A large part of how well you shoot is in choosing the right ammunition for your firearm. While there is too much to know about handgun ammo to cover in a single article, we will give you some basic information to work with.
The Basic Cartridge Shape
Cartridges have a basic setup, and it’s important to know this to understand handgun ammunition properly. The outer shell is called a casing. Contained within is the powder that propels the projectile, also known as the bullet. The final piece is the primer, which is found in one of two places.
Centerfire cartridges have the primer located on the bottom of the casing, right in the center. It appears as a small dot, and when struck it lights a tiny spark which sets off the powder. Centerfires are the larger calibers, anything over a .22.
Rimfire cartridges don’t have an obvious primer. Rather, these cartridges are struck on the rim which crumples the casing slightly, setting off the powder. Rimfire cartridges are a smaller caliber, and the .22 Long Rifle is a very popular caliber for handguns.
Bullets
As mentioned, bullets are the metal projectile that’s fired when the powder is ignited. Each type has its own list of qualities, and when you look at the handgun ammo for sale, we recommend having a discussion with a sales representative. They can help you choose the right style based on your needs.
One of the most common concerns is whether the bullet passes through the object you’re aiming for, and preventing it from injuring people behind. A hollow point is used for this purpose, but again, speak to a specialist as they can advise you based on your handgun.
The Most Common Handgun Calibers
The 9mm is also known as a 9×19, which is simply saying that the round is nine millimeters wide, and 19 millimeters long. While there are a few different lengths of the 9mm, 9x19mm is the most common and is the ammunition of choice for the well-known Glock 19. The only real difference between the 9mm, the .380, and the .38 Special is the amount of powder in the casing, and possibly the weight of the bullet.
The .40 Smith and Wesson is a larger, heavier hitting round than the 9mm. Originally designed for the FBI, law enforcement agencies around the country picked up the .40 S&W soon after. Recently, the FBI switched back to a 9mm due to better shooting speeds and accuracy.
The .45 ACP (automatic Colt pistol) was specially designed by John Browning for the 1911 pistol and is the caliber of choice for military personnel and law enforcement. Due to the recoil, we don’t recommend learning with this caliber, but it is ideal for self-defense.
