Glock Caliber Comparison: 9mm vs .45 ACP vs 10mm
Main Caliber Specifications Comparison
Below is a detailed comparison table of Glock’s three main calibers:
| Item | 9×19mm (9mm) | .45 ACP | 10mm Auto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter (approx.) | 9.01 mm | 11.43 mm | 10.16 mm |
| Common Case Length (approx.) | 19.0 mm | 23.0 mm | 25.0 mm |
| Typical Bullet Weight (gr) | 115–147 gr | 185–230 gr | 155–200 gr |
| Typical Muzzle Velocity (fps / m/s) | Approx. 1150–1300 fps (351–396 m/s) | Approx. 800–900 fps (244–274 m/s) | Approx. 1200–1400 fps (366–427 m/s) |
| Typical Muzzle Energy (ft·lb / J) | Approx. 340–550 ft·lb (460–748 J) | Approx. 260–414 ft·lb (356–561 J) | Approx. 495–870 ft·lb (672–1180 J) |
| Typical Applications | Defense, law enforcement, competition, civilian | Traditional close-range stopping, defense (large caliber) | High energy, hunting, defense, better penetration/long-range energy |
| Advantages (Summary) | Lower recoil, high capacity, easy ammunition availability, strong versatility | High impact (wider bullet), excellent close-range stopping | High energy, flat trajectory, retains energy at longer distances |
| Disadvantages (Summary) | Penetration/stopping power in some situations depends on well-designed bullets | Capacity and recoil not conducive to rapid fire | Recoil, gun wear, and shooter control difficulty; ammunition cost/availability less than 9mm |
| Common Glock Representative Models (Original/Common) | G17 / G19 / G26 / G34 / G43X / G48 | G21 / G30 / G36 / G41 | G20 / G29 |
How to Choose the Right Caliber?
- 9mm: Best suited for beginners and daily training, cheap and readily available ammunition
- .45 ACP: Suitable for users seeking large caliber stopping power
- 10mm Auto: Suitable for situations requiring higher energy, such as hunting or wilderness self-defense