Most Common Handgun Ammo

YounGun24 · September 23, 2007, 07:27 PM

I was explaining to a friend (non-shooter) a few days ago the things you consider when looking at purchasing a handgun. After discussing comfort, purpose, reliability, etc; I mentioned ammo commonality (is that a term?). He looked confused so I mentioned that some calibers have more accessible/cheaper ammo if the gun is a common caliber. He asked me what were the top 5 most common handgun calibers and I named a few, but then I started to think. At the time I told him (in no certain order):
9mm
.22lr
.38 special
.45acp
and maybe .380acp

but if I had no name the "most used" handgun calibers in order of use, I'm not sure I would know where to begin. How would you list it?
I'm probably wrong but I'll start:
1. either 9mm or .22lr
2. .45acp
3. .38spl or maybe 40S&W
4. .380acp
5. .357mag or 32.acp

Mosin44az · September 23, 2007, 10:17 PM

Price is your best guide to how common a caliber of ammo is, there's another thread around that discusses this in the context of .380.

I would leave out .22LR from discussion of defensive handgun calibers.

So my list:

1. 9mm
2. .38 Special
3. .45 ACP
4. .40 S &W

Not sure of a 5th. To start out with a pistol, I would go with 9mm. With a revolver, a .357 magnum which of course fires both .357 and .38 Special.

Webleymkv · September 23, 2007, 10:49 PM

Here's my test: go to Walmart. If they have whatever caliber, you shouldn't have trouble finding it anywhere else.

MPanova · September 24, 2007, 12:40 AM

I would say the most common ammo would be

.45acp
9mm
.40S&W
.22lr
38sp

in no particular order

David Armstrong · September 24, 2007, 10:52 AM

IIRCm the industry lists .22, .38, and 9mm as the most common based on sales. That has been a while back, though, and I wouldn't doubt if the .38 had fallen out in favor of either the .40 or the .45.

webbee · September 24, 2007, 12:09 PM

.40 and .38 are the same price at Wall Wort, so I would say that .40 is now as/more popular than the .38.

About advising friends on firearm calibers. New shooters should take a NRA gun safety course first. I would say to try shooting the popular calibers next. After choosing the optimal caliber for the new shooter, finally narrowing it down to trying pistols within the selected caliber, to find which you will finally buy. Obviously, if a couple are thinking gun ownership, both should perform the testing, which may lead to a compromise caliber. I like to try different calibers/pistols in each hand because you can instantly compare them. Most ranges will rent a selected group of guns/calibers.
A .22 or a conversion unit is probably the best bet for practicing due to lower ammo costs.

Shot placement is everything, caliber is secondary, IMHO.

Shooting is fun and while you may think you are going to go with one pistol/caliber it rarely works out that way. You sorta slide into multiple gun/caliber ownership the longer you mess with the sport. But hey...whatever floats your boat...

MyXD40 · September 24, 2007, 12:54 PM

I stick with .40 with all my guns, except the 9mm conversion barrels I have for the XDs

I'm used now to paying $21 for 100 .40sw

NCHornet · September 24, 2007, 01:24 PM

There is no way the 38 and 40 can be equal, no matter what Wally World says. There are way more 38/357 wheel guns out there than .40 pistols. Around my parts the top 5 most popular or "common" calibers are.
22LR,
38/357
9mm
45 acp
40 S&W

September 23, 2007, 07:27 PM	#1
YounGun24 Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 131	Most Common Handgun Ammo I was explaining to a friend (non-shooter) a few days ago the things you consider when looking at purchasing a handgun. After discussing comfort, purpose, reliability, etc; I mentioned ammo commonality (is that a term?). He looked confused so I mentioned that some calibers have more accessible/cheaper ammo if the gun is a common caliber. He asked me what were the top 5 most common handgun calibers and I named a few, but then I started to think. At the time I told him (in no certain order): 9mm .22lr .38 special .45acp and maybe .380acp but if I had no name the "most used" handgun calibers in order of use, I'm not sure I would know where to begin. How would you list it? I'm probably wrong but I'll start: 1. either 9mm or .22lr 2. .45acp 3. .38spl or maybe 40S&W 4. .380acp 5. .357mag or 32.acp __________________ Walther P99 AS (9mm), Bersa Thunder 380cc (.380acp), H&R Sportsman Model 999 (.22LR), Remington 1100 LT-20

September 23, 2007, 10:49 PM	#3
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,500	Here's my test: go to Walmart. If they have whatever caliber, you shouldn't have trouble finding it anywhere else. __________________ Smith, and Wesson, and Me. -H. Callahan Well waddaya know, one buwwet weft! -E. Fudd All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures. -J. Caesar

September 24, 2007, 12:40 AM	#4
MPanova Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2006 Location: Houston TX Posts: 681	I would say the most common ammo would be .45acp 9mm .40S&W .22lr 38sp in no particular order __________________ .45 CALIBER FANATIC!!! "WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG GUN!"

September 24, 2007, 12:54 PM	#7
MyXD40 Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2007 Posts: 541	I stick with .40 with all my guns, except the 9mm conversion barrels I have for the XDs I'm used now to paying $21 for 100 .40sw __________________ $49.99

September 24, 2007, 01:24 PM	#8
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	There is no way the 38 and 40 can be equal, no matter what Wally World says. There are way more 38/357 wheel guns out there than .40 pistols. Around my parts the top 5 most popular or "common" calibers are. 22LR, 38/357 9mm 45 acp 40 S&W __________________ When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away!! Carry ON!! NCHornet

September 23, 2007, 10:17 PM	#2
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,071	Price is your best guide to how common a caliber of ammo is, there's another thread around that discusses this in the context of .380. I would leave out .22LR from discussion of defensive handgun calibers. So my list: 1. 9mm 2. .38 Special 3. .45 ACP 4. .40 S &W Not sure of a 5th. To start out with a pistol, I would go with 9mm. With a revolver, a .357 magnum which of course fires both .357 and .38 Special.

September 24, 2007, 10:52 AM	#5
David Armstrong Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: SW Louisiana Posts: 2,289	IIRCm the industry lists .22, .38, and 9mm as the most common based on sales. That has been a while back, though, and I wouldn't doubt if the .38 had fallen out in favor of either the .40 or the .45.

September 24, 2007, 12:09 PM	#6
webbee Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Posts: 218	.40 and .38 are the same price at Wall Wort, so I would say that .40 is now as/more popular than the .38. About advising friends on firearm calibers. New shooters should take a NRA gun safety course first. I would say to try shooting the popular calibers next. After choosing the optimal caliber for the new shooter, finally narrowing it down to trying pistols within the selected caliber, to find which you will finally buy. Obviously, if a couple are thinking gun ownership, both should perform the testing, which may lead to a compromise caliber. I like to try different calibers/pistols in each hand because you can instantly compare them. Most ranges will rent a selected group of guns/calibers. A .22 or a conversion unit is probably the best bet for practicing due to lower ammo costs. Shot placement is everything, caliber is secondary, IMHO. Shooting is fun and while you may think you are going to go with one pistol/caliber it rarely works out that way. You sorta slide into multiple gun/caliber ownership the longer you mess with the sport. But hey...whatever floats your boat...