Favorite Handgun caliber

[g5reality]

What is your favorite handgun caliber?

[universal]

Semi-auto = 9mm

Revolver = .38 S&W Special

[Joe Gunns]

You left out the .45 colt and .44 special, and .41 mag.

[Scorpiusdeus]

.40 S&W

[MCgunner]

I say .38/.357, but voted .357. I'd have said .22, but it's not a consideration in self defense.

[Plink]

I'm not sure I have a favorite caliber, actually. I only have favorite guns. I voted .22 because no purpose was specified and I enjoy shooting my Pac-Lite barrelled Ruger 22/45 more than about anything else I own for general fun.

[mljdeckard]

As someone uses in their sig line, "A 9mm MIGHT expand, but a .45 WON'T contract."

I still think all other pistol rounds have been an attempt to compromise by getting the same dropping likelihood as a .45, while controlling the recoil. In modern .45s, I find the recoil to be at LEAST as manageable as the other rounds. ALL handguns are an attempt to maximize damage inflicted while trying not to allow excessive risk to what is BEHIND the target. Otherwise we would all carry pistols configured to shoot rifle rounds. There's a REASON these aren't desireable as personal defense weapons.

No matter which set of statistics you believe, energy transferrence, cm3 of cavity trauma, historical effectiveness, doesn't matter. .45 ACP is still the standard everyone is trying to convince us isn't relevant anymore. (Unless you're a revolver guy, in which case the .357 is still tough to beat.)

[mattw]

You left out the .45 colt and .44 special, and .41 mag.


If those are your favorites then vote "other."

[glove]

I like S&W .40 cal. :)

[tbtrout]

Definately the .45:D

[461]

Currently I'm on a .32Magnum kick so it's my favorite right now. I have very few that I dislike though.

[LeonCarr]

I shoot the 9mm more than anything, so I guess it is my favorite as far as autos go. I like the .357 more than anything else in the wheelgun.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[10-Ring]

Favorite would be the 45acp - I've shot in a really hot round & in a very light round...I really like the inherent accuracy & how the recoil feels :D

[iostorm]

nothing like the big calibers, i really enjoy shooting my .44mag!

[GunNut]

Favorite is definitely .45ACP.:D

The one I shoot the most is 9mm, just because of cost.

[skinnyguy]

I like the 9mm. Reasonably controllable recoil for my skinny wrists, decent stopping power, inexpensive, wide range of bullet styles, 15 rounds per magazine, and makes a really big boom.

[420Stainless]

Other - 45 Colt.

[Cuda]

One more for the 45 Colt...


C

[JCF]

45 Colt

[Greg8098]

I generally like every handgun caliber, except stuff like .25 and .32. But no matter how much I like a caliber, my love for the 10mm isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Purely AWESOME!!!

[2TransAms]

The almighty .45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge!

.38 Special is close behind. Love dem old wheelguns.

[greener]

Most of my shooting is with .22. Accurate, inexpensive and loads of fun to shoot.

Every now and then, .38 and .357 in a wheel gun makes a sweet sound.

[kansas45]

45ACP is my favorite. Really though, I like them all!

[denfoote]

I have more nines than anything else, but deep down, I consider myself to be .357MAG fan!!

[Redneck with a 40]

Revolver = 357 magnum, still the king of "stopping power" in defensive handgun cartridges.

Auto = 40S&W, IMO it offers the best balance of capacity (12+1 in my XD), and knockdown power.

[Furncliff]

.22 I shoot reactive targets at my home range. I can do it for hours without think about the cost.

[.41Dave]

You left out two of my three favorites, the .41 Magnum and .45 Colt. :(

[lawboy]

Boy, am I torn. I voted 357 and I suppose that is as honest an answer as I can give but the 45ACP and 38 Special also are near and dear to my heart. I shoot an AWFUL lot of all three. I picked 357 because, at the end of the day I am a wheelgunner and carry that caliber in my CCW gun. It is a great caliber, more versatile than most, shootable, and fits into compact sized guns well. Accurate, good long range capability with heavy bullets, just a wonderful cartridge.

