Anyone standardize on one caliber?

[Arkansas Paul]

Not me. I currently own 12 different gauges/calibers and when I'm in the market for a new gun, I make a point to buy one I don't have. Then you get to have the fun of buying dies and loading components for the new one too. It's a win win.

 

[WinThePennant]

I tried to standardize on the 9mm. The last 'incident' caused 9mm to pretty much disappear. From that day onward, I decided to have a multiple of calibers because you just don't know what is going to be available during the next shortage.

 

[tcanthonyii]

For Semi Auto's I attempted to standardize on 9mm and 45. I don't personally care much for 40. However I picked up a 22, a 380 and now the soon to be wife shot a 40 and much prefers it to the 9 and 45. So I gotta get one of those now.

On the bright side 40 is readily available. Although I've been able to buy all calibers locally during this shortage, just not everyday like I was able to do before.

 

[Jim NE]

At first, I thought I'd deal with 3 calibers only - .38 Special, 9mm, and .22lr. Had a few guns in each.

Then the Sandy Hook gun scare/panic happened. After that, I realized that in a panic or social crisis, you can't know which calibers of ammo or reloading components will be available at any given time. Having a variety of calibers is probably the only real way to guard against that (along with stocking up on ammo before hand.)

Yes, in the next panic, some of your guns will become expensive paperweights due to ammo shortages, but if you have a wide variety of calibers, it's less likely that ALL of your guns will become paperweights. And that's what's important.

I like to joke that .22lr and 9mm ammo is expensive and hard to find due to the demand created by it's low price and widespread availability.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I did only .22 and 9mm until the great ammo shortage-----now I also have a .40/.357 thrown in the mix to take advantage of what ammo was available.

 

[Schwing]

The shortage (which to me really started in 2008), actually encouraged me to go the other direction. I only had 9MMs and .22s. Being unable to get ammo for either, I bought a .380... big mistake since the ammo at the time was pushing $30 per box. I Picked up a .45 and didn't have any problem getting ammo but, once again, it was expensive. I moved on to a .38 and it seemed to be the sweet spot but then I drooled over a .357... then I drooled over a .357 carbine... then I drooled over a .44.... Now I am drooling over a .44 carbine...

You can see the trend here.

 

[JDR]

When I saw PPU 9mm 115 gr, FMJ at an LGS go from $12.99 to $17.99 due to the "shortage", I started buying all the Win 100 rd. VP .40 S&W I could lay my hands on at Wally's for $36.97.

 

[MCgunner]

Uh, NO. Squirrel hunting with a .44 magnum is stupid. Deer and hog hunting with a .22 is stupid. Carrying either concealed is less than optimum. Well, if all you're worried about is concealed carry, you might could, but I am a more versatile shooter than any one cartridge is.

 

[decoy562]

Nope, I enjoy shooting different calibers too much. If I just went to one, I'd be bored.

 

[MCgunner]

I have cap and ball revolvers, too. I'm never bored.

 

[jjones45]

if I had to pick one it would be 45 acp as I enjoy this caliber the most. but if availability and price was the main factors I would go with 40, as of right now. but I also like all calibers too much to just go with one. 10mm has caught my interest lately so maybe that would be the way I lean toward if I ever actually shoot one.


Posted from Thehighroad.org App for Android

 

[huntsman]

Anyone here standardize to one or fewer calibers? What was your reasoning? What have been the pros and cons?

2 calibers .380 .45acp.

it was .380acp,.357mag,.44mag but I couldn't afford the regular feeding of the mags so I got rid of them and added .45acp as a sidearm/woods gun and now with the addition of a .45acp/.45C I got a hunting handgun again.

2 calibers multiple guns cover everything from pocket carry to big game hunting to HD to just fun to shoot guns, I could've done it with one caliber (.357mag) but I still believe the ammo would cost me more.

 

[Regular Joe]

I'm closer to "there" than I was. My center fire autos are all Glock 9's. Well, there is the LCP, but it just stays in the car. It's interesting to me to find that the 9 performs like 3 different calibers in the 3 different barrel lengths. In the 19, it's basically what we expect from the caliber. In the 17, my hand loads are closer to factory energy for .40 S&W. In the 17L, accuracy is notably better, and velocity from my 124 gr. JHP load is 1,400 fps, avg.
I don't know that I could be without my .22's. My blood would probably stop flowing, or change color if I disposed of the 10/.22's.
The AK keeps me from "needing" an M4gery. The 20" HBAR AR keeps me from "needing" more rifles.
I've made it through the shortages because I concentrated on building stock. My practice and fun shooting have basically come to a stop, but if I really and truly NEED ammo, it's there.

 

[hAkron]

When I saw PPU 9mm 115 gr, FMJ at an LGS go from $12.99 to $17.99 due to the "shortage", I started buying all the Win 100 rd. VP .40 S&W I could lay my hands on at Wally's for $36.97.

