Why isn't there more cartridge development in pocket pistols

[R.W.Dale]

Given the ever growing popularity of smaller and smaller CCW firearms and some truly innovative models why haven't manufacturers put more into cartridge development for these handguns. The current crop of pocket pistol rounds pretty much utilize late 19th century technology. The only recently developed cartridge for this niche I can think of is the .32 NAA, a really good Idea that just didn't catch on, just like all proprietary cartridges do.


Come ON instead of reinventing the 308 for the umpteenth time how bout developing a cartridge that makes the most out of the current crop of locked breach pocket pistols. You listing Ruger?

 

[bluetopper]

The pistol market is flooded now with umpteen calibers and with the .327 coming to fruition this past year.

Most of the calibers are 100 years old as you state due to their marvelous performance and withstanding the test of time.

 

[sm]

1. Money.
There is more money to be made catering to the marketing of new developments for more popular platforms and calibers.

2. No need to in my opinion and the opinion of others.
Solids work.
I and mine have alway liked carrying FMJ, or LSWC (no hollowpoints) in everything from .22 rim-fire on up to .44 Magnum.

Shot placement is the key.
We just loaded up the 32 caliber revolvers with LRN, LSWC, and and semi-autos with FMJ and forgot about ammo.
Ditto for .380, and .38spl
Heck, we did, still do, 124 FMJ in 9mm and 230 gr hardball in 1911s.

Nothing has changed really.
The lady with no weak side arm was putting all hits into eyes or Adam's Apple, when I was kid and now a lady today born without a weak side lower arm is doing the same thing with her Beretta's in 32ACP and .380 and her revolvers in .38spl and .357.

Fiocchi makes some great loads for 32ACP and .380.
These run a bit hotter than many other brands...

 

[briansmithwins]

JMB was a genius. He covered everything from .25 to .45 with a range of powers. Pretty much the only pistol cartridge in widespread use that he didn't develop was 9mmP. Of course 40S&W was developed to fill the space between 9mmP and .45 ACP.

 

[presspuller]

There is more out there now than what is needed simply because some companys wanted to have their name stuck to a particular cartridge.
Just more solutions looking for a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[ambidextrous1]

You got that right, presspuller!

If they can't do better than they have in recent years, they shouldn't do anything! Who needs the 40 S&W, the GAP 45, the new .327? and how about that S&W .500?

The only recent cartridge that interests me is the FN 5.7, with both long guns & pistols available for it.

I hate the .40 S&W; the empties nest inside my .45 ACP brass, and if I dont find them, they mess up my progressive reloader; takes 15 minutes to get going again.

 

[Drgong]

I wouldn't mind a new gun running with say, 9mm Makarov or the 7.62x25 (A revolver in 7.62x25 would be fun) but really you would need to find a use that not covered by a existing one.

 

[Onmilo]

Simple answer,
The small 9mm Parabellum pistols came onto the market.
Coupled with small J frame revolvers in .38 Special and 357 Magnum, the .380 and .32acp calibers now fill the niche as last ditch fighting calibers.
Pistols such as the Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec, and NAA mini revolvers demonstrate the pinnacle of small handgun design.
All that can be done is improving those original designs and a new caliber wouldn't offer any major improvement based on current ballistic capability.