Ammo Archives | SecureIt Gun Storage

9mm vs. 10mm Cartridges – 1mm Makes a Difference

Posted on August 20, 2024August 10, 2024 by Tom Kubiniec

Outside of the 10mm bullet being 1mm larger than a 9mm, the two have substantial differences in their effectiveness including their lethal ranges, case capacity, and uses like hunting. 10mm and 9mm cartridges also have similarities in that they’re both flat shooting and able to be used for self defense.

Fun fact: The FBI has used both 9mm and 10mm ammo as standards, but switched back to 9mm exclusively as it has less kick, can load faster, and the handguns tend to be easier to shoot. This makes 9mm cartridges more ideal for self-defense and direct threat situations when compared to a 10mm, although the 10mm which became of interest after the 1986 shootout in Miami to the FBI is still authorized for use by the Special Weapons & Tactics and the Hostage Rescue Teams.

Both ammo types come in center and rimfire options, but 9mm handguns have less recoil than 10mm guns making them better for beginners and self defense situations, where 10mm can come in handy when you’re hunting or need protection against large or aggressive predators like a bear or wild boar if you’re camping or hiking.

Here’s a quick comparison table to help you choose between the two based on your needs.

	9mm	10mm
Effective range	50 yards	75 – 100 yards
Price per bullet	$0.22 – $1.00	$0.43 – $2.00
Center and rimfire options	Yes	Yes
Lethal range	164ft	600ft
Recoil	4 – 5 lbs	10 – 12 lbs
Hunting small game	Yes	Yes
Hunting large game	No	Yes

When to Choose 9mm over 10mm

9mm is better than a 10mm when you need a firearm for self protection and are not used to heavy firepower as the recoil is lighter and it has plenty of lethal range. 9mm has been the choice for most law enforcement officers and the military for decades which in turn makes it the most popular choice for concealed carry.

9mm ammo is also much less expensive than 10mm so you can practice shooting at a range without having to break the bank. And if you’re hunting small game, the 9mm is a better choice than 10mm since it’ll leave less of an entry would and potential damage to the trophy or meat.

When a 10mm is better than a 9mm

If you’re going hunting or camping and there are large predators nearby, a 10mm ammo will be the better choice than 9mm as the bullet penetrates deeper and can be more effective at deterring the threat situation. If you live in a rural area and are defending your home from an intruder or animal at a distance, 10mm bullets will do better than 9mm as the effective range is greater and you’ll have more time to recover from the recoil.

Both the 9mm and 10mm are great options for self defense, but they don’t compare when it comes to effective range, price, and uses. It all comes down to your experience with the firearm, the distance between you and the target, and your budget. If you found this guide helpful, join our newsletter list for more like it by entering your email below.

The 3 Types of Shotgun Shells and How They Work

Posted on July 16, 2024August 9, 2024 by Tom Kubiniec

There are multiple types of shotgun shells that can be divided into three separate types including birdshot for hunting birds like pheasant and small game, buckshot for larger game like deer, and slugs that can work for large game as it is the most accurate and deepest penetrating. Technically there are mixed shells creating more variations, but these are the top three.

All three of the main variations of shotgun shells contain the gunpowder in the base and are mostly centerfire. It is the projectiles inside the shell that make them unique and serve different purposes.

The “shot” in shotgun shell is a reference to the tiny projectiles known as “shots”. Although there may be a single projectile in a slug shotgun shell, it is different from a pistol or rifle cartridge because the projectile found in a chamber known as “the shell” tends to have a larger caliber and slows more quickly in the air compared to the bullet found in a standard cartridge.

Think of firing shotgun shells like a catapult with water balloons. You can launch one water balloon or multiple water balloons from the same release. A single water balloon will potentially hit the target, but the multiple balloons will cover more ground and may have a better chance at hitting the target or targets.

Fun fact: Shotguns are different from rifles because rifles require a specific caliber bullet and shotguns can use a variety of shells and gauges.

Birdshot and buckshot shells contain multiple same size projectiles inside the chamber where the slug contains a single projectile that penetrates deep into the target. The single projectile allows for more accuracy at a distance, but for close encounters the birdshot and buckshot’s ability to distribute the smaller projectiles can neutralize the target with more efficiency.

The pellets inside the birdshot are tinier than the buckshot which is perfect for hunting small game because the projectiles can remain in a closer area and do less harm to the trophy or edible meat. Large game will need to be neutralized, so a birdshot won’t be as effective as the larger projectiles in a buckshot shell, which have a better chance of stopping the target as the larger projectiles will do more damage.

Single projectiles may provide more accuracy because it is flying direct vs spreading out like the buckshots and birdshots, and it maintains all the force so it can penetrate in deeper making it perfect for longer distances and situations where you have more time to aim.

