[nstaffor]

I'm going to be buying my first handgun and am pretty set on a Smith and Wesson M&P, but I'm not sure on the caliber. I know I like the power and size of a .45, but I'm told the price per round is a lot higher than 9mm. I want to practice shoot quite a bit, but money is tight. So what is the average price per round on 9mm, .40, and .45?

[Firearms4ever]

It all depends on the brand of ammunition and type of ammunition usually. If you buy full metal jackets or lead cast ammunition it will be a lot cheaper than something like hollow points. 9mm is going to be the least expensive, next is .40, and the .45 ACP.

I would recommend starting with the 9mm so you can learn the fundamentals of shooting, be able to shoot more, and get more practice in.

[knfxda]

Don't know about averages, but here's an online source for ammo. I would compare prices within a brand for the same type of ammo (FMJ, for example). And don't use the really cheap brands as your measuring stick.

http://www.luckygunner.com/handgun/9mm-ammo

http://www.luckygunner.com/handgun/40-s-w-ammo

http://www.luckygunner.com/handgun/45-acp-ammo

Sent from my iPhone using FirearmsTalk

[jjfuller1]

i know around here average brands are
9mm... $11 or $12 per box of 50
.40 ...$15 to $18 per box of 50
.45.. not sure i dont buy it

thats for the average target loads. hollow points are a few bucks more and generally per box of 25

for a first pistol out of those those id pick the 9mm as you would get to shoot it more. but really as a first pistol i would suggest lookign at .22. they are great to practice with. cheap at around 500 rnds for 20 to 25. it would let you shoot a lot and get used to shooting pistols while saving you cash on ammo

[nstaffor]

I'm going to be using at as a carry and a home defense, so 9mm is the lowest size I'm going to go, but from what you're saying that's the best thing to get anyways.

[g17frantz]

9mm will be a perfect start for you. Winchester White Box 100 at walmart are $24.97. I've probably shot between my glock 17 and my 1911 1500 rounds + with WWB and maybe have had 5 bad rounds. Not bad considering loose pack ammo (9mm) at least. And the brass has proven to be pretty good for reloading as well. Congrats on your first handgun, M&P's have been proven to be pretty dang reliable, lots of police forces have changed over from Glock to the m&p's (not that I agree considering I'm a glock owner/lover) Now if we can just get you to get a 1911 next.....

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by nstaffor

I'm going to be using at as a carry and a home defense, so 9mm is the lowest size I'm going to go, but from what you're saying that's the best thing to get anyways.

Do yourself a favor and read this thread.

Why Rob Pincus now prefers the 9mm over .40 S&W for self defense

If you don't know who Rob Pincus is, Let me google that for you

If you're really set on a polymer gun you should also look at the SA XD9;

Springfield XD 9mm 4" Black 16 round Mags $430.00 SHIPS FREE

[sweeper22]

You're probably best off buying a 9mm. I prefer metal frames, but the M&P is a very good gun.

Here's what I usually pay for range ammo (per 100rds):

9mm: $22
40sw: $29
45acp: $34

[nstaffor]

It's funny that you bring up the XD9, its one of the other guns I'm planning on shooting when I go to the range to make my final decision. Have you or anybody else fired both? I've been watching a lot of videos and looking around a lot on both guns (as well as the SD9, but I've found that for the extra money just going for an M&P is worth it) and it looks like it's 50/50 between those. Just one of those things I'll know after I shoot them maybe?

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by nstaffor

It's funny that you bring up the XD9, its one of the other guns I'm planning on shooting when I go to the range to make my final decision. Have you or anybody else fired both? I've been watching a lot of videos and looking around a lot on both guns (as well as the SD9, but I've found that for the extra money just going for an M&P is worth it) and it looks like it's 50/50 between those. Just one of those things I'll know after I shoot them maybe?

I've shot both and I think the XD is the better of the two.

If you are still looking, do yourself a favor before you buy. Find someone with a 9mm Browning Hi-Power and put a box of ammo down-range.

Two years ago I checked the Browning Hi-Power off my bucket list and found my now-favorite carry piece!





This vintage BHP cut about 15% of the time needed for lethal double tap hits. It also turned what was a waste of time and ammo, the Mozambique Drill, into a serious triple tap skill.



When I pick up a J M Browning designed firearm I seem to be able to "feel" Browning's DNA in the gun's form.

The man knew and understood ergonomics way before the word was coined and its science was studied.

Yes, I am a John Moses Browning disciple!