The Most Popular Caliber for Law Enforcement, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the caliber you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:32
In the diverse world of law enforcement, the choice of ammunition is critical, impacting not just efficacy but also officer safety and operational success. Over the years, different agencies have adopted various calibers based on factors like reliability, stopping power, and recoil management. This range of preferences has sparked ongoing discussions on which caliber truly stands out in the field.
By voting on this list, users contribute to a broader understanding of popular opinion and current trends in law enforcement ammunition. Each vote helps clarify what many consider the best options on the market, offering a dynamic snapshot of preferences that might otherwise go unrecognized. This continuous input from the community refines the rankings, making them a reliable resource for anyone interested in the topic.
What Is the Most Popular Caliber for Law Enforcement?
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167votes
Malis · Public domain9mm Luger
Georg LugerThis is the most popular caliber among law enforcement agencies in the United States. It offers manageable recoil, high capacity magazines, and good accuracy.The 9mm Luger, also known as the 9mm Parabellum, is a popular caliber for law enforcement. It is a centerfire pistol cartridge that was developed by Georg Luger of Germany in 1902. The 9mm Luger offers a balance of manageable recoil, magazine capacity, and terminal ballistics, making it a preferred choice for many law enforcement agencies worldwide.- Bullet diameter: 9.01 mm
- Case length: 19.15 mm
- Overall length: 29.69 mm
- Bullet weight range: 115-147 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 1,000-1,200 feet per second
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235votes
Ar · Public domain.40 S&W
Smith & WessonThis caliber was created specifically for law enforcement and offers a slightly larger bullet than the 9mm, with similar recoil and accuracy.The .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson) is a popular caliber for law enforcement and self-defense purposes. It was developed as a compromise between the effectiveness of the 10mm Auto cartridge and the ease of use and recoil management of the 9mm Parabellum. The .40 S&W offers a balance between stopping power and shootability, making it a preferred choice for many police agencies.- Bullet diameter: .40 inch (10.16 mm)
- Case length: 0.85 inch (21.59 mm)
- Overall length: 1.135 inches (28.83 mm)
- Rim diameter: 0.424 inches (10.77 mm)
- Case capacity: 0.838 cubic inches (13.72 cm³)
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333votes
Malis · Public domain.45 ACP
John BrowningThis caliber has been used by law enforcement for over a century and offers excellent stopping power, but has a lower capacity magazine and heavier recoil.The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a popular handgun cartridge known for its stopping power and accuracy. It was developed by John Browning in 1904 to accompany his newly-designed Colt Model 1911 pistol. The .45 ACP has since become one of the most widely used handgun calibers in both military and civilian applications.- Bullet Diameter: .451 inches
- Case Length: .898 inches
- Overall Length: 1.275 inches
- Bullet Weight: 230 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 830-1140 feet per second
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49votes
Malis · Public domain.357 Magnum
Elmer KeithThis caliber is often used by law enforcement for its stopping power and accuracy, but has higher recoil and a lower capacity magazine.The .357 Magnum is a revolver cartridge known for its significant power and versatility. It was created for the Smith & Wesson Model 27 revolver in 1934, designed to offer improved stopping power and penetrating capabilities compared to the .38 Special. The .357 Magnum has since become one of the most popular and widely used revolver cartridges.- Bullet diameter: .357 in (9.07 mm)
- Case length: 1.29 in (32.77 mm)
- Overall length: 1.59 in (40.39 mm)
- Rim diameter: .440 in (11.18 mm)
- Primer type: Large pistol
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522votes
Ben Strasser, U.S. Air Force · Public domain.38 Special
Smith & WessonThis caliber is popular among law enforcement for its accuracy and low recoil, but has a lower capacity magazine and less stopping power than other calibers.The .38 Special is a popular caliber for law enforcement and civilian self-defense. It is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge known for its versatility and moderate recoil. Developed in the late 19th century, it has maintained its popularity due to its manageable recoil and effectiveness in close-quarter engagements.- Bullet Diameter: 0.357 inches
- Case Length: 1.155 inches
- Overall Length: 1.55 inches
- Rim Diameter: 0.44 inches
- Case Capacity: 1.00 cm³ (16 grain H2O)
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69votes
Malis · Public domainThis caliber offers excellent stopping power and accuracy, but has higher recoil and a lower capacity magazine. It is not as commonly used as other calibers.The 10mm Auto is a powerful and versatile pistol cartridge commonly used by law enforcement. It was designed to provide a balance between firepower and controllability.- Caliber: 10mm
- Bullet Diameter: 0.400 inches (10.16mm)
- Case Length: 25.15mm
- Overall Length: 32.00mm
- Maximum Pressure: 37,500 psi (SAAMI)
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710votesThis caliber is used by some law enforcement agencies for its high velocity and accuracy, but is more commonly used in rifles than handguns.The .223/5.56mm is a popular caliber frequently used by law enforcement agencies. It offers a balance between manageable recoil and effective stopping power, making it ideal for various operational scenarios such as urban engagements and close-quarters combat.
