Big-Bore Autos: Two More 10mms and One 357 Magnum

Other than the 45 ACP, a big-bore automatic means a pistol chambered in 10mm Auto or a less-common caliber. In the recent past, we have tested a few new 10mm pistols and found we liked what they offered.

For this test we went to Colt, one of the original manufacturers of the 10mm in the 1911 platform, and acquired one of the company’s new Delta Elite pistols. We also went back in time to the early 1990s when the FBI determined they were under-gunned and opted for the 10mm round. We found a used Smith & Wesson Model 1076, which is similar to the FBI Contract Gun, and shot it side by side with the Colt. Then we added a Coonan, which has been around for a number of years, with its claim to fame being a 1911-style platform chambered in magnum revolver calibers. We acquired one of the latest models, the Classic 1911 chambered in 357 Magnum, to pit against the two 10mms from Colt and S&W.

Bottom line is, these are expensive pistols with expensive ammo appetites, but that wouldn’t stop us from owning any of these three tested pistols. Any of these pistols are well suited for short-range hunting and personal defense. These pistols are all full-size models with heavy steel receivers, and that is a good thing when firing hot 357 Magnum and 10mm loads. In addition to their weight, another similarity were locked breech actions, where a lug or pair of lugs on the barrel locked into grooves cut on the inside of the slide, similar to a 1911 set up. They also had single-stack magazines and fixed three-dot sights. The triggers on the Coonan and Colt were exceptional. The S&W was heavy, but it still kept pace with the newer pistols.

Range Data: 10mm

Range Data: 357 magnum

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards with open sights. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph set 15 feet from the muzzle.

We tested for accuracy using a rest at 25 yards and found these pistols were well matched in accuracy. Accuracy averaged about 2 inches for five-shot groups. We also practiced double taps at targets set at 10 yards. During that round, we found the 10mm pistols were easier to control than the 357 Magnum pistol.

For ammunition, we used SIG Sauer V-Crown 180-grain jacketed hollow-point bullets and SIG Sauer full-metal-jacket 180-grain bullets. We also used Armscor USA rounds loaded with 180-grain FMJs. The Armscor clocked about 100 fps less than the SIG ammo. We’ve noticed that SIG is loading 10mm ammo hotter. Many factory loads in 10mm are light and do not bring out the true potential of the 10mm round. The 357 Magnum rounds consisted of SIG Sauer V-Crown 125-grain JHPs, Aguila 158-grain semi-jacketed hollow points, and Winchester PDX1 Defender 125-grain JHPs. We had issues with the Winchester ammo in the Coonan, which we will get into below. Here are details about how each gun performed.

Smith & Wesson Model 1076 10mm Auto, $800-$825

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-

If you are in need of a compact 10mm pistol, a used 1076 is an excellent choice. The trigger could have been better in both double action and single action.

The Model 1076 was the only used gun in the test. It was produced from 1990 through 1993, with 13,805 guns made. This is also the pistol the FBI adopted for use with the 10mm cartridge, though the 1076 was short lived with the FBI due in part to the recoil of the 10mm Auto round. The 1076 lasted with the FBI for about five years before being replaced with 40 S&W pistols with more round capacity and less recoil.

The Model 1076 is based on the S&W Model 1006 but features a 4.25-inch barrel, a bobbed hammer, and a decocker similar to a SIG P220 located on the left side of the receiver. S&W referred to the 1076 and other semi-autos of the time as Third Generation pistols. One way to tell if your Model 1076 is what is referred to as an FBI Contract Gun is the magazine disconnect. If your gun has a disconnect, it is a commercial model and not an FBI Contract Gun. FBI guns also had a palm swell grip. The grip of our 1076 was flat.

Our used pistol would grade about 80 percent according to NRA grading system. Nonetheless, it was a shooter for sure, and we are glad because we liked this pistol in 10mm. The Model 1076 features a full metal receiver so it is heavy; this is a good thing when firing the 10mm. It is all stainless construction and has a similar grip angle to a 1911, which we liked. The wraparound polymer grip is well textured without feeling like a cheese grater. It is also rounded and smooth, so there is no discomfort from sharp edges during recoil. The front grip strap is coarsely checkered, allowing testers to secure a good grip. On the left side of receiver is a black decocker lever. We found we could not reach the button with the thumb of our shooting hand, but we could easily decock the pistol with the thumb of the support hand when in a two-handed hold.

