The Colt Single Action Army revolver has a legacy of being the “Gun that won the West.” John Wilkes Booth used a Philadephia Deringer pistol to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The Colt 1911 pistol saw service in both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. Each event further cements how powerful the role of the gun is in United States history.
For modern day consumers, pistols have become the go-to firearm. Popular for their ease of use and conceal-ability, pistol sales overtook rifle sales in 2010 and continue to do so. In 2020, American handgun production increased to over 6.5 million — up from less than 1.3 million two decades earlier. (This is how hard it is to buy a handgun in every state.)
Many prospective buyers want the most power that they can comfortably handle when choosing a handgun. The power delivered by the handguns on this list range from over 1,800 foot-pounds of energy to only about 50 foot-pounds of energy. Nearly every caliber on this list is a suitable self-defense weapon, though some are also appropriate choices for hunting. (Here is a look at the law for carrying firearms in public in every state.)
It is notable to mention that handguns are rarely used at ranges exceeding 50 yards and that these calibers deliver far more power at closer range. 24/7 Wall St. identified the most powerful handguns by using ballistics data compiled by outdoor gear retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse. All 25 calibers with available data on the foot-pounds of energy delivered at 50 yards were ranked here. We selected the bullet weight, or grain, for each caliber, that delivers the most force at 50 yards. This ranking does not account for variations in barrel length and is based on a limited, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of available bullet weights.
Why This Matters
24/7 wants to help you better understand your finances, and how to spend your money wisely. The United States has seen an increase in gun sales in recent years. We’re covering the most powerful handguns you can buy to help you understand if the handgun you are considering gives you the most bang for your buck.
Scroll below to see the most powerful handgun you can buy, and it’s not even close:
25. 25 Auto
The 25 auto has 51 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 813 feet-per-second with a 35 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
24. 22 WMR
The 22 WMR has 85 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 920 feet-per-second with a 45 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
The 32 auto has 105 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 905 feet-per-second with a 60 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
22. 32 NAA
The 32 NAA has 155 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 933 feet-per-second with a 80 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
21. 380 Auto
The 380 auto has 166 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 912 feet-per-second with a 90 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
The 9X18mm Makarov handgun has 176 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 913 feet-per-second with a 95 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
19. 32 H&R
The 32 H&R handgun has 192 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,039 feet-per-second with an 80 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
18. 38 Special
The 38 Special handgun has 215 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,037 feet-per-second with a 90 grain bullet. Three different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
17. 44-40 Cowboy
The 44-40 Cowboy handgun has 216 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 689 feet-per-second with a 205 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for varmint hunting, as well as target/match shooting.
16. 9mm Luger
The 9mm Luger handgun has 290 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,027 feet-per-second with a 124 grain bullet. Five different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense and varmint hunting.
15. 45 Auto
The 45 auto handgun has 341 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 911 feet-per-second with a 185 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
14. 44 Special
The 44 Special handgun has 349 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 934 feet-per-second with a 180 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for medium game hunting and personal defense.
13. 40 S&W
The 40 S&W handgun has 387 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,060 feet-per-second with a 155 grain bullet. Four different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for varmint hunting and personal defense.
12. 45 Colt
The 45 Colt handgun has 407 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 903 feet-per-second with a 225 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense and medium game hunting.
11. 357 Sig
The 357 Sig handgun has 418 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,132 feet-per-second with a 147 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense and varmint hunting.
10. 10mm Auto
The 10mm Auto handgun has 463 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,077 feet-per-second with a 180 grain bullet. Three different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense as well as medium game hunting.
9. 357 Magnum
The 357 Magnum handgun has 510 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,281 feet-per-second with a 140 grain bullet. Three different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense as well as varmint and medium game hunting.
8. 44 Rem Mag
The 44 Rem Mag handgun has 806 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,230 feet-per-second with a 240 grain bullet. Four different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense as well as medium and large game hunting.
7. 41 Rem Mag
The 41 Rem Mag handgun has 892 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,383 feet-per-second with a 210 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense and medium game hunting.
6. 480 Ruger
The 480 Ruger handgun has 1,024 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,191 feet-per-second with a 325 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for medium and large game hunting.
5. 50 AE
The 50 AE handgun has 1,043 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,251 feet-per-second with a 300 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for medium game hunting and personal defense.
4. 475 Linebaugh
The 475 Linebaugh handgun has 1,229 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,176 feet-per-second with a 400 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense.
3. 454 Casull
The 454 Casull handgun has 1,500 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,678 feet-per-second with a 240 grain bullet. Two different bullet weights were considered when this data was collected. This handgun is most commonly used for personal defense and medium and large game hunting.
2. 460 S&W Mag
The 460 S&W Mag handgun has 1,673 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,941 feet-per-second with a 200 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for medium and large game hunting.
1. 500 S&W Mag
The 500 S&W Mag handgun has 1,819 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards, and has a velocity of 1,653 feet-per-second with a 300 grain bullet. This handgun is most commonly used for medium and large game hunting.
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