Only if you don't train with ALL your carry guns. I have 10 on my CCW permit (a .38 snub, a Shield, 3 1911s, and five Glocks), and I know each and every one by feel - to the point of automatic operation. I don't have to remember to sweep the safety on my 1911s or my Shield, it is just integrated into my draw. My Glocks don't seem to mind a little extra rub in the draw, and I will soon replace the snubbie with another 1911.
Single Caliber Concept
- Thread starter Harleytoo
- Start date
- Status
Only if you don't train with ALL your carry guns. I have 10 on my CCW permit (a .38 snub, a Shield, 3 1911s, and five Glocks), and I know each and every one by feel - to the point of automatic operation. I don't have to remember to sweep the safety on my 1911s or my Shield, it is just integrated into my draw. My Glocks don't seem to mind a little extra rub in the draw, and I will soon replace the snubbie with another 1911.
mstreddy
Member
One caliber in handguns?
Not for me.
9MM, 38Spcl, 357 Mag, 38 Super, 380 ACP, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 45 GAP, 32 ACP, 7.62x25, and 5.7x28, and 22 LR of course.
Yeah, the one caliber thing will not work here.
but, if you are trying to consolidate and don't reload, then it may make sense.
Not for me.
9MM, 38Spcl, 357 Mag, 38 Super, 380 ACP, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 45 GAP, 32 ACP, 7.62x25, and 5.7x28, and 22 LR of course.
Yeah, the one caliber thing will not work here.
but, if you are trying to consolidate and don't reload, then it may make sense.
Last edited:
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
For years I was strictly 9mm and .22lr----over the past year or two I have expanded into .40---.357/.38---.44mag--.22mag---.45acp
il.bill
Member
Have not read the entire thread, but that never stopped me from commenting before ...
I really, really like the options that multiple caliber handguns afford, as far as versatility of functions, variety of feel / recoil, and availability of store bought ammo or reloading components in a tough market situation.
Even across a single caliber, more than one handgun, in my limited experience, will show a preference for different bullet weights and/or powder loads for optimum accuracy and function. As long as I can afford to buy and feed more than one or two handguns, it is more than one or two calibers for me.
I really, really like the options that multiple caliber handguns afford, as far as versatility of functions, variety of feel / recoil, and availability of store bought ammo or reloading components in a tough market situation.
Even across a single caliber, more than one handgun, in my limited experience, will show a preference for different bullet weights and/or powder loads for optimum accuracy and function. As long as I can afford to buy and feed more than one or two handguns, it is more than one or two calibers for me.
Vern Humphrey
Member
The way I see it, everyone needs a good .22 pistol. If you ain't got a .22, you ain't right.
But the .22, while great for practice, plinking, competition and small game, is not a defensive caliber. So you need an everyday carry handgun for self-defense. For me, that's a full size M1911.
And finally you need a big handgun for woods carry, deer hunting and so on. I like a .45 Colt.
But the .22, while great for practice, plinking, competition and small game, is not a defensive caliber. So you need an everyday carry handgun for self-defense. For me, that's a full size M1911.
And finally you need a big handgun for woods carry, deer hunting and so on. I like a .45 Colt.
JohnBiltz
Member
Unless you handgun hunt you could get by with one pistol caliber pretty easily, I did it for years. I have two presently 9mm and .380. For my can't carry a real gun carry. A lot of people have a .22 and if you have kids you hope to teach to shoot or are shooting it would be pretty hard to get away from that. I've owned a .45 and 9mm because it was fun to shoot. Rifles are totally different. You really need at least two calibers of rifle, big game and small game could be one way to look at it. Another might be .22, 5.56 for an AR and something larger for deer and up. If you are totally urban you could probably get by with an AR.
CoalTrain49
Member
If you are willing to store up 2 years worth of ammo or components to build that much ammo I don't see a problem with one caliber or cartridge. Most people aren't in that position because that's a pretty big investment. If you just buy ammo before you shoot then you are really setting yourself up for failure.
About the only cartridge I'm heavily invested in is 45 ACP. I screw around with a few others but I'm not kidding myself that 9 mm and 5.56 will last more than a few days in a panic situation. When it's gone it could be years before you see it again.
About the only cartridge I'm heavily invested in is 45 ACP. I screw around with a few others but I'm not kidding myself that 9 mm and 5.56 will last more than a few days in a panic situation. When it's gone it could be years before you see it again.
