The GUNS

(Manufacturer WEB URL provided if gun is still in production)

In Loose Chronological order (as memory serves)

Now Load time optimized!!! Click on thumbnails, to view pics full size.

The first was the Bren 10 --- ---DISCONTINUED

Bren 10

The Bren 10 was out of production almost faster than any other I know of. Made in 1983-1986, in several versions, magazines are impossible to find, as the gun was shipped WITHOUT MAGS! Owners had to wait till magazines were produced and then shipped, sometimes over a year from the date that they bought it. Talk about a leap of faith! Spare parts are impossible to find.

This gun is somewhat collectable, (see Collector's Corner on these pages for details) and they can be found in the $1500 (US) price range, they were made more desireable by the fact that it was used in "Miami Vice" Why I don't know, Crocker (or is it Crockett) couldn't possibly have double tapped all those bad guys THAT FAST with a 10mm.

I never shot one, and I am always on the lookout for someone at the range with a "shooter" who will let me give it a go.

I found out recently that there was a resurrection of the Bren, made by AMF-Voit called the Peregrine Falcon. It did not get into production and was dead before it hit the tarmac. The pics that were sent to me showed the frame lines exact, but the safety was different. The slide looked VERY different. Too bad it didn't get a shot.

This gun was also made in a .45 ACP, and is VERY rare. I have only seen ONE, and since I spend half my free time doing gun stuff and the other in my PC business (So my wife says) this is an EXCEEDINGLY rare gun at that!

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Colt Gold Cup Delta Elite ------DISCONTINUED

Delta Elite Variants ------DISCONTINUED

Delta Elite

The Delta Elite as we know it today was first produced in the spring/summer of 1987. There were quite a few variations of the Delta, some with only a few hundred made.

The Delta Elite, and The Gold Cup Delta Elite (I own a GCDE Click here for image 66k) are excellent guns, but some can be finicky. IMO, Colt should have broken with tradition, and put in a ramped barrel, but it works reasonably well as it is. The Delta Elite with a proper recoil spring and FL guide rod handles real 10mm ammo easily.

This is my benchmark 10mm, the one I use to evaluate ALL 10 millimeter handguns by. As I use the GCDE a smile inevitably creeps on my face knowing that I traded my Omega for it. The standard Delta Elite was sold in both blue and stainless steel.

There is a Combat Elite 10-40 ( a less expensive version of a GC) with blue slide and stainless frame, 3 dot sights, Commander Hammer, smooth wood grips with Gold tone Colt panels, and 2 barrels with 4 mags (2 for each caliber), and 2 guide rods with appropriate recoil springs. I never saw one, probably because there were (as reported to me) 100 made. Several readers of these pages own 10/40 Combat Elite one was kind enough to send me a pic. (10/40 pic 68k file size)

The first semi-production Colt 10mm was the Stainless Colt Custom 10. It was a limited production gun (1000 made) serialized 10SS0001 to 10SS1000.

The Gold Cup version is a well fit and perfectly finished handgun, worth the cost. This is an unusual statement for me to make about 1911's, because I do not (GASP)personally use them, preferring S&W's in various calibers instead.

There were a FEW GCDE's made during a collaboration between Colt, and Clark Custom. This gun is absolutely unbelievable. A good friend has one, and it was delivered from Colt with a walnut box, with velvet cutout insides. The gun had an "accuracy weld" around the dust cover to keep slide slop to a minimum, but was not really needed, as the slide/rails were fit. It also had a FL guide rod, and a "Clark Custom" inscription on the slide.

There are other odd Colt 10's, one being a "Delta 10". Lew Horton distributed 100 in 1998, and all were stainless and from the pic I saw appeared like a 1991-A1 nice, and lightly bead blasted.

I also have information on two others, one called the "Match 10" with a serial number range of MTENxxx. They were made in 1989 after Delta Elite production began. It likely had less than a thousand production units, but unfortunately I do not have any feature particulars.

The other was called simply an "Elite 10" I suspect this variant wat what I call a "depletion era" 10mm, when Colt may have been "depleting" their stock of parts and making anything they could that would sell. The serial number range is standard Delta Elite numbers like DE123xxx so my suppositions as to it's "depletion era" status is likely to be pretty good.

