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**Mike Irwin** · June 21, 2018, 07:04 AM

"Thing is that unless a round is adopted in large numbers by the military or law enforcement it will be a niche caliber. That's not a bad thing, it just is a true thing."

Disagree.

.32 S&W and .38 S&W were HUGELY popular in the US for decades and were never adopted by the military or, very widely, by police.

.38 Special was very popular long before it became a stalwart of police forces nationwide and well before it became a military round.

.44-40... Very popular for decades due to its utility as both a rifle and revolver cartridge.

.357 Magnum. Extremely popular from the outset of its introduction, and it exploded after World War II, yet it was never adopted by the military in large numbers, and its trackrecord of being adopted by police is spotty and didn't really kick off large scale until the 1960s.

.25, .32, and .380 ACP were quite popular in the US for years, again largely because of the guns. .380's still a pretty decent seller.

Obviously being adopted by the military or being picked up widely by police agencies certainly gives a cartridge a boost, but remember, there are a LOT more civilian handgunners than there are police/military, combined.

Edit in...

How could I forget the .22 Long Rifle. Yes, used by police and military in limited training applications, but its use among the civilian population is simply massive.

June 21, 2018, 07:04 AM	#67
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"Thing is that unless a round is adopted in large numbers by the military or law enforcement it will be a niche caliber. That's not a bad thing, it just is a true thing." Disagree. .32 S&W and .38 S&W were HUGELY popular in the US for decades and were never adopted by the military or, very widely, by police. .38 Special was very popular long before it became a stalwart of police forces nationwide and well before it became a military round. .44-40... Very popular for decades due to its utility as both a rifle and revolver cartridge. .357 Magnum. Extremely popular from the outset of its introduction, and it exploded after World War II, yet it was never adopted by the military in large numbers, and its trackrecord of being adopted by police is spotty and didn't really kick off large scale until the 1960s. .25, .32, and .380 ACP were quite popular in the US for years, again largely because of the guns. .380's still a pretty decent seller. Obviously being adopted by the military or being picked up widely by police agencies certainly gives a cartridge a boost, but remember, there are a LOT more civilian handgunners than there are police/military, combined. Edit in... How could I forget the .22 Long Rifle. Yes, used by police and military in limited training applications, but its use among the civilian population is simply massive. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.