Shotgun shells are measured by gauge which is the diameter and a reference to how many projectiles it can hold compared to 1lb of lead. A 28 gauge will be able to contain 1/28th of a pound of lead, and 12 gauge will be 1/12 of a pound of lead. The larger the gauge, the more shot it can hold and the larger the amount of damage.

And that is your guide to the shotgun shell. If you want more information on firearms, defense, and the industry, join our newsletter by subscribing below.

The Best Ammo Cartridge & Handgun Combo for Bears

Posted on July 9, 2024August 9, 2024 by Tom Kubiniec

From Pennsylvania to California, when you go hiking, camping, or plan a trip to explore with your loved ones, you’re going to come across a bear. The most important thing to remember is not to panic or run, bear attacks are rare according to NPS, so keep your cool. And that has double meaning if you’re in Alaska or just north of Duluth and find a Polar Bear!

If you find yourself in the one-off occasion where self-defense is needed, here are the recommendations for an ammo cartridge and hand gun combination that in our opinion work best on most bears. But please note that no handgun is a match on its own. The goal is to neutralize and stop the threat.

To make our recommendation we considered:

Average size of continental north American bears including black and grizzly which both inhabit all 48 states, although the populations have been decimated in some.
Lethal range
Accuracy at 100 yards
Ease of access for active lifestyles (fits in a chest holster)
Animal weight and size
Recoil
Ease of loading
Capacity

Fun fact: Did you know that the popular Kenai chest holster was designed specifically because of a run in with a black bear while the founder was mountain biking?

Remember, you’re on a trail or a hike, you won’t have your hunting rifles, a hand gun is your option. So here’s our top choices with the reasons why.

Top Choice for Continental North American Bears

Handgun: Glock 20 for pros and 40 for people with less experience
Ammo: Buffalo Bore Heavy 10mm Outdoors
Holster: Kenai chest

This combination should be universally effective with a bit of training. The Glock 40 has less recoil than the 20 due to the 20’s shorter nose, making the 40 the best for people that have less experience in intense situations so they can re-aim more easily. And adversely the Glock 20 is best for people that remain calm and can handle large recoil.

The 10mm cartridge has an effective range of roughly 100 yards allowing you to protect yourself from a bear if it comes within a football field length. The outdoorsman line has a flat nose allowing it to penetrate deeper through tissue and bone up to 3ft helping to neutralize the bear in an effective and more humane way.

Best for Black Bears

Handgun: XD-M® ELITE 4.5″ OSP™
Ammo: Underwood 10MM auto 200 grain flat nose, cherry coated, hard cast ammo
Holster: Crossbreed Chest Rig Holster – XD-M / XD-M Elite 4.5″

With charging speeds of 25 – 30 mph, and weighing up to 400lbs at 5 – 7 feet tall, you’re going to need speed, control, and accuracy. That’s why we choose the Springfield Armory Elite 3.8 Compact OSP™ for the handgun combined with Underwood 10mm auto at 200 grain.

Bears are big and a single bullet won’t stop them, especially if you’re caught off guard. With a capacity of 16 and ammo designed specifically for wild boar and for black bear defense, you’re going to have enough firepower to neutralize the threat. And both come at a reasonable price. And who better to make the perfect chest harness for the firearm than the manufacturer.

Designed specifically for being on the trails, out hunting, or enjoying the wilds for hiking and photography, you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Best for Grizzly Bears

Handgun: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP

Ammo: Solid Core 10mm Auto 200 Grain

Holster: The chest rig by crossbreed holsters

Coming in at 400 – 800 lbs depending on male or female, and 7 feet tall when standing according to the Idaho state department, and up to 10 feet according to the Detroit Zoo, you’re going to need accuracy and a second shot faster as a single bullet likely will not neutralize the target.

Speed is key as these animals can run up to 35 miles per hour. That’s why our pick is the Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP with a 10mm.

With the manageable recoil, your ability to re-aim and fire your second round becomes easier. The compact design won’t get in the way as it’s holstered letting you enjoy your time in the wilds. If a grizzly is charging and you need to take multiple shots, your wrist and life will thank you for the extra seconds.

It has an 11+1 capacity for ammo with a six inch barrel giving you plenty of accuracy and flexibility to render your target with a 10mm auto cartridge. The reason for solid core with this firearm is because the 10mm auto with 200 grain is designed to penetrate and break through bone. It is designed specifically for bears, and grizzlies are some of the biggest in North America.

Did you find this guide to the best handguns and ammo for defense against bears helpful? Great because we enjoyed writing it.

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Category: Ammo

When to Choose 9mm over 10mm

When a 10mm is better than a 9mm

Top Choice for Continental North American Bears

Best for Black Bears

Best for Grizzly Bears