The slide was royal blue, and it had a polished SS frame. The features were more like a Les Baer gun in that it had an Ambi safety, beaver tail, commander hammer, dot sights, and walnut grips with Delta medalions on it.

Another Delta that just came to my attention and here's a description from the owner:

It is Colt Custom Gun Shop item. Limited Edition of 500. serial numbers from GCTEN 001 to GCTEN 500. Colt Gold Cup Ten on left side of slide. Gold Cup National Match on right side. All stainless.

If you know one not mentioned here, please let me know.

FEATURES

Blued Steel or Stainless
8 round steel mag
Standard 80 series SA design
Adjustable sights (Gold cup version)

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Ruger/Buckeye .38-40/10mm ------DISCONTINUED

Buckeye

The Ruger/Buckeye Blackhawk was made in very limited numbers in 1990. It was a blue finish single action. Supplied with two cylinders, one for each caliber, and was not a commercial success. They command a premium over other Ruger and Buckeye models by a significant amount to the right collector.

FEATURES

Standard SA design

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Smith and Wesson's 10's

For a company that had so much effort involved in this caliber (6 autos and 1 revolver) I am amazed that NONE of the automatics are currently being offered for sale. It is too bad too, as most if not all are still sought after. Hopefully they can adopt a "special run" policy like the Ruger Bisley where shooters still interested in these fine guns can get new specimens.

S&W went through a "Model-of-the-month" period in the early 90's and some of these "test the waters" or "float a balloon" models were excellent and were NOT restricted to the 10mm caliber. In My Opinion S&W did not let some of these very viable products mature and get a following, so they are left as oddities in collectors gun safes or in gunshops across the U.S. All of these models that I have shot were perfectly functioning, and accurate. My personal 1076

(Exploded pic 136k file size) is a retired FBI version, and it is simply a perfectly functioning, accurate, and comfortable, firearm.

General Details

The S&W 10 millimeters were stainless steel, with fully supported ramped barrels. I never met one that would not feed anything. They had full sized 9 shot single stack magazines, and weighed in at 2 lbs 8oz, or slightly more depending on barrel length. PERFECT post Brady bill firearms no?

All are comfortable shooting and most had two different grips available. One is a curved and the other is a straight backstrap. Accessories are few and far in between but Brownell's has a decent supply of things like slide releases, guide rods, sights, etc.

The 745 Mag release button fits all of them fine if you need a larger release button. Some were available with adjustable or night sights, and command a premium over those without on the resale market.

Their WEB URL is: (WWW.SMITH-WESSON.COM)

S&W's 1076 and 1026 ------DISCONTINUED

S&W
1076
1026

The 1076 was as mentioned above adopted by the FBI. It was available in two versions. One (the commercial version) had the traditional S&W magazine disconnector, where the firearm WOULD NOT go bang if the mag were dropped out in a situation where an officer were fighting to retain posession, and needed to disable the gun. The FBI not-for-retail version did not have the mag disconnect. Presumably the agents required a "live gun" at ALL times and had S&W remove this feature. FBI refurbished guns are available to the public now, and are easily spotted by the inscription on the slide, "CAUTION: CAPABLE OF FIRING WITH MAGAZINE REMOVED"

The 1076 is a reasonably compact, reliable, gun that caused a small number of S&W frame decocker models to follow, no doubt S&W hoped to get a toehold into the frame decocker market. They didn't, and it's too bad. All these models were excellent guns.

I have shot quite a few, and all were/are excellent.

The 1076 was Manufactured 1990-1993, there were still some available into 1994 new in box. Re-Furbished FBI models were offered through 1996.

The 1026 was a 5" full size version of the 1076. For longer shooting sessions ALL the 5" models were nice to shoot firearms, as the tad more weight at the muzzle helps keep it down.

The 1026 was manufactured 1990-1991 only.

The 4576/4536/4026/6926 were their other frame decockers in 45ACP(4576/4536), 40(4026), and 9mm(6926, 5924, 5926,6924).

