HANDGUN AMMO
The .380 ACP has a similar diameter as a 9mm caliber. As a result, the .380 ACP makes up the smallest of the combat calibers with a moderate-diameter bullet and a small charge of powder intended for controllable recoil in small-frame automatics.
The world’s most popular pistol round, the 9x19mm Luger or Parabellum was designed for military and police applications. Militaries and police take advantage of the cartridge’s superior ballistic characteristics and relatively lightweight. As a result, more than half of US police use handguns in this caliber, and it remains one of the most popular cartridge types for submachine guns as well. Its secret lies in the high velocity of the relatively small round; while only three-hundredths of an inch wider than a .32 ACP.
The 9mm rounds are light, affordable, and nearly ubiquitous, making them an excellent choice for regular practice. 9mm rounds are a common choice for self-defense, especially in hollowpoint configurations designed to expand on impact. +P 9mm rounds are another choice, but again only in newer semi-automatics certified for the +P rounds. It is essential to understand what +P or +P+ means. To help understand this topic we recommend you check out the following two articles:
One of the twentieth century’s best-known pistol cartridges, the old .45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge originally supplanted the .38 Long Colt cartridge after the Moro uprisings in the Philippines showed a need for better stopping power in the pistol cartridges issued to the US military.
Its low muzzle velocity is sufficient for penetration, and the round relies on its weight for its lethal characteristics. A pistol caliber comparison chart will typically list this as the largest of common self-defense rounds by caliber alone. While it lacks the sheer destructive power of other large cartridges such as the .44 Magnum, the .45 ACP allows for much quicker follow-up shots due to its lower recoil. On the downside, the round’s large diameter means that most handguns chambered for this cartridge hold fewer rounds than their 9mm or .40 S&W equivalent.
Conclusion
Whether you’re equipping yourself for target practice or self-defense, the choice of caliber can make quite a bit of difference. Larger rounds require more material to manufacture and less-common rounds receive less benefit from economies of scale in their manufacturing. Common calibers such as 9×19, .40 and .45 tend to dominate the mainstream handgun market. Plinkers gravitate toward the small end of the spectrum. Those needing protection from ornery wildlife commonly relies on magnum cartridges to bring them home safe. Whatever your needs, check out our pistol caliber chart and learn more about your favorite caliber. Until next time, stay safe and stay on target!
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Barnes Bullets VOR-TX Brass .454 Casull 250-Grain 20-Rounds BXPB
Barnes VOR-TX handgun ammunition delivers great performance with a reliable and consistent load. Each box contains 20 rounds of 250 grain .454 Casull with Barnes XPB bullets and brass casings.
$38.99 -
$25.00 – $459.00
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CCI Ammunition Blazer Brass Brass 9mm 115 Grain 100-Rounds FMJ
CCI Blazer Brass delivers consistently, reliability, and accuracy in ammuntion made with reloadable brass casings, quality primers, and clean-burning propellants. Each box contains 100 rounds of 115 grain 9mm with full metal jacket bullets.
$59.99 -
CCI Ammunition Blazer Brass Full Metal Jacket Round Nose 124 Grain Brass 9mm 50Rds
Featuring reloadable brass cases, this 50 round box of Blazer Brass 9mm ammo is 124 grain full metal jacket.
$28.99 -
CCI Ammunition Blazer Centerfire 10mm 180 Grain 50 Rounds Full Metal Jacket
CCI Blazer Centerfire Ammo brings the quality and reliability that shooters can count on. These rounds are loaded with FMJ bullets in reloadable brass casings using standard boxer-type primers. CCI primers are clean-burning and have reliable ignition reducing dud rounds.
$39.99 -
CCI Ammunition Blazer FMJ 124 Grain Aluminum 9mm 50Rds
CCI/Speer Blazer, 9MM, 124 Grain, Full Metal Jacket 3578$10.29 -
CCI Ammunition Blazer FMJ 200 Grain Aluminum 10mm 50Rds
CCI/Speer Blazer, 10MM, 200 Grain, Total Metal Jacket 3597$36.99 -
CCI Ammuniton Blazer .40 SW 165GR TMJ 50Rds
CCI/Speer Blazer, 40S&W, 165 Grain, Total Metal Jacket 3589$29.99 -
CCI Blazer .40S&W 180GR FMJ 50Rds
CCI/Speer Blazer, 40S&W, 180 Grain, Full Metal Jacket 3591$29.99 -
CCI Blazer 9mm 115GR FMJ 50Rds Aluminum case
Blazer Aluminum 9mm ammo for sale. This CCI/Speer Blazer 9 MM ammo is 115 Grain, Full Metal Jacket, with aluminum cases. CCI # 3509. 50 rounds per box, with flat shipping, so stock up!$30.19