Is consolidation to one caliber wise?

[iblong]

I tried scaleing down to 3 hand gun cal's to make life and loading simple.
It lasted less than a year,I got bored and now Im back up to 6.
Even if you dont shoot them all it may be better than printed currency some day,just saying.

 

[WinThePennant]

Here's the easy answer.

For your tactical supply, keep it to one caliber and buy lots of it. I recommend 9mm, and have at least 1,000 rounds of the stuff.

For your fun, have whatever you want.

 

[Mike1234567]

I had intended to have only three handgun calibers; .22LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, and .44 Mag. BUT... I recently learned that the .40 S&W M&P has .357 Sig and 9mm barrels available. SO... I'll be adding two more calibers for a total of six. That stated, I'll not have much ammo stockpiled for .40 S&W nor .357 Sig.

ETA: Though... I might buy the .357 Sig and conversion barrels for .40 and 9mm.

 

[JohnD13]

The more diverse your collection, the better chance that you'll find something to shoot!

 

[QuietEarp]

It seems you are moving from 9 calibers to one. That seems drastic. Why not just pare it down to a few of the better calibers and see how it works for you. I do think that simpler is better, but large moves can be made gradually.
I mean you don't need the 10 handguns any more than 9 calibers.

Just playing devil's advocate.

 

[BossHogg]

22lr,9mm,38 spl, 357, 45acp and 45 colt. I keep at lease 100 rounds per caliber on hand. I also have multiple guns for each caliber.

I have really rediscovered the 38 spl since I started reloading. A lot of great used 38 spl's out there.

I understand your train of thought . I tried to go with only 2 calibers just to keep it simple. I went with the 38/357 and the 45 acp. That lasted about 3 years .

Just was missing out on so many great calibers that could be shot. But I have cut it off to the calibers above.

 

[Rexster]

I have chosen to minimize the number of handgun cartridges in inventory, by trying to buy weapons chambered for certain cartridges. Reducing my weapons to all one cartridge might be an entertaining mental exercise, but nothing more. At minimum, I would want one centerfire cartridge, plus .22 LR handguns, and once I am retired from policin', and no longer mandated to use .40 at work, I could do quite well with just .357 Magnum and .22 LR. (I am required to buy my own duty weapons and ammo.)

Versatile as the .357 Mag might be, there are better choices for such things as home defense at night, such as .45 ACP and .45 Colt. Moreover, I have deep affection for these cartridges; I simply will NOT voluntarily part with my 1911 or my SA sixguns. Then, there is my Seecamp LWS-32, a niche pistol, but sometimes that niche is important. If/when I finally do move to rural acreage, I might well find practical applications for my .32 H&R-chambered SP101, or this Ruger might
someday be a carry gun, if I become too feeble for .357 Mag.

I certainly would not want to limit my long firearms to shooting mere handgun ammo, so I won't go there.

In actual practice, I have more .223 and .22 LR stockpiled than anything else. I have several hundred .40 Gold Dots, to match my personally-owned duty pistols, which means it is third in quantity.

 

[waidmann]

I suppose diversity may be what separates a collection from an arsenal. I'm half teasing. I keep a stock of one rifle and two pistol calibers (own many). And no, I do not foresee the total breakdown coming anytime in the foreseeable future.

 

[GCBurner]

I shoot a variety of stuff for fun, but the calibres I use most I tend to buy when loaded ammo and reloading components are on sale, and keep them piled high and deep. The ones I accumulate are .22 LR, 9mm, .45ACP, .223, and .308. I also keep a fair amount of .380 for my pocket backup, and 7.62x39 for the MAK, SKS, and AR-15 backup rifles.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

An easier approach (since I reload) is to limit bullet sizes.

I tend to stock the most of .358's. I can shoot them out of my 38 specials, 357 mags, 357 Maximums, with a bit of load development I can also push them out of my 380 auto, 9 mm and 38 super along with 357 sig.

.454's I can only push out of my 45acp and 45colt. Not a lot of options there.

 

[22-rimfire]

Consolidation? Sounds like an excuse or rationalization to sell off some guns when deep down you know that the boys with the most toys win. However, when I reach 70, I will iniciate a major firearm sell off which has been my plan since I was 21 and go with just a few favorite firearms in an assortment of calibers.

What goes around comes around.... considered the same, but in my case I just stopped shooting the "other" calibers as I saw little need to sell off the firearms. The 357/38's got left gathering dust. With carry becoming increasingly common, I have brought back the 38/357 stuff and bought some more. I parked the 41 mags for about 10 years due to lack of shooting and easy place to shoot. Never really got into the 25 ACP, 380 ACP, 9mm, or 45ACP thing; I chose 40 S&W and have stuck with that caliber for bottom loaders. I do own one 9mm but have no ammo, nor do I plan on buying any. That gun will eventually get sold. The 44 mags got sold off a long time ago after I began appreciating the 41 mag. Haven't missed them one bit.

In general, I see little need to consolidate calibers until you get older, a felony conviction, or get into serious financial trouble. If nothing else selling off would render a lot of the ammunition I have cached useless to me and a storage headache at this time.

As far as I'm concerned, you have to have at least one 22 rifle and handgun if you like to shoot firearms.

 

[Jonah71]

Don't know if it's wise or not. But with the exception of the Ruger SR 1911 I will eventually own, I plan to stick with the .40 cal. I'm getting the feel for my .40's with every trip to the range and it will be my caliber of choice in the future. I have enough of the other calibers. I also know it's crazy and a waste of time to say I won't jump on the chance to get a good deal on a 1911 anytime the opportunity comes up and I have the funds.

 

[ET]

Currently I'm shooting 22lr, 380acp, 9mm, 40s&w, 357sig, 45acp, 45LC, & will be adding a 10mm shortly...so no, consolidation isn't what I'd recommend. I do need to add some more revolvers to the mix. I especially want a 357mag revolver & maybe a 500s&w type gun.