S&W's 1086 and 1046 ------DISCONTINUED

The 1086 had a 4 1/2" barrel similar to the 1076, The 1046 was a full size 5" version, both were DAO. Probably made to woo PD's with litigation conscious Chiefs who had decision making capacity in gun procurement. S&W rightly markets the DAO autoloader as an EXCELLENT transitional gun for departments and individuals going from revolver based training to a semi auto. This saves training time, and officers become familiar with the feel of an automatic firearm faster.

As an NRA certified firearms instructor, I always recommend to new shooters that they purchase a REVOLVER as their first handgun. After acquiring needed shooting skills, and safe firearm handling, the DAO pistol is also an EXCELLENT firearm for the tyro pistol owner as a transitional training tool.

Manufactured 1991 ONLY... NOTE: The 1046 had a production run of ONLY 148 pieces. Thanks for the info, Mike!

The 1046 was the same gun in a 5" full size version.

S&W's 1066, 1006------DISCONTINUED

The 1066 had a 4 1/2" barrel, and was a standard or traditional S&W DA/SA design with the safety/decocker mounted on the slide.

Manufactured 1990-1992, there were still some available into 1994 new in box.

The 1006 was the same gun with a 5" barrel.

S&W 610 Revolver ------DISCONTINUED (in 5")

S&W
610

This is a wonderfully made gun, and an excellent example of where the N frame shines. IMO, the N frame is not strong enough for the pounding BIG magnums provided by reloaders who hunt. My 610 easily digests ANY 10mm ammo, and is pleasant to shoot. It uses hard to find full moon clips, and with them you can also shoot .40 S&W's from it. With the cylinder properly chamferred it makes a deadly bowling pin gun (as does the 625-2 .45ACP version)

It was available in 5" and 6.5" barrels, in 1988/1989 and had a round butt. I'm told that much of the skinny production run went out of the U.S. There are VERY FEW of these left in the hands of people willing to sell them, and if you want one, and see it, buy it. You may not see another one in 5". S&W Now catalogs the 610 again for 1998, in a "Classic" version. Sporting a 6.5" barrel, and non-fluted cylinder, they are back in the market with a 10mm. Now if we can get a 1076 again...

FEATURES

Stainless steel
6 shot
DA/SA design
Hogue or Wood grips
5 or 6.5" barrel

See TECH tips section for more info on this gun

The links below are to pics of the holsters I found suitable for the 610. I don't know if they're still made but you can start with these makers and go from there.

Galco SIL126 snap break belt slide for carry :-)
Safariland 002 Cup Challenge for competition
Safariland 002 Cup Challenge view 2

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LAR Grizzly --- ---DISCONTINUED

LAR

I never owned one, but the few I shot were comfortable, and reliable, but were too large in the frame for my tastes. This is the weight/size gun that SHOULD have been adopted for the 10mm industry wide. It handles brutal reloads with ease.

The LAR Mark I is available in 10mm, .45ACP, .357, .45 Win mag, and all calibers are convertible on one gun. The .50AE, and .44 mag ARE NOT convertible with the above calibers.

FEATURES
- Extended slide release
- Ambi safety
- SA (Colt) design
- Multi Caliber design
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Lew Horton ------In production

Lew
Horton No Pics

Lew Hortons shop is famous for their Special Edition and Custom firearms in many calibers, and 10mm's are no exception

They have dealt with Colt 1911's, S&W's 610, and recently the Tanfoglio Witness in making carry/match firearms. All of them are beautifully made, and functional for real world use. For ordering they are generally best ordered from Horton directly.

Values for new firearms of this quality are higher than box stock guns, but worth it, and I have seen several used at gunshows and values ranged from stupid, to very reasonable. If you see one used, don't hesitate to pick it up, because if the price is stupid, or low, it's very likely it will NOT be there if you go back for a second look after lunch.

Since "production" numbers for most models range from 250 to 500 pieces, and the models are not well documented, I can't go into too much detail here. I have sent a note to Lew Hortons, asking for more detail, but until they reply, this is what I know.

