Consolidating down to one

[andrewshogun]

After shooting for about two years and going through a wide variety of guns, I've come to realize while it is fun to 'add to the collection', when it comes down to it, there were only a few that I would count on 100% to save my life. When I say 100%, this means a gun that has never jammed or failed on me (not even once), I can shoot proficiently with, and it also needs enough stopping power of course to defend myself with. I've thought about selling this gun many times, and it also happens to be my first piece ever. At this point, I've sold all my other handguns (Kimber Custom I, XD40, Glock 19, CZ75 SP01, Kimber Ultra Carry II to name a few), and I'm left with this one. CZ-75B.



I figured with the cost of ammo at record highs with very scarce availability, I'm going to focus on shooting the gun I shoot best in the range, that I can also count on. Afterall, with the ammo situation, why spend money firing ammo down the lane you wouldn't ever use for practical applications? So there she is. It's got a custom trigger job with aftermarket main springs, hammer, polished firing pin safety block, rubber grips (taken off of my SP-01), and Tru night sights. It's my range gun, bed side gun, and defense gun.

So where do I go from here? Well, let's just say I'm already looking at my next gun. So much for consolidating down to one! Except this time, I know everything else is just going to be gravy, and every gun will serve its own purpose. I'm looking at a plinking rifle , i.e. cz452, ruger 10/22, and leaning towards the ruger. do also plan on taking a few tactical home defense/practical application courses to learn how to use my firearm in any and all situations.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share, and would love to hear other's perspectives on 'consolidating down to one". It just doesn't really happen, does it?

 

[SquirrelNuts]

"Beware of the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it."

 

[psyopspec]

I don't think I could bring myself to do it, though I certainly see the logic. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about which would be the last I would get rid of if I had to. It was an upsetting experience, and I couldn't arrive at a conclusion.

 

[SCKimberFan]

I did something similar, in that I sold my .45 and now have only 9mm (one of which is a CZ).

 

[Regular Joe]

I'm in pretty much the same position as you. For me, it's come down to a Glock 19 and 17. I was attracted to the CZ's, but I feel that the choice between Glock and CZ is almost irrelevant. Almost, but right now, my 17 is sitting beside me with a 33 round magazine sticking out of it, which also fits the 19, and functions flawlessly in both. Either way, I believe that 9mm is the "right" caliber, and deciding on a gun that works, no matter what, is the right choice. No other mechanical device on earth has proven to be as reliable as the Glock. Works for me....

 

[andrewshogun]

regular joe - i hear you on the glock. that gun never failed on me once either, but i could just never shoot it as accurately as i wanted to (obviously me and not the gun). btw, 33 rd mag eh? i'm jealous! sigh, unfortunately i live in a state called california and those are not allowed. we get 10, yay. not!

 

[jackstinson]

with the ammo situation, why spend money firing ammo down the lane you wouldn't ever use for practical applications?

Because shooting a variety of guns is fun?
I usually take several guns to the range every week....for fun, enjoyment, relaxation. What is more practical than that? It's good therapy.
Not everyone only owns guns strictly for self defense purposes. I own many reliable guns suited for SD, and dozens more just because I enjoy shooting them. Heck, some I have just because I like looking at them.
Own only one gun? Not for the past 45 years.

 

[Sav .250]

I see where you coming from and confidence in any type of weapon is vital for what ever the intended purpose.
A "go to" weapon works for you but for me,not having had any problems with anything means anything close.... is the "go to" piece.
Ammo cost aside, if you don`t shoot them, then cost is not a factor. It`s nice to have a collection of sorts with the ever present....go to piece. Just my $.02.......

 

[andrewshogun]

jackstintson and sav, i wish i was on that boat still. i love just having the variety of guns, and like jack said, just to hold and look at them if anything! it's just with the cost of ammo and poor economy in general, i've decided to consolidate down to one. it was a tough thing to do believe me. felt like sending children away!

 

[MHBushmaster]

All guns will fail in some way. There is no firearm that cannot have a failure.

You either are over exaggerating or you haven't shot this particular gun enough.

Picking just one gun is fallacy. Do you have just one screwdriver or one power tool in the garage?

 

[wvshooter]

+1 on the CZ75. I have a 75 B decocker that is absolutely rock solid. The 75 ranks right up there with the Browning Hi-power for accuracy, dependability, etc. and cost almost half as much. I've got a bunch of other guns but the 75 is my EDC.

 

[gbran]

I do the opposite........ I have a large evergrowing collection, but really only shoot a few regularily. And out of all my guns, only a couple are 100% go to guns for SD.

 

[Oro]

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about which would be the last I would get rid of if I had to.

I (mentally) have it down to the last five I can't live without (only one is an auto, actually). After that, I would just start shooting in order to keep them.

