I was just kind of wondering why people carried different calibers. I read plenty of posts where people talk about how they have both a 9 and 40 (same model gun) and will carry different guns off and on, and it got me wondering - why? I understand if the difference is between a different platform, i.e. if you choose 9 or .380 for a pocket pistol or if you have an auto and a revolver, but I'm not seeing a reason to choose daily between a XD9 and XD40, for example.
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Why do people carry multiple calibers?
- Thread starter Skribs
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Backpacker33
Member
357SIG on the hip, .38 J-frame in the pocket. The 357 is a flat-shooting hard-hitting round that will also burn them to death at close range. The .38 is because even a SIG 239 can be too much to try to conceal in hot weather; currently 105-degrees in southern WI. T-shirts and shorts. And the J-frame. Stuffed with Cor-Bon ammo it will do the job. I usually carry two if I can't put something bigger on a belt.
'Nother consideration: One of our charming children is a Copasaurus. Gave me a S&W M&P 9mm. Just wouldn't be polite not to carry it when visiting.
'Nother consideration: One of our charming children is a Copasaurus. Gave me a S&W M&P 9mm. Just wouldn't be polite not to carry it when visiting.
smalls
Member
Backpacker, I don't think he's talking about two completely different guns, like a revolver and a semi, or a glock and a 1911. He's talking about having two same exact guns, just different calibers.
And the only reason I can come up with is that people feel their other guns get "neglected", so they feel obligated to carry it once in a while.
And the only reason I can come up with is that people feel their other guns get "neglected", so they feel obligated to carry it once in a while.
Well, to an extent smalls. I don't see a reason to swap back and forth between a full size 1911 and a Glock 17/19, but I do see a full size 1911 vs. a Glock 26 or a Glock 19 vs. a Glock (whatever the slimline .45 model is). But yes, the main point was why carry a XDm 40 one day and XDm 9 the next, or a Glock 21 one day and a Glock 22 the next...and so on.
Because some of us realize that the likely hood that caliber or capacity will actually be an important factor is extremely low. Add to that that the fact that a concensus will never be reached as to weather caliber or capacity is more important. Many like me just don't care which gun I have with me most days.
Another thought that just occured to me - if you have a G19 and a G23, for example, how do you differentiate between them? I know you can tell based on what's written on the slide, but do you have a special spot for each, is one black and the other bi-tone, do you mark one, etc?
To anser this question directly- Glock, and every other gun maker I know of, stamps the slide and/or barrel with the model number and caliber. A G17 looks just like a G22 until you look at the slide and see that one says 17 and other says 22. You can also look at the barrel and see that one says 9mm and the other says .40cal.
As for your first question, some people tend to carry heavier calibers (or heavier bullets of the same caliber) in colder weather. The idea behind this (which I am willing to accept may or may not have any basis in reality) is that a lighter projectile is better for when you will encounter less clothing/material but if you encounter a guy wearing several heavy layers of clothing in the winter, it may take a little extra mass to make it through and penetrate to vitals.
The other thing is that people tend to carry more powerful ammo (or heavier bullets/more powerful loads) when hiking in the woods.
So if someone likes the M&P9 for regular carry, he may get an M&P40 for the woods because he can load a hard cast 180gr. load in there and be better prepared for anything that requires a little extra penetration. Same platform makes training easier.
Not saying I endorse these ideologies. Just telling you what's out there.
boricua9mm
Member
For me, 9mm in the city and .45ACP when I'm hiking. It's a matter of 2-legged vs. 4 legged critters for me.
I stated that in the part you quoted. However, if you have two Glocks in a handgun safe and it's 5 in the morning and you're getting up to go to work, how do you know you're not grabbing the G17 and a pair of .40 mags for spares when you're grabbing them in the dark? At least that's what I always worried I'd do when (or if) I got a couple of similar guns in different calibers.
I live in Washington. We need the same penetration pretty much year round.
