BSA1
member
Point well taken but why does it have to be a either or choice?
For me shooting is also a big recreational activity so knowledge and confidence in the guns I am shooting are important skills.
All The Same Handguns
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Point well taken but why does it have to be a either or choice?
For me shooting is also a big recreational activity so knowledge and confidence in the guns I am shooting are important skills.
Trunk Monkey
member
BSA1 said:
It doesn't have to be but in my case it's the choice I've made and I'm not sure why but it seems that you're offended by it and I don't understand because I'm not (or at least I'm not trying to) saying that you must abide by my choice. I'm just trying to give my perspective on why the Op may have made the choice he's made.
BSA1 said:
My finances are such that while I enjoy shooting it can't be some thing I do just for fun. I get to the range every other month for a range training session with my church security team and that's about it.
BSA1
member
Why would I be offended by you and your choices? We just have different interests and priorities.
Trunk Monkey
member
BSA1 said:
I don't know maybe it's just your writing style but you seemedto be vehemently opposed to the concept of only using the one gun or platform. if I understood you incorrectly I apologize but that's how it came off to me.
Valkman
Member
I kinda do the same but with 1911's and XD's, and I like XD's because of the grip safety which I'm used too. I carry one or the other and though they seem completely different I shoot both very well so I stick with them. I have like 6 1911's and 3 XD's, and all in one caliber, .45acp.
Ed Ames
Member
I'm not sure that is actually true.
I must eat in order to survive. It's a fact of life. If I stop eating I will experience negative consequences up to and including death.
But...most of the time and energy I spend on eating...the cooking, the shopping for good food, dining out, etc., is basically hobby. I don't call it hobby because "eating rare steaks with good beer" isn't the sort of thing most people call a hobby, but it basically is even though if I stop altogether I'll literally die.
Back when I had an ocean going sailboat, safety gear was definitely a hobby of mine. I mean it was a distinct sub-hobby within the larger sailing hobby, just as building airplanes can be a sub-hobby within aviation. I researched gear, I installed it, I tested it...far beyond any legal requirements or experienced need. Jacklines and SOLAS flares, first aid kits that would fill the trunk of some cars, EPIRBs and MOB drills...I enjoyed that stuff even though every bit of it had a very real lifesaving purpose.
Self defense seems similar. It can be absolutely life or death and still a hobby. Why not?
Two is one, one is none. Having a spare is a very good idea. While I don't go that far, I applaud your practical side. I own other guns, but if push came to shove the Glocks would be the only ones to stay, and it would be the G-19's using the same philosophy as you.
I don't have all of them identical, but do own 3 G-19's. One is black, one is OD green and the 3rd is earth brown. In addition I have a G-17 and G-26 as well as a G-20, G-21 and a G-23. In addition to about 1/2 dozen guns of other brands and calibers. The Glocks are the serious guns, the others are toys.
John Taffin had a column not too long ago where he advocated the idea of "a pair and a spare", or as the OP has gone, three similar guns, as JT didn't feel the need that they be exact copies, but similar, such as all K-frames in .38 special.
I think both are onto solid strategies here and am working in that direction myself. K.I.S.S. is a darn good idea IMHO, especially in terms of defensive use as there are enough other ways things can go wrong. If you can eliminate one variable, that strikes me as an excellent idea.
One of the notes trainers, though I can't recall which, wrote of one gent living in a high crime area who had 5 Glock 17's to outfit he, his wife and two adult children. Logistically & defensively that gentleman & his family were prepared to repel borders and I admire that kind of fortitude.
I think both are onto solid strategies here and am working in that direction myself. K.I.S.S. is a darn good idea IMHO, especially in terms of defensive use as there are enough other ways things can go wrong. If you can eliminate one variable, that strikes me as an excellent idea.
One of the notes trainers, though I can't recall which, wrote of one gent living in a high crime area who had 5 Glock 17's to outfit he, his wife and two adult children. Logistically & defensively that gentleman & his family were prepared to repel borders and I admire that kind of fortitude.