Colt Delta 10 FEATURES
- 300 made 150 each Blue, and Stainless Steel
S&W's 610 FEATURES
- 300 made in Stainless Steel
- 3 inch barrel N Frame
- Non Fluted Cylinder
- Rosewood Grips
- Red Ramp/white outline sights
- $740 Retail
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Springfield Omega ------DISCONTINUED
McMillan Wolverine ------DISCONTINUED
Safari Arms (Conversion only)------DISCONTINUED
Federal Ordnance PS-07------DISCONTINUED
Stahl America ------Not Delivered in the U.S

Omega

I owned one, and two of my friends owned them, ALL were problems. With guide rod breakage, slide stop cracks, firing pin breakage, extractor wear, front sight loss, and slides breaking, the design from Stahl needed beefing up. Also the dual extractors caused MANY empties to be launched straight into my forehead. I started to develop a flinch, and a fear parts would not be available, and traded it for my GCDE... I'm not sorry 4 years later.

This was also sold for SHORT periods of time with import agreements with the above manufacturers/importers.

On with the gun details:

It was of multi caliber design, the frame patterned after the 1911. The top end was a completely new design, and it seemed as if as the bugs were finally worked out, the gun disappeared... too bad.

Since the dual extractors forced headspacing on the case rim, MINE shot hundreds of .40 S&W rounds (using colt .40 mags) without a hitch. Something I DO NOT recommend in ANY other gun chambered for the 10mm alone, with the exception of the 610. The top end was ported through the slide and barrel, and most of the ones I have seen were long slides, and blued finish. It was also available in a blue 5" slide AND a rare factory Hard Chrome version. All Springfield Armory guns were factory ported, however the McMillan, Safari Arms, and Stahl versions were not ported.

It was available in 10mm, 40S&W, .38 super, 9mm, 9x21, .38 special, and .45ACP. The barrels were inexpensive, and they worked very well. The barrel was a linkless design, that I'm sure will catch on after a time. Springfield also had a linkless 1911 in .40 and a few in 10mm, but patent concerns over the Stahl design might have caused them to cease production. I know of no linked 10mm's from either Stahl, or Springfield.

Owners of this gun are VERY fond of them, as I was. I had several folks write me looking for parts, and gunsmiths who knew of their uniqueness. I was one of them, and I understand. Now that I do not own one it's much easier to tell them to "sell it" and get a Delta Elite. Failing that, it's a good idea to find a Springfield .45 ACP slide to convert it back into a usable gun, in the event your slide goes belly up.
NEW NEWS
Peters Stahl America, sent me Email after asking them if they would have spare parts for the earlier "Omega" pistols. While the answer is cryptic it "sounds" like NO!

My question

"I saw your site, and wondered if you will sell parts for, and support the Stahl linkless designs brought in the US by Springfield, McMillan, and Safari Arms.?

Peters Stahl reply

"No - Our deal to rep them feel thru. Sorry"

NEW NEW NEWS
On the 10mm talk site, I learned that Stahl is providing spare parts for the (of all things) Springfield "Linkless". I wrote the following note to: richardmuehlfried@peters-stahl.com My interest in Stahl designs goes way back and I bought a Springfield Omega from Springfield, but sold it after your company and Springfield discontinued your business relationship, as I couldn't get spare parts. I have heard that you will now supply parts for the Springfield "Linkless" and possibly the "Omega" top end. If so, what parts will you provide? Also, are you once again selling the Omega type product in 10mm? Regards, Gary Napolitano
I'll post any replies to my note here...

FEATURES

Blue, or Hard Chrome finishes
Spring biased dual extractors
Multi caliber design
8 round steel mag (10mm)
SA (series 70) trigger/safeties
Standard Colt mags
Adjustable sights
Full length guide rod
Springfield models EDM ported
Linkless barrel design
Colt frame parts compatibility
Longslide (6") or standard 5" Depending on importer.
Ported or unported slides

See TECH tips section for IMPORTANT info on this gun

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Springfield Custom Shop ------Custom Order ONLY

Springfield still makes a 1911 pistol in 10mm, BUT only from their custom shop. I have not seen any Springfield custom guns, but I like their standard 1911's. My experiences with the three I have owned (I still own a .45) is excellent. The factory is very willing to talk about your gun, AND problems if you have them. Parts support is very good, so much so that they make you feel GOOD you bought the product. For a large company this is refreshing.

Springfield is also supposely bringing out a new 10mm in the summer of 98. This will be a very needed plus for the popularity of the 10.

