Did you consolidate handgun cartridges?

[Zaydok Allen]

I often hear folks talk about a desire to consolidate to only a few different cartridges in their firearm lineup. I used to think that was a good idea. It could mean more guns that use interchangeable ammunition. It could mean pursuing fewer different reloading components. It could also mean being extremely familiar and proficient with your guns because you will be quite used to the recoil characteristics, though different sized and weight guns alter this to some degree.

During the last scare, I had no problem continuing to shoot, despite the ammo shortage, but only because I had a stockpile I had been building up when ever I saw a sale on ammo. However, there is no guarantee that the next time, I'll be in the same boat. So I am in fact diversifying my collection and trying to have firearms that shoot as many different cartridges and calibers as I can. that way, I should always be able to find some kind of ammo I can blast away with.

My lineup includes guns that will shoot:

22 Short, and 22 long rifle
8mm Lebel
32 S&W short, or long
38 special, and .357 magnum
45 acp
45 Schofiled, and 45 Colt
454 Casull
460 magnum

I have a 9mm on the way. I plan to make a 44 mag of some flavor the next. After that, I may get into 41 mag and 500 also. I'm not sure about 40 S&W though, as I had one in the past and ditched it. This will take me years, but so what.

So how fairs the rest of THR? Do you consolidate or diversify your handgun collections?
I know this has been discussed many times, but changes in the economy, employment, media, and availability can change people's attitudes.

Edit: Woops! Pardon the typo in the poll.

 

[CoRoMo]

I can't really vote. I restrict my collection to the great many cartridges that I reload for. If I have reloading equipment for it, I have and continue to buy guns for it. And .22lr too of course.

This tends to KEEP me from getting into new cartridges because I pretty much don't buy factory ammo in this regard. The number of cartridges that I load for, and have guns for is not a few. I'll probably add a new round here and there as time goes on, but I'll be adding dies and such too.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I like a wide variety of handguns, so I have a wide variety of cartridges represented - nine chamberings so far, what I think as the big five (.22LR, .357 Magnum, 9x19, .40 S&W, .45 ACP), plus .380 ACP and 10mm, and a couple of Russians (7.62x25 and 7.62x38R.) There's always something different to shoot.

I won't even get into the rifles...

 

[whatever]

The last ammo scare made me realize I want a carry gun in each 'realistic' caliber. Seeing the bare shelves at tbe heigh of the panic made me realize that.

Yes, I know I could spend the $ on ammo rather than another gun...but that isn't any fun.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Yes I did. I shoot hand guns in much larger volume than I do rifles. Due to that I see no reason to expand into odd balls.

The caliber I shoot

.22
9mm
.38/.357
.44 magnum

I believe with this line up I can deal with anything 2-4 legs. I see no reason to expand into any other calibers right now. I buy a grand total of three hand gun powders regularly, and 5 types of bullets. Makes life very easy.

 

[jhb]

in handguns i shoot, in no particular order 10mm, .40s&w, .357 sig, .357 mag, .38 special, .38 super, 9mm, .45acp, .32acp, .380acp, .22lr, .22mag, 5.7x28mm, 7.62x25mm, 9mmx18, i think that's it.

reasons, i like different rounds for different tasks and platforms. plus i can always find ammo to shoot when the ammo shortages happen by being diversified. which has paid out well during the last two big ammo shortages. variety i think is a good thing...too each their own though.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My centerfire handguns are only .38/.357, .45ACP, and .44 Magnum. I didn't do it intentionally. I tend to only like guns that come in those calibers.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I have a ton of different calibers and pretty much no interest in consolidating. I reload for many of them but some are too much of a pain to reload for (look at me when I am talking to you 5.7x28!) or I shoot to seldom to bother with reloading for them. I buy ammo for them when I see it.
In my opinion it is fun to have a lot of calibers to choose from. It's fun to let friends shoot calibers they have never shot before. Sometimes I may be in the mood for a 500 s&w, sometimes I'm in the mood for a .22, sometimes I'm in the mood for something in between!

 

[Saleen322]

^^ Ditto this. I currently have (I think) 22 short, 22 LR, 32 S&W Long, 32 mag, 327 mag, 9mm, 38 Special, 38 Super, 357 Mag, 357 SM, 38/40, 10mm, 44 Mag, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and 460 S&W. I have yet to see any LGS that does not have ammo for at least one of these even during the leanest time.

 

[jrdolall]

It would take my opening a spreadsheet to recall all the different calibers I have. I have bought guns just so I WOULD have a different caliber.
From .22 up to .44 mag and most everything in between. I don't own a 10mm....yet.

