Best handgun caliber for the $?
- Thread starter PatrickBateman
- Start date
Around here when the shortage was at it's worst .40 S&W was about all that could be found 9mm was nowhere for 2+ months. 9mm is a great starter and when things are "Normal" it's easy to find and cheap but, .40 is just about as cheap these days.
.40S&W in my experience does have recoil that I find in some guns to be unmanageable only to the point of slower followup shots. I find .40 easier to reload as the bass and projectiles are bigger and easy to handle.
.40S&W in my experience does have recoil that I find in some guns to be unmanageable only to the point of slower followup shots. I find .40 easier to reload as the bass and projectiles are bigger and easy to handle.
Overall cost wise, the 9mm and it seems like most think the same way there.
But also, that means that finding 9mm is going to be harder too when panic buying occurs (as it is currently). So really the .40 is to me the smart move, you're more likely to find .40 ammo then you can get a 9mm conversion barrel for the .40 to shoot 9mm too, you can have the best of both worlds.
I like the .45, but it's not very cost effective unless you reload and frankly I wouldn't even consider a 357 Sig, for much the same reasons and then some.
But also, that means that finding 9mm is going to be harder too when panic buying occurs (as it is currently). So really the .40 is to me the smart move, you're more likely to find .40 ammo then you can get a 9mm conversion barrel for the .40 to shoot 9mm too, you can have the best of both worlds.
I like the .45, but it's not very cost effective unless you reload and frankly I wouldn't even consider a 357 Sig, for much the same reasons and then some.
9mm to keep your cost down ...so you'll practice / become proficient with the gun.
Tactical shooting is more about shot placement than it is about caliber or bullet weight .../ and a 9mm, in my view, is just fine for defense, especially if you're using a quality defensive round like a 147gr hollow point from a variety of mfg's....
In my area - all the calibers you listed are available for range practice / especially if you buy in 1,000 round case lots at local gunshows, etc...( .357 Sig is the least available in my area / but its around as well )...
Reasonable price is a budget issue...and I don't what's reasonable anymore / in my area 9mm 115gr FMJ is around $ 16 for a box of 50 rds...and I would say that's reasonable..../ unless you want to learn to reload, and then you can get the cost down to about $ 6.50 per box of 50 rds...
Tactical shooting is more about shot placement than it is about caliber or bullet weight .../ and a 9mm, in my view, is just fine for defense, especially if you're using a quality defensive round like a 147gr hollow point from a variety of mfg's....
In my area - all the calibers you listed are available for range practice / especially if you buy in 1,000 round case lots at local gunshows, etc...( .357 Sig is the least available in my area / but its around as well )...
Reasonable price is a budget issue...and I don't what's reasonable anymore / in my area 9mm 115gr FMJ is around $ 16 for a box of 50 rds...and I would say that's reasonable..../ unless you want to learn to reload, and then you can get the cost down to about $ 6.50 per box of 50 rds...
SocialAnarchist
Moderator
I have handguns in both .45acp and 9mm and would not feel inadequately protected with either one. But if I found myself in a circumstance where I could only take one it would be my .45acp. Partly based on the fact that I am more accurate with it and that I like the idea of the bigger bullet.
I believe everyone so far has missed a key point.....
All of the calibers you list are going to run pretty much nearly exactly the same amount of money for effective defensive ammunition.
9mm run ~ $20 for 25
.45 acp run ~ $20 for 25
.357 Sig run ~ $20 for 20
.30 S&W run ~ $20 for 25
For practice ammo, reloads in .38 spl and .45 acp are about as cheap as .22lr is currently.
biohazard313
New member
my CPl instructor. in his misinformation 8 hour session told me a good carry gun needs to be in .40 or better. basically any .4 round he told me a 9mm was not sufficient for personal defense and lacked stopping power... LOL
i prefer the .40 personally. i have many firearms in many calibers. from .25 to .45
i favor the .40 its a good round. adequate stopping power. i get my range rounds from a reloader. i pay about $250-$300 per 1000.
i also have a 9mm that i absolutely love. a smith and wesson sd9ve. was $300 and def worth more inho
i prefer the .40 personally. i have many firearms in many calibers. from .25 to .45
i favor the .40 its a good round. adequate stopping power. i get my range rounds from a reloader. i pay about $250-$300 per 1000.
i also have a 9mm that i absolutely love. a smith and wesson sd9ve. was $300 and def worth more inho
lapetrarca53
New member
I can reload 9mm for around $6.00 per box of 50 with my own brass. Supplies are usually readily available.
A box of .22lr's (when you can find them) around here now goes for around $10 per box of 50 and are usually difficult to find.
A box of .22lr's (when you can find them) around here now goes for around $10 per box of 50 and are usually difficult to find.
9mm hands down. It's a plenty capable round and is by far the least expensive. Even when reloading it will save some $$$. The bullet is the most expensive part and the 9mm bullets cost the least (although the cost difference is less significant if you reload). Still hard to find 9mm bulk though where .40 and .45 are readily available. But I started reloading after the last shortage so I really don't care, just a little more work downstairs. Even through the peak of the shortage I never really had trouble getting primers, bullets, or powder. Just needed to be proactive and place orders sooner than usual.
If you want a great value to run it through than the front runner for me is the Stoeger Cougar (same as the Beretta Cougar, same gun actually, not just a copy). These can still be had for about $430 I think and they are top notch guns. I have one in 9mm and .40 s&w ... just need one in .45acp now.
If you want a great value to run it through than the front runner for me is the Stoeger Cougar (same as the Beretta Cougar, same gun actually, not just a copy). These can still be had for about $430 I think and they are top notch guns. I have one in 9mm and .40 s&w ... just need one in .45acp now.
lapetrarca53
New member
pgdion......who would have ever thought it would be cheaper to shoot centerfire than rimfire???? 
I would agree the 9mm is probably the most popular and/or abundant.
On the other hand, you will probably never find a more diverse handgun than the .45 Colt. You can vary it to handle just about anything in the U.S. You would never be able to stop a large bear with a 9mm whereas the .45 Colt round can be made powerful enough to possible give you a better chance.
On the other hand, you will probably never find a more diverse handgun than the .45 Colt. You can vary it to handle just about anything in the U.S. You would never be able to stop a large bear with a 9mm whereas the .45 Colt round can be made powerful enough to possible give you a better chance.
I honestly would suggest you go to a range that has rentals and rent a handgun in each caliber.
Perhaps and try to keep it to a single manufacturer in all 3 rounds if possible, say Glock.
From that experience I would choose the caliber you were the most comfortable with (accuracy is important here too) as a beginner into the wonderful world of shooting. Perhaps the answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE CALIBERS as your entry way to the sport. For all you know your ideal caliber is 38 Super, 22LR or (spin the wheel of cartridges...)
Perhaps and try to keep it to a single manufacturer in all 3 rounds if possible, say Glock.
From that experience I would choose the caliber you were the most comfortable with (accuracy is important here too) as a beginner into the wonderful world of shooting. Perhaps the answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE CALIBERS as your entry way to the sport. For all you know your ideal caliber is 38 Super, 22LR or (spin the wheel of cartridges...)