Choosing the Best Handgun Cartridge: Matching the Tool to the Job

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "A Guide to Choosing the Best Handgun Cartridge - Ammo.com"
(https://ammo.com/best/best-handgun-caliber)

When it comes to handgun cartridges, "best" is subjective. How you intend to use your handgun is the biggest determinant of which round you should prefer. What works best for plinking cans off backyard fence posts won't cut it for bear defense.

We outlined the most popular handgun cartridges in current production to help you pair the right one with your shooting discipline. In this article, you'll find the pros and cons of each option and a description of what each one does best.

How to Choose the Best Handgun Caliber

To choose the best handgun cartridge, you must first determine what you will use it for most often, how much money you're willing to spend on ammo, your recoil tolerance, and the type of handgun you want (semi-auto or revolver).

Use Case

Some cartridges aren't good for self-defense but are a blast to take to the range. Others are practical for defense and even hunting, but aren't necessarily suited for high-volume target shooting fun. That's why having a general idea of how you plan to use your new firearm will help you choose the best handgun cartridge for your needs.

Budget

If you're a high-volume shooter, ammo quickly gets expensive. Handgun ammo prices vary widely depending on the cartridge. For example, .22 LR ammo is relatively cheap, but bulk .44 Magnum ammo will definitely set you back.

Recoil Sensitivity

Consider how sensitive you are to recoil. Less powerful cartridges are better for recoil-sensitive shooters, whereas experienced shooters who've developed tolerance and technique for dealing with recoil can manage more powerful cartridges.

Handgun Type

Some shooters (like myself) prefer semi-auto pistols. Others prefer revolvers. Your own preference bears heavily on which ammo you should choose. Although there is usually overlap, most handgun cartridges are designed for optimal functionality in one type of handgun or the other.

Best Pistol Calibers

Best Overall: 9mm

Hornady 9mm Ammo - 25 Rounds of 135 Grain JHP Ammunition

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The 9mm Luger (also known as the 9x19mm Parabellum, or simply 9mm) is the most popular handgun cartridge for both law enforcement and civilian self-defense.

Although the 9mm was once criticized as too weak for self-defense (often by the 45 ACP crowd), improved propellant and bullet technology have left little to be desired in its performance.

Today, the 9mm is considered the gold standard of defensive handgun cartridges. It offers a near-perfect balance of velocity, power, and "shootability." When topped with expanding jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets, the cartridge produces a wide wound channel and penetrates deeply enough to reach vital organs.

Popular 9mm pistols include several Glock models, as well as the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, SIG Sauer P365, and Ruger LC9s. Options range from pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) to subcompact concealed carry models and everything in between.

Because everyone and their brother is in love with the 9mm Luger, there are plenty of ammo options on the market. Shooters can choose from a wide range of bullet weights and designs. You won't find this kind of variety for most other cartridges. Hornady Critical Duty is a great example of a defense ammo with a variety of options. One of our favorites is Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain JHP.

Demand also drives pricing, which is why 9mm ammo for both practice and protection is relatively affordable. The low cost of 9mm ammo lets you put in enough range time to hone your marksmanship without worrying too much about your bank account, making it the best pistol cartridge overall. PMC 124 grain FMJ is a great option to purchase in bulk for long days at the range without needing to win the lottery to afford it.

Best for Self-Defense: .45 ACP

Speer Gold Dot 45 ACP Ammo - 50 Rounds of 230 Grain JHP Ammunition

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The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) was designed by John Moses Browning to accompany his iconic Colt Model 1911 semi-auto pistol. The cartridge and the 1911 were both used by the U.S. military for decades. Fans of the .45 ACP regularly brag about it being the cartridge "that won two world wars."

The cartridge is usually loaded with a 185 or 230 grain bullet, with the heavier bullet being more popular. Although 230 grain projectiles only reach velocities around 850 fps, they tote ample energy for defense downrange. Go figure: our military's longest-used pistol cartridge is effective at its only purpose.

The .45 Auto features a larger diameter bullet than most other popular handgun rounds: .45 inches. Add a bullet design that produces double-diameter expansion, and this cartridge punches big holes in bad guys, making it the best option for self-defense.

The best part about the .45 ACP is that it manages to deliver all that power and expansion without excessive recoil. While this might not be the cartridge to hand your 90-year-old granny, its recoil is manageable for most shooters; not much heavier than that of the 9mm.

