Get familiar with as many handgun calibers as you can. This comparison guide should help you as you look to buy your next handgun!
RELATED: 5 Calibers For Self-Defense | Self-Defense Firearms
A Comparison Guide to Handgun Calibers
RELATED: More Calibers For Self Defense
| Cartridge Name | Bullet Diameter | Case Length | Cartridge Length | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.34 mm rimfire | .092 in (2.3 mm) | .240 in (6.1 mm) | – | Rimmed, rimfire |
| 2.7 mm Kolibri | .107 in (2.7 mm) | .370 in (9.4 mm) | .430 in (10.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 3 mm Kolibri | .120 in (3.0 mm) | .320 in (8.1 mm) | .430 in (10.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 4.25 mm Liliput (4.25 mm Erika) |
.167 in (4.2 mm) | .410 in (10.4 mm) | .560 in (14.2 mm) | Rimless |
| .17 Hornady Mach 2 (.17 HM2) |
.172 in (4.4 mm) | .714 in (18.1 mm) | – | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (.17 HMR) | .172 in (4.4 mm) | 1.058 in (26.9 mm) | – | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .17-357 RG | – | – | – | – |
| 4.6×30 mm | .183 in (4.6 mm) | 1.201 in (30.5 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 5 mm Clement Aut | .202 in (5.1 mm) | .710 in (18.0 mm) | 1.010 in (25.7 mm) | Rimless |
| 5 mm Bergmann Rimless | .203 in (5.2 mm) | .590 in (15.0 mm) | .960 in (24.4 mm) | Rimless |
| 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum | .205 in (5.2 mm) | 1.020 in (25.9 mm) | 1.130 in (28.7 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| 5.45×18 mm | .210 in (5.3 mm) | .700 in (17.8 mm) | .980 in (24.9 mm) | Rimless |
| .22 BB | .222 in (5.6 mm) | .284 in (7.2 mm) | .343 in (8.7 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .22 CB | .222 in (5.6 mm) | .420 in (10.7 mm) | .520 in (13.2 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .22 Short | .223 in (5.7 mm) | .423 in (10.7 mm) | .686 in (17.4 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .22 Long | .223 in (5.7 mm) | .595 in (15.1 mm) | .880 in (22.4 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .22 Long Rifle 22 Stinger (hot loading) |
.223 in (5.7 mm) | .595 in (15.1 mm) | .975 in (24.8 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .22 Remington Jet | .223 in (5.7 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | 1.580 in (40.1 mm) | Rimless |
| .22 Reed Express (7.62×25 mm necked down to .22) |
.223 in (5.7 mm) | – | – | Rimless |
| .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire | .224 in (5.7 mm) | 1.052 in (26.7 mm) | 1.350 in (34.3 mm) | Rimmed, rimfire |
| .224 Kay-Chuk | .224 in (5.7 mm) | 1.35 in (34 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .221 Remington Fireball | .224 in (5.7 mm) | 1.400 in (35.6 mm) | 1.820 in (46.2 mm) | Rimless |
| .224 BOZ | .224 in (5.7 mm) | .909 in (23.1 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .224 Montgomery | .224 in (5.7 mm) | .620 in (15.7 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .224-32 FA (.327 Federal necked to .22) |
.224 in (5.7 mm) | 1.120 in (28.4 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 5.7×28 mm | .220 in (5.6 mm) | 1.130 in (28.7 mm) | 1.710 in (43.4 mm) | Rimless |
| 5.5 mm Velo-Dog | .225 in (5.7 mm) | 1.120 in (28.4 mm) | 1.350 in (34.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| 5.8×21 mm DAP92 | .230 in (5.8 mm) | .827 in (21.0 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .25 ACP ( 6.35 mm Browning, 6.35×16 mmSR) |
.251 in (6.4 mm) | .620 in (15.7 mm) | .910 in (23.1 mm) | Semi-rimmed |
| .25 NAA | .251 in (6.4 mm) | – | – | Semi-rimmed |
| .256 Winchester Magnum | .257 in (6.5 mm) | 1.300 in (33.0 mm) | 1.530 in (38.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 6.5 mm Bergmann | .264 in (6.7 mm) | .870 in (22.1 mm) | 1.230 in (31.2 mm) | Rimless |
| 7 mm Nambu (7×20 mm) |
.280 in (7.1 mm) | .780 in (19.8 mm) | 1.060 in (26.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.62 mm Nagant (7.62 mm Russian, 7.62×38 mmR) |
.295 in (7.5 mm) | 1.530 in (38.9 mm) | 1.530 in (38.9 mm) | Rimmed |
| .32 Colt | .299 in (7.6 mm) | .755 in (19.2 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .32 Protector | .300 in (7.6 mm) | .350 in (8.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 7.65 mm Roth-Sauer, 7.65 mm Frommer | .301 in (7.6 mm) | .510 in (13.0 mm) | .840 in (21.3 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.62 mm Tokarev (7.62×25 mm) |