That's $18.47 per 50... Not exactly a saving over paying $17.00 for 9mm

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I am a fan of standardization, but the problem I see is that standardizing for JUST ONE isn't what I'd prefer. The only cartridge I can think of in which this would work for me would be the 9mm. You have the DB9 all the way up to XDM 5.25, and everything in between. Also, several companies are making 9mm revolvers these days. My issue with this is that I simply want more power in a typical carry gun. I know many don't have that philosophy, but I do. Perhaps 9mm for the DB9, Kahr PMs & CWs for deeper concealment, but 10mm or .45acp for standard carry/woods/larger platforms, etc. The DB9 is great in 9mm, but .40/10mm or .45acp that small would probably just be silly. I'd also want .22, of course.

So, if I were to standardize, which I support... Perhaps 3 calibers... 10mm/.45, 9mm, and .22. LOL... Right now I have 5 calibers, and there are a few reasons for that, but if I could re-build the collection, I'd go with 3.

 

[HankR]

Somewhat. Standardize, yes. One caliber, no way. Fewer than many shoot, yes.

I shoot and load for .45 Colt, so wouldn't buy a .44 Mag. I shoot 30-06, so don't own .308. When my son started hunting I got a used .243 for him, but haven't picked up dies for it yet. He'll be using the 30-06 soon enough (and maybe I'll use the .243, or save it for my daughter).

When 40 S&W came out, I figured I had a nine, and a .45 ACP, and I didn't see much added utility. I might like a small revolver in .327, but, again, don't really see that much added value.

Some of this is for safety, less possibility of confusing and putting the wrong round in the wrong gun. Mostly it's my frugal nature, I don't want to get set up to reload a different caliber, store another flavor of ammo, etc.

 

[ScarLata]

Due to practical considerations I had reduced all my semi-auto pistols to .40 cal I enjoy shooting varied handguns with the same caliber. No regrets.

 

[MutinousDoug]

I've standardized on 12 ga for my shot gunning. Does that count?

Otherwise: .22lr, 380acp, 9mm, .38spl, .357, .45acp, 6.5x55, .30 carbine, .30-30, .308/7.62NATO, .30-06, .45 ROA, .50 and .54 cal ML.

Pretty much a miss-mash.

 

[Galactic Marine]

I have been sticking mostly to .40. I like to shoot and carry that ammo but I have a .380 pocket gun, also. My .45 is hopefully going away this winter.

I also sold my 9mm guns over the years. They weren't as much fun to shoot as .40S&W.

 

[gym]

I tried a few times, but every once in a while I just see a gun that I have to have in a different caliber. But I shoot 9mm 80% of the time. The difference is not that great to me. I always shot 45 well so I don't have to go through a couple hundred dollars for no reason. I try to stay with 9mm and 45,no more 40, no more revolvers. I may get a 357 though. Other than that its 223 and 12 gauge.
I do have ammo for a dozen different calibers in case I want to change my mind, but 9mm is just as good as any other for most things. After all they are handguns, and a handgun is only going to do so much. The variety of 9mm ammo, gives you a wide spread to choose from.

 

[SDGlock23]

I would be happy with either the .40 or .45.

Both have good pocket carry options...well I was going to list the XDs but the recall thing sorta hurts that. I do have a CM40 that carries well and shoots great. The LCP is smaller, but the CM40 packs a good bit more punch and still pocket carries easily.

For "social" work, either one works just fine and there's a plethora of options of either. For me the G23 or G30 is about perfect for just about anything.

For any type of hunting needs, either one will work too within reason. No I won't go on the offensive against a grizzly with either, but for deer and hogs the .40 and .45 will do just fine. There isn't a deer or hog in the woods that either won't bring down with good shot placement and the proper bullet. The .45 will have an advantage for larger animals because it can use the .45 Super, and my 250-300gr handloads will out perform the warmer .40 loads, but again, for deer either is fine. For smaller critters something like a .22 would be preferred, but plenty shoot furry little rodents with .44's and up so I don't see a problem really.

 

[Mike1234567]

If I were a wealthy man I'd have tons of different calibers in various platforms. I had a decent collection a couple years ago. However, my economics changed recently so I had to re-think things. I now have just four long arms... .22LR semi-auto, .223 REM bolt, .30-06 SPRG bolt and 12ga semi-auto... and only one handgun... 9mm semi-auto. I'd like to add a .44 Mag revolver but that's not going to happen until my finances improve. Oh... and an AR with .223/5.56 and .458 SOCOM uppers would be great too... that'll probably never happen.

I guess I should have stated that I simplified my collection... reduced the number of calibers. Depending one's needs, I don't see how one could easily/efficiently standardize on a single caliber. Of course, it can be done... just not without significant trade-offs.

 

[Z1D2]

I can own more ammo, good defense strategy to standardize if you can. And its hard to find ammo now. Not guns......
I have looked for a second pistol in the caliber I use most so I can use ammo I already have. But I am willing to get a different caliber pistol if the price is right.

 

[Mike1234567]

RE ammo: I still have lots of that. I'm trying to keep it for barter in the future.

 

[BigG]

I had that idea quite a few years ago but abandoned it after finding I liked shooting several calibers and the guns they came in.