I am 40 yrs old and been around guns all my life, though I am pretty new to the pistol thing, have owned a couple of pistols years back and have recently purchased the sigma 9mm that my GF and I have shot around 275 rounds through so far. that being said I am looking int purchasing two more pistols in the very near future.
My question is: 9mm is VERY easy to come by, What about .380, .32, .38? heard the 380 is more expensive and harder to get at times. do not want that problem in a gun.
looking for smaller guns than the sigma on next two puchases as one needs to fit into a purse (GF) OF COURSE, and the other as a back-up/hot weather conceal for me.

Any info on ammo would be appreciate, and any suggestions on pistols would help also. looking into semi-auto for gf and not sure for me.

thanks in advance.

9mm is beginning to come back on a regular basis at most places, but there are still shortages. I have found an abundance of .40 S&W, but very little in anyother caliber.
The few boxes of .32 or .380 I've seen have all been appreciably higher than 9mm.

.32 ACP is much more readily available than .380. If you search around on the typical Internet sites (e.g., Ammunition to go, Georgia Arms, Natchez, etc.) you can get the .32 you need -- though as mentioned, higher than you would pay for either 9mm, 40S&W, or .45 ACP. Similarly, I've seen availability of .38 special definitely on the uptick.

If a smaller 9mm won't fit the bill (e.g., Kahr PM9 or Springfield EMP), I'd suggest looking at a J-frame. If a revolver just won't do, then I'd remember the first law of a gunfight -- and get a gun. But, at this point in time, I'd probably bypass a .380 and pick up something like a Seecamp .32. It ain't much (as the saying goes), but it does beat a stick (or pepper spray!).

Good luck!

I think it may depend on where you live. In my home town we have a large, I think national, chain sporting goods store. About 6 or 7 months ago they were starved for common calibers, 9MM .40, .45, .38, .357 .223, etc. I think hoarding due to the new administration had something to do with it, as well as two wars to supply troops with ammo for. All of a sudden they had butt loads for sale and lifted restrictions as to how many you could buy per day, which was two boxes. Prices, of course, are still sky high, but at least they have the supply.
My advice is study the available guns and talk to people you trust who carry. Then get quality holsters and practice a lot. I wish you the best and welcome to the forum.

thanks for all the info, I am leaning towards 9mm,do to the simplicity of readily available ammo in my area and that is what we already own. do they make a 9mm revolver? if not is there a reason?

A few companies make 9mm revolvers, however, since 9mm cartridges have no rim they require using a moon clip to be extracted from the chambers. If you're leaning towards a revolver I'd go with .38 special. I have no problems finding it here in the northwest and it costs about the same as 9mm.

Typically when I got to Wally World anymore I see a lot of 40 S&W, 22 LR, 223 Rem and 25 or 32 ACP (not necessarily in that order). This is several different stores.

You can get ammo mail order if you're willing to shop heavily and wait for the UPS delivery person.

If you are looking for a small pistol for a handbag, might I suggest something in 9X18 Makarov? I don't necessarily recommend an unmodified Polish P64 because of the heavily double action trigger, but I've heard the new crop of P83s are nice.

9X18 is something I've seen a lot of at gunshows and mail order, and it won't break the bank.

Personally, I've been known to carry either an S&W model 60 38 Special or an Astra A-75 9mm when the weather gets too warm for a big bore. I don't feel "undergunned" with either as I'm not taking a walk in downtown Beruit.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Charlie

Bubba626,
Around here 9mm is still the most plentiful and least expensive. As small guns go you could stay with 9mm in something like a KelTec PF9 Very small, but not a lot of fun to shoot. Another alternative could be a Taurus Millenium PT111. Small, light, very concealable and way more fun to shoot than the KelTec. If you go .380 there are the Ruger LCP or the Taurus 738, but you'll pay nearly as much for the guns and twice as much for the ammo (at least, around here) as a small 9mm. Availablility of .380 in my neck of the woods is very limited in variety of loads and quantity. If it was me I'd stick with 9mm because even online you can get a wider variety of loads and my Wally World always has 9mm ball ammo in Winchester, Federal, and Remmington brands. Sometimes, like today for example, they had all three brands on the shelf! I went CRAZY! Good luck with your quest my friend.
469Shooter

You might want to check out the new Ruger SR 9c in 9mm, Bud's has them on sale.

Yes, definitely very to find locally. Not just 9mm, but .223Rem, .40s&w, .45acp, and just above anything excpet some odd caliber that you don't even know why stores carry them in the first place. (Ok, so some gun stores has some, but they are asking way too much.)

Mail order is the solution. Costs comes to about the same (mail order ammo + shippign = local ammo + tax), just need to buy in cases.

Since I use up a lot of ammo in action pistol, buying by the cases isn't too inconvenient for me. But if you don't use that much ammo, maybe find somebody to go in w/ you on a mail order.

I use the Kahr PM-9 in a pocket holster - it's a 9mm with 6+1 capacity. Very small and readilly concealable. Mine has been very reliable and surprisingly accurate for a small short barreled pistol.

Try this link for ammoengine. It usually gives reliable results for mail order ammo. Sometimes it says instock when the dealer says out of stock. It's good as a guide, then go to the supplier to be sure.
You don't need to by by the case. I get ammo from Ammo to go. There shipping is UPS so about $10 for 3 50rnd boxes of .40 etc.
AmmoEngine: 9mm / 9x19mm Parabellum (Luger), Instock For Sale Premium & Discount Ammunition, Ammo Deals

I put it at 9mm since that's what you have, but change to any caliber at the top.

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Pete.

Around here, 380 is just about impossible to find; .357 Sig has become really hard to find too. The most common stuff to find here is 9mm and 40S&W. I did find about 250 rounds of 45Auto today by going to two local shops.

For my .38, .357mag, .357sig and 45 needs I'm mostly mail ordering now.

Hi and welcome to the forum.I have the Chief's Special in 9mm and DAO.Being a guy with small hands it is easy to hold,has 7+1 capacity,and is very concealable on the hip or a IWB holster.I also have a J frame in 357 magnum and a Detective Special in 38 special.I like the 357 because you could use 38 special,38+P,or 357 magnum ammo.Ammo Supply is getting better,but I would stay away from 380 due to both scarcity and hyperinflated prices.......Mike

Fellow shooter, around the s.e. 9x18 &9x19 are everywhere; Wally World, Bass Pro, local shooter's emporiums and gun shows. Check out Natchez, Texas Arms, or Georgia Arms. I buy 230 gr .45acp @$19.75 for #50. Go for sure fire knock-down with a 1911 style weapon; it will compensate for a marginal shot with tremendous energy on target. Either way, good shootin'.