Revolvers have held their place as reliable defensive firearms for most of this century. They lack the ammunition capacity of modern pistols, but their reliability is hard to match. They do not jam and they hit hard, which is why people still reach for one.
These are the calibers worth knowing about.
Best revolver calibers for self-defense
.38 Special
The .38 Special, formally the .38 Smith and Wesson Special, was the standard-issue round for U.S. police departments from the 1920s through the 1990s. It's a centerfire rimmed cartridge with manageable recoil, which makes it a solid starting point for beginners and a common self-defense recommendation.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
600-940 ft/s @ 17,000 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
.38 Super
Penetration Power
12-16 inches in Ballistic Gel for Defense Rounds
Effective Range
7-25 Yards
Recoil
Highly Manageable
Availability
Invalid Date
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Widely available
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum came out in the mid-1930s as a direct response to Colt's .38 Super Automatic, and it beat that round on terminal ballistics. It works for hunting and self-defense and can handle big game like bears when loaded appropriately. The recoil is real and takes some adjustment for new shooters, but the penetration power is why it caught on so widely. Multiple bullet mass options are available.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
1200-1800 ft/s @ 35,000 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
Colt .38 Super Automatic
Penetration Power
18-30 inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
25-50 Yards
Recoil
Slightly Manageable
Availability
Widely available
.327 Federal Magnum
Developed in 2007 to improve on the .32 H&R Magnum, the .327 Federal Magnum was designed to match .357 Magnum power in a rimmed, straight casing. It's a common choice for full-sized seven-shot revolvers. The round offers good stopping power and damage capacity while staying manageable. It's underrated for self-defense.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
1400-1655 ft/s @ 45,000 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
.357 S&W Magnum
Penetration Power
16-20 inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
10-30 Yards
Recoil
Manageable
Availability
Widely available
.45 Colt
The .45 Colt, also called the .45 Long Colt, was the U.S. Army's standard cartridge for 19 years, from 1873 to 1892. It's a durable round that holds up in most self-defense situations. Velocity runs slightly higher than the .38 Special but operating pressure is lower. It's also more affordable and straightforward to shoot. The .45 Colt delivers solid penetration, particularly with heavier bullets in the 250-300 grain range.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
900-1300 ft/s @ 14,000 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
.38 S&W Special
Penetration Power
18-24 inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
25-50 Yards
Recoil
Highly Manageable
Availability
Widely available
9mm Luger
The 9mm is the most widely used handgun round in the world and covers nearly every self-defense application. It has low recoil and solid stopping power. It is what most US law enforcement carries. It is not the exciting pick on this list, but it is dependable and easy to shoot well.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
1150-2010 ft/s @ 34,084 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
.357 Sig
Penetration Power
16-20 inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
7-25 Yards
Recoil
Highly Manageable
Availability
Widely available
.44 Remington Magnum
Designed in the 1950s by Remington Arms, the .44 Magnum is overkill for home defense. In full-power loads, the recoil is enough that it's been ruled out for law enforcement use. That said, it's a practical choice for outdoor defense on farms, on country property, or anywhere large animals are a threat. The muzzle blast alone tends to make an impression.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
1180-1550 ft/s @ 40,600 PSI (CPI)
Best Competitor
.454 Casull
Penetration Power
20-30+ inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
50-100 Yards
Recoil
High
Availability
Widely available
.44 Special
The .44 Special predates the .44 Magnum by decades. It was designed in 1907. Think of it as the lower-pressure sibling: moderate velocity, good punch, high accuracy, and low recoil. That combination makes it a good fit for shooters who are sensitive to recoil. A range of factory loadings with different bullet velocities are available today.
Bullet Speed and Pressure
755-870 ft/s @ 15,500 PSI (SAAMI)
Best Competitor
.41 Magnum
Penetration Power
14-20 inches in Ballistic Gel for FMJ Rounds
Effective Range
7-15 Yards
Recoil
Highly Manageable
Availability
Widely available
How to choose a caliber
Choosing the right caliber matters as much as choosing the right firearm. A few things to work through:
Purpose
Concealed carry generally calls for smaller calibers; self-defense at home or outdoors often means something heavier. Know what you're actually defending against before buying.
Recoil or Stopping Power
More stopping power usually means more recoil. The best way to find your balance is to shoot several different calibers and see what you can control accurately under pressure.
Ammunition Type
Hollow points expand on impact and are the standard choice for self-defense. FMJs penetrate further and are more commonly used for practice or situations requiring deeper penetration.
Your Skillset
Beginners do better starting with lower-caliber rounds that are easier to shoot accurately. Experienced shooters have more flexibility with heavier rounds.
Picking one
The best revolver caliber is the one you can shoot accurately under pressure, which is not necessarily the one that works for anybody else. The only way to find out is to put rounds downrange.
About the Author
Nick Sawinyh - Nick Sawinyh is a father, husband, hobby farmer, and gun enthusiast from Kentucky. He founded GunsNation and writes most of what appears on this blog.
