Favorite Semi-Auto Round

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cstarr3

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I have noticed that I am somewhat of an oddball; I tend to enjoy the exotic or obscure calibers. I was wondering if anybody on THR has a favorite semi-auto round that doesn't fall under the generic 9mm/.40/.45 division. Does anybody like to shoot 9x23? 9x25? .460 Rowland? Others?

If you shoot something a little different in a semi-auto platform, what do you like to shoot? What is your favorite obscure/exotic round platform... is it a converted Glock, an original Wildey Magnum, a custom 1911? This is a chance to brag about the stuff you shoot that most other guys/gals don't or haven't shot, or don't even know exist!

I have various reasons for asking this, but mostly I am just curious.
 
About the closest I get to less than the 9mm.-.45 ACP mainstream is the .38 Super. A friend of mine got me hooked years ago. My preferred platform for this cartridge is a Colt Commander.
 
My favorite obscure semi-auto round is the 45 Super.

My shooting buddy's favorite is the .41 AE.
 
Nope, I like 9. Considering the smaller defensive calibers (.25, .32, .380) it is a good compromise. Popular enough you can get it in any platform, strong enough to get good penetration and decent expansion with premium loads, and higher capacity than the other cartridges that meet that power requirement.

If I had the money to run it, I'd get a .50 GI conversion kit and a Glock and be happy that my pistol is .50.
 
shoot 22 25 32acp and 380 besides 9 and 45 I carry 9mm or 380 most time. Where I live a 22 would work. We don't have shooting Most every one armed. Peaceful place
 
Maybe not that exotic, but the 9mm Makarov. It's the chambering of my favorite handgun.
 
10mm. Easy to reload!

It is taller than the 45 so it is easier to pick up.
It is fatter than the 9mm so it is easier to handle
The bullets are bigger than the 9 so they are easier to seat
The bullets are smaller and cheaper than the 45.
The powder charges are full so double charges would be unlikely.

Great round. I love them!
 
Skribs said:
Nope, I like 9. Considering the smaller defensive calibers (.25, .32, .380) it is a good compromise. Popular enough you can get it in any platform, strong enough to get good penetration and decent expansion with premium loads, and higher capacity than the other cartridges that meet that power requirement.

If I had the money to run it, I'd get a .50 GI conversion kit and a Glock and be happy that my pistol is .50.
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Hey, Skribs... I have a .50 GI upper for my G21. That is a fun round. But beware; the kick is more akin to the 10mm than the .45 ACP. Still, it is fun to shoot. It would probably be my new favorite if I could afford to shoot it all the time. There seems to be a direct correlation between price and fun factor. Part of the cost of the product, though, is sheer quality. Those things are some well-made range toys; mine functioned flawlessly.
 
9x23 Winchester

I bought a Colt conversion kit (slide, ejector, recoil spring, magazine, barrel and barrel bushing) and used a Springfield Armory receiver.

I also have a Colt Combat Commander in 9x19 that I’m going to convert to 9x23 soon. I’m waiting for my gunsmith to cut down a 5” 9x23 Gov’t barrel for it.

It’s a true .357 Mag without the recoil. I’m really surprised that it hasn’t caught on -- great cartridge!
 
I have noticed that I am somewhat of an oddball; I tend to enjoy the exotic or obscure calibers. I was wondering if anybody on THR has a favorite semi-auto round that doesn't fall under the generic 9mm/.40/.45 division. Does anybody like to shoot 9x23? 9x25? .460 Rowland? Others?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty well satisfied with my .357 mag, 9mm, and .45ACP and don't see any special reason to go for any "oddball" choices, for range or self-defence. If I had to pick a less common round it would probably be .357SIG. I suppose its not all that "oddball" and I don't actually have a gun chambered for this cartridge, but I do find it kind of interesting.
 
For common use I like the big three (9mm, .40 and .45), but the .40 S&W is just right to me. Good choices in ammo, good weapon size, good capacity and in longer barrels (5-6") with warmer loads, it can pretty much deliver 10mm ballistics (180gr @ 1,300+ fps). The .45 ACP would be second, and the 9mm third, I like it a lot but just prefer larger bullets as a whole.

My favorite odd-ball is the .45 Super. It's kind of misunderstood I think, same dimensions as the .45 ACP but higher pressure. In the right setup (comped/ported barrel and good chamber support), the .45 Super can duplicate .460 Rowland ballistics without having to buy a new barrel especially for the 460R. I like that it can run (from my 5" G21) a 185gr @ 1,600 fps or up to a 300gr hardcast to over 1,150 fps. It's awesome.
 
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I'm pretty boring.
I currently own 2 autos. One is in .40 and the other 9mm. I'm planning on adding a .45 to the mix, so I won't be getting any more interesting I guess. :)
If I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with .40 S&W.
 
Mine would be the 7.62x25, the only centerfire pistol round that I don't reload. I'm still shooting up my stash I laid down when it was dirt cheap. When it's gone, so is the pistol.
 
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