Awesome Handgun Calibers Never Took Off

[Elderberry]

gunbelts.com Apr 12, 2017

The dominant handgun calibers are excellent, but they're also fairly old. The newest caliber that's achieved much in the way of popularity is .40 S&W, and even that one seems to be on the way out to some degree.

There are some other great handgun calibers out there that just haven't gotten the same traction, which is kind of unfortunate. There are some great rounds that just don't get the same love as .45 ACP or 9x19mm that merit looking into.

The .38 Super: The Original Plus P Round

The .41 Magnum: Arguably The Perfect Manstopper

The 10mm Auto

9x23mm Winchester

From Russia With BOOM! The 7.65x25mm Tokarev

.327 Federal Magnum - King Of The Compact Magnums

More: http://gunbelts.com/blog/overlooked-handgun-calibers/

[roamer_1]

The dominant handgun calibers are excellent, but they're also fairly old. The newest caliber that's achieved much in the way of popularity is .40 S&W, and even that one seems to be on the way out to some degree.

Why fix what ain't broke?

There are some other great handgun calibers out there that just haven't gotten the same traction, which is kind of unfortunate. There are some great rounds that just don't get the same love as .45 ACP or 9x19mm that merit looking into.

*not* 45/70, I can tell you that....

[txradioguy]

I've been reading about the .44 Special making a bit of a comeback from the "forgotten" calibers as well.

I've been reading about the .38 Super...might even look into buying one if I can find some extra cash.

[Elderberry]

I've been reading about the .44 Special making a bit of a comeback from the "forgotten" calibers as well.

I've been reading about the .38 Super...might even look into buying one if I can find some extra cash.

I'd love to have a 44 special.

I've shot 38 Super in my Astra400. Not much different than 9mm Largo. I've always liked that handgun.

I also like the 7.65x25. I shoot it in my CZ52. I wish someone would come out with a more modern handgun in this caliber.

[txradioguy]

I'd love to have a 44 special.

This might interest you then.

http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2016/01/video-charter-arms-boomer-a-new-44-special-snubbie/#charter-arms-boomer-1

I've shot 38 Super in my Astra400. Not much different than 9mm Largo. I've always liked that handgun.

My good friends at Rock Island Armory make one of their 1911 models chambered for .38 super.  That's the one I've had my eye on.

I also like the 7.65x25. I shoot it in my CZ52. I wish someone would come out with a more modern handgun in this caliber.

It's an interesting round for sure.  Maybe someone like CZ will come out with an updated pistol at some point.

[thackney]

I've been reading about the .44 Special making a bit of a comeback from the "forgotten" calibers as well.

I hope so.  I rarely find it in a store.  A little easier for pleasure shooting with the 44 mag.

[Elderberry]

This might interest you then.

http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2016/01/video-charter-arms-boomer-a-new-44-special-snubbie/#charter-arms-boomer-1

I've looked at the boomer. 2 negatives for me. DAO and no front sight.

What I'd really like is a short barreled S&W Model 69. I know, 44Mag, but I really like the gun, especially if they'd offer it in a 3 inch bbl.

[txradioguy]

I've looked at the boomer. 2 negatives for me. DAO and no front sight.

What I'd really like is a short barreled S&W Model 69. I know, 44Mag, but I really like the gun, especially if they'd offer it in a 3 inch bbl.

IIRC Ruger is offering the GP100 in .44 Special.

[Elderberry]

IIRC Ruger is offering the GP100 in .44 Special.

It looks like it has a lot to offer.

[endicom]

I've been reading about the .44 Special making a bit of a comeback from the "forgotten" calibers as well.

Son of Sam approved for effectiveness.

[Smokin Joe]

I'd love to have a 44 special.

I've shot 38 Super in my Astra400. Not much different than 9mm Largo. I've always liked that handgun.

I also like the 7.65x25. I shoot it in my CZ52. I wish someone would come out with a more modern handgun in this caliber.

