Most popular caliber for handguns

[cmichael22]

And why do you think so?

[mr surveyor]

pretty obvious that 9mm is currently the "most popular" in semi-auto pistols.

and in revolvers, 38 spl is most likely the current queen.

why?????? sales!



edit to add: the above does not necessarily reflect my personal choices

[Bawanna]

45 because wider is better! Fatter bullets give me a better chance of hitting what I'm aiming at.

Plus it's sinonimos with the 1911 the holy grail of what a hand gun should be.

[mr surveyor]

is this "personal preference" or "most popular"?

I didn't even see the "poll" when I responded, so I have yet to hit a check box.


as I said before, my personal choices aren't necessarily what I think are the most popular choices. But, what do I know.... all I have now is my trusty RG14 snub in .22 cal

[cmichael22]

Its most popular. I voted for 380 and 9 because I think they sell the most but I like the .40 and .45 calibers more.

[XD40SC]

I've always thought that .40 was the ideal caliber, but I just bought a P380, go figure!

[eklipto101]

Personally I'll say .45acp why,....the .9mm could expand but the .45 will not shrink

[JERRY]

most popular is the 9mm for handgun use, based on sales. .22lr for over all rounds sold.

[downtownv]

I'm getting ready to start reloading and can tell you of the range ammo casings I been gathering up 9,40 ,45 in that order.
BUT that could very well be based on range shooting the least expensive gun/ammo also.

[Fredr500]

Which makes more sense, several pistols of the same caliber so you just need to stock up on one size ammo, or several calipers so if one size can't be found you have other choices?

[CJB]

You just say popular....

In terms of gun sales or in terms of ammo sales?

Gun sales... hard to say 9mm or 45auto

Ammo sales .22LR hands down.

~~~

For me, the most popular caliber is the one I've got with me when I need it the most.

[Popeye]

For handguns I'd say the 9mm simply because it fills most peoples requirements. Good mulitpurpose round, for SD ,HD and target shooting where you don't have to break the bank to become proficent with it.

Overall rounds sold though I believe would still be, and always will be be the 22LR.

[Barth]

Around the world 9mm has to be the clear landslide winner.
Domestically 9mm followed closely by 40 S&W.
With 60+ % of all U.S. LE running 40 S&W that's substantial.
Although our armed forces, much like the rest of the world, mostly run 9mm.

My personal preference for self defense would be; 357 Magnum, 357 Sig, 40 S&W or 45 ACP.
When I can carry what I want?
Winchester Ranger T-Series/Federal HST .45 ACP 230 gr +P.

[Bill K]

I voted 9mm. Similar to Barth I thought about the use of 9mm by many armed forces both domestic and foreign.

[QuercusMax]

I have no way of knowing what everyone else is doing, but -

I voted for .22LR because I have more handguns in that caliber than any other, and I have shot more rounds in that caliber than any other. For me, more rounds = more fun. :33:

By the same criteria, .45ACP would be my 2nd choice, and 9x19mm my 3rd.

.32ACP is a sentimental favorite for me, being the caliber of my very first handgun (Colt 1903 pocket hammerless), although almost nobody uses this caliber any more and I rarely shoot it myself.

Also not popular with the masses, and not even on the ballot, are 2 others that I like but don't shoot as often as the others, thus "honorable mention":
- .45 Colt (aka "45 Long Colt") in my cowboy gun
- 5.7x28mm, the little rifle bullets, in my special gun. This caliber is currently in short supply, unfortunately.