I just discovered that American Handgunner magazine articles are available from 1999 to present in text form. What were the Top 10 Selling Handgun Cartridges in 1999? American Handgunner's Nov-Dec 1999 issue reports the following: I was surprised that 10mm made number 7 for Federal in ’99. It's probably not ranked that high now, but I love it. No 357 Sig? Not a big surprise. It was a relative newcomer in ‘99 and even today, I’m among a small minority who likes the caliber. SIGARMS (now SIG SAUER), in partnership with Federal Cartridge, developed the 357 SIG cartridge in 1994. And of course, I’m a minority within a minority as a Steyr 357 Sig owner and advocate. Rank your favorite handgun cartridges, if you like. Here's mine: 1. 357 Sig 2. 10mm Auto 3. .45 ACP 4. .44 Special 5. 9mm Luger 6. .22 Magnum 7. .22 LR 8. .38 Special 9. .357 Magnum 10. .380 ACP Why no .40 S&W on my list? I bought a M40-A1 and was underwhelmed with the caliber. More recoil and sharper than my M357-A1 or .45 ACP or 10mm. Just didn't like it, so I traded it for a subcompact 9mm S&W. If you like .40, more power to you. I just don't. :mrgreen:
.45ACP is my favorite with .40S&W following close behind. I have a 9x18 Makarov but only because I got it from Grandfather. If it was all I had available I wouldn't hesitate to use it.