Please check this out. http://www.9mmlargo.com/cartridge/largo_vs_others.htmhttp://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?167026-9x23-vs-9mm-largo-horror-stories
While people have shot .38 super, 9X23 Winchester through weapons designed for 9 mm Largo (also 9X23), in many cases, it isn't recommended. There is a whole spectrum of chamber pressures involved, and the history of the firearms is a factor, often unknown.

It's your pistol, feed it as you like, but I would be remiss not to point out the varying opinions on shooting higher pressure rounds through it.

[Smokin Joe]

I hope so.  I rarely find it in a store.  A little easier for pleasure shooting with the 44 mag.

If you reload, check out a milder .44Mag load with IMR4227. It is gentler than the 'hot' loads and factory .44 Rem Mag loads, and just nicer to shoot out of pistol or rifle.

[ABX]

I have a beautiful Century 45-70 revolver. Kicks like a caddy hit you at 60mph, but can take down anything. Now that we have open carry, I'm tempted to strap it on one day.

[Bigun]

.41 mag is awesome!

[Elderberry]

Please check this out. http://www.9mmlargo.com/cartridge/largo_vs_others.htmhttp://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?167026-9x23-vs-9mm-largo-horror-stories
While people have shot .38 super, 9X23 Winchester through weapons designed for 9 mm Largo (also 9X23), in many cases, it isn't recommended. There is a whole spectrum of chamber pressures involved, and the history of the firearms is a factor, often unknown.

It's your pistol, feed it as you like, but I would be remiss not to point out the varying opinions on shooting higher pressure rounds through it.

I've read it all. And you notice that I used the contraction I've, not that it's my current practice.

[Elderberry]

.41 mag is awesome!

Ammo availability and price almost forces you to be a reloader. My 2 friends that own .41s love the gun.

[Elderberry]

I should note that I have swapped out the barrel in my Astra400 for a  9mm Parabellum barrel.

[Smokin Joe]

I should note that I have swapped out the barrel in my Astra400 for a  9mm Parabellum barrel.

Do you know some place I could get replacement (rechambered) barrels for Star and Astra pistols? There was an outfit that offered them (Federal Arms or Federal Ordnance, iirc), but they disappeared during the Clinton years.

[Elderberry]

Federal was who I got the Astra barrel from.

[Bigun]

Ammo availability and price almost forces you to be a reloader. My 2 friends that own .41s love the gun.

I haven't bought a round of commercially loaded ammo in 30 years (except for personal carry ammo) and I LOVE my .41.   Very little difference between it and .44 with magnum loads but much easier to practice with.

[Elderberry]

I Love my Ruger Blackhawk .45 and I've run around 39 years of reloads thru it. I've been hooked on reloading for about 50 years.

[Elderberry]

I just remembered another caliber. Who remembers the .401 Powermag?

[roamer_1]

I have a beautiful Century 45-70 revolver. Kicks like a caddy hit you at 60mph, but can take down anything. Now that we have open carry, I'm tempted to strap it on one day.

I had the opportunity to shoot one of those, which is where I rendered my opinion.

Better not figure on more than one shot... Time off target is huge, taking the time to run back there and find your arm and all...

[geronl]

The biggest, most worthless manifestation of an inferiority complex ever created by one man. Originally manufactured under the name “Remington Model 1859,” this copy of the formerly U.S.-made revolver was built by Ryszard Tobys and measures 4-foot-(1.26 m) long. To give some basis for comparison, the 28mm projectile is 8mm wider than the U.S. military’s fabled “20mm Cannon,” a weapon used primarily for destroying tanks, sinking boats, or shooting down heavily armored airplanes. While entirely impractical and, one would guess, impossible to use as an even mildly effective tool for any purpose other than felling trees, the 28mm revolver has made its mark as truly being the world’s largest pistol. And simultaneously the world’s most comical waste of lead.

[thackney]

If you reload, check out a milder .44Mag load with IMR4227. It is gentler than the 'hot' loads and factory .44 Rem Mag loads, and just nicer to shoot out of pistol or rifle.

Sadly, there is not enough time in the week to even consider reloading.  Far easier to simply work and extra hour and pay for all I want to shoot that week, although lately, finding time to even shoot is tough.