[Stachie]

Wow, many excellent calibers were excluded from the vote!:cuss:

[jfernett119]

Love my .45ACP!

[RevolvingCylinder]

Not to nitpick but .22lr is not a "handgun cartridge". It's a rifle cartridge that is also used in some pistols.

[g5reality]

As far as I can tell there are 61 different handgun calibers so I chose what I thought were the most popular. I realize I left out a few very popular ones like .45 colt and .41 Mag, sorry .41Dave. I just didn't want a never ending list. I had to draw the line somewhere.

Also I realize the .22LR is a rimfire rifle caliber but so many people have auto .22's that shoot the ammo I had to include it.

Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. It looks like .45 is leading the pack right now. Followed by the .357 Mag and the 9mm. I just hope most of those .45 rounds are going through 1911's my favorite. followed by I'm sure .357's through 686's and Ruger 100 & 101's. And I'm a Glock fan and just purchased a G26 to go along with my G19 so I hope many of the 9mm are going through those.

Happy Shooting :)

and thanks again for your participation

[Nematocyst]

I am proud to own a Smith & Wesson 686 in .357 Mag, second <cough, cough> in the poll
only to the "almighty" <cough> .45 ACP, even if "second" is a questionable descriptor of reality. :rolleyes:

[mavracer]

I love all my children the same how dare you make me pick one over another:neener:

[tbreed725]

9mm here

[slow944]

What happens if all of them are your favorite?:evil: I love the 45, 44, 41, 357,38, 9mm, 22 and anything else I can safely get my hands on.:D

[19-3Ben]

.357 mag.
I don't care what task you have set up for it, the .357 magnum revolver can do it. just change loads and you are good to go. The same gun can hunt deer, ccw, HD, or target shoot all afternoon.

[skeeter1]

I voted for the .22. I have some heavier iron, but for just plain all-around fun, few things are better than a good .22. Shoot all day and still have money left over for pizza and beer afterwards.

[CountGlockula]

I chose "Other", .40S&W caliber baby!

[ZeSpectre]

In wheelguns I'll always view .357 Magnum with fondness. My CCW pick is .40 S&W right down the line.

[DirksterG30]

9mm for me.

[davhina]

like asking "which one is your favorite child" I voted .45acp, but have a 9mm i love equally:)

[P5 Guy]

44 Smith & Wesson Special

[Marko Kloos]

I'm very fond of the 9mm Luger and the .38 Special.

If I had to narrow it down to one, I'd pick the .38 Special, though. Great cartridge...flexible, accurate, easy to shoot, cheap to reload, plenty effective for self-defense, and easy on gun and shooter.

[.38 Special]

Depending upon mood I might've gone with .38, .357, or .44 Mag. But I refuse to vote in any poll wherein the .45 Colt is relegated to "other" status. :neener:

[Lonestar49]

...

Voted: other..


For Home Protection.. Beretta Px4 Storm 40cal S&W

For CCW.. Sig P229R CT 9mm

My Bug.. Sig P232 SL 380

Just have to pick out my 45cal gun :D Sig, or............


LS

[Smokin Gator]

44 Special. I also like the 45 acp. Just bought my first 9 mm. CZ 75B.

[GaryP]

Semi Auto = .45acp
Revolver = .44spl


:evil:

[Clipper]

My favorite is .45, but since noone currently makes a real pocket-sized pistol in .45 yet, I usually carry a .380.

[Nematocyst]

In my first,
I proclaimed pride
about my 686 in .357 mag (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=257401).

That's still here.

Now, I'll add
* 642 in .38 spl +P (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658)
* 617 in .22 LR (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=254444)

As of an hour ago,
I'd also like to add a
SW 64 in .38 spl +P (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=260781).

Semi-auto?
I have no semi-auto.

Revolvers rule.

[callgood]

My favorite pistol is my High Power. By far.

Favorite caliber- 10mm.