The .45 ACP is a pretty bulky cartridge. It only makes sense that guns chambered for it are a bit on the bulky side as well. Although these sidearms aren't easy to conceal, they make excellent home defense pistols.

The .45 ACP cartridge's largish dimensions take up magazine space, so firing a pistol chambered for this bigger round is going to cost you at least a few slots of magazine capacity compared to the 9mm and 40 S&W. Most 1911-style pistols only hold around 7+1 rounds. If you go for a larger semi-auto, like the G21, you'll get three more rounds.

Although Glock's G21 is a popular law enforcement duty pistol, the .45 ACP cartridge is practically synonymous with the 1911. The two go together like peas and carrots. If you want a classic forty-five, the Ruger SR1911, Kimber Warrior, and Colt Royal Blue 1911 Classic will not disappoint. Speer Gold Dot 230 grain GDHP is the standard for many law enforcement officers and CCWers because it performs incredibly well and is reasonably priced.

Feeding your pistol .45 ACP ammo will also cost you. Some loads cost twice as much as 9mm ammo in the same product line. However, .45 ACP won't cost you nearly as much as big-bore cartridges like .44 Magnum, and you can always save a few bucks by buying in bulk.

Best for Recoil-Sensitive Shooters: .22 LR

Eley Tenex Pistol 22 LR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain LRN Ammunition

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$21.99

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The .22 LR is the smallest round on this list. The rimfire cartridge is also the softest-recoiling option we'll cover, which makes it a great option for introducing young or new shooters to the sport.

Although relatively weak, the .22 LR can be a viable choice for personal protection (especially when compared to similar centerfire cartridges like the 25 ACP). It's favored by many who want (A) as little recoil as possible, and (B) the smallest, most easily concealed pistol for personal protection.

As you may already have deduced, correct shot placement is essential when it comes to defense with such a weak cartridge. You would be well advised to choose a bullet which isn't designed for terminal expansion. This helps the bullet penetrate deeper into the threat, which increases its odds of striking a vital organ. Eley Tenex Pistol 40 grain LRN is an excellent all-around 22 LR option.

.22 LR ammo is inexpensive. Even the high-end stuff costs only pennies per round. If burning through ammo is your idea of a good time, the .22 LR makes for an affordable and fun afternoon of shooting.

Here are a few mild-recoiling options to consider when you're shopping for a new .22 pistol: Ruger Mark IV, Browning Buck Mark, or Walther P22.

Best for Bear Defense: 10mm Auto

Underwood 10mm Ammo - 20 Rounds of 200 Grain Hard Cast Ammunition

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The 10mm Auto is the larger parent of the .40 S&W. Introduced in 1983, it was initially designed by Norma Precision for the Dornaus & Dixon Bren Ten semi-auto pistol. The cartridge was engineered to shoot faster and flatter than the .45 ACP, and deliver greater striking energy and a wider wound channel than the 9mm Luger.

The 10mm Auto produces tons of energy, which many consider excessive for personal defense. Over-penetration can be a serious issue when using this cartridge for home defense. Bullets that go straight through bad guys can jeopardize innocent bystanders.

If part of your personal protection plan includes encounters with large grizzlies, the 10mm Auto makes a capable bear-defense cartridge – especially when topped with a heavyweight, hard-cast bullet like the Underwood 200 grain Hard Cast.

As a backcountry sidearm, the 10mm Auto brings plenty to the table. It delivers lots of power and shoots reliably and consistently. It also has mag capacities that reach near 15 rounds, so you'll have plenty to lob at a charging bruin compared to the 44 Mag.

The recoil on this one is pretty harsh, even for some experienced shooters. The FBI actually dropped the 10mm because their agents couldn't pass competency tests using it.

The 10mm has largely fallen out of favor among law enforcement personnel, though it hasn't completely gone the way of the dinosaur. Although the cartridge and the guns chambered for it are considerably more obscure than they were a few decades ago, both are seeing a modest resurgence in popularity.

The most popular models include the SIG Sauer P220, Glock 40, and the Colt Delta Elite.

Most Stopping Power: .44 Remington Magnum

Black Hills Ammunition 44 Magnum Ammo - 50 Rounds of 240 Grain JHP Ammunition

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The .44 Remington Magnum (also known as .44 Magnum, 44 Mag, or just "44") is best known for its association with a movie character. (You know which one, punk.)