Catshooter
Member
A pair and a spare is an old concept. Still quite valid in my tiny little mind.
One idea that seems to slip by many people who carry is what if you use it? Chances are very high that you'll loose it from two months to forever. So now what do you do for a piece? Is this a good time to spend the money for a replacement? Are they available? Is there a waiting period? Any answer other than 'yes' and you could be in trouble.
I do almost the same as the OP. I don't have much other than Glocks anymore. I would have gone with the 21 (I love the 45) but it's just too big for my hands and concealment for me. I went with the 19/23 route and have been quite happy.
Cat
One idea that seems to slip by many people who carry is what if you use it? Chances are very high that you'll loose it from two months to forever. So now what do you do for a piece? Is this a good time to spend the money for a replacement? Are they available? Is there a waiting period? Any answer other than 'yes' and you could be in trouble.
I do almost the same as the OP. I don't have much other than Glocks anymore. I would have gone with the 21 (I love the 45) but it's just too big for my hands and concealment for me. I went with the 19/23 route and have been quite happy.
Cat
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Posted by Ed Ames, in response to "self defense is not a hobby":
A "hobby" is defined as follows: "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure". I d not think that anyone would consider the act of defending oneself against a violent attack to constitute "pleasure".
Now, engaging in practicing some of the skills necessary for self defense may fall into the realm of the definition of hobby.
But my comment was to distinguish self defense and the related skills from the general shooting hobby. In the latter, one might relish variety, or like shooting different guns at the range and in the field. In the former, being able to rely on "muscle memory" without thinking and without a hiccup, and having everything the same every moment of every day, can reduce the chance of failure.
Now, knowing how to operate a different gun when necessary can also help with self preservation, but routine practice and everyday carry should be as uniform as possible.
A "hobby" is defined as follows: "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure". I d not think that anyone would consider the act of defending oneself against a violent attack to constitute "pleasure".
Now, engaging in practicing some of the skills necessary for self defense may fall into the realm of the definition of hobby.
But my comment was to distinguish self defense and the related skills from the general shooting hobby. In the latter, one might relish variety, or like shooting different guns at the range and in the field. In the former, being able to rely on "muscle memory" without thinking and without a hiccup, and having everything the same every moment of every day, can reduce the chance of failure.
Now, knowing how to operate a different gun when necessary can also help with self preservation, but routine practice and everyday carry should be as uniform as possible.
browningguy
Member
One single type of pistol sounds very boring, but to each his own.
Gun Master
Member
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Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
I've owned a lot of guns over the years-----the big recession has hit me pretty hard over the last couple years.
I've boiled down my handguns to 3 Ruger P95's and 2 Ruger MkIII's-----not the most flashy or expensive but they work well and I enjoy commonality of ammunition, magazines, accessories and function. I'm pretty well set for years to come depending on any situation.
I do see a Shield or LC9s ---possibly an SR9c or G19 coming my way in the near future though.
I've boiled down my handguns to 3 Ruger P95's and 2 Ruger MkIII's-----not the most flashy or expensive but they work well and I enjoy commonality of ammunition, magazines, accessories and function. I'm pretty well set for years to come depending on any situation.
I do see a Shield or LC9s ---possibly an SR9c or G19 coming my way in the near future though.
420Stainless
Member
I love variety, particularly when it comes to handguns. It wouldn't be fun for me to do what you have done. However, for most uses at least, one .45 that you shoot well is as good as another .45 that you shoot well. One good thing, if you have an issue at a time when parts are not available, you will still have the same gun for use and could even sacrifice one as a parts gun to keep two running if needed for some reason.
3 of a kind?
Shoot 'em enough and you will break/wear out parts. If it happens during a match it's nice to have a spare in your range bag set up exactly the same.
If #1 is in the shop, #2 and 3 are still able to go to the match.
That's my story. (Though my 3rd FEG hi-power clone is stock, it hasn't had the extended C&S safety upgrade yet.)
