Glock 20 SF and Glock 29 SF: New 10mm Auto
Along with the 4th generation Glock pistol, Glock have launched two new 10mm Auto pistols: the Glock 20 SF and Glock 29 SF.
The SF designation is often mistakenly said to stand for “Slim Frame” or “Small Frame”. It actually stands for “Short Frame”. The SF frames provide a small diameter grip. This makes it easier for people with smaller hands (or in this case normal hands 
) to reach the trigger and is more comfortable to hold.
The G20 SF and G29 SF apparently feel a lot more like the G17 in the hand than their standard frame contempories. From the press release:
Team GLOCK Shooting Squad Captain and Champion shooter Dave Sevigny adds, “I really like the SF design since it approaches the ‘feel’ of the G34, G35 and G17 I have been so fortunate with while competing. GLOCK has another winner here. These pistols will appeal to those who want a powerful cartridge for Law Enforcement, self defense and hunting. Best of all, they have the other GLOCK qualities of reliability, tough Tenifer finish and the controllable GLOCK ‘Safe Action’ fire control system that is successful around the world.” .
FINALLY!!!!
A 10mm from SHOT that I DON’T want!
I’ve got the 29 as my carry piece, and I chose it because of the larger grip size. I’ve got large hands and needed the bigger frame.
I *am* glad to see more 10mm coming out. It’s a great cartridge but its lack of popularity makes it damned expensive (hence, why I roll my own).
The 10mm is a kick butt round. Those who have them seem to love them.
SF magazines do not fit the older models correct? Why bother? I find it annoying.
Jennerson,
I think you have it backwards, the older mags won’t work in the SF models. SF mags will work in the older pistol frames.
I think the “needing different magazines” only applies for the .45acp 21 SF model, It has an ambi mag catch. The 20 SF and 29 SF don’t have this feature so the standard mags should be fine.
Relax everyone, a new and innovative product from Glock is always welcomed! I picked one up and so far it has not let me down in any way, shape, or form. The 10mm packs a serious punch and altough you advocates of the older 29 may see the SF as a new and younger brother, we are all part of the same family and badass sport. Keep the good stuff coming!
I have just purchased one of the Glock 20 SF pistols and it is great!
The SF magazines are the same as the Glock G3 model 20.
My hands are rather large so either one works for me.
The Glock 20 SF is a more moderate grip for the average size person.
I’m looking to pick up a new Glock after obtaining my CCW in GA. I’ve carried the Glock 9mm in the past, however, I want the stopping power of the .45 acp or 10mm.
I read many reassuring reviews of the .45 acp in the 30sf and felt it was the way to go (low recoil – powerful round), in a compact frame. That is until I read about a sheriff who shot a perp in the gut with his .45. Inconceivably, the perp, who was high on coke, continued to fight the cop until a bystander assisted in subduing him. I realize that a head shot would have ended the ordeal, but in a stressful confrontation, sometimes any one shot is all one can manage while protecting the weapon.
I’ve heard about the 10mm legendary stopping power. Some PD’s in areas that contain bears or large animals, are using the round exclusively to stop anything. Stopping power is critical in my decision but so is controllability. In a short barrel, compact frame gun, I want to know if the 10mm is a bastard to deal with.
I shot the 30 sf with confident results, surprised by the low recoil and more than satisfied with its size and feel. I would be remiss if I didn’t obtain the most powerful round for any given situation and having not fired the 10mm, I would like an experienced reply.
Thanks!
Well to tell you the truth i got the g29sf and my dad has the g29 and his mags work fine in my SF.
I have in the past owned a G29 and I currently own a G20 and in my experience the recoil seems to be less than a 1911 .45. it’s a different kind of recoil. the low barrel position in the glock and i’m guessing the high velosity of the 10mm makes for a sharp recoil that is over fast and dosent take your front sight to far of target where as a .45 1911 seems to like to toss your hand around more. The recoil is a little more in the G29 as to be expected with less gun to soak it but is still very easy to get used to. I can double tap with out problems with both and I can one hand either of them. My 5′ 3″ 120 LB wife is acurate with my G20 and can rapid fire it reasonably though she prefers her .40 cal glock because the size is more to her liking.
I recommend renting one at a gun range before you buy one but if you can’t I would still recommend getting it because if you decide that it is to much for you in it’s stouter 10mm loadings you can go with lighter loadings until it is the same as a .40 S&W. Or for that matter drop in barrels can change it to a .40 S&W, .357 sig, 9×25 dillon for around $100 per caliber or even .50GI (for a little more) so it can become any of 5 calibers that are IMHO superior to .45 ACP or equal to it.
just my 2 cents as a happy glock 10mm owner
Are there any hot rounds for the 10mm, like Federal’s +P HST’s for the 21 and 30? i’d like to see a ballistics comparison between the 29 and 30.
you can get gold dot +p i believe
IS THE NEW 20 SF AVAILABLE WITH BOTH TYPES OF LIGHT RAILS? I HAD A 21 SF WITH THE MONSTER 1913 PICATNNY RAIL AND I HAD A HARD TIME FINDING A HOLSTER TO FIT IT? I WANT THE PLAIN FACTORY RAIL.