I am expecting a brochure from their custom shop, and will have more on it later.

FEATURES
- Custom order Ala Carte, prices from $1399.
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Colt Double Eagle ------DISCONTINUED

Double
Eagle

Dubbed a "Series 90" By Colt, it seems as if breaking tradition is NOT what the buying public wants from Colt. The Double Eagle was unfortunately another gun that was discontinued too fast. Criticism was generously slathered about the gun shops, and gunshows, and nitpicking was the order of the day for this gun. First offered in .45 in 1989, list price was $445. The 10 and other calibers came later.

Originally offered in .40, .45, and 10mm, few are to be found available. I am told that the first released production models DID NOT have the frame decocker, it was suposedly added early on.

There were hopes Colt would use an Browning style grip for their big DA/SA, but they stuck with the 1911 frame. Probably because there was big installed base of .45 replacement magazines, but the 10mm and .40 were NOT in this category, so it was a natural to start with a clean slate... they didn't.

I shot one in .45, and a friend recently got one in 10mm, but he will not shoot it. Oh well, I tried. At any rate, given some refinement this firearm had lots of potential, but because of some new features (DA and frame decocker) shooters ignored it, and it has seen a substantial amount of interest from collectors.

There is a rumour that this was available in an "Officers" version, in 10mm. I HAVE seen them in .45ACP, but not in 10. If I did, I'd be lighter by several hundred dollars real quick.

FEATURES
- Frame decocker
- 8 round steel mag
- DA/SA design
- Standard Colt mags
- 80 series firing pin lock
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Glock 20 ------In production

Glock
20

A gun I never personally liked (meaning all Glocks), but other owners rave about them. They are extremely reliable, accurate, and hold lots of rounds (15 mag +2 extension +1 in chamber) if you need to go into harms way. The mags are difficult enough to find but the price at over $70.00 retail for used samples makes this expensive to own, and an impractical gun to carry with the new 10 round mags due to its' generous size. I always found the felt recoil characteristics of a heavier all steel gun easier to take during extended shooting sessions. The rough frame stippling requires a "handall" wrap for me as the grip causes extreme numbness in my right hand after 30 or more full powered rounds.

For the record I am in no way recoil sensitive, but with full pressure loads this gun is not fun. I shoot mine beside my GCDE and the DE is more reasonable to shoot for longer training periods. Now with 170-180 grain loads doing 1000-1100 FPS this gun is quite different.

Back to the positive side, my Glock 20 has not failed to feed, and does seem to eat anything that will fit in the chamber. The stuff on the News Groups about lead loads and blowups seems unrealistic, as IPSC guys use Glocks for hundreds of thousands of rounds without failures. The G-20 is also a wise choice here for IPSC limited. Even with $80 15 round mag prices, this is a very smart limited gun.

The Glock 20 is also a VERY good choice for LEO purposes, particularly where officers answer a call to a "shots fired" scene, and MAY have to be in a situation where a powerful caliber will defeat FBI test type barriers, AND an officer may need to wait for backup. The G-20 is easy to carry all day (in open carry duty rigs) because it's light. Full with 16 rounds of ammo it weighs 2 lbs. 8 oz. where a Colt .45 weighs 2 lbs. 13.5 ounces with 8 rounds of ammo.

This is not only a WEIGHT advantage over a conventional full sized .45, but a tactical AND safety advantages as well. Less reloads equal less time where the pistol is out of service.

I have been told that I am unfair to Glock in my comments on the 20. As I owned one for two years, my opinion overall is it is an excellent firearm. For CCW? not on MY frame, For COMFORT, well some tell me they ARE comfy. Mine is not. My positive comments for LEO, and IPSC, and reliability/accuracy are overall a "buy recommendation" NO firearm is perfect, and this is why we have so many choices.

If you want to read how WONDERFUL firearms are, you CAN go read the gun mags, or the other specialty pages where a manufacturer can do no wrong, but you will not find perfect firearms here.

I shot my G-20 alongside my Gold Cup Delta with another shooter and he preferred the 20 to the GCDE, due to his much larger hand than mine. Just goes to show you, it's a good thing there are still choices.

