Rob Leatham on 10mm Resurgence: ‘In The Right Gun, 10mm Isn’t That Hard to Shoot’

by
posted on January 27, 2018

Pro shooter Rob Leatham and Brian Sheetz of American Rifleman spoke at the 2018 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range about the recent resurgence of 10mm (watch the video above, especially impressive is when he shoots Springfield’s new 10mm TRP Operator 5-inch model one-handed).

Leatham mentions to Sheetz that he didn’t like the first 10mm pistol he used.

“I bought a Delta Elite 10mm the day they came out, because I thought the whole concept of that little bullet going faster than the .45, and that additional power was going to be awesome—until I got the gun. The gun, I did not like to shoot. It was violent to shoot and hard to control, and I never liked it.”

Rob Leatham shooting the Springfield Armory 10mm TRP Operator 5-inch barrel one-handed at the 2018 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range
And why the resurgence of 10mm? Leatham thinks in the right gun, 10mm is not difficult to shoot. Says Leatham:

“The popularity [of 10mm] always waned because of the fact that it was difficult to shoot and hard to control. Somewhere along the line they softened up the 10mm ammo, and then the .40 came out and became crazy popular. It was the 10mm everybody can shoot. In the right gun, the 10mm isn’t that hard to shoot.”

Industry Day 2018 provided an opportunity to shoot Springfield Armory’s new 10mm model, the TRP Operator. The new pistol comes in two sizes, one with a 5-inch barrel (MSRP: $1,790), and a longslide version that sports a 6-inch barrel (MSRP: $1,842). The 5-inch is a good choice for competition and could even be used as a carry gun. Since they are Operators, there is a bit more mass that helps make these guns easier to control. The new models are steel-framed, and weigh 40 oz. (5-inch barrel) and 45 oz. (6-inch barrel).

Springfield had to develop a 10mm barrel from scratch. “This was our chance to build a really good barrel,” said Leatham. “One of these barrels in a machine rest will shoot into one hole at 50 yards.”

Learn more at springfield-armory.com

Latest

2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1
2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

XS Sights Expands DXT2 Pro Series, R3D 2.0 Lineup For SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory And FN Pistols

XS Sights adds models to the DXT2 Pro Series and R3D 2.0 lineups that will fit SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and FN pistols.

Modern Technology Implemented To Surmount Logistical Hurdles: 1958 National Matches

The more than 4,000 shooters at the 1958 NRA National Matches were greeted by advanced technology used to speed up administrative tasks during the most populous period in National Match history.

Looking Back At The 2009 NRA National High Power Championship

With a single X-shot determining the winner of a 300-yard shoot-off and a surprise at the awards ceremony, the 2009 NRA High Power Rifle matches held everyone’s attention right to the end.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.