- Bullet diameter: .223 inches (5.56mm)
- Parent case: .222 Remington
- Case type: Rimless, bottleneck
- Overall length: 2.26 inches (57.40 mm)
- Rifling twist rate: 1:7 inches (1:178 mm)
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89votes
Malis · Public domain.380 ACP
John BrowningThis caliber is popular for its small size and low recoil, but has less stopping power and a lower capacity magazine than other calibers.The .380 ACP, also known as the 9mm Short, is a popular handgun cartridge used for self-defense purposes. It was designed with a compromise between power and recoil so that it can be easily handled by shooters of all levels of experience. The .380 ACP offers a balance between stopping power and compactness, making it a popular choice for concealed carry pistols.- Bullet diameter: 9mm (.355 inches)
- Case length: 17mm (.680 inches)
- Overall length: 25mm (.980 inches)
- Bullet weight range: 80-100 grains
- Muzzle velocity: about 1,000 feet per second
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97votes
.44 Magnum
Elmer KeithThis caliber is known for its stopping power, but has high recoil and a lower capacity magazine. It is not as commonly used as other calibers.The .44 Magnum is a powerful cartridge known for its formidable stopping power and versatility. It is a large-bore handgun cartridge primarily used for revolvers. With its high muzzle energy and excellent penetration capabilities, the .44 Magnum has gained popularity among law enforcement agencies worldwide.- Bullet diameter: .429 in (10.9 mm)
- Case length: 1.285 in (32.6 mm)
- Overall length: 1.61 in (41 mm)
- Bullet weight: 180–300 grains (12–19 g)
- Muzzle velocity: 1,200–1,600 ft/s (370–490 m/s)
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103votes
Malis · Public domain.32 ACP
John BrowningThis caliber is less commonly used by law enforcement for its low stopping power and smaller bullet size, but offers low recoil and high accuracy.The .32 ACP is a popular caliber for law enforcement and self-defense purposes. It is a centerfire pistol cartridge known for its compact size and low recoil, making it suitable for concealed carry.- Bullet diameter: .312 inches
- Case length: 0.68 inches
- Overall length: 0.984 inches
- Muzzle velocity: 900-1100 feet per second
- Muzzle energy: 130-200 foot-pounds
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular caliber
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Stopping PowerThe caliber should have enough stopping power to incapacitate an assailant effectively and quickly. This often relies on the bullet's energy, weight, and kinetic impact on the target.
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PenetrationThe caliber should be able to penetrate barriers and clothing without losing too much energy or deforming the bullet. This ensures that the bullet can still effectively reach and incapacitate the assailant.
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Recoil and ManageabilityThe caliber should have manageable recoil, allowing officers to maintain better control and accuracy during rapid fire situations. This ensures quicker follow-up shots, which may be necessary in high-stress situations.
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ReliabilityThe caliber should have a proven track record of reliability, both in terms of ammunition performance and compatibility with various firearms.
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Availability and AffordabilityThe caliber should be widely available and affordable for law enforcement agencies. This helps streamline training, ammunition procurement, and ensures a more consistent supply for officers.
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Bullet PerformanceThe caliber should have consistent and reliable bullet expansion and fragmentation. This helps to minimize the risks of over-penetration, which could potentially harm innocent bystanders.
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Magazine CapacityThe caliber should allow for a sufficient magazine capacity in duty handguns. Higher capacity can be advantageous in situations where officers need to fire multiple shots.
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Training and FamiliarityThe caliber should be well-established among law enforcement agencies, with officers well-trained and familiar with its recoil, ballistics, and performance characteristics.
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StandardizationThe chosen caliber should be standardized across different firearms and platforms within the agency, simplifying logistical support, ammunition procurement, and training.
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Compatibility with SuppressorsIf the law enforcement agency utilizes suppressors, the chosen caliber should be easily integratable with suppressor platforms without compromising performance.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular caliber for law enforcement. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or caliber is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2437 views
- 204 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each caliber once every 24 hours. The rank of each caliber is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular caliber for law enforcement
When it comes to law enforcement, the choice of firearm caliber is an important decision. The caliber refers to the diameter of the bullet, which can impact factors such as accuracy, recoil, and stopping power. While there are a variety of calibers available, certain ones are more commonly used by law enforcement agencies. The most popular calibers for law enforcement include 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Each of these calibers has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately comes down to the specific needs and preferences of the agency in question. It is worth noting that there is ongoing debate and discussion within the law enforcement community about the optimal caliber for their firearms.
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