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Handgun hunting isn’t the realm of only the revolver-wielding among us, not anymore. The increasing popularity of 10mm—which is a long time coming—means more gun owners are asking the question of what they can or should do with that new 10mm pistol. Then there’s the issue of the financial investment in a new caliber and whether it’s worth it. That’s where the Taurus TH10 comes in. It’s a wallet-friendly pistol bearing all the advantages of Taurus’ semi-recent shift to a greater focus on quality control, and it’s the gun that should get you into the deer woods. Here’s why.
Table of contents
What’s the Taurus TH10?
First and foremost, the Taurus TH10 is made for versatility. It’s not only a hunting handgun or just a defensive-use pistol—it can do both. The TH10 is the first of its kind for the Brazilian gun maker because they hadn’t jumped into 10mm before this gun. Make no mistake, there are magnums in the Taurus lineup, but a big bore like 10mm simply hasn’t been a thing until now. The TH10 is a full-sized handgun that’s made to do work, and it does it surprisingly well.
This handgun is part of the TH line of hammer-fired handguns the company designs to bring out the modern best of the double-action/single-action (DA/SA) world. If you’re not a fan of DA/SA guns, hang in there. There are reasons you’d still be interested in this gun.
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What Are the Details on the TH10?
Aside from the headlining detail of the TH10’s 10mm chambering, there was noticeable attention to features on this handgun. First, let’s check out the dimensions. The TH10’s barrel is 4.25 inches in length, putting it at a reasonable size for carry use (you’d be surprised what a difference that 0.75 inches under 5.0 inches can make for carry). Its overall length is 7.80 inches, overall width is 1.43 inches, and overall height is 5.80 inches. The TH10 has an overall weight of 28.5 ounces when it’s empty, and its 15-round capacity means it does weigh in at over 30 ounces when it’s loaded. It’s not impossibly large for carry, but it is big enough you might spend a little extra time deciding where on your body to carry it.
The grip does have finger grooves which tends to be a less-than-stellar detail on any handgun, but fortunately, the grooves are subtle enough not to be a major issue. There are aggressively textured sections on either side of the grip as well as on the back strap and front strap. The gun comes with a trio of back straps so the fit can be adjusted more precisely to the shooter, and that’s an excellent detail. Another great one is that the thumb safety, slide lock, and magazine release are all ambidextrous and textured to keep your hands from slipping during manipulation. A polymer frame cuts overall weight and an alloy steel slide and stainless-steel barrel increase durability.
Other features include angled serrations at the rearward portion of the slide, an accessory rail ahead of the trigger guard, and a loaded chamber indicator. The gun ships with a drift-adjustable, blacked-out rear sight and white dot front sight.
On to the fun stuff.
Can You Deer Hunt With the Taurus TH10?
Yes, you can deer hunt with the TH10—in fact, I’d encourage it. A gun like this is a stellar way to get into handgun hunting without setting a pile of money on fire in your front yard. This handgun fits my hands well—and my hands are large for a woman—and it doesn’t produce excessive felt recoil or muzzle rise. Because it has that polymer frame, it doesn’t have quite the bulk to reduce recoil like some 10mm guns do, but it doesn’t need it. I prefer the polymer because it removes any fears of somehow damaging the shiny surface of your nickel-plated revolver or the bone grips on your 1911. Handgun hunting is a tough sport, and your gun should be up to the challenge.
Hunting Tips
A few things to think about before you hit the woods with the TH10 are accuracy, distance, and ammo. With its 4.25-inch barrel and 10mm chambering, the TH10 is capable of an effective range of around 75 yards on whitetail deer. That’s assuming you’ve loaded the gun with quality hunting ammo like Federal Fusion 10mm 200-grain Soft Point or Hornady Handgun Hunter Monoflex 10mm 135-grain. Now, I know what you’re thinking—there’s a big difference in bullet weight between those two loads. The TH10 handles both well and each has its strengths. If you’re after bigger game or taking longer shots, the Federal load might suit you best, but the Hornady ammo is specifically made for hunting and works well on deer and feral hogs. Just familiarize yourself with the drop and drift rate of the ammo you choose and spend time shooting it at the range.
Can You Use 10mm for Self-Defense?
Let’s go ahead and touch on 10mm and its self-defense uses, which do exist. The ideal defensive-use gun is the one that’s reliable, accurate, and comfortable. That last point of comfort is about being able to control the gun well enough to get it back on target fast for any necessary follow-up shots. You don’t want to be using a gun for self-defense that you can’t manage during rapid fire. 10mm can be used for self-defense as can the TH10, you just need to do the work to make sure you’re an accurate, mindful shooter if the worst-case scenario hits. As for worries about overpenetration, the truth is that any caliber can over-penetrate. Use the correct defensive ammo and pay attention to what’s beyond your target, as always.
How Does the Taurus TH10 Shoot?
The TH10 can be fired comfortably with a two-handed grip but is also manageable when shooting one-handed (granted, you’re not likely to do that while hunting). With the white front dot sight that comes standard, you might find yourself wanting to either swap out the sight or paint over it with a fluorescent orange or green. White just isn’t ideal, even though it’s extremely common. That said, the contrast with the blacked-out rear sight is good as-is.
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You can manipulate the controls on the gun without changing your grip excessively assuming your hands are average to large-sized. The DA/SA trigger has a curved blade and trigger reach is fine, especially considering how far forward many DA/SA guns set the trigger. In double-action, there’s a bit of stacking ahead of the break but it’s a decent trigger, especially for the price point. Shooting single-action, you’ll notice the take-up and the pull itself is a bit stiff. Even so, it’s not a bad factory trigger. The break is clean and the re-set is as expected. One downside is the audible sounds the trigger and hammer make because they’re not quite as subtle as other guns, and that means any animal you’re chasing is likely to hear it as well.
This is a generally accurate gun that’s capable of dropping deer. You might find you’re most comfortable under 50 yards or less, but with some practice and the correct ammo, you could make that a longer shot. Given the accuracy of the gun, staying under 75 yards is likely your most ethical bet. As the line goes, this is an accurate gun, but not a precise gun.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to get into handgun hunting, the Taurus TH10 is a great way to do it. It’s proven itself to be reliable, it’s kept running even when it’s dirty—just keep it lubed, and it’s ruggedly designed. The TH10 is a workhorse of a gun, and that’s exactly what you want to be carrying next time you’re out in the woods and fields whether it’s for deer, hogs, or coyotes.
To get another look at the Taurus TH10, check it out on the manufacturer’s website.
Specifications
Model: TH10
Manufacturer: Taurus
Caliber: 10mm
Capacity: 15 +1
Action: Double-action/Single-Action (DA/SA)
Rear sight: Blacked out, drift adjustable
Front sight: White dot
Barrel length: 4.25-inches
Length Overall: 7.80-inches
Width Overall: 1.43-inches
Height Overall: 5.80-inches
Weight: 28.5 ounces, empty
Frame material: Polymer
Slide material: Alloy steel
Barrel material: Stainless steel
Safety: Thumb safety, firing pin block, loaded chamber indicator
MSRP: $530.99
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