Ammo, magazine, and Firearm Consolidation

[savage1r]

This is something I consider quite often when deciding what kind of gun to purchase, what types of different variables go into making the decision based on what things to I want to be interchangeable, have multiple uses, and what is cheap. My current collection is based on being able to exchange either ammo, magazines (or both) as well as reloading considerations. What kinds of ammo, magazine and firearm consolidation do you have or do you even bother?


VIDEO LINK

 

[Texan Scott]

It's not easy.

Trying to limit myself to 4 calibers ... rimfire, pistol, rifle, and shotgun, one each. It's not easy.

I'm settled on 22lr and 38spc... but all my 38s are really 357s, and I want a new 357 lever gun so bad...

Throwing a 410 derringer in the mix spoils things, too... means giving up 12ga or having two shotshells, and tempts me to keep 45lc (pronounced fordy-fahv colt) as well.

I know a 30-30 will do anything I need a rifle to do, but I'd miss my SKSs fiercely... and I still want that 357 carbine!

It's not easy. I may have to "consolidate" to 8.

 

[mrvco]

I was trying to minimize the number of different calibers I own and shoot, but my real issue was that I needed a better way to store and organize ammo. Once I got that sorted, owning multiple calibers seems a lot more manageable. It also helped once I decided to stick to a single caliber for HD/SD handgun ammo instead of having expensive hollow-point ammo laying around in three or four different calibers at any given time.

 

[toivo]

It would be hard to go wrong with .22LR, .223/5.56, 9MM, and 12-gauge.

If you're a revolver guy, substitute .38/.357 for 9MM. If you're a deer hunter, substitute .308 or .30-06 for the .223.

I can't see much magazine consolidation being possible unless you want to standardize a handgun with a handgun-caliber carbine -- say .40 or 9MM.

 

[FitGunner]

I gave up on this concept somewhat. I like simplicity and consolidating calibers, magazines, gear, etc. is awesome. I just like too many different types of guns/calibers. I now just try to keep myself from buying any new calibers.

It is a great idea though. Buy a CX4 and PX4 Storm in .40 for example. They share magazines and ammo so you get a rifle and a pistol without needing extra stuff. If you're adventurous you could get a Magnum Research .30-30 revolver and a lever action rifle.

 

[savage1r]

My dad has a Thompson Center pistol that takes 30-30 as well as the lever action. That TC pistol is F.U.N.

 

[45_auto]

I don't like simplicity, I like multiple options. Consolidation is something I don't even consider when I buy a gun. If I like it, I buy it. Then I get a set of dies, and enough bullets, brass, and magazines to last me the rest of my life. My kids can sell it on Gunbroker or give it all away when I'm gone.

I guess that's why I have 16 toolheads set up for the Dillon 650, and another 12 or so calibers I load for on a single stage!

223 Remington
30-06
308 Winchester
9 MM Parabellum
35 Remington
357 Magnum
38 Special
38 Super
40 S&W
44 Magnum
45 ACP
45 Colt
30-30
30 Carbine
380 ACP
303

25 ACP
38-40
44-40
30-30 Ackley Improved
32 ACP
32 S&W Long
38 Colt
300 Weatherby
338 Win Mag
300 Win Mag
444
45-70
270

 

[tubeshooter]

I know a 30-30 will do anything I need a rifle to do, but I'd miss my SKSs fiercely... and I still want that 357 carbine!

I am right with you there. I got all three, in that order... and even though there is definitely some application overlap, I have no intention of getting rid of any of them!!


I have always tried to keep things somewhat "consolidated". While it has it's merits, the older I get the more overrated it seems. You don't have to try to get by with 3 or 4 calibers/gauges for everything under the sun all your life. You also don't have to have 35 calibers laying around just because.

There is a happy medium for most people.

Consolidation can actually hurt you sometimes, especially if what you have selected is even semi-popular. You know which rifle I can feed the easiest right now? An old .243 that I bought on a whim - and was outside my "consolidation" envelope.


It just depends on the individual. I got into all this thinking I would be a one-gun person. I'm sure many others have too. Tastes, needs and desires change. You might feel differently over time. It's okay to be flexible.

 

[Lex Luthier]

Simplifying is the way to go. I see no need for 18 calibers and umpteen different weapons, but many men here probably think that's boring. It is smart and organized. I also like to think along common lines, in case some trading needs to be done down the road. Also, there is too much money to be invested in other items necessary for survival in a dire situation, so why tie it up in odd and obscure tools?

In this spirit, I once had five different .40 cal sidearms. Kept the best two and sold the rest.

 

[Domina]

I keep several types of action/caliber for educatiomal purposes, but I emphasize certain platforms for specific uses and regular practice.

 

[Plan2Live]

The possibility of having to scavange ammo in certain situations makes me lean towards diversity and away from consolodation. The recent ammo shortage reinforces the validity of this theory.