The caliber cycle (Not caliber war)

[MCM]

No intention of having another caliber war thread.
(What's better / just as good etc. thread) There is no winner.

This one is to point out what goes in and out of fashion, and why?

38 Special / .45, then.357 mag = king of the hill. 44 Special / no longer special. Dirty Harry 44 mag. .9mm a bit more common here in the early 80's. 10mm V.S. 40. V.S. .45. (The FBI days) 357 SIG to concur the world, 10mm fades away with the 357 Sig. .40 has a solid 15 year run, 9mm takes back over. Now it looks like they are making a run / renewing interest in 10mm. (Who saw that coming?) Its always had a core following after the initial push, but I have a feeling they want us to start buying it again in the near future.

I cant think of anything I do not have fun shooting. Not picking a winner or choosing sides. It just amazing how the community of shooters is herded around, then back again now and then. If you have only been into it for a few years, this post wont make much sense. But if you have been somewhat involved 2-3-4+ decades. You might get it. And smile.

I remember feeling a bit un sure buying a 9mm Belgium Browning HiPower in 1984 asking if finding ammo could be a problem?
(In a world of 38's and .45's) I also remember ammo feeling much hotter
back then,
Will find out what they are telling me I need for 2015 at the SHOT SHOW.
Am guessing its a 10mm this year. Will find out real soon.

Just something to talk about.

[Dingusmalarky]

I'd be pretty excited if 10mm made a comeback

I've wanted a 10mm revolver since I heard about the S&W that they stopped making

[himurax13]

I believe the 10mm will remain an obscure round. I don't see anyone other than enthusiasts who will use it.

I am sure 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP will continue to be the most popular center fire pistol cartridges.

[liamettocs]

They already make a 10mm revolver, but they call it a .41 magnum.

[RR.44]

They already make a 10mm revolver, but they call it a .41 magnum.

Yeah, and the ammo costs about the same.

[MCM]

Agree. CCW brought the .380 back. Not sure what they will use for the 10mm.
Man and beast defense? No idea.

[Carcassonne]

I think movies, videos, TV, and the news has a lot to do with what calibers are popular. Most people are "monkey see - monkey do" types. The Beretta 92 was popular when the US military chose it as its sidearm, and it was seen in movies. The 1911 was popular because of all the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam war movies. Magnum PI also used a 1911. The 44 Mag was popular when Dirty Harry came out. People also buy waht they are familiar with. 30-06 was popular after the World Wars because people were familiar with that cartridge in the war. The AR became popular because of Vietnam and the Gulf War(s).



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[chuckdc]

While the 10mm is a really cool round, it is probably not going to be in the top-tier of popularity for the same reasons it didn't get there the first time. It's too long to fit in most platforms that fit just-about-everyone's hands. I have small-ish hands and I have troubles with trigger reach on things like the 10mm/.45 frame Glocks, and so on, I can still use them but not easily or well. Lots of others have the same issue. It was one of the main reasons why the 10 failed with the FBI (along with the CF of a design that they inflicted on the S&W guns that worked before they made them change them) The grip size issue also affected recoil control and perceived recoil, even when thy down-loaded the 10. The .40 came about less for the power level ( it's equal to the downloaded 10) than for the fact that it physically fit into existing 9mm frame envelopes.With a few tweaks due to the pressure and power level differences, the "high-cap" 9 became a slightly-less cap .40. The 9 has come back more because of improved bullet design that has improved what a 9 can do. It may also be a realization that the differences between effectiveness of handgun rounds is really just tinkering at the margins for a few percent, and people who don't practice A lot shoot 9's better, which makes more differnce than a small edge in terminal performance of the bullet.
I like the 10, I like and have shot thousands of .40 rounds. Right now I carry a 9 most of the times I carry, because it gets me more rounds in an easy to conceal package. I think all the rounds mentioned are pretty good at what they do (except the .45 GAP. Don't see much use for that one!)

Embrace diversity! Own some of each!

[heidad01]

I think movies, videos, TV, and the news has a lot to do with what calibers are popular. Most people are "monkey see - monkey do" types. The Beretta 92 was popular when the US military chose it as its sidearm, and it was seen in movies. The 1911 was popular because of all the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam war movies. Magnum PI also used a 1911. The 44 Mag was popular when Dirty Harry came out. People also buy waht they are familiar with. 30-06 was popular after the World Wars because people were familiar with that cartridge in the war. The AR became popular because of Vietnam and the Gulf War(s).
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^^^ that just about covers it all.
I just hope the bell bottom pants and the long side burns do not ever come back.

[claimjumper86]

I really believe that major changes adopted by the military or major LE such as FBI greatly influences caliber choice trends. There does seem to be ALOT of SIG enthusiasts waiting for their 10mm to hit the market.

[JohnCCW]

Agree. CCW brought the .380 back. Not sure what they will use for the 10mm.
Man and beast defense? No idea.

Yes- works for me...

[JohnCCW]

I really believe that major changes adopted by the military or major LE such as FBI greatly influences caliber choice trends. There does seem to be ALOT of SIG enthusiasts waiting for their 10mm to hit the market.

How will you be able to buy that pistol in CA?
If the roster lives, you are limited to a Kimber 1911, or a Glock configuration.

[claimjumper86]

Yeah, I hear ya. Hope that future see's our infamous "Roster" to be declared unconstitutional.

[k1dude]

Whatever the US military and police uses seems to be the most popular. 12 ga and .22 LR always hang in there regardless of era.

WWI Era = .30-06, .38 Spl, .45 ACP.

WWII Era = .30-06, .38 Spl, .45 ACP, .357 Mag.

Korean Era = .30-06, .45 ACP, .357 Mag.

Vietnam Era = 5.56, .308, .45 ACP, .357 Mag.

Desert Storm/GWOT Era = 5.56, 9mm, .40, .308

I'm speaking of cartridge sales volume being the equivalent of most popular. Sure stuff like the 10mm, .44 Mag, 20 ga, .270, 7.62 x 39, and 30-30 were/are popular choices at times, but not in comparative total cartridge sales volume.

[BigPimping]

I believe the 10mm will remain an obscure round. I don't see anyone other than enthusiasts who will use it.

I am sure 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP will continue to be the most popular center fire pistol cartridges.

I would agree with this statement. Most rounds used by LE will be readily available.