Shoot 'em enough and you will break/wear out parts. If it happens during a match it's nice to have a spare in your range bag set up exactly the same.
If #1 is in the shop, #2 and 3 are still able to go to the match.
That's my story. (Though my 3rd FEG hi-power clone is stock, it hasn't had the extended C&S safety upgrade yet.)
tomrkba
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Any time I start thinking about consolidating my guns, I just put them in the safe. I get out whatever I'm "into" and shoot that for awhile. Eventually, I'll get out that gun from the safe and shoot it again. Then I'll think about how much money I saved
Catshooter
Member
"Talking about Glocks here, I think 20 bucks will cover all the spares ya need."
Used to. But those days are long gone my friend.
Cat
Used to. But those days are long gone my friend.
Cat
buck460XVR
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While there is practicality in having all your SD/HD guns in one caliber, as the last two ammo/reloading component shortages have shown us, sometimes having a variety of calibers or not completely relying on factory ammo is more advantageous. i.e., similar platforms in different calibers.
When it comes to SD/HD we all have to do what we feel is the best. Our choices in firearms should be what we are most confident in, most comfortable with and most proficient with. Folks not into guns, with little interest and/or little or no practice with firearms can be as much as a detriment and risk to others in the house when they put a firearm in their hands as not. Real life is not like the movies. Those scenes of the Indians circling the wagons and the cowboy showing the pretty, petite saloon girl how to shoot his Colt for the first time, and then she immediately begins to pick off the insurgents one by one as they ride by on horseback is not reality. Also, just because one shoots a particular platform well and the gun fits their hand comfortably, does not make it so for everyone else that picks up that particular firearm. My wife is not into firearms altho I insist she know how to use them. While I am very proficient and confident in most all of my handguns, and she has shot most all of them, she is only comfortable with one.....and it is not the one I would pick if I had to narrow my collection down to one. IOWs, my minimal collection for SD/HD, if I wanted her to be safe and also able to efficiently protect herself, would be two platforms.
As I said, we all need to consider our needs and options when it comes to SD/HD firearms. All of us are different with different needs and scenarios. The OP has definitely thought long and hard about his choice and it may very well be the best choice for him and his. My only advice would be to make sure those others in his house know how to use that choice well and that they are as comfortable with them as he is.
When it comes to SD/HD we all have to do what we feel is the best. Our choices in firearms should be what we are most confident in, most comfortable with and most proficient with. Folks not into guns, with little interest and/or little or no practice with firearms can be as much as a detriment and risk to others in the house when they put a firearm in their hands as not. Real life is not like the movies. Those scenes of the Indians circling the wagons and the cowboy showing the pretty, petite saloon girl how to shoot his Colt for the first time, and then she immediately begins to pick off the insurgents one by one as they ride by on horseback is not reality. Also, just because one shoots a particular platform well and the gun fits their hand comfortably, does not make it so for everyone else that picks up that particular firearm. My wife is not into firearms altho I insist she know how to use them. While I am very proficient and confident in most all of my handguns, and she has shot most all of them, she is only comfortable with one.....and it is not the one I would pick if I had to narrow my collection down to one. IOWs, my minimal collection for SD/HD, if I wanted her to be safe and also able to efficiently protect herself, would be two platforms.
As I said, we all need to consider our needs and options when it comes to SD/HD firearms. All of us are different with different needs and scenarios. The OP has definitely thought long and hard about his choice and it may very well be the best choice for him and his. My only advice would be to make sure those others in his house know how to use that choice well and that they are as comfortable with them as he is.
While I might find three of the same gun somewhat boring, I do think it makes sense to consolidate calibers. The 21 is a fine choice but I'd throw in a 30/30S for carry and maybe a 41 for around the house use or hunting backup. They'll all have the same triggers and share the same ammo, even magazines but each one is more specific to a certain task and while they're all the same, they're at least somewhat different to spice it up a bit.
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