Most common handgun caliber

[Dybber]

I have looked on the Internet and used the search function here with no luck. I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction to find out the most common caliber handgun.

I hear a lot of opinions but haven't found facts. Seems like 9mm may be up there but so could others. Evidently I'm not looking in the right place.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

When you say "common" what do you mean?

 

[VERT]

I think I remember reading on the internet that 9mm is currently the most commonly sold centerfire handgun cartridge. So it has to be true.

 

[Rocket57]

Most common or most popular?
I would guess 9mm for both.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Do you mean "most made"? If so likely 7.62x25 just based on the TT-33.

Do you mean "most models"? Likely 9x19.

Do you mean "most likely to be found in Uncle Sonny's or Cousin Jim Bob's safe in the USA"? Likely a .22lr.

It depends.

 

[Westside]

Do you mean "most made"? If so likely 7.62x25 just based on the TT-33.

Do you mean "most models"? Likely 9x19.

Do you mean "most likely to be found in Uncle Sonny's or Cousin Jim Bob's safe in the USA"? Likely a .22lr.

It depends.

This is what I was thinking.

 

[wagyu52]

I would think .22 rimfire.

 

[TheFireArmorer]

I have no idea as to conclusive percentage based fact on the most common caliber in a handgun. But, in my own experience, I would have to say 9mm hands down.

But, a close second would be the .22 TCM.

 

[pudly]

I would think .22 rimfire.

Winner!

 

[sgreen3]

I would think the 22lr would be pretty high on the list, but 9mm would be up there as well.

 

[SEIndSAM]

I would think the 22lr would be pretty high on the list, but 9mm would be up there as well.

Can't forget, there were millions of old .38 revolvers made and still around.

 

[spyder]

I would think it would be the 9mm (there are a lot of women shooters).

 

[BEBOATS]

From what i've seen at the shootin range I go is .22 rimfire and 9 mm in the centerfire. Between the two most were .22's. with Ruger being the
more common and S&W next.

 

[cosermann]

Rimfire is .22lr.
Centerfire is 9mm.

 

[Tamara]

.22 & 9x19mm. (Close runners-up would be 7.62 Tok, 9x18, and .38 Special.)

 

[7.62]

I don't know about the very most common but .22 and 9mm are pretty damn common.

 

[TopDog]

Do we really want to know this information? I suspect in order to get a correct answer someone or some entity would have to track the sales of ammo. Now wouldn't that be nice if Uncle started tracking ammo sales.

 

[joshualee49]

In my experience, it's definitely 9mm in centerfire. Just look at the floor of any public range you go to. It's .22 and 9mm brass all over the place. Some may be the delusion that picking up 9mm brass to reload isn't worth the time. I'd wager it's simply the sheer number of folks who shoot those calibers myself...

 

[Birds Away]

Do you mean "most likely to be found in Uncle Sonny's or Cousin Jim Bob's safe in the USA"? Likely a .22lr.

It depends.

Gee Willikers! Jim Bob got a safe?

 

[Shootin'IN]

Rimfire is .22lr.
Centerfire is 9mm.

I have to agree with cosermann with the rimfire .22lr & centerfire 9mm but the .380 is a close 2nd but everyone knows .380 is only 9x17mm so it is still 9mm just a shorter case.

Do we really want to know this information? I suspect in order to get a correct answer someone or some entity would have to track the sales of ammo. Now wouldn't that be nice if Uncle started tracking ammo sales.

No you don't have to do any tracking, just see what brass is laying on the ground at the range.
#1 would be .22lr there is a lot of .22 pistol shooters at the range.
2nd is 9mm
3rd is .380 9x17mm
4th is .45 cal.
5th is .40 S&W
6th is .38 special a lot of police use this range
This is from what I have been seeing at the range.