Most common calibers

[JImbothefiveth]

I was inspired by mercop's thread, talking about the knives most commonly carried by criminals. So I have this question, what are the calibers most often carried by criminals. Responses from police officers are especially welcome, as I figure they are the most likely to know.
Thanks!

 

[BullfrogKen]

Actually, the criminals are the ones most likely to know. Best to ask them.


Whatever is simple to use, small and concealable, in easily obtainable calibers are the most common traits.

 

[DFW1911]

.41 Magnum.

Ask ANY Emergency Room MD or Trauma Physician.

 

[WC145]

Whatever the gun was loaded with when they stole it.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I'm also guessing the most common threat is handguns?
Here are my semi-educated guesses for long guns used:.22 LR, because it's so common, or 7.62x39, because I'm guessing they would be attracted to an AK type rifle, and 12 gauge, again because it's common.

In my experience 9MM and below, cheap guns

. This is what one reitred cop posted in another thread.

.41 Magnum

Odd, I was sure it would be the 8mm Lebel

 

[benEzra]

There are some trace data here:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/ycgii/2000/index.htm
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/ycgii/2000/generalfindings.pdf

Do keep in mind that newer, nicer, or more "hyped" guns are more likely to be traced, so the trace data probably overstates those guns relative to their actual use. Still, there are some interesting trends.

Around 8 out of 10 traces were for handguns. See Table 3 for the calibers. Top trace requests, in order, were:

Semiautomatic Pistol 9mm
Revolver .38
Semiautomatic Pistol .380
Semiautomatic Pistol .25
Revolver .22
Revolver .357
Semiautomatic Pistol .45
Semiautomatic Pistol .22
Semiautomatic Pistol .40
Revolver .32

Of the 2 out of 10 traces that involved long guns, here's the breakdown (from Table 4):

Shotgun 12 GA...........6,854...............35.5%
Rifle .22...............4,076...............21.1%
Rifle 7.62mm............1,729................9.0%
Shotgun 20 GA...........1,277................6.6%
Rifle .30-30..............616................3.2%
Shotgun .410 GA...........615................3.2%
Rifle .223................599................3.1%
Rifle 9mm.................412................2.1%
Rifle .30-06..............410................2.1%
Shotgun 16 GA.............409................2.1%
Top Ten Long Guns......16,997...............88.0%
All Long Guns..........19,311..............100.0%

 

[JImbothefiveth]

My long-gun guess wasn't too far off. That 16 gauge is on there, I find that fairly surprising.

 

[BlkHawk73]

what are the calibers most often carried by criminals.

The most common elsewhere I'd imagine, .357 caliber, .45 caliber
'Member you asked for "caliber" not chambering.

 

[KyJim]

Here's a link to a spreadsheet of confiscated guns auctioned off by the Kentucky State Police in September. http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/conf_weapons/weapons/sept30.xls

All firearms confiscated by any police agency are required to be sent to the KSP for auction. Of course, just because a gun is confiscated doesn't mean it was used in a robbery. Maybe someone was hunting illegally or it was being carried concealed illegally when they were arrested for something else.