If you're breaking into the world of shooting and plan to spend many weekends at the range, you might be wondering which caliber is right for you. Calibers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and picking a favorite can be a difficult task. Some make for better regular use than others. This is due to a variety of reasons, such as cost or recoil.
That said, we broke out a few solid options for the shooting weekend warrior.
22TCM
What makes the 22TCM stick out from other calibers its size? The potent bang and tremendous fireball. But don’t let that deceive you into thinking it’s hard to handle. It’s a soft-shooting, zippy round that flies about as straightly as you could hope. You’re sure to turn some heads at the range.
9mm
You can’t go wrong with 9mm. You can find it pretty much anywhere, from your local gun store to big-box outdoor retailers. It’s also relatively cheap, so it shouldn’t strain your wallet as much as other calibers. 9mm proves to be a great caliber for anyone wanting a cheaper option that’s light on recoil and packs a little more punch than 22LR.
When it comes to 9mm 1911s, you have numerous options. Try a 22TCM/9mm combo from the TCM Series—they come with 22TCM and 9mm barrels so you can "knock out two birds with one stone," as they say.
45ACP
The perfect match for a 1911—the 1911 and 45ACP go hand in hand, just as the 1911's designer intended. It’s often said to have more stopping power (although some may contest that claim). Regardless, if you’re looking to add more variety to your caliber repertoire or simply enjoy the original combo, 45ACP is a wise choice. For the original look and feel, try something from the GI Series.
10mm
If you’re interested in really taking things up a notch, then you have to consider 10mm. It hits powerfully enough that some will use it for hunting. While it doesn’t have the following of 9mm or 45ACP, it’s managed to carve out an enthusiastic fan base. More 1911s in 10mm are popping up on the market now, and we have you covered in the Rock Island Armory (RIA) lineup. Take a look at these RIA 10mm models:
