imported post
The practical reality is, if you can't get ammo, you can't shoot. Not to practice. Not for defense. The shortage seems to be abating and ammo web sites I check on periodically now have some ammo available in common calibers (9 mm, .40, .357 SIG and .45) when they had none at all a month or two ago.
Again, if you're buying a gun today, the practical reality is ammo availability must be at least a factor in the decision to obtain that defensive handgun. I wouldn't buy a .380, for example. I already have one I can't get ammo for.
I do have a back up plan that includes additional barrels for the carry gun. I normally carry a SIG P229 in .357SIG. That caliber is also one that is still a bit on the rare side. I have about a hundred or so hollow point rounds left for self defense, but at this point, I have no FMJ for practice. When I go to the range, I drop in a .40 S & W barrel as I have lots of .40 FMJ, as well as a supply of .40 JHP, if it's needed. If the .40 gets scarce, I can drop in a 9mm barrel and fire away with a good supply of 9mm FMJ and JHP. And if things are bad enough that I can't get 9mm, I guess I'll have to use the gun as a club.
Wouldn't hurt to consider a gun that has some ammo flexibility with the addition of multiple barrels.