The decocker button is just below the slide stop and is easily distinguished by feel, so there was no confusion between the controls. Pressing the magazine button forcefully ejected the magazine. The front of the trigger guard was checkered like many other pistols manufactured in this era. It looks cool, but with current grip technique, it serves no useful purpose.

The slide-to-receiver fit was tight. The slide does not use a muzzle bushing like a 1911; instead, the barrel is flared at the muzzle and fits into a bushing set into the front of the slide. There was no wiggle between the muzzle bushing and barrel. On the top side were three-dot night sights that had long since lost their glow. They were large and we liked them, though the back side was not flush with the rear of the slide. The fine slide serrations were only located at the rear of the slide, and it took about 15 pounds of effort to rack and cock the hammer. The hammer was bobbed, so the first shot is fired double action. The top of the hammer was coarsely serrated so you could depress the trigger and thumb back the hammer or decock the hammer and thumb it back. The external extractor is typical S&W on guns of this era — very reliable.

The single-stack magazine was built of stainless steel and had a polymer floor plate. It was easily loaded and held a total of nine cartridges, one more than the Colt. Spare magazines are easy to find and relatively inexpensive (such as from MidwayUSA.com; $34).

In hand, the 1076 was comfortable to grip, and we did not have to reach for the trigger. We liked the ergonomics of this older pistol. Though the trigger-pull weight was 12 pounds in double action, it was smooth and consistent. In single action, there was a lot of take-up, but the break was clean and consistent. It was a trigger, we felt, that was well suited for self defense.

Going hot with the 1076, we found the pistol offered mild recoil and smooth cycling. Yes, it is noticeable and a bit faster and snappier than a 45 ACP. Accuracy with all ammo tested was between 2.0 and 2.25 inches. Our best group came with the SIG FMJs, which made a five-shot 1.7-inch group. The Armscor ammo was a close second with a 1.8-inch group. The SIG V-Crown’s best group was 2 inches. Clearly, this pistol was an accurate shooter even with the heavier trigger. In rapid-fire testing, the 1076 was controllable, allowing us to place two fast shots in center mass of the target.

Our Team Said: We hope S&W’s Classics program reissues the Model 1076. We liked this gun, save for the trigger, yet we were still able to get good accuracy out of the pistol. Recoil was pleasant. It would make a good trail gun in black-bear country. If you run across a used 1076, it is worth taking a look at its condition to get easy entry into the 10mm Auto world.

Colt Delta Elite O2020XE 10mm Auto, $1099

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The latest Delta Elite is an excellent example of a full-size 1911 platform chambered in 10mm. We liked the trigger, sights, and grip.

The Colt Delta Elite was the first 1911 pistol chambered for the 10mm cartridge, and this new variant is an excellent example of the design. The fit and finish were excellent, the sights are big and well defined, the trigger was crisp, and the grip was void of any sharp edges.

In our opinion, the trigger on the Colt was excellent, measuring about 4.5 pounds on our Lyman digital scale. The trigger is matte-black aluminum with three holes. The rest of the pistol wears a matte-stainless finish and the iconic composite checkered grip with the red delta medallion. The sights are genuine three-dot Novak Low Mount Carry sights. The top of the slide has a more textured matte finish to reduce glare and the sights are matte black. The back side of the rear sight is flush with the rear of the slide. Excellent sights, in our opinion. Can you say easy sight acquisition?

The grip safety is long with a good speed bump so even with a less-than-perfect draw, the grip safety is deactivated. The beavertail protects the web of the hand well, which we expected. The manual thumb safety was extended. Both it and the slide stop worked as we expected. Noticeably missing from the front grip and rear straps was checkering. The Delta Elite came with two stainless-steel magazines that were easy to load without busting our thumbs.

Disassembly was like any other government 1911. A bushing tool helped to depress the recoil spring guide. There was a little wiggle between the bushing and barrel, but the slide-to-receiver fit was tight. The slide racked smoothly. The slide featured angled slide serrations at the rear of the slide, so manipulating the slide was easy and simple and took about 19 pounds of effort to rack it and cock the hammer.

In hand, the Colt grip did not have any sharp edges to cause discomfort when shooting. Shooting the Colt was a pleasant experience. The best accuracy at 25 yards across all ammo ranged from 1.08 inches with the Armscor to 1.46 inches with the SIG FMJ ammo. This pistol could shoot. We attribute this to the sights and trigger as well as to the comfortable grip. The Delta uses dual recoil springs to help dampen recoil. All ammunition cycled flawlessly through the Delta Elite.

