If You had to Choose Just One Caliber...

Preface:

I have hand loaded thousands of .380ACP, .38SPL, 357mag. 9mm and .45ACP. But..... I have never even owned a .40 cal pistol (personally).

I think it was because I figured if I have a vault full of revolvers as well as 9mm weapons and .45ACPs why add another set of dies to the mix.

Anyway, here's the question:


Suppose you own NO HANDGUNS AT ALL.

You have no reloading equipment, you are starting from fresh.

What ONE SINGLE caliber would you choose for learning, plinking, reloading, defense, competition and any other use?

I have to say, If I was starting from fresh it would prob be .40.



Disclaimer: I have actually owned a bunch of .40s but they were for resale when I had my FFL.

 

I've not found a .40 pistol I enjoyed shooting. Not enough variety of interesting pistols out there in .40 either, important since your first assumption is that you must start fresh.

9mm or .45ACP would give you a wider range of interesting pistols. Carbines too.

If I have to choose one, I say .45ACP.

 

I like my .40

 

I've had a Glock 23 from their beginning. Got me out of 9mm.

 

.45ACP

That's all I got and all that I want to know.

If you're reloading then the savings are already there so no need for smaller caliber arms just for practice.

Besides, like they say "one shot one ...."
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.357 Magnum

I'm particularly fond of S&W revolvers

 

Other than a .38 special which I never got to fire (long story), Glock 23 was my first handgun. If I had to pick based on caliber alone, I'd say .40 as well (I have these hollow points with a "rod" in the middle which helps them avoid fragmenting and going places you don't want them to. Utterly beautiful, badass rounds. That's what is loaded when I carry concealed (which I am licensed to do here)).

That said, I don't actually LIKE shooting the Glock 23 NEARLY as much as I like my solid stainless (+ wood grip) Springfield .45ACP. Glock feels plasticky and has much more recoil (because it's lighter of course) than the very, very solid Springfield, despite the latter being the bigger round.

Shot plenty of 9mms, a few .357s and even a .44mag, but none are really my top choice.

 

.357mag.

What do you use for reloading? I've got an RL 550B that's just about worn out now.

 

.45

This should have been a poll!

 

Sig 229. Try it is you haven't already. .357Sig or .40 with a new bbl.

 

Packin Olde English 800 eh?

You are a dangerous man.

 

If only one..... it would have to be a .45 . Let's all say together " knock down power". Plus there's tons of surplus ammo for plinking.




Darrell.

 

This one:
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[/SARCASM]

On topic:
Whatever bullet will fit my lovegun.

 

hard to beat the .45 but I enjoy the 41 mag.

 

I would go 9mm. Lots of cool carbines shoot it too.

 

Had a Glock .45, now have a Springfield XD .40. Overall much happier with the .40, lighter, not as much recoil; a more user-friendly gun.

Also, many police departments have switched to the .40 as it is a good middle ground between 9mm and .45, sort of a "jack of all trades" caliber.

 

I personally prefer the .40 S&W. All my Hk's are .40. But to answer your question as to if I was starting out completely new right now, I'd go 9mm. Factory rounds are still MUCH cheaper than factory .40, and look to stay than way for the forseeable future. Ammo prices are so crazy right now! I don't even shoot my .308 CETME any more at .48 + a round. (I miss the days of Austrian milsurp for ~.22-.25! ) Doesn't make much difference to me now, since I reload .40, but sure is nice to stop by wally-world and pick up a few boxes of 9mm for less dough, than firing up the press to make up some .40's.

 

I always supposed the .357Sig would be a pain to reload, true?

 

I like the 9mm for regular range use as the ammo is cheap(ish) but I live in an area where at least half of the year those that would do you harm are walking around with thick parkas and jackets on. I would hate to be leveling a handgun at someone that isn't powerful enough to do the job of protecting myself so I would probably have to say that the 454 Casull would be my choice.


























Just kidding. I would say that I would probably go for the .40 if I had to make just one choice. But if I lived in a warmer climate I would say that the 9mm is probably enough for most applications.

 

a .380 handgun is hard to beat for personal protection...it is small enough to carry in your pocket and has the knockdown power of a 9mm...that's what I have in my pocket right now...

 

Oh. I thought you just happy to see us.

 

Better than nothing but don't expect much "knockdown". I think a 9mm is pretty underpowered (why else would they give you 15 shots?).

.45 is my favorite however I picked up a 10mm a while back. Awesome power in a moderate sized package.

 

Just have to love a .45 for the pure knock down power. Easy to reload, and to customize.

 

You mean HydroShocks? I use them and StarFires staggered. If it's the HS, the rod acts a a prepenetrator.

 

I'd have to go with a .40, but the .45 is a VERY close second.