What do you consider the "common service calibers"?

[mavracer]

I'd add that IMHO there are a lot of cartridges that used to be common service calibers that are not anymore. 38-40(38 WCF) was a quite common round for LEO 100+ years ago. 38 Super was used a lot in the 1930s. 32acp and 380 even 32 S&W used to be common service calibers.
So it would depend on tence of the question. common now? or common ever?

 

[jim243]

You can apply your own definition to "service caliber", whether it be a common one for self defense, or specifically a police force caliber

Loaded question indeed!! The correct answer will depend on where your are and if you see the big picture (world view).

The word "common" is one that is really loaded (pun intended).

Since the largest army and police force is in China the answer could be the Type 80 7.62x25 mm or Type 77 7.65x17 mm or the QSZ-92 in 5.8 Chinese or 9x19mm Luger. Or maybe the Tokarev 7.62x25 or Makarov 9x18?

It is all a matter of prospective. The single caliber used through out the world in the largest number is the 9x19 mm Luger. That to me would be the "most common caliber" used by most of the world's services.

Just my view on the question
Jim

 

[Skribs]

The correct answer will depend on where your are and if you see the big picture (world view).

This is an opinion thread. There is no correct answer. The only requirements are that it is something you consider a "common service caliber" and that it be specifically related to handguns.

 

[tipoc]

What branch of the military or law enforcement used the .357 Super Mag?

The 30-06, the 30/40 Krag, the 45/70 Government, the 8mm Mauser, the 7x57 Mauser, and others are all service calibers because they were used by militaries of the world as general issue ammo.

tipoc

 

[JEB]

IMO, service calibers would be"

.40 s&w
9mm
.45 ACP

honorable mention to:
.38 special
.357 mag

 

[ATLDave]

The answer depends on the context. One common context is discussions about availability of ammunition, in which case 9mm, .40, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and 12 gauge are about it (in the US), with .45ACP and .38 special on the fringe.

The other context is discussing a band of power in the handgun calibers, running from 9mm through .40 and ending at .45ACP; .38Spl+P can fit on that band as well. Cartridges along that band generally offer equivalent value, with tradeoffs between greater momentum versus greater energy, and arguably slight tradeoffs between capacity versus single-shot-performance. One can make a strong argument that a choice between cartridges on this band is really a question of taste, not different capabilities. This is a useful context if you're trying to distinguish between these "service calibers" and things that are a clear step down (e.g., .380, .32 ACP) or a clear step up (10mm, .41 magnum). Some would quibble over whether a .357 is enough of a step up to be in the next band; I think it is, but the "bullets below 2000 fps just poke holes" crowd might not concede that.

 

[JShirley]

As a class, handgun service calibers in the USA begin with the .38 Special, and go up to 10mm or .357 Magnum in power. Common calibers include .38, 9x19mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum and 10mm.

John

 

[jim243]

The only requirements are that it is something you consider a "common service caliber" and that it be specifically related to handguns.

It all depends on how you define "common" (your words not mine), during WWII there were no "common" caliber used by all of the same or opposing forces. We had one (45 ACP) the Brits another the Germans another the Russians another, the Japanise still a different one. Not sure about the Italians but I think they use the 9mm same as the Germans.

So for all our sakes please explain "common"????? (More than 50%, less than 50% or what?) (Do you mean a Standard Service Caliber not common?)

Thanks
Jim

 

[skoro]

38spl
357mag
9mm
40s&w
45acp

 

[JohnKSa]

As a class, handgun service calibers in the USA begin with the .38 Special, and go up to 10mm or .357 Magnum in power.

That's exactly how I'd define the class too, and that's a good way to nail down part of the answer.

 

[Skribs]

Jim, it is an opinion thread. Your answer is based on what you think of as common, what you consider a service caliber, and that it applies to handguns. I left it open-ended because I was curious what other people thought.

I'm not surprised to see that many people consider the .38/.357 revolver cartridge and the 9/40/45 auto cartridges to be the most common. 357SIG and 10mm less commonly mentioned. A few other interesting ones have been mentioned.

ATLDave, I'm one of those people you mentioned. Anything under 2K FPS just pokes holes.

 

[Fishslayer]

One of my coworkers considers the .40 S&W to be a "proprietary" round that is not a standard caliber.

I believe your coworker is wrong. It's not the standard NATO round but the 10mm Kurz is in wide use by law enforcement and is very popular with civilians.

Personally, I don't own one myself but I get a LOT of brass as incidental bycatch policing my .45. Lots of people shooting it.

 

[Quaamik]

When I think "Common Service Calibers" I think of those that have been standard issue to US military or US LEOs and that are common enough to pick up ammo for at any sprting goods store or walmart.

.38+p
.357 Mag
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP

Thats the total list of pistol calibers that meet the definition for me.

 

[Formula94]

In the US I'd think that the most common service calibers are 9mm, .40, and .45. I'm sure there are others, but I wouldn't consider them "common".
Abroad, my experience is limited to Romania. My brother in law is a cop there and they carry the Carpati (modeled off of the Walther PPK) chambered in .32ACP.

 

[MCgunner]

.38spl, 9mm, 40S&W, .45ACP

I dont think .357/.44Magnum as standard.

the .357 magnum was in the holsters of MOST of the LEOs in Texas including DPS until the 80s. The DPS and rangers liked it so much, SIG built an auto pistol around a high velocity 9mm and NAMED it a .357 and the DPS bought it. It's a MINO (magnum in name only). Yes, of course .357 magnum a service caliber.

 

[Byrd666]

Skribs

My apologies. I did not see the handgun/revolver part of the question.

 

[dnilson]

Anyone dealing with bears, even black bears, would be well served to trade that .45 cal in for a 10mm!!!! Just my opinion!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Anyone dealing with bears, even black bears, would be well served to trade that .45 cal in for a 10mm!!!! Just my opinion!

Many of us do just that. In my case it is just when I am at my northern location. Back in the concrete jungle, it's back to .45 ACP for me.

 

[Striker]

Present Day:

.38
.357 Mag
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP

Past:

.32 Long
.32 ACP
.380/200
.380ACP
.455
.45 Colt