.307 in (7.8 mm) | .970 in (24.6 mm) | 1.350 in (34.3 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.62×42 mm SP-4 | .307 in (7.8 mm) | 1.634 in (41.5 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 7.65 mm Borchardt (.30 Borchardt) |
.307 in (7.8 mm) | .990 in (25.1 mm) | 1.340 in (34.0 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.65×22 mm Para (7.65×21 mm Luger, .30 Luger) |
.308 in (7.8 mm) | .750 in (19.1 mm) | 1.150 in (29.2 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.65mm Mannlicher (7.65×21 mm) |
.308 in (7.8 mm) | .840 in (21.3 mm) | 1.120 in (28.4 mm) | Rimless |
| 7.63 mm Mauser (7.63×25 mm) |
.308 in (7.8 mm) | .990 in (25.1 mm) | 1.360 in (34.5 mm) | Rimless |
| .35 S&W Auto (.35 Auto) |
.309 in (7.8 mm) | .670 in (17.0 mm) | .970 in (24.6 mm) | Rimless |
| .32 ACP (7.65 mm Browning, 7.65×17 mmSR) |
.309 in (7.8 mm) | .680 in (17.3 mm) | 1.030 in (26.2 mm) | Semi-rimmed |
| 7.62×17 mm Type 64 (7.62 mm Chinese) |
.309 in (7.8 mm) | .780 in (19.8 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 7.65 mm Longue (7.65 mm MAS) |
.309 in (7.8 mm) | .780 in (19.8 mm) | 1.190 in (30.2 mm) | Rimless |
| .30 Wildey (.30 Wildey Magnum) |
.309 in (7.8 mm) | – | – | Rimless |
| .32 NAA | .312 in (7.9 mm) | .680 in (17.3 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .32 S&W | .312 in (7.9 mm) | .610 in (15.5 mm) | .920 in (23.4 mm) | Rimmed |
| .32 S&W Long (.32 Colt New Police) |
.312 in (7.9 mm) | .930 in (23.6 mm) | 1.270 in (32.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| 7.92 x 24 mm VBR (shortened .30 Carbine case) | .312 in (7.9 mm) | .940 in (23.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .32-20 Winchester (.32 WCF, .32-20 Marlin) |
.312 in (7.9 mm) | 1.320 in (33.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .32 H&R Magnum | .312 in (7.9 mm) | 1.080 in (27.4 mm) | 1.350 in (34.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| .327 Federal Magnum | .312 in (7.9 mm) | 1.200 in (30.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .32 Short Colt | .313 in (8.0 mm) | .610 in (15.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .32 Long Colt (.32 LC) |
.313 in (8.0 mm) | .920 in (23.4 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .320 Revolver (.320 Bulldog, .320 Webley) |
.317 in (8.1 mm) | .620 in (15.7 mm) | .900 in (22.9 mm) | Rimmed |
| 7.5 mm Swiss Army (7.5 mm 1882 Ordnance) |
.317 in (8.1 mm) | .890 in (22.6 mm) | 1.290 in (32.8 mm) | Rimmed |
| 7.7 mm Bittner | – | – | – | Rimless |
| 8 mm Rast-Gasser (8 mm Gasser) |
.320 in (8.1 mm) | 1.037 in (26.3 mm) | 1.391 in (35.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| 8 mm Nambu | .320 in (8.1 mm) | .860 in (21.8 mm) | 1.250 in (31.8 mm) | Semi-rimmed |
| 8 mm Lebel Revolver (8 mm French Ordnance ) |
.323 in (8.2 mm) | 1.07 in (27 mm) | 1.44 in (37 mm) | Rimmed |
| 8 mm Pieper | – | – | – | – |
| 7.5 mm Nagant (7.5 mm Swedish Nagant) |
.325 in (8.3 mm) | .89 in (23 mm) | 1.350 in (34.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| 8 mm Roth-Steyr | .329 in (8.4 mm) | .740 in (18.8 mm) | 1.140 in (29.0 mm) | Rimless |
| 8.5 mm Mars | – | – | – | – |
| 9 mm Japanese Revolver | .351 in (8.9 mm) | .860 in (21.8 mm) | 1.210 in (30.7 mm) | Rimmed |
| 9 mm Ultra (9 mm Police, 9×18 mm) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .720 in (18.3 mm) | 1.030 in (26.2 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Glisenti | .355 in (9.0 mm) | .750 in (19.1 mm) | 1.15 in (29 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Parabellum (9 mm Luger, 9 mm NATO, 9×19 mm) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .754 in (19.2 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Federal (9×19 mmR) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .754 in (19.2 mm) | 1.163 in (29.5 mm) | Rimmed |
| 9 mm Browning Long (9×20 mmSR) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .800 in (20.3 mm) | 1.100 in (27.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 9×21 mm (9 mm IMI) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .830 in (21.1 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | Rimless |
| .356 TSW (9×21.5 mm) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .840 in (21.3 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 9 mm Action Express (9 mm AE) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .866 in (22.0 mm) | 1.152 in (29.3 mm) | Rebated rim |