Our Team Said: Recoil was comfortable, and accuracy was superb. For a 1911 platform, the Delta Elite is an excellent option. We’d own one in a heartbeat, even though the cost is slightly more than other 10mm 1911s available. Colt got this 10mm right.

Coonan Classic 1911 No. 100000-000 357 Magnum, $1540

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-

The Coonan is comfortable to shoot, accurate, and was reliable with all but one brand of ammo. This is a pistol worth experiencing if you like the 357 Magnum cartridge. We liked the Coonan.

The Coonan Classic uses a 1911-style platform reconfigured to fire the 357 Magnum revolver cartridge. The Classic comes in a soft case with two stainless magazines and two recoil springs. The 22-pound spring came pre-installed and is used for shooting 357 Mag ammo with 125- or 158-grain jacketed bullets. The 10-pound spring is used for jacketed 38 Special +P ammo. The owner’s manual states that mild lead loads will not function in the pistol. A break-in period of 250 to 500 rounds of 357 Mag ammo should be fired, according to the manual and we put about 400 rounds through the Coonan.

This pistol exudes precision, from the well-executed brushed stainless finish to the slide and frame fit, which was fairly tight. The barrel-to-bushing fit was tighter. The top side of the slide had a matte no-glare finish and fixed, low profile three-dot sights. The rear sight was flush with the rear of the slide for maximum sight radius. The sights are well suited for self defense. The Coonan uses a long external extractor and about 2 inches of angled slide serrations. It took about 15 pounds of effort to rack the slide. The receiver uses a grip safety that is shorter than the typical 1911 grip safety. The beavertail was long and protected ham-fisted shooters from hammer bite. The manual thumb safety was extended, yet low profile, as was the slide stop. The magazine releases similar to a 1911; a checkered round button that lets magazines free fall when pressed. Where the Coonan deviates from a 1911 is in the trigger. The Coonan trigger pivots, whereas typical 1911 triggers slide. The Coonan trigger face was wide and smooth, and the trigger broke at a clean 3 pounds. It was a nice trigger that we thought would be well suited for hunting. The receiver uses a full-length dust cover, which adds weight to the pistol, which in our opinion is needed since the pistol generates noticeable recoil when firing the 357 Mag round — more recoil than the 10mm pistols. The grip is also noticeably larger to accommodate the length of the 357 Mag cartridges. In hand, it felt like a slightly larger 1911. The front and rear grip strap had no texture.

Shooters accustomed to the 1911 platform needed little ramp up time with the Coonan. Right-handed shooters could grip the Coonan similar to a 1911 and ride the controls. What we liked about the Coonan was the attention given to rounding the sharp edges of the metal. The grip was smooth, and during recoil, we did not experience discomfort. And if we didn’t mention it already, the Coonan does have some kick to it. In fact, touching off 357 Mag ammo caused a flame to spew out of the muzzle. The Coonan is a fire breather. Still, even without texture on the grip straps, the Coonan was easy to control for experienced shooters.

We had no issues with the SIG and Aguila ammo, and our best groups with these two cartridges average about 2 inches. When we tried the Winchester ammo, we ran into issues. The Coonan magazine is like a 22 LR magazine on steroids. It uses a follower pin that can be slippery if your hands are sweaty. Coonan includes a loading pin that fits into the follower so you can get more leverage. These magazines take longer to load than the typical 45 ACP magazine. We found that the bullet profile was rubbing on the inside of the magazine body and not allowing the spring to push the cartridge up. We only found this to be a problem with the Winchester ammo, so we manually ran the ammo through to collect test data for that ammunition. The Winchester ammo, though it did not run in the Coonan, gave us the best accuracy, with the smallest group measuring 1.4 inches. This is an example of the need to try ammo in your gun prior to carrying it or hunting with it. We docked the Coonan a half point due to the issue, but it was obviously due the Winchester ammo.

Our Team Said: Recoil was controllable due to the weight of the pistol, but was still noticeable. Accuracy was excellent due to the sights and trigger. The price of the Coonan is easily $500 north of the other pistols. We liked the performance and would not hesitate to own this pistol if price was not an issue. We would also try a variety of ammo and stock up on the best performing loads. If you have a need to own a pistol in a revolver cartridge, this is a good option.

Special thanks to Eastern Outfitters of Hampstead, NC, for their assistance.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers.

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