Handgun Ammo For Sale

Live Inventory

While advances in bullet technology have made remarkable improvements to handgun ammo, the fundamental design remains unchanged. Choices for handgun shooters are overwhelmingly versatile, making this type of ammo some of the most popular across the globe. Learn More

All Handgun Calibers

25 ACP Ammo 30 Super Carry Ammo 32 ACP Ammo Out of stock 32 S&W Ammo 32 S&W Long Ammo 327 Federal Magnum Ammo 357 Magnum Ammo 357 Sig Ammo 38 S&W Ammo 38 Special Ammo 38 Super Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 40 Cal (S&W) Ammo 41 Rem Magnum Ammo 44 Magnum Ammo 44 Special Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 45 GAP Ammo 45 Long Colt Ammo 454 Casull Ammo 460 S&W Ammo 480 Ruger Ammo 50 Action Express Ammo 500 S&W Magnum Ammo Out of stock 7.62x25mm Tokarev Ammo 9mm Ammo 9mm Makarov Ammo Out of stock 9x18 Ultra Ammo Out of stock 9x21mm IMI Ammo Out of stock 9x23mm Winchester Ammo 10mm Ammo

Handgun History

You're free to republish or share any of our handgun caliber histories (either in part or in full), which are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Our only requirement is that you give Ammo.com appropriate credit by linking to the original article. Spread the word; knowledge is power!

Handgun calibers have come a long way since the days of black powder and ball and cap — but the mission remains the same: dependable firepower when you need it most. Over the past century, innovations in design and materials have created the wide range of handgun cartridges we rely on today for self-defense, training, and sport.

Choosing the Right Handgun Caliber

With so many options out there, knowing your calibers can make all the difference:

9mm Luger: The world’s most popular handgun round — trusted for its balance of stopping power, recoil, and capacity.
.38 Special: Known for its soft recoil and reliability, perfect for revolvers and newer shooters.
.357 Magnum: A hard-hitting favorite among those who want revolver power that can handle serious threats.
.40 S&W: A defensive workhorse — more power than 9mm without the magnum-level recoil.
.380 ACP: Compact and easy to conceal, ideal for backup guns and deep carry.

What to Load Up On (Based on How You Shoot)

Once you know your caliber, it’s time to stack your ammo accordingly. Here’s where to start:

For Range Days and Practice

Keep skills sharp without breaking the bank:

50 rounds of 9mm ammo for routine drills.
Bulk up smart with 100 rounds or 250 rounds of 9mm.

For Carry and Defense

Train with what you carry, and carry what you trust:

Go heavier with 9mm 147-grain ammo for deeper penetration and reduced muzzle flip.
Trust proven loads like Speer Gold Dot 9mm or Honey Badger 9mm.
Prefer a bigger bore? Speer Gold Dot .40 S&W delivers fight-stopping power.

For Revolver Shooters

Time-tested, reliable, and still a favorite:

250 rounds of .38 Special — manageable recoil for frequent practice.
Step up with 357 Magnum 200-grain loads when you need serious stopping power.

Written by

Molly Carter

Bullet Points: Handgun Ammo

Since handgun ammo choices are extremely diverse, this type of ammunition is some of the most popular across the globe.
While there have been advancements in handgun bullet technology for over a century, the fundamental design is unchanged. This basic design includes three components: a casing plugged with a primer, filled with powder, and capped with a bullet.
The .22 Short was the first self-contained pistol ammo ever produced, and it’s still available to this day. It can only be used for hunting small game and varmints, but it’s a popular rimfire cartridge that will likely be around for ages.