The .44 Magnum was once touted as the most powerful cartridge in the world. Since its introduction in 1954, stronger cartridges have been introduced (460 S&W and 454 Casull being two). However, the 44 Mag remains a potent option for shooters who live by the motto "Go big or go home."

The .44 Magnum is usually housed in a big-bore revolver. That means you'll only get about five or six rounds before you need to reload.

Those five or six rounds are going to hit with a massive amount of energy, however. That stopping power is a major perk if you find yourself toe-to-toe with an angry bear.

Because the .44 Magnum hits with such force, it also has some seriously harsh recoil. It takes some muscle (and sometimes some courage) to tame this one.

A few popular revolvers chambered for .44 Magnum include the Ruger Super Redhawk, Taurus Raging Bull, and Smith & Wesson Model 69. The Desert Eagle is also sometimes chambered in .44 Magnum. I primarily fire Black Hills 240 grain JHPs from my DE because they've performed well out of my handcannon.

Best for Target Shooting & Training: .40 Smith & Wesson

Sellier and Bellot 40 Cal Ammo - 50 Rounds of 180 Grain FMJ Ammunition

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$19.99

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The .40 Smith & Wesson was designed in the wake of the infamous 1986 Miami Dade shootout that ended with the deaths of two FBI agents. Another five FBI agents were injured in a standoff against bank robbers armed with two .357 Magnum revolvers, a Ruger Mini-14, and a 12 gauge shotgun.

The new pistol cartridge was engineered to deliver better terminal ballistics than the 9mm, but in a platform that was easier to fire than the FBI's 10mm Auto. (Many agents of the day had a difficult time qualifying with the hard-recoiling 10mm.)

Plenty of shooters swear by the .40 S&W. While the muzzle velocity of the .40 S&W is similar to that of the 9mm, the .40 hits the target with far more energy and can drive deeper into soft tissue as a result. When neither bullet achieves terminal expansion, the .40 cal necessarily inflicts a wider wound channel than the 9mm.

Although the .40 S&W produces less recoil than its 10mm predecessor, it is still a pretty heavy hitter. Even in a full-size pistol, the .40 S&W's recoil can be snappy and hard to tame, which can make getting back on target for quick and accurate follow-up shots a bit problematic for some.

The .40 S&W is no longer in its heyday, although many major firearm manufacturers still produce pistols chambered for it. Some quality options currently in production include the Glock 22, SIG Sauer P226, Taurus G2C, and Springfield Armory XD-S.

Because it takes more raw materials to manufacture bigger cartridges, .40 S&W is typically more expensive than comparable 9mm rounds. The lower demand for .40 S&W also drives the price up, so expect to invest more in both your practice and self-defense ammo.

Given these cost considerations, buying bulk .40 S&W ammo can be a wise investment. However, Sellier and Bellot 180 grain FMJ ammo is very reasonably priced and a good option for training.

Best for Concealed Carry: .380 ACP

Federal Personal Defense 380 ACP Ammo - 20 Rounds of 99 Grain HST Ammunition

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The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a relatively small cartridge, albeit one that fires the same 0.355" diameter bullet as the popular 9mm Luger. The .380 ACP is sometimes called the "9mm Short" or "9mm Kurtz" ("kurtz" being German for "short").

While the .380 ACP packs significantly more punch than the .22 LR, it is still a little wimpy when it comes to "stopping power," especially compared to the 45 ACP. Muzzle energy rarely exceeds 200 ft lbs (for context, a minimum of around 260 ft lbs is typically considered adequate for self-defense).

This cartridge is a popular option for pocket pistols. Many police officers and civilians choose this cartridge for their backup guns because it's easily concealed, yet powerful enough to stop a threat with proper shot placement. Federal Personal Defense 99 grain HST is what I have my wife load into her 380 pistol for defense.

The recoil from this cartridge is mild, making it manageable for older, disabled, and recoil-sensitive shooters. If you're looking for a reliable, easy-to-conceal pocket pistol, check out the Ruger LCP or SIG Sauer P238.

Final Thoughts: Best Handgun Cartridges

In this article, we covered many of the most popular handgun cartridges on the market today. This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many other fine options available to modern shooters, but they may be a little more difficult to get your hands on.

The best handgun cartridge is the one you can fire with confidence. If you can put several .22 LR into the threat, then you'll probably be better off than if you'd missed altogether with anything else. I recommend heading to the range to test a few out and see which one works best for you.

Written by

Wes Littlefield