archimeech

I figured I'd post this here instead of in the Defensive Guns section. It's really more an ammo question than it is which gun to get. At the moment I have 3 handguns that were my father's. I have a .22 Browning Medalist Automatic Target Pistol, a S&W 1905 Military & Police Target Model, 4th Change, .38 Special, and a .45 Colt Model 1911A1, U.S. Army. I'd love to stay with as few calibers as possible so I'm not buying ever type of ammo known to man, but the .22 is too small. I don't want a revolver for a defensive carry, and I'm thinking the .45 is too big to big of a caliber for the subcompact Glock. (Man, I sound like Goldilocks!)

So I'm relegated to 9mm,,32, .380, and .40 I've heard that .380 is impossible to find these days, 9mm is nice, but for the same price I could be shooting .40, and the only reason I'm looking at .32 is because of the price of .380 and my desire to get a Seecamp as well as a Glock 26 or 27.

Anyone have any thought, or know where I could get a good run down on cost of ammo vs. the caliber effectiveness. I even toyed with the idea of getting the Glock .45 subcompact till I realized what kind of kick that thing must have.

Arko

"Anyone have any thought, or know where I could get a good run down on cost of ammo vs. the caliber effectiveness"

Oh boy. Now you've done it!
May as well settle in, this could go awhile...

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Lewis128

Pick the caliber you like. I found this source in a previous thread. I hope noone minds me reposting it.

AmmoEngine: .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm, Instock For Sale Premium & Discount Ammunition, Ammo Deals

It's a self contained search engine designed to troll ammo supply web sites and only show what's available. You can sort by manufacturer, bullet type, price.
They currently have 17 websites, and don't show shot shells yet.

For many calibers the cost/round difference isn't big enough to justify sacrificing anything IMHO.
Check your local gun show too, I've heard you can get good deals on reloads, especially if you have brass to trade.

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Now I have to go buy a banjo.

archimeech

Lol, Arko. I know; I just opened the flood gates with a statement like that didn't I?

Lewis,
Thanks, I'll use that to do some research!

Cuda66

You know--all factors come down to what you, and only you will be comfortable with.

Will you be comfortable with a 9mm on your hip, instead of a .45? If you aren't, then, really, it won't be all that worth it...and, FWIW, the G36 is a rather light recoiling .45 for it's size; it's no 9mm G26, that's for sure; but I find it easier to shoot than a G27 in .40, any day.

If you do decide to go down in caliber...I don't see much advantage of .40 over 9mm, and am just plain not a fan of .380 or .32...so, 9mm would be my choice in your situation.

But--I'd really recommend a .45acp G36; I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

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RoadRunner71

Fear Not The .45!!!! lol!

The G30 is remarkably soft shooting. It does not feel like the monster a lot of people fear. For me, it is easier to handle than the G27. Try it. You'll like it!

Price on ammo? Well that is another story. If you want inexpensive shooting, I like the G19 or G26 (from your choices). I am not a fan of the .40, but many people love it. I will let others get in to the ballistic merits of each.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

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goldshellback

The 9mm and .45 would be perfect........just my opinion. The .40 has been described as having a rather 'snappy' recoil.

WRT caliber aviliability, then 9mm might be your best bet. Do not discount the .45.......it's a good round even in the 'mini-Glocks'. If at all possiable, find a range that rents a selection of sidearms/calibers your considering and put some rounds through 'em.

As for just an opinion right now.....the 9mm would be my choice with in the parameters you've set.

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Rugergirl

Yep, go to your local fun shop, rent a few and choose the one(s) you like best.

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ASSA9

I ask myself the same thing a while back and the answer was
9MM.
Going up from 9MM gives more recoil and less ammo in the gun
and higher ammo cost with a slight increase in one shot stop(if you
even buy into that thinking)of about 4 to 8 percent at the cost
of at least 10 percent loss on round count in the gun.

Loss of personal performance with follow up shots for me was
hard to guess, but it was over 10 percent with .40-.45
The cost of ammo to practice with was that lower with 9MM
I can buy three boxes of 9MM for what two boxes of 40 or 45 cost
Thats a loss of 33 percent of practice to go up from 9MM to
40 or 45.

Going down from 9MM is the same story in reverse
less power (IE one shot stop)and more cost.

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"Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement."

"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat."

10thmtn

Try different options, and then consider...

Caliber Wars are over for me

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Ex-Army officer; Hurricane Andrew Relief, FL, 1992; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993
NRA Life Member; Range Safety Officer
Glock 26, CT Laserguard, Smartcarry