The 10 mm Auto is a powerful and versatile cartridge for semi-automatic pistols, developed by ammunition manufacturer FFV Norma AB of Ã…motfors, Sweden, and introduced in 1983 in the ill-fated Bren Ten pistol. Although it was selected by the FBI for use on the field, it proved too powerful to handle by many of its employees and too large for smaller handed individuals, both of which were a common problem with female agents. These issues led to the creation and eventual adoption by the FBI of a shortened version of the 10mm, known as the .40 Smith & Wesson.