Their WEB URL is: (GLOCK.COM) May still be under construction

See TECH tips section for more info on this gun

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AMT/IAI Javelina ------DISCONTINUED

AMT

The ACTUAL relationship, and the reason for the AMT and IAI names is unclear to me being an outsider in the firearms industry, but I understand they were made in the same factory. I owned a Javelina, and sold it to a friend (who remains a friend) after getting my GCDE. A "poor mans" Gold cup, it works VERY well, and accepts all the 1911 parts I stuck on it.

Mine had a .40 S&W conversion barrel and mags as does my GCDE, and it really works better than I expected it to. I wondered WHY Colt stopped making the 1911 pattern pistols in .40.

Funny thing here... Colt .40 magazines ABOUND in gunshops, and gunshows, this must be the most unpopular 1911 caliber with the MOST magazines available out there.

The Javelina was also sold as 6" AND 7" L-O-N-G-S-L-I-D-E complete guns, AND as a longslide conversion kit to Javelina (in 10mm) and Hardballer (in .45 ACP) owners who hunted. Even after AMT/IAI stopped making the longslide in a complete gun, they continued making the conversion kits till after the 1911 pattern guns ceased production.

The extra barrel length should really kick the bullet in the pants going up the barrel with a slow powder like Accurate #9, and should also like Power Pistol. The one I got to chrono gave me (if memory serves) a 45 FPS boost from the longer barrel compared to my 5 inch version!

This would be a nice Pig OR Pin gun in either longslide.

FEATURES
- Stainless steel construction
- Extended slide release and safety
- SA (Colt) fire control
- Target trigger (Gold cup type)
- Adjustable sights (Gold cup type)
- Rubber wrap around grips
- All standard 1911 part compatibility
- Slides in 5" as well as L-O-N-G-S-L-I-D-E 6 and 7" models
See TECH tips section for more info on this gun

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Star Megastar ------DISCONTINUED

Mega-
star

I LOVED mine, and like a fool, I sold it. It was reliable, strong, Hi cap, and a DA/SA design that really was well made. The weird safety operation was irrelevant since the first shot would be DA, but the shooters and press criticized the safety, and size, so the pistol died on the vine. Like the Grizzly, it's a BIG gun, easily up to the task of full powered 10mm loads.

Available in "Starvel" and blue, the mag held 14 rounds. I always wished that Star would make a Firestar in 10mm.

Speaking of mags, my .45 Megastar worked fine with the Megastar 10mm mags.

FEATURES
- Starvel Nickle or Blue
- 14 round steel mags
- DA/SA design
- Frame stippling
- Extended Slide release
- Large mag release
- Combat hammer
- Full length guide rod
- 3 Dot sights
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Glock 29 ------In Production

Glock
29

Glock deserves support from the shooting public for being the only manufacturer to bring out a NEW 10mm in years. That took smarts and determination.

I have shot one of these little beauties, and with many current factory loads they are not unreasonable to shoot (if you have the pinky rest) but I WOULD like to touch off one of my full powered 10's to see what my forehead looks like in the mirror the next day :-) The nearest I have gotten to "hot" loads in this gun is my pin load with a 200 grain TC at 1075 FPS. The magazine pinched my pinky like a pliars, and its' recoil dynamics are very much like my G-20, with slightly more muzzle rise. I'd carry this little gun with 200 XTP's doing 1000 FPS in a second.

Their WEB URL is: (GLOCK.COM) May still be under construction

FEATURES
- All standard Glock features
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Tanfoglio Witness------In Production

Tanfoglio
Witness
compact

Tanfoglio offers their excellent Witness line of pistols in 10 millimeter OUTSIDE of the United States! As of 6/99, they are FINALLY dribbling into shooters hands in the U.S.

This firearm is well known here in competition circles, and now that they offer it in a compact version, the carry market is giving this gun attention. Why this caliber was NOT sold here mystifies me, as it is a niche market where several thousand guns at the least could be easily sold.

I have shot numerous Witness pistols, and find the grip EXTREMELY comfortable, the feed very reliable, accuracy is very good. Durability is excellent in 9mm, .40 and .45.

