceedure for the .45Super is to upspring from 17lb to 23lb (G36).

The standard proceedure for the 10mm is to let it beat itself silly, usually causing failure to feed on the last round when it is lightest and moving the most in the hand.

I always thought that Glocks were really tough guns, but to run hot 10mm on the weak spring offends my engineering sensibilities.

I find the heaviest spring that still reliably cycles, to have the softest 'feel' in recoil regardless of other factors.

Still, a tough call between the two.

Port

The irony is on my G20SF, I run a 22lb spring to keep the slide from slamming the frame when I shoot my hottest 10mm loads (1300+ fps 180gr jacketed). I found this spring will also cycle my lightest target loads in that same gun (175gr LSWC at roughly 800fps), albeit with the brass landing pretty nearby. So I just leave the heavy spring in the gun, regardless of the load I am shooting.

I use the same 22lb ISMI spring in my G21SF when shooting my 45 Super loads. This spring will keep the slide off the frame well above 1100fps for a 230gr slug. Again, this spring will cycle my lightest 200gr LSWC target loads (700fps +/-)

My stock RSA in my G29SF keep the slide off the frame regardless of the load I am running. Not sure why the multi-spring setup seems to work so much better.

[neomedic]

What would be a happy medium if one does not shoot the hottest load all the time? 20# spring?

[Bill Steele]

What would be a happy medium if one does not shoot the hottest load all the time? 20# spring?

I suspect your G20 Gen 4 RSA will work fine without any slamming of the frame, even with UW hot loads. I have only read one report where someone saw frame battering with hot loads.

My G29SF RSA, which is a similar design to the Gen 4 setup keeps the slide off the frame, even with loads above UW levels. It is not apples to apples as the G29 can't develop the same ME as the G20 at least with stock barrel length, but I would bet it works fine without change out. If you went with the 30S and 45 Super, you may need a heavier RSA as the slide is pretty light.

[mag360]

30s is so meh, overpriced g39sf with none of the gen4 benefits.

[fredr1980]

I have gone to 10.0 gr of Longshot before I started seeing smiles and radial cracks down by the case head. I could get to similar velocities to 10gr of LS with 800x, but with no smiles/cracks and the cases looking generally better. After I used up the one bottle I decided I was done with 800x, way too much work the way it meters.

My favorite 10mm powder for 180gr jacketed is VV-3N38, with N105 a close second. Meters great and essentially no muzzle flash with all the velocity of LS.

Felt recoil is a funny thing, I always feel I am getting less recoil with the stock springs. I only go heavier to keep the slides off the frame.

PS - All of the above is with stock barrels, probably could have gone a little farther with Longshot with an AM barrel.

I've tried a variety of powders but I stick with Longshot as my "go-to" for 10MM and 9x25 Dillon loads as it seems to be the most consistent for me.

Haven't really pushed the limits with my 10MM loads yet as I have with my 9x25 Dillon loads. Maybe if I had a G20 with a 6" barrel but I'm probably going to be picking up either a S&W 610 with a 6" barrel or a STI 10MM with a 6" barrel before the end of the year for that and see how far I can push the 180 XTP's to perhaps closer to 1400fps or possibly more running a 6" barrel before I think I see flatten primers or other signs of pressure.

Felt recoil is a funny thing... running the stock recoil spring assembly with "warm" loads the G29 felt that it had a "sharper/snappier" recoil impulse and was pretty uncomfortable to shoot especially with the semi-aggressive grip texture on the Gen 4. For me it was actually felt less comfortable to shoot than my 500 S&W with a "HARD push" recoil impulse, but after I swapped recoil spring to 21lbs it's now pleasant to shoot with felt recoil slightly more than my 1911. It also cycles my 180grain FP 10MM plinking/target loads (8.5grains Longshot, never chrono'd guestimating 1100-1150ish fps) so the spring stays in the G29.

Fred R.

[sandmanx408]

yes 10 mm is great caliber and very powerful and in a side by side comparison the 10 mm is freaking sweet, but lets be real we dont live in a vaccum.

10 mm availability isnt the greatest, and if your willing to spend that kind of money to go procure it go for it then, i am perfectly fine with my 9 mm and 45 pistols. I carry 9 mm all day and its my caliber of choice. dont get me wrong the other calibers are fine and im not here to bash. but i think you should stick with the modenr calibers such as 9 .40 and .45 because they are readily availble anywhere you go

[Bill Steele]

I've tried a variety of powders but I stick with Longshot as my "go-to" for 10MM and 9x25 Dillon loads as it seems to be the most consistent for me.

Haven't really pushed the limits with my 10MM loads yet as I have with my 9x25 Dillon loads. Maybe if I had a G20 with a 6" barrel but I'm probably going to be picking up either a S&W 610 with a 6" barrel or a STI 10MM with a 6" barrel before the end of the year for that and see how far I can push the 180 XTP's to perhaps closer to 1400fps or possibly more running a 6" barrel before I think I see flatten primers or other signs of pressure.

Felt recoil is a funny thing... running the stock recoil spring assembly with "warm" loads the G29 felt that it had a "sharper/snappier" recoil impulse and was pretty uncomfortable to shoot especially with the semi-aggressive grip texture on the Gen 4. For me it was actually felt less comfortable to shoot than my 500 S&W with a "HARD push" recoil impulse, but after I swapped recoil spring to 21lbs it's now pleasant to shoot with felt recoil slightly more than my 1911. It also cycles my 180grain FP 10MM plinking/target loads (8.5grains Longshot, never chrono'd guestimating 1100-1150ish fps) so the spring stays in the G29.

Fred R.

You are right about the difference a 6" barrel will make. These slower powders love more barrel. Even my 5" 1911's can produce 30-50fps difference over my stock g20, depending on the powder. A major difference over the G29's.

Some fun.

[Vasili Arkhipov]

I didn't really consider the G29. Never shot a 10mm before, but base on the reputation of this round, not sure I would enjoy shooting the G29.

I would highly recommend shooting both the G20sf and G29sf before making your decision. I found that the G29sf points more naturally, shoots just as accurately, and my shot-to-shot recovery is quicker than with a G20. I think it's partially because of the difference in height of the "palm swell" and partially because of the dual recoil springs in the 29. I know traditional logic favors longer sight radius, but the 26 and 29 seem to point faster and more reliably in my hands than their full-sided counterparts. The 29sf has the same frame size as a 30sf, but will hold 10 rounds with a flush mag. Besides width, grip length is the primary factor impacting ccw - a 10rd G29 will always conceal better than a 10rd G30. If velocity is a concern for wilderness carry, there are always longer aftermarket barrels available.

What I mean to say is that you should reconsider the G29sf. It will fill the role of both a G20 and G30 very well, and already has the two primary advantages of a gen4 (dual recoil springs and thinner grip). I definitely understand the appeal of a gen4 20, I was considering purchasing one recently. I realized in my case that it had no advantage over the 29sf I already owned, and came with a number of drawbacks (cost, size, potential impact of SSE on ability to CCW in the future, hassle, and the gen4's less than flawless record). Not to mention that even if someone gave me a 20 for free, it would still be sidelined at the range - I shoot the 29 better, and have more fun with it.

[Vasili Arkhipov]

after I swapped recoil spring to 21lbs it's now pleasant to shoot with felt recoil slightly more than my 1911. It also cycles my 180grain FP 10MM plinking/target loads (8.5grains Longshot, never chrono'd guestimating 1100-1150ish fps) so the spring stays in the G29.

Fred R.

I second that recommendation, 21lbs is perfect. Wolff sells 21lb guide rod & spring set for $35.