When you boil it all down, the only part of the whole weapon system that really matters is the bullet. Afterall, that is the functioning part of the weapon. If I am walking around town, I am probably going to be just fine carrying my Glock 19 in 9mm with 115gr JHP. If, however, I am headed to the mountains for some camping, and I don't plan to do any hunting and take a rifle/shotgun, then I might grab a Glock 20 in 10mm. I find that it does better on the 4 legged critters, and still gets the job done on the 2 legged ones as well. It is a little big to carry around town all day,a ndiver penetration might be a real consideration with 10mm. The good thing is that both pistols are almost identical, and have the exact same manual of arms. Guns are tools, and like any other tool, they are designed for certain purposes. Pick the right tool for the right job.
HadEmAll
Member
In cases where I have the same model in different calibers; Beretta PX4SC 9mm and .40- Kahr PM9/PM40- PX4 .40 and.45, it's a capacity versus power thing.
Some days I appreciate the additional capacity the smaller caliber offers. Some days I like the thought of the increased muzzle energy or diameter of the larger caliber.
Some days I appreciate the additional capacity the smaller caliber offers. Some days I like the thought of the increased muzzle energy or diameter of the larger caliber.
firesky101
Member
My guns get lonely if I don't pay enough attention to them. At least that is what I tell my wife when I say I am going to the range again.
scaatylobo
Member
@ Skribs
"Another thought that just occured to me - if you have a G19 and a G23, for example, how do you differentiate between them? I know you can tell based on what's written on the slide, but do you have a special spot for each, is one black and the other bi-tone, do you mark one, etc?"
I own 6 Glocks including a 19 & 17,as well as a 23 & 27 & 35.
I have no problem keeping them seperate.
They do not change positions by them self and as old as I am,I still can differentiate between a .9 & a .40 .
I change seldom as I feel comfortable with the daily G-23,but as it happens it VERY hot and muggy here.
So the Kimber Solo is the one I am wearing ,unless I go out at night or far from home.
"Another thought that just occured to me - if you have a G19 and a G23, for example, how do you differentiate between them? I know you can tell based on what's written on the slide, but do you have a special spot for each, is one black and the other bi-tone, do you mark one, etc?"
I own 6 Glocks including a 19 & 17,as well as a 23 & 27 & 35.
I have no problem keeping them seperate.
They do not change positions by them self and as old as I am,I still can differentiate between a .9 & a .40 .
I change seldom as I feel comfortable with the daily G-23,but as it happens it VERY hot and muggy here.
So the Kimber Solo is the one I am wearing ,unless I go out at night or far from home.
KMcCoy
Member
Your point about grabbing the wrong magazine has some merit. That's why my G21 mags have black base pads, G23 wear blue and G34 wear orange. It is true that none of those mags are the same size but, as you imply, mistakes do happen and why not take an easy step to mitigate the possibility?
I primarily shoot Glocks in 9mm, but own a 23 too. I had been casually in the market for an RTF Glock when they'd come out, then it was announced that sales would be curtailed to LEO only. I came across a Glock 23 RTF on sale, and scooped it up figuring I could use the frame, change over to a Glock 19 slide and ejector, and then have my Glock 19 RTF. In the end, I didn't do this since I found that the Rough Textured Frame was a little too roughly textured, digging into clothing that it came into contact with, and punishing my hand after longer range sessions.
While I never made the conversion, I've also kept the 23, bought a couple extra magazines and some ammunition for it, and keep it to this day. It doesn't get shot much (more expensive, less enjoyable, and it doesn't do anything the 9mm guns won't), but it's also been 100% reliable.
Reasons to keep it: It could serve the role of a compact handgun if my Glock 19 goes in the shop. While .40 isn't my favorite caliber, I don't dislike it. Being the only RTF Glock I own, it's unique from a collection point of view. If 9mm ever goes dry (election-style), but a local store still has .40 on the shelf, I can still go shooting.
As far as similar magazines go, I keep mine separated. Most of the G34 magazines reside in the competition bag, G19 magazines in the same bag but their own compartment, and .40 magazines that don't get pulled out much get their own spot in the closet. Whenever I pick up a gun and verify that it's status, I'm also verifying it's magazine, and double checking any spares I'm bringing along. CCW or HD guns always travel with at least 1 spare, which gets double checked every time I pick it up.