The Witness has a rare combination of features that satisfy all needs from any shooting style, and if I sat down to design an IDEAL pistol it would probably come out as a Witness.

Their WEB URL is: (WWW.TANFOGLIO.IT)

EAA, as of 2-18-2000 is running an EXPENSIVE ad campaign promoting, of all things the 10MM!!! I NEVER thought I'd see an advertisement promting a SINGLE caliber, especially the 10, but here it is... Check the scan I have up here at this link: Full page EAA ad 300k+

BTW... I printed it with their permission :-) I'll apologize in advance for the pretty girl, elsewhere on the pages I said I'd NEVER turn the 10 pages into a platform like the Dillon catalog, but in this ONE case I made an exception, after seeing the TEXT, I'm sure you'll agree.

FEATURES
Locked and cocked SA
DA on first shot if SA is not desired
Safety in convenient thumbs down=off placement
With Safety ON you can rack the slide, and clear the chamber
Excellent slide release
Beavertail and combat hammer
Reversible mag release
Rubber grips
10+1 capacity on 10mm (all models)
Compact model same size as SIG P-229
3 dot sights (all white, or 2 white 1 red)
ALL steel construction (in 10mm a good feature)
Polymer frame version avaialble in most calibers
Blue, chrome, dual tone, and "Wonder" finishes
EXTENSIVE array of custom FACTORY options
A grip style made in ergonomics nirvana
Calibers, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP, 9mm, .38 Super, 9x21.
Topped off with the brightest deepest blued mag I've seen since the H&K P9-S beauties.
```
Here's a design tidbit. The firing pin lock (y'know the Series 80
thing that EVERYONE HATES) DECOMPRESSES (NOT compresses like a Colt)
when you pull the trigger, actually ASSISTING you releasing the
trigger by quite a bit !!!

When the slide is forward on a chambered round, the compressed
firing pin lock spring (which is in the pin "LOCK" position)
pushes against a lever that drops as you pull the trigger. The
firing pin lock spring then pushes AGAINST this lever, assisting
the trigger motion to release the sear.

This is a "safety" design that should set the pace in design,
dumping the OLD mindset of mechanical designs.
```
This gun is absolutely the best thought out, and designed pistol in the last 50 years, however Tanfoglio has had some magazine problems in the recent past, and hopefully they are cleared up. Give your local distributors a call and ORDER one... I have a compact :-)

See the reviews on mine and other Witness 10's on the 10 talk pages.
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Auto Ordnance 1911 ------DISCONTINUED

Auto
Ord

I went to Auto Ordnance in December 1997 and got their 1997 catalog, and they showed their 1911 pattern 10mm. While I never saw one, I have shot their .45's, and I was not very impressed. They all jammed, (not very unusual for stock 1911's) on LSWC's. 10mm's generally do much better on SWC'c than .45's and I'd expect these to do as well as any 1911 10mm which is generally pretty good.

I just found out (3/98) that AO discontinued ALL their 1911 pattern 10mm's... too bad, I might have found some $ for one to play with. AO is getting a lot of calls on this one so they tell me, so keep calling, and keep the heat on to have another 10 to choose from.

FEATURES
- Standard 1911 options
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STI Hunter 6.0 ------IN PRODUCTION

STI
Hunter

The STI Hunter 6.0 is a 6" SINGLE STACK all STEEL 10mm. A "Modern" 1911 with a ramped barrel, and all the goodies you would probably put on the gun, BUT installed and fitted at the factory. I have shot other STI guns, and they all work very well. I'd like to see one of these someday at the range, and perhaps a 5" wide body Hi Cap "Limited" model.

They also make the STI EAGLE 6.0 (6 inch bbl) STI edge (5") in 10mm, The STI guns are a bit pricey, but the .40 and .38 super I shot were very excellent pistols. Their WEB URL is: (stiguns.com)

FEATURES
- 10mm ONLY
- SA 1911 Fire Control
- Extended HEAVY frame
- All Steel construction
- 6 inch slide/barrel with integral ramp
- Long Curved trigger
- Two piece guide rod
- Leupold Scope with mount
- Blue finish
- One Mag included with gun
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PETERS STAHL ------IN PRODUCTION

stahl NO PIC

Peters Stahl has taken their linkless design back into the U.S under their own name. The gun is pretty much the same as the same as the Springfield Omega minus the barrel/slide porting. The WEB site (petersshahl.cpm) seems to be disconnected 12/15/98, hope nobody has their money there waiting for a gun if they're gone!

