Handgun Ammo | Bulk Pistol Ammo Up to 57% Off

What Ammo Do Pistols Use?

Pistols can use a variety of ammunition, but the most common calibers are 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .380 ACP. Other calibers such as .22 LR (Rimfire Ammo), .38 Special, and 10mm are also used in certain pistols. The choice of pistol ammo often depends on the intended use of the pistol, personal preference, and availability.

Pistols use ammo that corresponds to their caliber. For example, a handgun chambered in 9mm Luger will use 9mm Ammo, a handgun chambered in 380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) or 380 Auto will use 380 ACP ammo, and so on. Some of the most popular pistol calibers you will find are 9mm Luger, 380 ACP, .40 S&W, 45 ACP, and 357 Magnum ammo. New and emerging calibers like 2022’s 30 Super Carry come out from time to time, as well.

What Are the 5 Common Types of Handgun Bullets?

The five most common handgun bullets are:

Hollowpoint (HP): delivers high expansion upon impact; excellent self-defense bullet; common types include JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) and JSP (Jacketed Soft Point)

Popular brands include: Hornady Critical Duty and Federal Premium Personal Defense HST

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): delivers high penetration with no expansion; perfect for target shooting

Popular brands include Ammo Inc., Fiocchi, and PMC.

Lead Round Nose (LRN): delivers good penetration with minimal expansion; commonly used in revolvers

Wadcutter: has a flat end; used for target practice because it cleanly punches holes through paper

Semi-Wadcutter (SWC): bullet resembles a crayon with a flat, cone-like tip; commonly used for target practice, plinking, and varmint hunting

Each type of bullet has its own unique properties and characteristics, such as expansion, penetration, accuracy, and velocity. The choice of a specific type of bullet often depends on the intended use, such as target shooting, self-defense, or hunting.

Why is 9mm So Popular?

9mm ammo is a popular type of pistol ammo because of how versatile it is. Many firearms are chambered in 9mm Luger, and there are also many technological advances made to this ammo. For example, Hornady designs Critical Defense 9mm ammo that provides more reliable expansion and deeper penetration than the competition.

There is also a growing variety of Subsonic Ammo available, designed to travel at a velocity below the speed of sound, typically around 1,050 feet per second (fps). This can have several advantages:

Suppression: Subsonic 9mm ammunition produces less noise and less blast compared to standard velocity ammunition, making it ideal for use with suppressors.

Reduced recoil: Since the bullet travels at a slower velocity, the recoil produced by the firearm is typically less compared to standard velocity ammunition, making it easier to control and shoot accurately.

Improved accuracy: The slower bullet velocity and reduced recoil can also result in improved accuracy, especially when shooting at longer distances.

Reduced noise pollution: In areas where noise levels are a concern, subsonic ammunition can be a more suitable choice compared to standard velocity ammunition, which produces a louder report.

9mm is popular for several other reasons:

Availability: 9mm Luger is one of the most widely produced and readily available handgun calibers, making it easy and affordable to find ammunition.

Capacity: 9mm handguns often have a higher capacity compared to other calibers, allowing for more rounds to be carried.

Recoil: 9mm handguns have relatively low recoil, making them easier to control and faster to shoot accurately for many people.

Effectiveness: 9mm Handgun Ammo has improved over the years, and modern defensive ammunition has been shown to be effective in self-defense situations.

Cost: 9mm ammunition is generally less expensive compared to other popular handgun calibers, making it a more cost-effective choice for many.

Overall, 9mm's combination of availability, capacity, low recoil, effectiveness, and cost have made it a popular choice for many gun owners and law enforcement agencies.

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