I have recently found myself in a similar situation as Anc. If my purpose in my first handgun is to minimize ammo cost/maximize general handgun familiarity, which of the main calibers should I choose? My intent is to shoot more than the normal amount of ammo with my first handgun to become more proficient so between that and it being my first it does not need to be the nicest or best model.
Unless you've got money to burn, that's easy: 9mm. If you're not carrying, look at the Glock 17 (full-size, 17 shot) and 19 (compact, 15 shot).
Yep, 9mm would be the way to go to have a defensive handgun that you can practice with and not spend as much as you would with other calibers. Now let me throw this into the mix. I carry a S&W M&P 9mm. I just picked up a S&W M&P .22lr. Same exact pistol. Training costs just went a lot lower.
Yep! That's why I standardized on the 9mm. I only have one caliber to buy and keep track of. I can practice with FMJs and carry hollow points for self defense. The 9mm has plenty of stopping power and I have 16 rounds in the weapon and another 15 in the mag on my belt.
On the ammo note, which brand ammo do ya'll use? I'm googling prices now and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between calibers as long as you don't care what kind of ammo you're firing.
Just for cheap practice stuff, I stick to the Winchester White Box or the Remington-Union Metallic Cartridge bulk packs.
for the range I usually just pick up the Remington UMC bulk packs, for personal defense I have a mag loaded with Speer Gold Dot. my little G19 hasn't failed me yet and I have a couple of the factory 33 round mags.