FEATURES
- Omega features, MINUS porting.
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CARBINES/RIFLES

Enough people wrote me asking for me to explain WHY I DID NOT, or WILL NOT include rifles and semi-auto's like the AR-15 conversion kits. Well here's my typical answer...

Actually there WAS a note on these pages about this matter, but it fell into the bit bucket for several reasons, the first being that I wanted to keep reader attention on the realistic potential of the 10 as a HANDGUN option.

Another reason for no info on carbine/rifles, is EXACTLY the reason FOR the pages. Think about it... the 10 does everything almost any sane revolver/pistol caliber in a reasonable sized HANDGUN, with the exception of the .44, .45 Win mag, and .454 which are purely hunting/silhouette cartridges, or for prople bent on getting a big boom from their time at the range.

In a CARBINE, it (the 10mm) takes a back seat to almost EVERY RIFLE cartridge, and MANY pistol calibers in rifles. IMO, it's not a very practical cartridge for long guns, and I didn't want the pages to make me look like a loonie boasting of carbine usability with such glaring holes in the argument.

As far as a 10mm rifle goes, the MAIN practical reason would be the 1800's logic of handgun/rifle ammo compatability, thin ice with a WIDE selection of ammo available for almost ANY other superior rifle... therfore, make mine a 7mm magnum :-)

A slim argument as a SUB Machine gun could also be made, but then again there's no point in that is there? I mean, we're not ALLOWED to own H&K MP-5's in 10mm now are we?

I hope I sufficiently answered your questions.

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Wyoming/Parker Arms ------DISCONTINUED

OK, OK already! They WERE MADE, but I figured that any gun so bad, and so rare really did not need to be here. BUT, this is an information page, and I guess in order to be complete it/they need to be included.

I have shot a few of these guns in .40, and they were as bad as they get. I couldn't get two rounds to feed, and more often than not could not get the FIRST round to feed into the chamber. This is NOT the type of firearm I'd buy unless I were a collector of 10mm pistols and HAD to have one.

Laser Aim Connection? ------IN PRODUCTION
Wyoming/Parker arms were made in Thermopolis Wyoming, and Laseraim who also makes a 10 are also made there. But Laseraim is distributed out of Little Rock Arkansas, and what relation these guns have to each other, is not clear as yet. I was "TOLD" that Laseraim bought the Wyoming/Parker design, and is manufacturing it in a vastly improved re-design. I have met several people who own Laseraim pistols, and they all like them. I have personally held a 7" 10mm, and it had the accessory scope mount. Fit, and finish were very good.

I took that opportunity to field strip it, and found replacing the barrel bushing a less than easy proposition, as it is NOT like a standard 1911, other than that it seemed pretty well made. The shop wanted $400 for it with one mag, and no box.

FEATURES (MAY Vary by manufacturer)

9mm, 10mm, .40S&W and .45 ACP.
SA 1911 type Fire Control
All Stainless Steel construction
Barrel lengths from 3 3/8" to 7"
Synthetic grips (NOT 1911 patterned)
Millet sights
Fully supported Ramped Barrel (One barrel lug)
Hammer block slide mounted ambi safety
Full length guide rod
Frame beavertail (NOT a grip safety)
Trigger/frame accessory mount (Laser Aim )

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Kimber ------IN PRODUCTION

I have shot a few Kimbers in .45, and they were... OK. The few I've seen had lots of bead blasting on them which does a LOT to hide defects, but in general the fit and finish is OK, and they are as well made as any 1911 I've shot. A few owners wrote me and have nothing but good to say about them.

FEATURES (See their website for more info)

10mm, .45 ACP.
SA 1911 type Fire Control
All Stainless Steel construction
Ramped 5" Barrel

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There were other 10mm's like the TC Contender, and a few derringers, but they were/are limited in availability. Some or most were "Me too" product catalog enhancement products.
Page design, & concept © Gary Napolitano 2000