I recently purchased a Glock 20 and don’t regret it one bit. This is a potent and accurate cartridge and Glock has done an excellent job on this one. I find the recoil very manageable even though I understand that “excessive recoil” is what really prevented 10mm from becoming widely adopted. I am by no means a large framed guy but can shoot a box of 50 without any complaints. I am considering a Glock 29 as one of my future purchases but would like to shoot one first as this looks to be a small gun to hold for such a big cartridge. I have heard that you should purchase grip extensions so there is more to hold onto when shooting. The potency of this round is obvious when fired next to the .40 SW or .45 ACP cartridges. Factory loads are generally 50% or more powerful than the .45 ACP in terms of muzzle energy. This was purchased in case I ever meet a bear, mountain lion, wild boar, etc. on unfriendly terms while out in the woods.
I was worried about potentially not being able to get 10mm and almost didn’t go with this model. Once I realized there were many .40 SW and other conversions, I went ahead and bought the gun. I ended up getting a .40 SW conversion barrel at the same time as the gun and the switch only takes about 10 seconds or so. Ironically, I have had a MUCH easier time finding 10mm than the more popular .40 SW in the current ammo shortages that seem to be going on everywhere. Sure, you could never get it at Wal-Mart but you can always get it at any halfway decent gun store, which isn’t the case with 9mm, .380, .45 ACP, .40 SW, etc. I have been getting aluminum cased CCI Blazer ammo for around 40 cents a round, which is pretty comparable to most .40SW or .45 ACP that is available today. I understand that you can find similar prices elsewhere, especially if you buy it in bulk.
Several of my buddies have fired this gun and love it. One always wondered why I would purchase an “oddball” round until he went shooting with me and tried it out firsthand. He now wants something in 10mm of his own, although he isn’t a huge Glock fan due to the trigger pull.
Glock may be an ugly black box of a gun but it works! Buddies in the Highway Patrol indicate that any gun model used is put through all sorts of abuse tests such as being thrown into muddy sand and not cleaned before firing. Glock passes every time.
I just picked up a 20 sf the other day and its a great gun for the money as you say not pretty .. but it does the job
I just picked up a G29 in 10mm based on all the reviews. The reason I did is because I wanted the hardest hitting, most accurate caliber in a Semi-auto I could find. The 10mm is supposed to be the hot ticket, and it is. This is my first Glock, and all I can say is I LOVE IT!!! My full size 1911 Taurus in .45 ACP has MORE recoil than the G29! As for the Felt recoil, Jonathan hit the nail on the head. Its a different kind of recoil. More snapier and crisp. Pushes into your palm rather then upwards. I could never double tap my .45, but the G29 I can!! The trigger is great, the accuracy is awsome. It fits my medium-large Mechanic hands perfect. I like a fat gun that takes up my whole hand and one that I can really hold on to, but still want it small enough to Carry. While there are other calibers that are smaller and eaiser to carry, even in .45acp, they usually give up that perfect grip. I have the percey extenison, and it feels even better yet. I use it as a CCW, and LOVE to shoot it at the range. Only problem is finding ammo for it. I would Highly recommend it to ANYONE. My wife even shoots it, and the recoil is not too much for her. She also preferred the G29 over my 1911 .45acp, my SW99 in 9mm, and my Ruger Sec 6 in .357mag.
I picked up my Glock 29SF yesterday. I shot the weapon this morning. Controllability was a surprise. I read on the net where the 10mm “kicked harder than the .45,” and “not easy to double tap.” I couldn’t disagree more.
Initially I did fire standard 180gr. GA Arms plinking ammo, but then switched to the “hot stuff,” Double Tap 180gr Bonded JHP’s. There was a noticeable change but very easy to manage. Nothing like the tall tales I read all over the net. The feds must have some weak person’s who handled the famous norma loads in the 80’s. The 10mm round was accurate and predictable.
Unlike the 1911, the Glock has its barrel mounted lower to center of gravity, giving the shooter a ‘push’ back in the palm of the hand. The 1911 tends to rotate upward with hot rounds (like the Fed .45 230gr. HST’s). The action of the Glock made me laugh as I anticipated perhaps all the hype regarding the ferocity of the 10mm, but certainly not the truth as the weapon easily fired the rounds downrange in the center ring.
I recommend “DoubleTap” ammo not only for 10mm, but for all makes. McNett loads his stock to the highest performance. He has all ammo but especially 10mm readily available to ship. But they cost a premium over the standard companies at approximately .75 per round or $39/box of 50. Regardless, a good deal because his ammo is the best.