 

[Eightball]

Get a .22 kit for it. Those do exist for the CZ series, I believe. Then, you can practice/have fun for cheaper. I did that with my 1911 way before .45 ball got stupidly expensive, and now I look like one of the most intelligent people ever on the firing line

 

[PhiloebeddoUSA]

I couldn't do it.

Whatever you got for your other pistols I hope that you made out. If you sold them because you needed the money would be one thing, but selling them just to consolidate is something that I couldn't do. Apart from their beauty and usefullness, they will always have a special value that no other investment can compete with. Dollars are common, everybody has them. Firearms on the other hand are not. (except for everyone here on the THR!! . Hurry up and buy that .22 and load up on bulk packs. Good luck

 

[Avenger29]

Folks, I wouldn't go so far as to narrow down to one gun. Keeping the numbers down and concentrating on shooting is one thing, but there is such a thing as too little of a good thing.

Two is one, one is none is my mantra. Having a spare immediatly available, in your possession is very, very important. Especially if your primary gets confiscated as evidence after a shooting, or stolen (god forbid), or if it just plain breaks.

Out of the list of the guns you sold, andrewshogun, I would have kept the Glock 19 and the other CZ.

And I don't sell first rifles, first handguns, first shotguns, or heirlooms. Anything else is fair game.

 

[shiftyer1]

I think everyone needs 4 guns. After that it's just collecting. You need a good .22 rifle, a good mid caliber rifle and a shotgun .20 or .12 it's your choice. Also a handgun .38 up to .the .45's. These 4 are needs everything else is wants.

Also the GOOD part is personal opinion. I may think a lever action 30-30 is a good all round rifle u may have other choices. But in mid size I mean deer/man sized game

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I like your handgun choice, but what about a rifle and a shotgun? Two rifles, really, a rimfire & a centerfire.

 

[Travlin]

I second the notion that it is good to have at least one spare. It's also good to be able to arm housemates, family, or friends if needed. Consolidating calibers can make a lot of sense.

 

[shiftyer1]

Yes I look at it as a defense/hunting standpoint. A rifle for defense/game. A shotgun defense/game. And a rimfire for a whole lot of practice and fun at a fraction of the cost.

If it comes down to a bug out situation make your choice. But if a fight never comes you have all the basics covered for plinking, small game, winged game, large game and a handgun in a caliber that is capable.

Except for the handgun this is whats probably in a very large portion of the closets in the middle 1/3 of our country.

 

[10-Ring]

I understand the logic -- would it apply to one rifle and one shotgun -- also one rimfire handgun and one rimfire long gun?

 

[TheWarhammer]

Afterall, with the ammo situation, why spend money firing ammo down the lane you wouldn't ever use for practical applications?

This statement really made me cringe. The "no practical use" argument has been a favorite of the gun grabbers for decades. After all, why even allow folks to own a gun that they "wouldn't ever use for practical applications?"

I have only sold three guns... ever. Two were so unreliable that they weren't any fun to shoot, and one was a shotty that I just didn't ever use and I wanted to reuse the money invested in it to get a different gun. In general, I REALLY research a gun before I buy it, and when I do buy it I already know I will be keeping it. I have several stone-axe-reliable guns that are my "go to" guns. I would trust my life to any of them. If you only have one gun, then it can only be in one place. I like to have several guns in several places within my home. Also, If I'm out of the house, I like knowing that there a still guns in the house which my wife could use, if need be. I just don't see the point in consolidating down to one gun. However, to each his own.

 

[Prepster]

If I absolutely, positively had to go down to just one or face dire consequences I would keep my stainless Bearcat. Don't tell my P228 or my 1891 Mauser, otherwise they might think that I don't love them, which is far from the truth.

I do understand where you're coming from. I recently sold off some oddball caliber guns because not only could I not afford to shoot them, they were cutting into the ammo budget for my most practical firearms (I'll never part with the above mentioned Mauser, however). There is something to be said for having a small collection that you are extremely proficient with. I don't think that you are wrong in downsizing if that's what you want to do, but don't stake your well-being on any one mechanical device if you can avoid it.

 

[Kind of Blued]

I won't even leave the house with less than three...

More power to ya.

 

[numaone]

when it comes down to it, there were only a few that I would count on 100% to save my life. When I say 100%, this means a gun that has never jammed or failed on me (not even once),

What happens if your favorite gun jams for some reason (bad load on factory ammo, worn mag spring, etc...) when you take it to the range the next time? Will it still be your favorite.

Guns are like women... Yea, you have a favorite until you find something that makes a bigger bang or you like more. But the part that makes guns better is they are more than happy to have company in bed/gun safe.

Then again, I'm still alone...