While I never made the conversion, I've also kept the 23, bought a couple extra magazines and some ammunition for it, and keep it to this day. It doesn't get shot much (more expensive, less enjoyable, and it doesn't do anything the 9mm guns won't), but it's also been 100% reliable.
Reasons to keep it: It could serve the role of a compact handgun if my Glock 19 goes in the shop. While .40 isn't my favorite caliber, I don't dislike it. Being the only RTF Glock I own, it's unique from a collection point of view. If 9mm ever goes dry (election-style), but a local store still has .40 on the shelf, I can still go shooting.
As far as similar magazines go, I keep mine separated. Most of the G34 magazines reside in the competition bag, G19 magazines in the same bag but their own compartment, and .40 magazines that don't get pulled out much get their own spot in the closet. Whenever I pick up a gun and verify that it's status, I'm also verifying it's magazine, and double checking any spares I'm bringing along. CCW or HD guns always travel with at least 1 spare, which gets double checked every time I pick it up.
Bikewer
Member
There's a lot to be said with getting intimately familiar with one gun and one load...
However most shooters tend to just plain like fooling with a variety of weapons.
If one were only concerned with potential combat, then the one-gun-one-load notion would likely be the best.
However most shooters tend to just plain like fooling with a variety of weapons.
If one were only concerned with potential combat, then the one-gun-one-load notion would likely be the best.
MCgunner
Member
Cause I couldn't find an ultralite revolver in 9mm or a mini revolver for that matter. 
My primary carries all have one thing in common, they fire with one long pull of a DA trigger and no safety to bother with, at least on the first shot. Well, not all of 'em, the mini revolvers being the exception. I don't have to worry about the wrong magazine. Magazine doesn't look a lot like a speed loader.
I mean, why not? It's a free country, or used to be, anyway....
My primary carries all have one thing in common, they fire with one long pull of a DA trigger and no safety to bother with, at least on the first shot. Well, not all of 'em, the mini revolvers being the exception. I don't have to worry about the wrong magazine. Magazine doesn't look a lot like a speed loader.I mean, why not? It's a free country, or used to be, anyway....
browningguy
Member
I carry different calibers and even different platforms just depending on what I feel like on the day. One day it might be the XD 9mm, another a BHP in .40, and sometimes nothing but a .380 or even a .25.
MrDig
Member
If the shooter is confident with different Calibers and competent with different platforms why not?
I'm certainly not going to carry a 9mm KelTec to hunt Deer. I'm going to carry a .357 or 44 magnum revolver. If I'm in the city for personal protection I'll carry the KelTec, and maybe a 9mm derringer for backup.
What a person carries is dependent on the environment, purpose and their abilities.
I'm certainly not going to carry a 9mm KelTec to hunt Deer. I'm going to carry a .357 or 44 magnum revolver. If I'm in the city for personal protection I'll carry the KelTec, and maybe a 9mm derringer for backup.
What a person carries is dependent on the environment, purpose and their abilities.
I prefer a different caliber
My agency issues the .40 S&W round. We used to carry BERETTA 96 pistols, but I bought a 9m.m. BERETTA 92 identical to the 96 for shooting and a house gun. I also bought a 92 Compact for concealled carry, at least in the cold months.
The 9m.m. is easier to shoot, holds more rounds and the ammo is much cheaper to buy. Given a choice, I would carry the 9m.m., but my agency is not big on choices.
Jim
My agency issues the .40 S&W round. We used to carry BERETTA 96 pistols, but I bought a 9m.m. BERETTA 92 identical to the 96 for shooting and a house gun. I also bought a 92 Compact for concealled carry, at least in the cold months.
The 9m.m. is easier to shoot, holds more rounds and the ammo is much cheaper to buy. Given a choice, I would carry the 9m.m., but my agency is not big on choices.
Jim
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