| .38-45 Auto (.45-38 Clerke, .45-38 Hard Head) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .90 in (23 mm) | 1.200 in (30.5 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Steyr (9×23 mm Steyr) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .900 in (22.9 mm) | 1.300 in (33.0 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Largo (9 mm Bergmann-Bayard, 9×23 mm) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .910 in (23.1 mm) | 1.320 in (33.5 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Mauser (9×25 mm Mauser) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .981 in (24.9 mm) | 1.380 in (35.1 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Dillon (9×25 mm Dillon) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .990 in (25.1 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| 9 mm Mauser (9×25 mm Mauser) |
.355 in (9.0 mm) | .981 in (24.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 9 mm Winchester Magnum | .355 in (9.0 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | 1.545 in (39.2 mm) | Rimless |
| .380 ACP (9 mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9×17 mm) |
.356 in (9.0 mm) | .680 in (17.3 mm) | .980 in (24.9 mm) | Rimless |
| 9×23 mm Winchester | .356 in (9.0 mm) | .900 in (22.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .38 Casull | .356 in (9.0 mm) | .933 in (23.7 mm) | – | Rimless |
| 9 mm Mars | – | – | – | – |
| .38 Short Colt | .357 in (9.1 mm) | .762 in (19.4 mm) | 1.052 in (26.7 mm) | Rimmed |
| .38 Long Colt | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.030 in (26.2 mm) | 1.320 in (33.5 mm) | Rimmed |
| .38 Special | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.16 in (29 mm) | 1.550 in (39.4 mm) | Rimmed |
| .38 AMU (.38 Army Marksmanship Unit) |
.357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.15 in (29 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .357 Peterbilt (.357 WIldey Magnum) |
– | – | – | Rebated rim |
| .357 AutoMag (.357 AMP) |
.357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.298 in (33.0 mm) | 1.600 in (40.6 mm) | Rimless |
| .357-45 GWM (.357/45 Grizzly Winchester Magnum) |
.357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.300 in (33.0 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .357/44 Bain & Davis | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | 1.550 in (39.4 mm) | Rimmed |
| .357 Magnum (9×31 mmR, .353 Casull) |
.357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.290 in (32.8 mm) | 1.510 in (38.4 mm) | Rimmed |
| .360 DW | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.415 in (35.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .357 Remington Maximum (.357 Maximum) | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.590 in (40.4 mm) | 1.970 in (50.0 mm) | Rimmed |
| .357 SuperMag | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .357 SIG | .357 in (9.1 mm) | .865 in (22.0 mm) | 1.140 in (29.0 mm) | Rimless |
| .38 ACP (.38 Auto, 9×23 mmSR) |
.358 in (9.1 mm) | .900 in (22.9 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | Semi-rimmed |
| .38 Super | .358 in (9.1 mm) | .900 in (22.9 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | Semi-rimmed |
| .38 Super Comp | .358 in (9.1 mm) | .896 in (22.8 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | Rimless |
| .38 S&W (.38 Colt New Police, .380 Rim) |
.359 in (9.1 mm) | .780 in (19.8 mm) | 1.200 in (30.5 mm) | Rimmed |
| 9 mm Makarov (9×18 mm PM) |
.363 in (9.2 mm) | .710 in (18.0 mm) | .970 in (24.6 mm) | Rimless |
| 9×21 mm Gyurza | – | – | – | Rimless |
| .380 Revolver Short | .375 in (9.5 mm) | 0.700 in (17.8 mm) | 1.100 in (27.9 mm) | Rimmed |
| .380 Revolver Long British Webley pattern from 1860s) |
.375 in (9.5 mm) | 1.000 in (25.4 mm) | 1.400 in (35.6 mm) | Rimmed |
| .375 SuperMag | .357 in (9.1 mm) | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 9.8 mm Auto Colt (9.65 mm Browning Automatic) |
.378 in (9.6 mm) | .912 in (23.2 mm) | 1.267 in (32.2 mm) | Rimless |
| .41 Long Colt (smokeless inside-lubricated variant) |
.386 in (9.8 mm) | 1.130 in (28.7 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .40 S&W (.40 Auto, .40 Short, 10×22 mm) |
.400 in (10.2 mm) | .850 in (21.6 mm) | 1.235 in (31.4 mm) | Rimless |
| 10 mm Auto (10 mm Norma, 10×25 mm) |
