Handguns By Caliber
Browse handguns by caliber to quickly find the pistol or revolver chambered in the cartridge you shoot. Each caliber page covers in-stock platforms in that chambering—full-size, compact, and subcompact options—along with guidance on which calibers suit which applications. Whether you’re looking for a full-size 9mm service pistol, a compact .45 ACP carry gun, a hard-hitting 10mm for the woods, or a .44 Magnum revolver for hunting, use the caliber pages below to go straight to what you need.
Read our full Handgun Caliber Buying Guide ↓
Semi-Automatic Calibers
The 9mm Luger is the most widely used semi-automatic pistol caliber and the best starting point for most shooters—excellent capacity, manageable recoil, modern defensive performance, and the lowest cost per round of any centerfire pistol caliber. The .45 ACP offers a larger, heavier bullet at moderate velocity with a century-long track record. The .40 S&W splits the difference with more energy than 9mm in a 9mm-sized frame. The 10mm Auto is the most powerful semi-automatic caliber in common use, suited for hunting and woods carry. The .380 ACP is purpose-built for the smallest possible carry platforms.
Revolver Calibers
The .38 Special is the most common revolver caliber—mild, accurate, and available in a wide range of platforms from pocket snub-noses to full-size target revolvers. The .357 Magnum chambers in any .38 Special revolver, adding significant power for hunting and defensive use. The .44 Magnum is the benchmark for powerful revolver cartridges, capable of handling any North American game. Revolvers offer mechanical simplicity and reliability with no magazines to manage, making them a practical choice for home defense and backup carry.
Choosing a Caliber for Carry
For concealed carry, 9mm is the right choice for the vast majority of shooters. Modern 9mm hollow points match or approach the terminal performance of larger calibers while offering better capacity, lower recoil, and lower cost per round for practice. The .380 ACP is appropriate when platform size is the overriding constraint. .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and .357 Magnum are all fully capable carry calibers for shooters who prefer them and shoot them well. Caliber choice matters less than reliable ammunition, a quality platform, and adequate training.
Choosing a Caliber for Hunting
For handgun hunting and woods carry where large or dangerous game is a concern, the 10mm Auto and .44 Magnum are the practical benchmarks. The 10mm delivers rifle-like energy in a semi-automatic platform with high capacity. The .44 Magnum covers any North American game in a revolver or lever-action carbine. The .357 Magnum is capable on deer and hogs inside 75 yards with appropriate loads and extends its range meaningfully from a lever-action carbine. Below these calibers, terminal performance on large animals becomes marginal for hunting applications.
Platform vs. Caliber
The platform matters as much as the caliber. A quality 9mm that you shoot accurately and carry reliably is more useful than a .45 ACP that sits in a drawer because it’s too heavy to carry. Choose the most capable caliber you can shoot well from a platform you’ll actually use. For most people, this means a quality 9mm compact or micro-compact for carry and a full-size 9mm or .45 ACP for home defense. Specialty calibers like 10mm and .44 Magnum are worth their added cost and recoil when their specific performance advantages are actually needed.
Related Pages
Browse our full handguns page for all in-stock pistols and revolvers, or visit our concealed carry page for carry-specific recommendations. See our handgun ammo page for ammunition to pair with your purchase.