Consolidating to just one handgun calibre....

Several years ago I consolidated everything down to 3 calibers: .22, 9mm, and .223. All my handguns are 9mm except for one .22. Easier to stock up on ammo for me.
I had the same plan 6-7 years ago, but when ammo got scarce after the big scare, those three calibers were damn near impossible to buy.
 
I had the same plan 6-7 years ago, but when ammo got scarce after the big scare, those three calibers were damn near impossible to buy.
Hope to have close to 7k-8k of each of 9mm and .223 by the end of the year to last during those times.
 
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I consolidate according to roles, not cartridges. So my main carry handgun is 9mm. But I have an LCP for when I can't carry a real gun, so there's a 380, too. The tiniest 9mm's are just a little too big for that role. I also have a 22lr as a trainer.

I wish I could have more guns/cartridges, but once I've got a role filled, I generally can't afford to buy extra guns that would just double up in that role. :(
 
Hope to have close to 7k-8k of each of 9mm and .223 by the end of the year to last during those times.
I shoot 10-12K of pistol ammo a year so I was was just scared of the odds of running out.

Edit: Or at least I used to shoot 10-12K a year. Been kinda busy the past year.
 
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I consolidated several years ago to one main pistol caliber, rifle, and shotgun. Also got down to the same model of guns and stockpiled parts. With that being said, I’ll alway have a .357 revolver and a .44 Special in the mix....
 
@Millie there's always a G21 around when you're in Conway. Billy and I both have them. You can wrap your paw around one next time. Or, part of the way around one. :) Mine's not the SF, not sure about Billy's.
Are they that fat, really? lol.
I'll have to check them out. When I was discussing them yesterday late, most of the shooting was already done, and it was getting late. I didn't see you leave! Sorry I didn't say "bye".....
 
And another thing.
You gotta stop hanging around with @NCLivingBrit and @OutLore and spell things the correct American way.
Yeah, but my early education was in Mexico City, by Brits.....what can I say, some habits are hard to lose! LoL. I hope to meet these particular guys at the October bash.
 
if you haven't already shot/bought/broken/replaced
I've not broken a gun in a while now! But you never know.....
And yet people keep handing me their guns to shoot!
 
I suggest that you stockpile the caliber that you think you’d shoot the most during a shortage, and not worry that you’re shooting several calibers while ammo is plentiful.
9mm
 
Consolidation?
What on earth for? Currently at 7 different handgun calibers (including 22lr), onliest reason it's not more is I can't afford it- yet!

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Consolidating to one caliber and even further to one gun brand is a great idea.

Later, after you achieve that objective, you can embark on buying different brands of guns and different calibers to better meet particular shooting needs.
 
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So I can learn from y'all once again and save myself the trouble, and just keep all my guns and their various ammos! YAY.

Keep what you have ? :eek:

You have to ask yourself if you would have bought what you have if you had known then what you know now.
 
Keep what you have ? :eek:

You have to ask yourself if you would have bought what you have if you had known then what you know now.
I'd probably have got a higher-end 1911 9mm. And never have even looked at the Taurus Ultralight revolver, much less bought one....eeewwww. As for the other guns, I'm fine with my choices. The Kel Tec is a good bathroom gun, the Springfield .45 is pretty awesome, the p238 is fantastic, the Rossi that replaced the Taurus is so nice, and the Glock 19 is great. I'm good. LoL.
 
Once scaled back to only a 1911 in .45 ACP and .22LR conversion. Did it for 3 years when I was in Germany. Couldn't wait to get home to my other guns.

CD
 
I just try not to add more calibers, mostly successfully. At least I know that I haven’t bought many guns because “new caliber”. That has kept me away from 308 for example. I like to have a purpose for each caliber and gun. The vast majority is 223, 9, 12, and 22 (surprising I know). But I just counted and I one or two of another 10 calibers. Oh well. It could easily be 20 more, so I declare victory!

I could get rid of a few without missing them, much, but I can wait. No point in selling now while everything is cheap. Time to buy!

Beware the man with only 14 calibers, in case he brought the right one and remembers how to use the gun!

Seriously though 99.9% of the time I am shooting the 4 standard rounds, and when not 22, almost always the one pistol and one AR.