 

[BSA1]

So I am in fact diversifying my collection and trying to have firearms that shoot as many different cartridges and calibers as I can. that way, I should always be able to find some kind of ammo I can blast away with.

As I am primarily a reloader I substitute "ammo" with reloading components.

 

[Armored farmer]

I was all .357 mag for a long time, then I slowly fell out of love with the cartridge over the period of about 10 handgun deer seasons.
Next was .45Colt for hunting which works great for me, but if the .357 didn't suit me for 175lb deer....then it didn't suit me for SD either. Not many viable options for a SD or CCW in .45Colt. Next came the .45acp to fill the big-bore ccw role.
So it's:
.22
.357
.45colt
.45acp
Fairly consolidated I suppose.

 

[Hangingrock]

I no longer reload 38Spl/357Mag, 41Mag, 44Spl/44Mag, and 45LC. Basically reload 9mm Luger and 45ACP.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I tend to stay within a few calibers, until I bought a 32-20. I like the round so much I have been looking for the right rifle in that caliber.

.22, .25, .32-20, .380. 9mm, 9mm Mak, .357, .44 Mag, .45 ACP...

The right pistol makes ALL the difference. I still my and up with a 38 Super or a 10mm.

Bottom line I keep telling myself I am consolodating, but I am NOT.

 

[Candyman87]

I'll buy anything I can reload for. I have three calibers that I shoot often (.22, .380 and 9mm) but also have a .32. Reloading for that one is a pain, so I don't shoot it as much as the others, but I won't let a cartridge stop me from buying a gun... unless its something so rare I can't even get components.

 

[JR24]

Working on dumping my last .40.

My primary pistol rounds are 9mm and .45 ACP. Got a .22 and 10mm but they are more project rounds, don't see much use.

Revolvers are .357/.38 SP and .44.

Rifles, however, seem to be expanding.

 

[horsemen61]

Variety is the spice of life I like to diversify

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I still my and up with a 38 Super or a 10mm

I'd love to see a SA XDs in Super 38. I'd also love to see a Beretta all steel 96 variant in 10mm.

 

[huntsman]

.380acp, .45acp for SD .45C for hunting.

 

[ku4hx]

I actively load:
9mm Luger
38 S&W
38 Special
.357 Magnum
.357 Maximum
.45 ACP
.44 Russian
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.454 Casull
10mm Auto
40 S&W
380 ACP
357 Sig
30-06
300 Win Mag
7.62x39
223 Remington
30-30

I like variety

 

[Spats McGee]

I actually think both lines of thinking have some merit. On the one hand, consolidating into popular calibers means that there's (overall) a larger supply. On the other, if there's an ammo crunch, there will also be more competition.

I like to stick with a few basic calibers for several reasons. For one, I intend to start reloading. That limits the different kinds of dies, brass, etc. that I will need to keep on hand.

 

[earlthegoat2]

38 special and 44 magnum only those.

No 357 or 44 special.

 

[jimbo555]

I have 22lr, 380acp, 38spl. 9mm, 45colt, 12 guage, 30-30, 30-06, 50caliber b.p. 9mm is my primary handgun and shoot that caliber the most.

 

[22-rimfire]

As far as the poll goes. I am some where in between. I like to limit the number of calibers/cartridges but at the same time I have no hestitation picking up something I just want. My lineup with guns right now is: 22LR, 22 WMR, 223 (rifle), 38spl, 357 mag, 40 S&W, 41 mag, 480 Ruger, 475 Linebaugh, 12 ga (shotgun), and 270 win (rifle).

Have not been shooting the 270 win in the last few years, so I have no desire to add another caliber in this power range. I only keep it if I decide to deer, bear, or hog hunt with a rifle as I have simply gotten away from hunting with a centerfire rifle completely. It's there if I need it.

I have little desire for a 9mm, but I could see it happening in another carry handgun.
No desire for 44 mag, 45LC, or 454 Casull. I don't see any of these calibers in my future.
No desire for a betweener 22LR > 38spl in a carry handgun.

So, in a way, I have limited my calibers/cartridges, but not to exclusion of considering something else. New guns would likely be the calibers that I already own guns for. But not necessarily.

 

[Twiki357]

I voted “I like to restrict my collection to only a few cartridges.” But it doesn’t really work. I don’t try to “Diversify” the calibers I have guns for, but when I find a gun I like, it doesn’t matter if it’s a caliber that I don’t already have, so the list just keeps growing.