.400 in (10.2 mm) | .990 in (25.1 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| 10 mm Magnum | .400 in (10.2 mm) | 1.255 in (31.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .40 Super | .400 in (10.2 mm) | .988 in (25.1 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .40 G&A | .400 in (10.2 mm) | .866 in (22.0 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .40 G&A Magnum | .400 in (10.2 mm) | – | – | Belted |
| .400 CorBon | .401 in (10.2 mm) | .898 in (22.8 mm) | 1.200 in (30.5 mm) | Rimless |
| .41 Short Colt | .401 in (10.2 mm) | .650 in (16.5 mm) | .910 in (23.1 mm) | Rimmed |
| .41 Long Colt | .401 in (10.2 mm) | 1.130 in (28.7 mm) | 1.390 in (35.3 mm) | Rimmed |
| .38-40 Winchester (.38-40 WCF) |
.401 in (10.2 mm) | 1.300 in (33.0 mm) | 1.590 in (40.4 mm) | Rimmed |
| .401 Powermag (.401 Herter's Powermag) |
.401 in (10.2 mm) | 1.290 in (32.8 mm) | 1.640 in (41.7 mm) | Rimless |
| .41 Action Express (.41 AE) |
.410 in (10.4 mm) | .866 in (22.0 mm) | 1.170 in (29.7 mm) | Rebated rim |
| .41 Avenger | .410 in (10.4 mm) | .950 in (24.1 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .41 Wildey Magnum (10 mm Wildey Magnum) |
.410 in (10.4 mm) | – | – | Rebated rim |
| .41 Special | .410 in (10.4 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .41 Remington Magnum (.41 Magnum) |
.410 in (10.4 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .414 SuperMag | .410 in (10.4 mm) | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 10.4 mm Italian (10.4 mm Italian Ordnance) |
.422 in (10.7 mm) | .890 in (22.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 10.4 mm Swiss (.41 Swiss) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
| .44 Russian (.44 Smith & Wesson Russian) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | .970 in (24.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .44 Special (.44 S&W Special) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .44 Magnum (.44 Remington Magnum) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | 1.290 in (32.8 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .44-40 Winchester (.44 WCF) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | 1.310 in (33.3 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .445 SuperMag | .432 in (11.0 mm) | 1.600 in (40.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .440 Cor-bon | .429 in (10.9 mm) | 1.280 in (32.5 mm) | – | Rebated rim |
| .44 Wildey Magnum (11 mm Wildey Magnum) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | – | – | Rebated rim |
| .44 AMP (.44 AutoMag) |
.429 in (10.9 mm) | 1.298 in (33.0 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .44 S&W American (.44 American) |
.434 in (11.0 mm) | .910 in (23.1 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .442 Webley (.442 Kurz, 10.5×17 mmR) |
.436 in (11.1 mm) | .690 in (17.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .44 Bull Dog | .440 in (11.2 mm) | .570 in (14.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .44 Colt | .443 in (11.3 mm) | 1.100 in (27.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 11.75 mm Montenegrin (11 mm Gasser, 11.25×36 mm) |
.445 in (11.3 mm) | 1.400 in (35.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 11.35 mm Schouboe (11.35×18 mm, .45 Schouboe) |
– | – | – | Rimless |
| 11 mm French Ordnance | .451 in (11.5 mm) | .710 in (18.0 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 11 mm German Service (10.6 mm GS, 10.8 mm GS) |
.451 in (11.5 mm) | .960 in (24.4 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .460 Rowland | .451 in (11.5 mm) | .955 in (24.3 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| .45 Winchester Magnum (.45 WinMag, .45 NAACO) |
.451 in (11.5 mm) | 1.198 in (30.4 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .450 Magnum Express | .451 in (11.5 mm) | 1.344 in (34.1 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .45 Webley | .452 in (11.5 mm) | .820 in (20.8 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 Auto Rim (.45 Automatic Rimmed) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | .898 in (22.8 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 GAP (.45 Glock) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | .755 in (19.2 mm) | – | Rebated rim |
| .45 HP (.45 Hirtenberger Patrone, .45 Italian) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | .860 in (21.8 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .45 ACP (.45 Auto, 11.43×23 mm) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | .898 in (22.8 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| .45 Super | .451 in (11.5 mm) | .898 in (22.8 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| .450 SMC (.450 Short Magnum Cartridge) |
