Favorite Handgun Cartridge(s)?
- Thread starter 38-45 Special
- Start date
- Status
mokin
Member
That would probably be mine but the 10mm Auto came out first. I will also admit that the .357 Magnum is gaining ground there. My favorite handgun is my Browning Hi Power in 9mm.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Explaining to anyone that I might favor a handgun cartridge is impossible. I like them for what they are but if I had only one it would be a 357 with XTP.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Indeed one of the very best.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
I’ve really developed a liking for 10mm auto and 38 Super.
P5 Guy
Member
22LR, 9x19, 38SPL, 357MAG, 44SPL.
Well those are the handgun calibers I own and have to say all are my favorites
Well those are the handgun calibers I own and have to say all are my favorites
Well, .45 ACP has seniority, as my first handgun was a 1911, in late 1982 or early 1983. I had previously owned a 9mm Uzi Carbine, but though it fired a handgun cartridge, the weapon, itself, was a rifle. So, I will list .45 ACP first.
I cannot remember whether .38 Special or .357 Magnum was next, as I bought an S&W Model 60 and an S&W Model 581, later in 1983, as I prepared to start a police academy. I favor both, but reckon that I have a special consideration for the .357 Magnum, because the Ruger GP100 is my absolute favorite firearm, of any type. Not only is the GP100 a perfect fit, for my hands, in every way, but I used one to defend myself and others, one night in 1993, so I know the damage that a 125-grain .357 Mag projectile will do to a human opponent, and the same cartridge is available with various bullet weights and types, to do just about everything that has to be done, with a handgun, in the Lower 48 states.
I favor .45 Colt, too. Mild to shoot, this one does little to vex my aging joints.
If I had to narrow it down to two, as was done in the original post, I would reluctantly specify .357 Magnum, and .38 Special.
I cannot remember whether .38 Special or .357 Magnum was next, as I bought an S&W Model 60 and an S&W Model 581, later in 1983, as I prepared to start a police academy. I favor both, but reckon that I have a special consideration for the .357 Magnum, because the Ruger GP100 is my absolute favorite firearm, of any type. Not only is the GP100 a perfect fit, for my hands, in every way, but I used one to defend myself and others, one night in 1993, so I know the damage that a 125-grain .357 Mag projectile will do to a human opponent, and the same cartridge is available with various bullet weights and types, to do just about everything that has to be done, with a handgun, in the Lower 48 states.
I favor .45 Colt, too. Mild to shoot, this one does little to vex my aging joints.
If I had to narrow it down to two, as was done in the original post, I would reluctantly specify .357 Magnum, and .38 Special.
Reeferman
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2013
- Messages
- 1,259
Well considering if the lawsuits launched by our progressive clown show of a government up here in Canada don’t fail we will be lucky to have muskets with the bans they have launched against gun owners.
But until then my most reloaded are 38 special, 357, 44 magnum, 45 Colt and 45/70.
I don’t really favour one over the other as I shoot all of them about the same amount.
I have just recently started to load 44 special and if I had to pick a favourite it’s starting to be it.
But until then my most reloaded are 38 special, 357, 44 magnum, 45 Colt and 45/70.
I don’t really favour one over the other as I shoot all of them about the same amount.
I have just recently started to load 44 special and if I had to pick a favourite it’s starting to be it.
Last edited:
Bill_in_TR
Member
I would have to consider .44 magnum as my favorite. I find it to be a very versatile cartridge, especially since I handload it. But I also very much enjoy .22lr in my Model 41. For carry I like .45 acp.
Ed Ames
Member
I don’t generally have favorites except in reference to a use case. My favorite bowling pin cartridge is .45c for example.
So I’m going to pick the oddball I bought just because I wanted to try it, and it turns out I like it even though I have no use for it: .22TCM ... I don’t have a problem that requires a .22TCM solution, but it’s fun to shoot, I like the guns I’ve bought that use it, and I wish it wasn’t an oddball semi-wildcat with only one manufacturer supporting it.
But in general my favorite is whatever goes in the gun I shoot best and works for the use I have at the moment.
So I’m going to pick the oddball I bought just because I wanted to try it, and it turns out I like it even though I have no use for it: .22TCM ... I don’t have a problem that requires a .22TCM solution, but it’s fun to shoot, I like the guns I’ve bought that use it, and I wish it wasn’t an oddball semi-wildcat with only one manufacturer supporting it.