[robert garner]

with the caveat that if I could afford a 45 double action rev. !
Only because I am a handloader and can use for almost everything!
Squirrells being safe from center fire here!
robert

[Marshall]

Even though the Hi Power is my favorite handgun, the .357 Mag has my vote.

[DawgFvr]

I voted .45 ACP. Manageable...fun to shoot...deadly on impact. IMO, everybody should own at least one .45 ACP pistol/revolver.:)

[GeorgiaGlocker]

9 mil

[countryrebel]

40SW with 44, 45acp and 9mm not to far behind.

[Stevie-Ray]

.45 ACP

[Ala Dan]

.45 ACP ;) :D

[bpisler]

357 magnum,from mild to wild and everything
in between it's a American classic.

[jeepmor]

10mm - 357 power in auto package with bigger bullets. :p :D

Also, the 45, just gotta love that round. Easy to find, unlike the 10mm.

[jlh26oo]

.45acp. High performance at low pressures.

[Glockensig]

No 357 sig listed - shame!

[ravencon]

Its like deciding who is my favorite child. I just can't do it.

[plexreticle]

Depends what I'm doing with it but .22LR and .45ACP are close to the top of the list for me.

[MCgunner]

Depending upon mood I might've gone with .38, .357, or .44 Mag. But I refuse to vote in any poll wherein the .45 Colt is relegated to "other" status.

Good point, though I'd still vote .357. I think it should be combined, though, .38/.357. But, a good .357 revolver can do it all. .45 Colt is a great outdoor caliber. Auto pistols pretty much are only for defense. I wouldn't carry a .45ACP to hunt deer with, I have killed deer with the .357. If I could only own one handgun, make mine a 4" .357 K frame. :D Or, maybe I'd buy a Dan Wesson with several barrel lengths, 2 or 3" for carry, 4" for hiking and general outdoor activities, 6 or 8" for hunting.

[Biker]

.45 LC.

Biker

[koja48]

Personal protection: .45ACP

Accuracy/hunting: .357

[doc2rn]

Auto = 9mm
Revolver = .38 spec

[Fun2Shoot]

I keep coming back to my 9mm guns.

The size feeds well in all bullet configurations in my various 9mm guns
In +P JHP, it is a very potent SD round
It is cheap to practice with
15 rds fit easly into a relatively narrow double stack grip

Yeah, I'm a 9mm man, no doubt.

[kmrcstintn]

.38 spl (.357" diameter) ~ low to medium power setting
9mm para (.355" diameter) ~ medium to high power setting
.357 mag (.357" diameter) ~ high to very high power setting

all bases covered in the medium-bore calibers :cool:

Good point, though I'd still vote .357. I think it should be combined, though, .38/.357. But, a good .357 revolver can do it all. .45 Colt is a great outdoor caliber. Auto pistols pretty much are only for defense. I wouldn't carry a .45ACP to hunt deer with, I have killed deer with the .357. If I could only own one handgun, make mine a 4" .357 K frame. Or, maybe I'd buy a Dan Wesson with several barrel lengths, 2 or 3" for carry, 4" for hiking and general outdoor activities, 6 or 8" for hunting.

Kinda what I did: S&W snubby for CCW; Ruger SP-101 w/ 3" barrel for outdoors carry & vehicle; Ruger GP-100 w/ 6" barrel for hunting; Beretta 92D Centurion for home defense

[Oldskoolfan]

I voted other cause I like .40 S&W due to it being a good balance between my other two favorite calibers. Those being 9mm and .45 ACP. Incidentally I voted for all 3 calibers.

I would have just voted all had you put the all option in.

[SAG0282]

Good ol' 9x19

[Working Man]

It is the .44 Magnum for me. It has enough bang to still put a smile on my face
but not so much that I can't shoot it all day long. Also the cost of ammo vs.
how quickly I'll go through it in a range trip makes it so I don't break the bank
either. I'll spend far more money in .45 ACP or .40 SW in a single range trip
especially if I preload all my magazines the night before.