.451 in (11.5 mm) | .898 in (22.8 mm) | 1.260 in (32.0 mm) | Rimless |
| .45 Wildey Magnum | – | – | – | Rebated rim |
| .451 Detonics (.451 Detonics Magnum) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | .942 in (23.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .454 Casull (.45 Magnum) |
.452 in (11.5 mm) | 1.390 in (35.3 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .455 SuperMag | – | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .460 S&W Magnum | .452 in (11.5 mm) | 1.800 in (45.7 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .455 Webley (.455 Webley Revolver) |
.454 in (11.5 mm) | .770 in (19.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 Schofield (.45 Smith & Wesson) |
.454 in (11.5 mm) | 1.100 in (27.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 Colt Government | .454 in (11.5 mm) | 1.100 in (27.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 Long Colt (.45 Colt) |
.454 in (11.5 mm) | 1.290 in (32.8 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .45 Mars Short | – | – | – | Rimless |
| .45 Mars Long | – | – | – | Rimless |
| .450 Adams (.450 Boxer,.450 Corto) |
.455 in (11.6 mm) | .690 in (17.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .455 Webley Auto | .455 in (11.6 mm) | .930 in (23.6 mm) | – | Semi-rimmed |
| .455 Revolver Mk I (.455 Colt) |
.455 in (11.6 mm) | .870 in (22.1 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .476 Enfield (.476 Eley, .476 Revolver, .455/476) |
.472 in (12.0 mm) | .870 in (22.1 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .480 Ruger | .475 in (12.1 mm) | 1.285 in (32.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .475 Wildey Magnum | .475 in (12.1 mm) | 1.295 in (32.9 mm) | – | Rimless |
| .475 Linebaugh | .476 in (12.1 mm) | 1.500 in (38.1 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .475 Linebaugh Long (.475 Maximum) |
.476 in (12.1 mm) | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| 12.3×22 mm (Udar revolver cartridge) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
| 12.3×40 mm (STs-110) (Udar revolver cartridge) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
| 12.3×50 mm (Udar revolver cartridge) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
| .50 GI | .500 in (12.7 mm) | .899 in (22.8 mm) | – | Rebated rim |
| .50 Action Express (.50 AE) |
.500 in (12.7 mm) | 1.285 in (32.6 mm) | – | Rebated rim |
| .500 Wyoming Express (.500 WE) |
.500 in (12.7 mm) | 1.370 in (34.8 mm) | – | Belted |
| .500 JRH | .500 in (12.7 mm) | 1.400 in (35.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .500 S&W Special | .500 in (12.7 mm) | – | – | Rimmed |
| .500 S&W Magnum | .500 in (12.7 mm) | 1.600 in (40.6 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .50 Remington | .508 in (12.9 mm) | .875 in (22.2 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .50 Special (.50 Bowen Special) |
.511 in (13.0 mm) | 1.160 in (29.5 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .500 Linebaugh | .511 in (13.0 mm) | 1.410 in (35.8 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .500 Linebaugh Long (.500 Maximum) |
.511 in (13.0 mm) | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | – | Rimmed |
| .505 SuperMag (.510 SuperMag) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
| 13 mm Gyrojet | – | – | – | Rimless |
| .577 Boxer (.577 Eley, .577 Webley) |
– | – | – | Rimmed |
Check out this video from AZ Trigger where they show you some of the best handgun calibers:
Is this a truly complete list of handgun calibers? No, of course not.
There are no doubt more than a thousand variations if you factor in cartridge designs over the last quarter-century and counting.
If you want to get really deep into the caliber of calibers (see what we did there?), check out Frank Barnes' phenomenally well-researched book, “Cartridges of the World.”
Nonetheless, this is a pretty good place to start.
What are the best handgun calibers in your own opinion? Let us know about them in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- Different Types of Ammo For Different Guns
- Hunting Rifle Calibers Explained – 204 Ruger to 45-70 Govt
- Rifle Shooting Tips & Techniques | 11 Surprising Things New Rifle Shooters Need To Know
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.***
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 9, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
