SILENCER SATURDAY #180: Suppressing Full Power 10mm Auto
Good afternoon shooters and welcome back to another edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 suppressor. Last week we checked out the Q Erector 9 modular pistol suppressor. Today we add a millimeter to just the tip and see what it’s like to suppress full power 10mm Auto. The results? Let’s take a look.
10mm @ TFBToday’s episode was supposed to compare the Original SilencerCo Octane 45HD with the new Octane 45 2.0. However, the FedEx guy failed me (he’s usually on point). We’ll take a look at it next week.
SilencerCo Octane 45 2.0- Full-auto rated
- Sound: 132 dB (.45 ACP)
- Weight: 12.1 ounces
- Length: 8.5”
- Build materials: aluminum; stainless steel
- MSRP:
- Silencer Shop: $499 (your local dealer pricing may vary)
SILENCER SATURDAY #180: Suppressing Full Power 10mm Auto
The H&K and KAC MK23 review two weeks ago sparked a lot of comments about the 10mm MK23 that could have been. Which got me thinking about suppressing hot 10mm loads. These rounds are never going to anywhere near quiet, but is it worth the added cost of buying a threaded barrel and will your .40 or .45 caliber suppressor handle the higher pressures?
Let’s look at the second question – depending on the manufacturer and the model, your suppressor may be rated for 10mm. Even if your silencer can handle 10mm, I would suggest contacting customer service if you plan on suppressing the hard-core rounds. Most factory 10mm rounds are loaded to meek .40 S&W pressures and velocities.
Which is actually where we are going to start. A little known official fact about GLOCK 10mm pistols is that they feed, chamber and fire .40 S&W ammo without any modifications. But I can’t officially suggest running a caliber in a gun not specifically marked for it. As a suppression baseline, I used Federal Premium Tactical HST 180 .40 S&W.
Out of the GLOCK 29 with the Octane 45, these 40 caliber rounds were fairly quiet. Not amazing, not horrible. But there was no supersonic crack.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=421
- 1270 fps — Glock gen. 4, model 29, 3.8-inch
- Barnes all copper 155gr. bullet @ 1350 fps
The first 10mm in today’s testing were the Buffalo Bore low recoil rounds with Barnes 155gr bullets. I expected devastation, but these all copper rounds were actually not bad. Not exactly comfortable but not world-ending.
- 180 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point
- 1,350 fps/M.E. 728 ft. lbs.
This Buffalo Bore Ammo was a different story – I could definitely tell the difference between these and the 155gr low recoil loads. These are artillery rounds packaged in pistol casings.
https://www.underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-200-grain-hard-cast-flat-nose.html
- Cartridge : 10mm Auto
- Bullet Brand : Underwood Ammo™
- Bullet Weight (gr) : 200
- Bullet Construction : Hi-Tek Coated Hard Cast
- Bullet Model : Flat Nose
- Bullet Material : Lead
- Brinell Hardness : 21
- Case Type : Nickel Plated Brass
- Supressor Safe : Yes
- Muzzle Energy (ft. lbs) : 694
- Muzzle Velocity (fps) : 1,250
- Sectional Density : 0.180
If you are going into dangerous game territory, this is one of the rounds you would consider for your backup gun. The heavy, hard cast lead bullets that are still zipping along at 1,250fps. These are loud, but expectedly so. Plan accordingly.
- Ammo Type: JHP
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Grain Weight: 180 gr
- Qty Per Package: 20
- Muzzle Velocity: 1250 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 624 ft-lb
The SIG V-Crown 10mm are definitely not watered down .40 S&W. And they have the noise levels to prove it. For anything more than one shot in an emergency situation and you are going to want need hearing protection.
https://www.underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-180-grain-bonded-jacketed-hollow-point.html
- SKU : 244
- Cartridge : 10mm Auto
- Bullet Brand : Speer®
- Bullet Weight (gr) : 180
- Bullet Construction : Jacketed Hollow Point
- Bullet Model : Bonded
- Bullet Material : Brass
- Case Type : Nickel Plated Brass
- Supressor Safe : Yes
- Muzzle Energy (ft. lbs) : 676
- Muzzle Velocity (fps) : 1,300
- Sectional Density : 0.160
I could not tell a difference in these Underwood rounds and the hard cast lead rounds above. Big noise and heavy recoil. Suit up for blast conditions.
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Bullet Weight: 180
- Bullet Style: Hydra-Shok
- Muzzle Velocity: 1030
- Muzzle Energy: 434
- Test Barrel Length In: 5
- Package Quantity: 20
- Usage: Self-Defense
I was shocked at how quiet these were, until I came inside and started looking at the specifications. These federal premium rounds are basically .40 S&W in longer cases.
- Ammo Type: FMJ
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Grain Weight: 180 gr
- Qty Per Package: 50
- Muzzle Velocity: 1250 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 624 ft-lb
For target rounds, this SIG offering packs a solid blast. I expected .40 S&W levels but instead found a full powered 10mm load.
For the most part, this non-scientific testing just proved what I already knew – heavy bullets, traveling fast out of a short barrel are going to be loud, even when suppressed. If you have a GLOCK, there is a non-sanctioned option to shoot heavier .40 S&W loads that will stay subsonic. Some 10mm is loaded to subsonic muzzle velocities, however the rest are basically ammunition for hand cannons and should be approached with great care. Wear your hearing protection.
While I still live by the mantra of “Suppress Everything”, the 10mm cartridge was not born to be silenced. Save them for bears and smaller dinosaurs – but only when they become threatening.
Be safe everyone. I’ll see you next weekend.
Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine
Silencers - Science Pete@thefirearmblog.com
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I'll still wait for the 12.5 mm MAXIMUM full auto belt fed pistol...with suppressor...
Just nuke em' from orbit ...
Man, that picture - there's almost more suppressor than pistol!