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I could go with only one chambering if I wanted a handgun for only one use and if I wanted to be bored to tears. I do, however, use handguns in several situations that are quite different from each other and that beg for different chamberings. The 44 Mag revolvers I carry on the farm for use against hogs, feral dogs, coyotes, snakes, and other vermin would not do too well as a concealed carry pocket handgun. The little 380 that is my constant companion would not be the best defense against large wild animals. It probably would also not be the best defense against large wild humans, and I am working on replacing it with something with as bit more authority. Each of the several gun games I play has its own favored chambering. I would be at a distinct disadvantage if I tried to use one of my 45 Colt Cowboy revolvers in an IDPA match. I doubt that I will be going to just one chambering anytime soon.
 
i dont reckon i could do it. i like the variety.

i have the vector in .45ACP and that sucker is too much fun to shoot to get rid of
and then theres the 460 which covers 3 lovely flavors by itself, from the tame 45lc for boar, 454 casull for the bear, and the 460 for taking down bigfoot... (the monster truck, not sasquatch)
oh and that cz shadow 2 i just got is like an ez-stitch for punching 9mm holes in things.
im considerin getting the five-seven pistol because the ps90 is so much fun, might as well have a pocket full of fun too
 
That's the three most common 'calibres' in 'Merica.
And the least expensive.
Ya done real good.
But no shotgun?
I do have a couple of shotguns and about 250 rounds of assorted shells. Hardly ever shoot them so forget they are there..lol. Bout the only time I take one out is when I'm going to a turkey shoot.
 
I have handguns in about a dozen calibers:
22 LR
22 magnum
22 TCM
7.62x38r
30 carbine
32 acp
9mm
38 spl
357 magnum
44 Magnum
44 round ball
45 Auto

I enjoy shooting them all and I don't see any benefit in consolidating. In fact, I see a few holes in the lineup I'd like to fill.
 
All of my handguns are 9x19 and all of my rifles are 5.56. I used to have .40 handguns and 7.62x39 rifles but couldn't really justify them.
 
I guess to expound a bit on my perspective...

I believe that when someone gets into shooting they should begin with consolidating on one caliber. Money, for most of us, is finite. So spend it stockpiling the ammo you are most likely to use long term. Make sure you have plenty of it on hand to last. One method I learned is you take the average amount you shoot per month, X12 for a minimum amount to have on hand. That would mean you could easily weather a year long drought in the market. And lets be honest, many of us found ourselves shooting less during the last drought for fear of not being able to replace expenditures, so this amount would last significantly longer. If there were a true SHTF style situation that lasted any decent period of time, its not like we will be taking time away from survival to go mag dump a few hundred rounds. There is no "maximum" you should have on hand. Ammo doesn't really go bad over time, so there is no real tangible expiration date.

Once a comfortable amount of ammunition is on hand, then branching out makes more sense. When people ask me why I have so many firearms, I like to explain it by comparing it to golf. If is entirely possible to play an entire 18 game of golf with a putter. Will you have a good score? No. Will it be enjoyable? Maybe for a bit. But firearms fit different niches in a collection.

9mm because its my carry caliber, cheap to practice with, and easy to buy.
.45 because its my favorite caliber. Fun to shoot, and I love 1911s.
.22 for the kids, and for hunting, and because its a blast to shoot with little regard for cost.
10mm because zombie bears on PCP may attack one day
.300AAC because its a great "trunk gun" caliber
.380 because I liked the gun it shot out of
9mm largo because I enjoy the cartridge and honestly don't know why it wasn't more popular
5.56/223 because its what my standard ARs shoot, and we all know why we have ARs
7.62x39 because I needed an AK to really irritate liberals
7.72x54r because a collection isn't complete without a garbage rod Mosin (my opinion)
.308 just in case someone invites me to go deer hunting
20 gauge because my daughter is starting to hunt with me this year
12 gauge because its my go-to duck hunting load out

So as you can see, if I had to "get up and run" then I would grab 9mm, 5.56, and 12 gauge...but all the other calibers serve a particular purpose.
 
I do have a couple of shotguns and about 250 rounds of assorted shells. Hardly ever shoot them so forget they are there..lol. Bout the only time I take one out is when I'm going to a turkey shoot.
Ooops...I keep forgetting guns. I also have a 30/30 but not much ammo for it...maybe about 50 rds. I shot it once years ago when my grandfather gave it to me but I don't hunt so it sits in my safe.
 
I’m pretty much a 9mm, 22lr and 7.62x39. I may may a couple thousand rds of 556 and 45 but I don’t really stock up on them because I do t shoot them much.
 
@Millie there's always a G21 around when you're in Conway. Billy and I both have them. You can wrap your paw around one next time. Or, part of the way around one. :) Mine's not the SF, not sure about Billy's.
And the G21 will also shoot 10mm with a barrel swap, since you know you will want to eventually. ;) The G20 will never shoot 45 (but it will shoot a boatload of other calibers with the right barrels).
 
And the G21 will also shoot 10mm with a barrel swap, since you know you will want to eventually. ;) The G20 will never shoot 45 (but it will shoot a boatload of other calibers with the right barrels).
And, Billy has the 10mm barrel for his.
 
As it's been mentioned, there is value in keeping calibers to minimum when starting out. I also believe there is value in consolidating "platforms." All my defensive handguns are M&P's. I enjoy shooting other handguns of course, but my "tools" are all the same.
 
but couldn't really justify them.
What's justification got to do with it. My justification is I want them. Today 145+ handguns and 50+ long guns. Can you imagine the mental stress I would put myself under trying to Justify this???
 
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