Glock 40: The Best 10mm Pistol for Outdoorsmen!

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable return to larger, more powerful firearms—especially among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. As more people embrace the wilderness, the need for protection from potential threats, particularly wildlife, has become a priority. For this reason, certain handgun calibers have risen in popularity, with powerful rounds like .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and 10mm autoloaders leading the way.

Glock 40: The Big Outdoor Defender

Among these, the 10mm stands out for its versatility, especially in semi-automatic platforms. Handguns chambered in 10mm continue to see a surge in demand, and more manufacturers are stepping up to offer their versions of this powerhouse cartridge. However, few handguns have embraced the 10mm as effectively as the Glock 40. Introduced in 2015, the Glock 40 is a large-frame, 6-inch-barreled beast that has carved out a name for itself in the world of powerful semi-automatic pistols. But what makes it the best 10mm handgun out there? Let’s dive into the details.

When Glock introduced the Glock 40, it was an answer to the growing demand for a semi-automatic pistol that could handle the power of 10mm while offering the accuracy and capacity to make it a viable option for backcountry defense. The Glock 40 is a full-sized handgun, featuring a 6-inch barrel, which not only adds to its imposing size but also provides a significant benefit in terms of sight radius.

With its 8-inch sight radius, shooters benefit from more precise aiming. Sight radius refers to the distance between the front and rear sights on a firearm. A longer sight radius improves accuracy because it allows for finer adjustments. The slightest misalignment in a shorter sight radius can throw off your aim, while a longer one offers more leeway for those subtle corrections. This means, whether you’re at the range or potentially facing down dangerous wildlife, the Glock 40’s longer barrel helps ensure you hit what you’re aiming at.

Heavyweight Hammer

At 44 ounces (loaded), the Glock 40 is no lightweight. However, when compared to other popular backwoods revolvers, which can easily weigh 6+ ounces more, the Glock 40’s weight is an advantage. Heavier handguns are generally more pleasant to shoot with full-power loads because they soak up recoil. In the case of the Glock 40, that weight helps tame the powerful recoil generated by 200-grain bullets fired from a 10mm round.

But there’s more than just weight at play here. One of the true advantages of the Glock’s polymer frame is its ability to flex slightly, helping to absorb some of that recoil energy. Even when shooting hot loads, the Glock 40 manages recoil impressively well, offering a smooth, controllable shooting experience. This makes it a more comfortable option than many revolvers, which tend to have a higher recoil impulse.

Current generations of the Glock 40 feature Glock’s MOS (Modular Optic System), which allows for the easy mounting of optics. Red dots have exploded in popularity, and for good reason—they improve target acquisition speed and are a massive help for shooters with aging eyesight or those in low-light conditions.

Velo is King

But some might wonder: If you’re going to mount an optic, why bother with the long 6-inch barrel? The answer is simple—velocity. The longer barrel helps generate higher projectile speeds, which is crucial for both accuracy and terminal ballistics. Handloaders in particular will appreciate the extra barrel length, as it allows them to maximize the velocity of their custom loads. However, as with all things, there’s a caveat—something we’ll touch on in a bit.

One of the main reasons the Glock 40 excels as a backwoods and defensive pistol is its ability to harness the full potential of the 10mm cartridge. Known for its power, the 10mm bridges the gap between traditional semi-automatic handgun calibers like 9mm and the larger revolver calibers like .44 Magnum.

Ballistic Performance:

For testing, I grabbed a variety of 10mm rounds from my local shop and ran them through the Garmin Xero chronograph. Here are the results:

CCI Blazer 180-grain FMJ – 1,184 fps
PMC Bronze 200-grain – 1,009 fps
Federal Punch 200-grain HP – 1,070 fps
HSM Sierra 180-grain HP – 1,097 fps

These velocities are solid, but many handloaders will tell you that 10mm can do even more. For comparison, these numbers are only about 150-200 feet per second slower than many .44 Magnum loads. Factor in the 15-round capacity of the Glock 40 compared to the six rounds of a traditional revolver, and you have a serious contender for the best all-around backwoods / defensive sidearm.

Now, let’s get into that caveat I mentioned earlier. While the stock barrel on the Glock 40 is great, high-pressure handloads can occasionally lead to issues. One common problem with the Glock’s stock barrel is that it doesn’t fully support the chamber, which can result in a bulged or “smiled” case, making the brass unusable for future reloading. In extreme cases, this can even lead to case blowouts.

For this reason, many serious handloaders opt for aftermarket barrels. For this test, I swapped out the stock barrel for a Lone Wolf Precision Alpha 6-inch barrel, which offers full chamber support. This not only extends the life of your brass but also allows you to safely push hotter loads. With these hotter handloads, I was able to achieve velocities of over 1,300 fps with a 180-grain slug, putting it squarely in .44 Magnum territory.

One of the benefits of owning a Glock is the aftermarket support. The Glock 40 is no exception, and mine is no stranger to modifications. Here are a few upgrades this Glock 40.

Upgraded trigger for a Glock 40 in 10mm.

Glock 40 Upgrades

NDZ Performance 22# Recoil Spring
Stainless Steel Guide Rod
Ghost 3.5# Connector
Lightning Strike Trigger Plunger/Spring
Overwatch Precision Poly-Dat Trigger

These modifications not only improve the feel of the trigger but also help manage recoil and ensure reliable performance under pressure.

At the end of the day, the Glock 40 is one of the best choices for anyone looking for a powerful, versatile handgun for backwoods defense. With its ample sight radius, manageable recoil, and impressive ballistics, it’s hard to argue against its effectiveness. Add in the benefits of optics compatibility, aftermarket support, and high capacity, and you’ve got a handgun that can stand toe-to-toe with much larger revolvers—without the extra bulk.

For outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, or anyone who needs a reliable defensive firearm against larger predators, the Glock 40 is a top-tier choice. It offers everything you need in terms of stopping power, accuracy, and ease of use, all in a package that’s lighter and more customizable than most other options.

For more info, visit us.glock.com.