Handguns By Caliber

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Handguns by Caliber

What is the best handgun caliber for self-defense?
9mm is the most widely recommended defensive handgun caliber for most shooters — modern 9mm defensive loads from Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Defense achieve terminal performance equivalent to larger calibers while producing less recoil, enabling faster follow-up shots and higher magazine capacity. The FBI’s research supports this conclusion. .40 S&W and .45 ACP remain effective options, with .45 ACP preferred by some for its larger bullet diameter and .40 S&W for its balance of capacity and power. The single most important factor in defensive effectiveness is accurate shot placement, which favors whatever caliber you can shoot most accurately.

What caliber should a first-time handgun buyer choose?
9mm — for its combination of manageable recoil, ammunition availability, affordable practice ammunition cost, and genuine defensive effectiveness. A quality 9mm full-size or compact pistol from Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, or Springfield Armory is the standard first handgun recommendation. .22 LR is an excellent choice for pure target shooting and skill development at low cost but lacks adequate defensive capability.

What is the most powerful common handgun caliber?
The 10mm Auto produces the most energy of any widely available semi-automatic pistol cartridge. The .44 Magnum and .454 Casull produce more energy in revolver platforms. For production semi-automatic pistols, 10mm from the Glock 20 is the practical maximum for most buyers.

See Also: All Handguns • Handgun Ammo • Concealed Carry • 9mm Ammo • Revolvers