Why would I carry a .45, although a round I still really like, which has been proven to under penetrate, when I can carry a ‘one-stop’ shot round with 10+1 in a light, highly concealable package such as the 29sf?
I won’t carry anything else in my 29sf and I won’t carry any other firearm besides this incredible 10mm. With kinetic energy and velocity, penetration and stopping power unmatched, don’t kid yourselves. It is the best practical handgun and cartridge in the world.
I owned two Glock 23’s (40 compact) and recently got a great Glock 21SF in trade. I wanted a 10mm Glock 20SF and right as it came out I was able to trade in one of my G23’s almost straight across for the new G20SF.
G23 – CCW
G21SF – Night Stand/GunVault
G20SF – More practical hiking gun (compared to the Taurus Raging Bull 44mag that I thought would do the trick… yeah twice the weight w/ 330gr Garrett ammo)
So I ordered up the heaviest DoubleTap rounds in 230gr hardcast and out of each 10rd mag fired I had at least 1 FTF. From what I have read around a stronger slide spring (20-22lb) should resolve the issue or maybe drop down to the 200gr hardcast.
So I love the G23 & G21SF and G20SF shoots just fine but it is going to take some extra ammo in this gun to make me feel confident in the G20 & 230gr combo.
If the guy who was hit by the 45 kept going i doubt whether the 10 would put him down either.Some people under certain circumstances are just tough.Maybe he was “possessed”.Well anyway i own and shoot and carry on duty various guns.9mm NATO,9mm+p+,357 Sig,357 Magnum,40S&W,10mm Auto,45 ACP and even the 44 magnum with 240s.I tell you this so you know i’m not championing one caliber over the other.There is at least one case of a badguy not being stopped by ALL of these rounds.My guess is that a 500 S&W 350gr hollowpoint at 1900 FPS would probably stop even a “possessed” guy.Of course if the guy who fired the 45 ACP without effect can’t shoot accurately maybe he should try a 22LR or 22 magnum and hit the bad guy in a critical area.
This is why we were taught to take a head shot. Double tap in chest, then head and then back to chest. I carry the 10mm b/c is will penetrate more than the .45, has lots more energy and speed, like a heavy .357.
I fired Buffalo Bore’s 180gr. 10mm “heavy” rounds out of my 29sf yesterday. http://www.buffalobore.com That is one heck of a round with a concomitant wallop. There was more felt ‘push’ from that round than I could feel with Double Tap 180gr. I shot previously. This is easily .41 magnum territory. I doubt anyone would still come toward the shooter after being hit with a BB slug. The energy was enormous. Aside from repeatedly trying to get my grip snug and comfortable, at 20 feet I was in the center.
Buffalo Bore also makes the hottest .45 cal rounds I’ve ever seen. But they will cost about $1.75 ea. Their power rivals the 10mm but I am not sure how they stand up to the .45 super or 460 Rowland.
BB recommends as does Double Tap, to upgrade recoil springs in your Glock for ultimate performance. I was using a 21# recoil spring, & 6# firing spring. Had no feed or ejection problems.
I need a good concealed weapon holster for the Glock 20 SF 10 MM
I have the Glock 29 and SF 20 and enjoy shooting both guns. I could not feel much of difference between the Glock 29 and the SF 29, however I do notice a difference between the Glock 20 and SF 20. I use a heavier recoil springs using the Wolff springs and guide rod. I have settle on the 180 gr ammo from Double Tap (DT), Buffalo Bore (BB) and CorBon (CB). DT has the best value for the full power 10mm ammo. Georgia Arms advertise a +P which I have not heard of, but their ammo is cheaper and velocity is lower than BB & DT. Another interesting round is the 155 gr Barnes XPB ammo from DT. I have also heard BB has not been consistent in using Gold Dot bullets. I have considered buying some ammo from Reed’s Ammunition, I’ve heard a lot of good things about them.
I forgot to mention I did get a 9×25 Dillon barrel for my G29, and it is fun round to shoot, however I had to use a heavy spring #23. As for the magazines, the regular 10mm magazines and the SF magazines are interchangeable. It’s the .45 ACP magazines which are not interchangeable as I remember.
Recently added a 6″ KKM barrel to my G20SF and I wish I had done this earlier, holstering is going to take some practice- fortunately this is for pleasure and not CCW. My G23 is used for CCW, this is just a fun gun, makes me look better than I really am at the range. Changing the recoil spring and trigger disconnect was a must. I enjoy these two guns so much I rarely shoot the G21. With the 10mm being so expensive reloading is a must, anyone have a recipe that works well with their S20SF?
