[Vincine]

Ignoring all the other caliber and reloading arguments for now (please), which of the following do you believe is most likely?

a) The most common handgun caliber is the most likely to be produced and available;
OR
b) The most common handgun caliber is the most likely to be in demand and unavailable.

[c3shooter]

With the exception of .22 rimfire, I believe 9mm Parabellum is the most common pistol cartridge in the world. .380 (in the US) came into VERY short supply last year- many ammo makers did seasonal runs of that, and the intro of a couple of popular new .380s, coupled with seasonal production, created a temporary shortage.

It is also the standard military sidearm cartridge of several nations (including all NATO members, if you consider the 9mm NATO and 9mm Parabellum to be the same round) I have heard the claim you could find 9mm ammo in any major city in the world.

Remember that ammo is consumable- if you have an oddball caliber, while demand is low, so is production. Finding that can be a matter of luck. Seen any .35 S&W Auto ammo around lately? (no, not a typo- .35 S&W! )

[Vincine]

I've learned about the ubiquitous 9mm. (I do my homework.) Thanks.

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Remember that ammo is consumable- if you have an oddball caliber, while demand is low, so is production.

Yes. And where production would be high, it's because the demand is high too, hence my question. So you think 9mm will always be on the shelf?

[c3shooter]

Yes. Sort of like .308 and 30-30 rifle. The 8.82 Grunchenticker Super Short Long magnum may be the latest round every gun magazine is swooning over, but I can walk into any WalMart or country store that carries ammo, odds are I can find those two rounds.

[Bigcountry02]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Seen any .35 S&W Auto ammo around lately? (no, not a typo- .35 S&W! )

Negative! The only ammo I see on the shelves locally, is the ammo that sells.

[TrueNorth]

Well, I guess it would depend somewhat on the situation... but generally speaking I would imagine that the most popular rounds will be easier to find on the shelf than any niche/oddball round even in spite of high demand.

9mm in particular can almost surely be found in some way, shape or form because not only is it extremely popular and therefore in high production and found at about any gun store, it's also likely to be in many households, and is in most police stations and military bases. Not only in the US but also in Canada and probably most other countries.

It's a good question, and in an emergency where production stops for an extended period, the popular ones might dry out first, but since the civilian and military stockpiles are so high I would think thats it will be easy to find. It may even get special production priority and be the last of the ammo in production due to the government military uses.
Also, if the 9mm dries up, you can bet that the other ammo has also dried up since once one goes, people will take anything they can get.

As I said, it depends on the situation, but I think 9mm is a safe bet. especially for planning purposes right now when production is running. Even if your loal shop is out, it will get some soon, so get your order in!

[Davo45]

I'll vote on the 9mm too for being most likely to find worldwide. In the U.S. I'd say it's a toss up between the 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Most LE agencies here use the .40 and I've yet to be unable to find it on the shelf at any store that sells it. The .45 ACP is a popular round too and readily available. The 9mm has the edge in cost.

The .38 Spl & .357 Mag are both popular and fairly easy to find, but not as much as the others listed and cost somewhere between the .40 & .45.

[chrstian_indy]

Great thread!

I'm planning on getting me a Ruger Blackhawk convt. comes with a 9mm and 357 (but can also shoot .38sp). SO its like 3 guns in 1

i think the .22lr is very common and the 9mm too.

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by chrstian_indy

Great thread!

I'm planning on getting me a Ruger Blackhawk convt. comes with a 9mm and 357 (but can also shoot .38sp). SO its like 3 guns in 1

As long as the 9mm cylinder is used for plinking only and nothing else you should be a happy camper. Accuracy is an issue with the 9 mike mike for several compromised reasons.

The gun is built with a 38/357 barrel designed to shoot the 9.1mm bullet. When you throw a 9×19mm Parabellum, 9.03mm bullet down the same barrel it has more of a jump to make into the rifling and "rattles" down the barrel.

When going 9mm you must shoot jacketed bullets. The 9mm cylinder head spaces on the rim mouth. There is the typical back and forth play that is common in a revolver. Lead will shave a tad on the head space of the cylinder.

As a 357 it will serve you well as a hunter and personal defense piece.

My choice, should I want to go convertible, would be the Blackhawk chambered in 45LC/45Auto.

I have the Blackhawk chambered in 30 carbine. Outstanding gun and wicked accurate.

[chrstian_indy]

Originally Posted by canebrake

As long as the 9mm cylinder is used for plinking only and nothing else you should be a happy camper. Accuracy is an issue with the 9 mike mike for several compromised reasons.

The gun is built with a 38/357 barrel designed to shoot the 9.1mm bullet. When you throw a 9×19mm Parabellum, 9.03mm bullet down the same barrel it has more of a jump to make into the rifling and "rattles" down the barrel.

When going 9mm you must shoot jacketed bullets. The 9mm cylinder head spaces on the rim mouth. There is the typical back and forth play that is common in a revolver. Lead will shave a tad on the head space of the cylinder.

As a 357 it will serve you well as a hunter and personal defense piece.

My choice, should I want to go convertible, would be the Blackhawk chambered in 45LC/45Auto.

I have the Blackhawk chambered in 30 carbine. Outstanding gun and wicked accurate.

So when purchasing ammo fro the blackhawk i need to take in consideration the diameter of the bullet?