Vern Humphrey
Member
That's when handloading shines. I've cut my reloading to three powders -- Bullseye for .45 ACP and .38 Special, Li'l Gun for.45 Colt and .22 Hornet, and Varget for everything else.
I scrounge, amass, collect or otherwise acquire brass for all my guns, and buy bullets by the thousand. I buy primers by the 5,000 round slip. And, of course, I have moulds and a huge supply of wheelweights for all my guns, as well.
I scrounge, amass, collect or otherwise acquire brass for all my guns, and buy bullets by the thousand. I buy primers by the 5,000 round slip. And, of course, I have moulds and a huge supply of wheelweights for all my guns, as well.
Delford
Member
I've stuck to 2 calibers in my handguns. 2 are .45 ACP and one is .22lr. One .45 is EDC. The second .45 is bedside and at the range with the other two. I don't reload but have an ample supply of .45 ACP and .22lr ammo. I shoot at the farm at least monthly although I may skip a summer month when it's hot and muggy. For me it has been easier and more convenient to mainly shoot one centerfire caliber. I'm often tempted to buy 9mm because I like several offerings but I overcome the urge and buy more ammo.
Trunk Monkey
member
I went through this about two years ago. I sold off all but one of my handguns and essentially started over. I sat down and went over everything I had ever wanted in a gun and came up with the following criteria.
Caliber was easy, I never had any special attraction to .45ACP and my wife can't shoot .40 S&W so I went with 9mm.
Another criterium was compatibility. If cost is an issue only having to stock one kind of ammunition and one type of magazine is cheaper and simplifies the process. I ended up with 2 M&Ps, a full size and a 9C. There are other guns that would fit my criteria but I prefer to buy American made where possible.
Another poster said something about having choices in the event of another (inevitable) panic. The one handgun I kept was a .40 S&W (a 4006) I kept it because it's always been my favorite and to give me choices in case of another ammo panic. I stock some ammunition for it but it's not a priority.
That said I lived through the last ammo panic and I decided I was never going to get stuck like that again. My wife keeps her eye on the Internet and when she finds a good deal she buys a thousand rounds. We keep enough on hand that short of an all out ban we're never going to be critically short again.
ETA: I don't consider myself a gun enthusiast. I use guns for a tool but I don't feel any special attachment to them.
As I'm typing this I'm looking a my "special" bookshelf where I have 3 different editions of The Lord Of The Rings so I get the concept but guns per se aren't my passion.
Caliber was easy, I never had any special attraction to .45ACP and my wife can't shoot .40 S&W so I went with 9mm.
Another criterium was compatibility. If cost is an issue only having to stock one kind of ammunition and one type of magazine is cheaper and simplifies the process. I ended up with 2 M&Ps, a full size and a 9C. There are other guns that would fit my criteria but I prefer to buy American made where possible.
Another poster said something about having choices in the event of another (inevitable) panic. The one handgun I kept was a .40 S&W (a 4006) I kept it because it's always been my favorite and to give me choices in case of another ammo panic. I stock some ammunition for it but it's not a priority.
That said I lived through the last ammo panic and I decided I was never going to get stuck like that again. My wife keeps her eye on the Internet and when she finds a good deal she buys a thousand rounds. We keep enough on hand that short of an all out ban we're never going to be critically short again.
ETA: I don't consider myself a gun enthusiast. I use guns for a tool but I don't feel any special attachment to them.
As I'm typing this I'm looking a my "special" bookshelf where I have 3 different editions of The Lord Of The Rings so I get the concept but guns per se aren't my passion.
Last edited:
No, because as we develop the skills to use firearms, we discover the wide variety of applications means we need other tools in different shapes and sizes.
If all you have is a hammer, then everything is seen as a nail. I don't use serrated face framing hammers on light household trim or jewelry box repair - conversely, I don't use 8mm sockets to remove 32mm axle nuts. .22's are nice but I wouldn't go looking for a silverback grizz in deep cover to finish him. Better the .3xx magnum to do the job right the first shot.
On the other hand, you can have too much. Taking the collections out previously mentioned to put 50 rounds thru them, lets pack up the .22, .32, .380, 9mm, .38, .357, 40, .45ACP, .45 Colt, and top off with a .50 AE. Nice for a collection, but a lot of overlap and expensive to shoot. Rifles are equally complicated.