Don't get me wrong I love each and every one of my children from Timmy .22
to Big Jon .45-70 and his brother Hoss .50AE but Harry the .44 is one of my
first and will always have a special place in my heart.

[telecaster1981]

7.62x25mm Tokarev!!!! Helluva underrated round!

[sb350hp]

45 ACP. Becuase of the history and reputation. The cannot go wrong gun

38/357 revolver. Because of the versitility of those rounds.

22 rimfire. Becuase is the one that I would guess 95% of us learned to shoot with.

In that order

[gandog56]

Can't decide, I like them all!:D

[Jubjub]

I love the .357 Mag for the long range accuracy, big ball of fire and the sound like God slammed the door.

I found that once I learned to shoot a .357 with full loads without flinching, nothing I've shot since has given me any trouble.

[Jamie C.]

I'm assuming that by favorite, the question is asking for "All around", and not just for a specific job.

Given that, I've gotta vote for the .22, with the 9mm running a very...very.... close second.

The reason being, there's very little a handgun caliber can do that I've not done with a .22.... Plinking, target shooting, hunting... and yes, even self-defense.

It's cheap to shoot, accurate, easy to find, easy to handle, and guns for it aren't exactly scarce, in varying sizes, shapes and manners of function. Plus, if you know what you're doing, it'll put anything you're likely to encounter flat on it's back in short order.

If I were forced to say which center fire round was my favorite, then it would be the 9mm Para, since it's about as useful/flexible/"Utilitarian". But for all around, from just plain fun to "dead serious", the .22 Lr. gets the nod.

No matter what, I could live quite happily with nothing more than guns chambered for one of those two rounds, if that were required. ( Glad it's not, but still... )


J.C.

[Coyote Hunter]

.45 LC, 35 grains 2F Goex BP for around the ranch, silvertip hollowpoints for in town (concealed carry).

[Hotdog386]

I pick the 44 Special followed closely by the 45 Colt.

[Matt King]

I like the .357 magnum due to its versatility, as well as the fact that you can shoot .38 Special out of guns chambered for .357.

[Black Majik]

Easily, .45 ACP

If ammo was really, really cheap... I'd probably be shooting .44 Mag and .500S&W all day long..

[foghornl]

Depends on "The Mood" of the moment....

For cheap fun...the .22LR from the SIngle-Six or MKII

For Serious Bang-Up fun...the .357Mag/.38Spl Ruger Vaquero/Blackhawk

Bedside Table Companion .45ACP in a Springfield "GI-45"

[GroovedG19]

Though I own many handgun calibers, I like the 9x19mm.Preferably in one of my Beretta Cougars.:cool:

[.cheese.]

you left out .40 S&W :confused: - which is mine

[Geno]

.22LR fun, small game
9MM Luger for S.D.
.45 ACP for S.D.

[Nematocyst]

87.

Oh, I see.
We're up to three now.

OK.

In order of preference
from human intruders to squirrels:

* .357 Mag (in a 686 (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=257401))
* .38 sp. (in a 642 (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658)or Model 60 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14755&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y))
* .22 LR (in a Model 317 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14742&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y))

[iowain45-70]

Anything with the number 45 in its name.45lc,45/70,45acp.

[Nematocyst]

...45/70...Handgun?

Somebody makes a handgun in .45/70?

Answer = yes (http://www.magnumresearch.com/news_detail.asp?story=shoottimes03.asp). :what:

Not for me, however. :scrutiny:

Gimme .45/70 in a lever gun (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895G.aspx).

I'll take .357M in a handgun. :cool:

[Working Man]

Somebody makes a handgun in .45/70?

Nematocyst-870,

Yes and it is lots of fun and not at all hard to shoot. Don't get spooked. The weight makes it rather
manageable. P95 also has extensive experience with them and probably found the best loads for all
day (or at least an hour) plinking if you reload.

I have pushed mine a bit harder than he has his. You can get energy greater than a .500 and still be
controllable.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=BFR45-707

I have had mine for a number of years and never tire of it..... just costly to feed.

[possum]

are you crazy there is no option for .40s&w that's my favorite.