But in general my favorite is whatever goes in the gun I shoot best and works for the use I have at the moment.
357smallbore
Member
357 magnum and the 44 special.
Paul R Zartman
Contributing Member
Last edited:
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Messages
- 2,149
I guess I would say .38 Special, then .22LR, then .357 Mag in that order.
I started with .38 Special and didn't get a .22 handgun until years later.
I actually like shooting .22 Shorts and CBs/Colibris a lot out of capable guns. Low noise and lots of fun. Great confidence builder for beginners and always fun for plinking and paper punching at short range.
I appreciate and respect the power and versatility of .357 Magnum, but I find it unpleasant in all but the biggest of my guns. I don't shoot it for funsies. It is pretty much a serious business/woods cartridge for me personally.
I started with .38 Special and didn't get a .22 handgun until years later.
I actually like shooting .22 Shorts and CBs/Colibris a lot out of capable guns. Low noise and lots of fun. Great confidence builder for beginners and always fun for plinking and paper punching at short range.
I appreciate and respect the power and versatility of .357 Magnum, but I find it unpleasant in all but the biggest of my guns. I don't shoot it for funsies. It is pretty much a serious business/woods cartridge for me personally.
sparkyv
Member
Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,947
I read this when it came up last week and have thought over it a handful of times in these days, but largely, I have not felt satisfied that I could pick a favorite handgun cartridge without context.
Undeniably, I love the 44mag, but I’m not sure it’s my favorite. Equally, I’ve found extreme enjoyment from 475 Linebaugh and 357/44 Bain & Davis mag ahead of most others, and I’ve always found 32 H&R to be absolutely sublime. The 17 HMR is another favorite, and naturally, and unquestionably my highest volume is 22LR.
For bottom feeders - other than 22LR, I typically find semiautos lacking class, and only employ them as utilitarian necessities. I tend to enjoy the 357sig, but I’ll admit, the SiCo Maxim did breathe marked interest for me into the 9mm as a pleasure - given a Maxim in 10mm with a 357sig barrel option, or one capable of 460 Rowland with 45acp convertibility, I’d be in tall cotton.
Undeniably, I love the 44mag, but I’m not sure it’s my favorite. Equally, I’ve found extreme enjoyment from 475 Linebaugh and 357/44 Bain & Davis mag ahead of most others, and I’ve always found 32 H&R to be absolutely sublime. The 17 HMR is another favorite, and naturally, and unquestionably my highest volume is 22LR.
For bottom feeders - other than 22LR, I typically find semiautos lacking class, and only employ them as utilitarian necessities. I tend to enjoy the 357sig, but I’ll admit, the SiCo Maxim did breathe marked interest for me into the 9mm as a pleasure - given a Maxim in 10mm with a 357sig barrel option, or one capable of 460 Rowland with 45acp convertibility, I’d be in tall cotton.
Vern Humphrey
Member
As a crusty, opinionated old bastard, I say there are three useful handgun cartridges:
.22 Long Rifle. Everyone needs a .22 pistol. If you don't know why, ask your mother.
.45 ACP, especially in the pistol designed for it, the M1911. A superb carry and defense gun.
.45 Colt -- great for woods carry and hunting.
Okay, okay. Honorable mention to the .38 Special and .357 Magnum.
.22 Long Rifle. Everyone needs a .22 pistol. If you don't know why, ask your mother.
.45 ACP, especially in the pistol designed for it, the M1911. A superb carry and defense gun.
.45 Colt -- great for woods carry and hunting.
Okay, okay. Honorable mention to the .38 Special and .357 Magnum.
Howland937
Member
.45acp & .38 Super
Until about 2 weeks ago, I'd forgotten how much (cheap) fun .22 handguns can be. Mine had mostly been dormant for several months, which is pretty dumb on my part.
Until about 2 weeks ago, I'd forgotten how much (cheap) fun .22 handguns can be. Mine had mostly been dormant for several months, which is pretty dumb on my part.
Robbins290
Member
762x25. Love that round. Sure there are better options and cheaper options. But i am still very fond of that little round.
I want one.....
Now I need to find bigger nails.......
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