And with that collection of handguns you would get SA, DAO, DA/SA, decocker, and mag safety too, and lets throw in the HK P7 grip cocker for fun. Is just one type of trigger all you need? Really limits the use, conversely, having them all means an much bigger expense being good at any of them. It seems the average poster is challenged to handle a DA/SA trigger, something cops used as normal equipment on S&W third generation guns.
Maybe we should only choose the most difficult because if we get good with that we are good with anything? No, I haven't found it easy to learn how to work on carburetors with a 1/2" drive impact gun. I can "download" it a whole bunch but frankly, a screwdriver would be more efficient and less troublesome with a compressor running and hose snaking all over the fenders and engine while it's running.
I know it's been a discussion of guns and cartridge being tools, but that is exactly what they are when we divorce the masculinity factor out of it. All they do is project power - so pick the one that projects enough power, but not too much. If you have flies on your target downrange use the best choice for the distance and power projection need. A normal fly at 100m? .22. A 36" fly? .375 Socom? 12 ga rifled slug? You sure want to get it before it gets you.
Some cartridge are better than just one, but not too many.
If all you have is a hammer, then everything is seen as a nail. I don't use serrated face framing hammers on light household trim or jewelry box repair - conversely, I don't use 8mm sockets to remove 32mm axle nuts. .22's are nice but I wouldn't go looking for a silverback grizz in deep cover to finish him. Better the .3xx magnum to do the job right the first shot.
On the other hand, you can have too much. Taking the collections out previously mentioned to put 50 rounds thru them, lets pack up the .22, .32, .380, 9mm, .38, .357, 40, .45ACP, .45 Colt, and top off with a .50 AE. Nice for a collection, but a lot of overlap and expensive to shoot. Rifles are equally complicated.
And with that collection of handguns you would get SA, DAO, DA/SA, decocker, and mag safety too, and lets throw in the HK P7 grip cocker for fun. Is just one type of trigger all you need? Really limits the use, conversely, having them all means an much bigger expense being good at any of them. It seems the average poster is challenged to handle a DA/SA trigger, something cops used as normal equipment on S&W third generation guns.
Maybe we should only choose the most difficult because if we get good with that we are good with anything? No, I haven't found it easy to learn how to work on carburetors with a 1/2" drive impact gun. I can "download" it a whole bunch but frankly, a screwdriver would be more efficient and less troublesome with a compressor running and hose snaking all over the fenders and engine while it's running.
I know it's been a discussion of guns and cartridge being tools, but that is exactly what they are when we divorce the masculinity factor out of it. All they do is project power - so pick the one that projects enough power, but not too much. If you have flies on your target downrange use the best choice for the distance and power projection need. A normal fly at 100m? .22. A 36" fly? .375 Socom? 12 ga rifled slug? You sure want to get it before it gets you.
Some cartridge are better than just one, but not too many.
bassdogs
Member
I am not a collector and probably fall into the group who grew up in the city in a state that didn't allow hunting with a hi powered rifle. When I retired and moved to Ky, I purchased a number of rifles, shotguns, and pistols. None of them are hi dollar and tended to be targets of opportunity that came to me. After about 3 years of retirement I found myself with several guns with only a couple that I shoot regularly and some that I frankly forgot I had. A savage 30'06 comes to mind as I could not get happy with the recoil [2 shoulder replacement surgeries] so I traded it for a 20G pump. Had a 12G acquired back in my city dweller days that just never fit my short arms so I traded it for a neat little 22lr youth sized lever rifle used to introduce my grands to shooting. To sum it up I have purged the non shooters in favor for a few I liked or needed. I still have a 22 revolver, 2 22 rifles, a short barrel 12g, 2 20g, a 243 bolt rifle, and 1 each 357, 40, 45lc handguns. Many more than I need but like I said none represent a significant investment so other than storage space I have no $$ incentive to sell any of them.
My favorites are a 4" stainless Ruger service 6 in 357, Glock 40, 2 1/2" Judge [wifes], and the little 22 pistol. Same list with the rifles / shotguns so I guess I'm not going to a single caliber or gauge anytime soon.