I have had the SF Glock 20 for a year now. I’ve been shooting for 25 years, and I love the 10mm. The 6″ lone wolf barrel is priced right and is accurate and adds another 75-100 fps to the bullet…
The Glock 10mm with a 2 round magazine extension will give you 35 shots with ONE mag change. That’s hard to beat and alot of firepower! Think about it, a 1911 needs 4 reloads, and a revolver needs 5 reloads to match that!
You can shoot 135 grain to 230 grain bullets out of the 10. I reload using a 165 grain Montana Gold hollow point. I like the shock velocity achieved with my handloads and penetration is almost as good as the 180. It’s a .357 magnum on steroids. My hot defensive reloads have 1425 fps & 744 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle… 1100fps/445lbs at 100 yards!
I bought an Advantage Arms .22 long rifle conversion kit, so I can practice trigger pull and sight picture drills without breaking the bank.
The Glock isn’t as refined as a nice Kimber, and I appreciate the racy 1911’s. I’ve owned 1911’s, but I prefer the Glock. Less parts in a Glock, and it’s easier to field strip. The polymer frame insulates against heat and cold, wont rust, and the Glocks seem less prone to jam when dirty.
Tom
What powder have you found works well with your 165 grain? I’m switching from 200 to 165 grain and have not found consistency with a couple of the Alliant flavors. I am new to reloading so I’m sure this has something to do with it.
I have had a couple 1911’s as well and really enjoy them, look and feel great. I just really appreciate the fact that I can easily tear down my Glocks completely, thoroughly clean and upgrade parts in a matter of minutes. Not to mention their complete reliability.
Has anybody had experience on big game with a 10 mm? Is it a serious deer cartridge? What would be the approximate effective range, 75 yards or so? I have a 44 mag now and would like to try a 10 mm, but I haven’t seen much written about hunting big game with a 10. It doesn’t seem like a 4.6 inch barrel would provide much distance between the sights to help with accurate shooting. Is there a better sight set-up for hunting?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Art,
The 10MM is an effective deer cartridge with a 6″ barrel and 190 Grain Sierra JFP bullets loaded around 1200 FPS. You should have no trouble knocking down a deer if he is hit where it counts.
Accurate #7 for 165g bullets or less, 165g or larger, go to accurate #9.
Tremendous ballistics. Lots of speed and power without raising pressures too much. Much more accurate than most factory ammo (excluding double tap and buffalo bore..) Nice big boom with little to no flash. Meters beautifully in any machine.
The only powder that does as well in 10mm is 800X, but that crap meters like corn-flakes. You’d have to weigh each and every load to avoid blowing up your gun.
My current practice load is a 180g barrys plated bullets on top of starline brass filled with 14.4g of Accurate #9. close to 1300fps out of a 6 inch stormlake barrel.
And yes, the 10mm is a great deer gun. Get some 165 or 180 grain rounds from doubletapammo.com and you can drop a nice buck out to 100 yards (or more if you are sure you can hit your mark)
Ted Nugent hunts nearly everything in North America with his G20. Deer, boar, bear, whatever else.
I bought a Glock 29sf last year for ccw and I am happy with it. I had previously shot the 20,21,29, and 30 plus all the 40 cal’s and I have owned a Ruger P90 for a decade. I bought the glock because I found the p-90 too heavy and large for my taste to be a ccw and I wanted something other and better than a .45 to carry. My buddy has the 30 and I find my 29sf more controllable and accurate with almost no muzzle flash. Another friend of mine has a Baretta M-9, but with the wolfe guide rod and 21# spring shooting 155g Double tap jhp, I have less recoil and better accuracy than his M-9. Actually, I don’t notice any recoil and I can’t even see muzzle flash from behind the trigger even at night. No problems shooting the hot stuff but I do notice that the georgia arms 180g fmj i use for practice the slide doesn’t lock back when it’s empty. I’m not really worried about that because it functions perfectly with what I have in it for the street. It took me a while to get used to not having a decocking safety but i’m cautiously comfortible now. Feel pretty good knowing I can rapid fire and hold a 3″ group from 50 ft.
“Bob: No problems shooting the hot stuff but I do notice that the georgia arms 180g fmj i use for practice the slide doesn’t lock back when it’s empty.”
I have similar issues with GA ammo and Atlanta Ammo I use for plinking. Seems to be the 21# spring that causes the slide to interfere with the lower powered rounds. Double Tap cycles normally. At 50 yds, a firm grip is crucial for tight groups with the hot rounds. I added the ‘+2′ grip extension for a better grip on its short handle.
DT says on its website to use a stiffer spring to be sure the round will exit the barrel with a full energy spec. A stock or lighter recoil spring may reduce their bullet’s speed and energy parameters. One may not feel the difference but you do pay a premium to obtain this ammo and its superior knock-down potential. It gives me piece of mind knowing the round is exiting at full power.