My favorites are a 4" stainless Ruger service 6 in 357, Glock 40, 2 1/2" Judge [wifes], and the little 22 pistol. Same list with the rifles / shotguns so I guess I'm not going to a single caliber or gauge anytime soon.
easier said than done. I do however try to keep my caliber selection tight as it's easier to hoard that way. Guilty... Spare change more ammo. 22,38,357,40sw,can never have to much. Oh, I forgot my daily carry 380. A few ammo boxes of that even though I only own one. This doesn't really include long guns except the 357 and 40sw in that category . I have avoided 45acp but do have 45lc. And the cheaper caliber, 9mm don't have one.just talking about it makes me want to get a couple... Like I said. Easier said than done.
Hangingrock
Member
Personally the 9mm-luger singular as opposed to one of (x) number of different caliber/cartridges is workable. It’s strictly a matter of pre planning. At my present rate of consumption I have (7-Yr) supply of reloading components and commercial ammunition on hand in my inventory. The inventory was not acquired overnight in duration but over an extended period of time.
I do not see the single caliber/cartridge being problematic if properly planned for long term. As for the economics what I have invested in ammunition and components can be sold at profit as I did not acquire those items at inflated prices.
As for handguns I go back as in decades and have handled thus fired most types SA- DA/SA – DAO thus the list goes on.
I believe in continuity of purpose thus for an extended period of time as in more than several years for firing applications and concealed carry I’ve employed a S&W MP9 and MP9c both set up the same with Apex Duty/Carry triggering system,10-8 sighting system , magazine disconnect (Yes I know there is a dislike for that feature but I’m not asking you to like or use it) and on the MP9-17Rd magazines Apex/10-8 floor plates replacing the OEM floor plates.
For those that like the 45ACP I have a long history with that also and the 1911A1, VN 13-Months and 15 Days.
I do not see the single caliber/cartridge being problematic if properly planned for long term. As for the economics what I have invested in ammunition and components can be sold at profit as I did not acquire those items at inflated prices.
As for handguns I go back as in decades and have handled thus fired most types SA- DA/SA – DAO thus the list goes on.
I believe in continuity of purpose thus for an extended period of time as in more than several years for firing applications and concealed carry I’ve employed a S&W MP9 and MP9c both set up the same with Apex Duty/Carry triggering system,10-8 sighting system , magazine disconnect (Yes I know there is a dislike for that feature but I’m not asking you to like or use it) and on the MP9-17Rd magazines Apex/10-8 floor plates replacing the OEM floor plates.
For those that like the 45ACP I have a long history with that also and the 1911A1, VN 13-Months and 15 Days.
I've tried over the years to limit my calibers and cartridges but I keep coming back to the magnificent 7 (22LR, 380 ACP, 38 Special, .40 S&W, 10MM, 44 Magnum, 308 Winchester). I have done the same with powder in Unique, Bullseye, Bluedot, And Varget). This is a skinny I can get it. Any cuts at this point and I don't feel like I've covered my bases adequately.
GBExpat
Member
Perfect.
huntsman
Member
This has turned out to be an interesting thread and civil too, maybe because there's no wrong answer.
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
When I started out I did not own any pistol, except .22LR, that I couldn't hunt deer with. Then I started bullseye and ended up with a .45 Gold Cup.
Many different shooting competitions later I have sooooo many.
No thoughts of only a couple of calibers, it would only hinder the fun.
Many different shooting competitions later I have sooooo many.
No thoughts of only a couple of calibers, it would only hinder the fun.
So I began this as really an achademic discussion. While the majority of what I own are 9mm's, I do still maintain a number of .45's as well. I have considered .40 and .357 Sig as well. I have owned 38's, 357, 41 mag, 44 spec, 44 mag, and a host of others and still have most of the brass and dies to go back to any of them.
I do find that keeping to the 9's and 45's allow me to focus on ammo choices more and tailor my loads to my guns.
I do appreciate all of the civil debate and opinions. All have been interesting to read.
I do find that keeping to the 9's and 45's allow me to focus on ammo choices more and tailor my loads to my guns.
I do appreciate all of the civil debate and opinions. All have been interesting to read.
Trunk Monkey
member
FWIW I just found a pristine 1963 Landmark first edition of The Flying Tigers by John Toland for 14.00 including shipping.
I got on that like white on rice
I got on that like white on rice
- Status
Similar threads
