Why do people carry multiple calibers?

[mdauben]

I was just kind of wondering why people carried different calibers.

Its mostly because I'm a bit of a gun nut and I own multiple calibers. I could get by with just a 9mm and be happy from a personal protection standpoint, but since I also have a .45ACP and a .357Mag I also like to give them some carry time.

 

[twofifty]

muscle memory

Mike, how do you cope with the differences in the 'manual at arms' of say, a semi auto and a revolver, or semis with different action types and controls?

Doesn't muscle memory get in the way of efficient handling of such tasks as: drawing, clearing malfs, reloading on the go, etc.?

 

[Nushif]

Doesn't muscle memory get in the way of efficient handling

Interesting note that.

Muscle Memory, as much as we keep stressing it, really isn't as big of a deal as we keep making it.
I have fired or dryfired or .22 fired my 1911 tenfold more times than my Colt DS, but that doesn't mean I will miraculously forget I'm holding a revolver the moment I am stressed about my bank account getting low.

Point is that muscle memory is important. But it's not this miracle thing that will let you raise a gun and hit a 3 inch piece of paper at a thousand yards with no thought ... and it's not a curse that will never let you use any other gun effectively again, either.

 

[Skribs]

I think there's a difference between a revolver and a semi-auto muscle memory, but different semi-auto triggers are what I see as a potential issue.

 

[mavracer]

If you learn proper trigger control of getting trigger to move without moving gun, differences in trigger will make very little difference in combat accuracy.

 

[Sig Bill]

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.

 

[Deus Machina]

I hear the 'his and hers' idea a lot.
Maybe they like the platform, but think that 9mm won't deal as well when people pad up for winter. I'm in Florida, so that reason's out for me.
It could also be that a shooting that gets sent through court for whatever reason will see the firearm confiscated for evidence. If it's a questionable shoot--or even if you do the reasonable thing and get some distance between you and the scene before/while calling--and the responding officer gets someone else's call before yours, they may confiscate everything you have around in that caliber.

 

[MrDig]

I hear the 'his and hers' idea a lot.
Maybe they like the platform, but think that 9mm won't deal as well when people pad up for winter. I'm in Florida, so that reason's out for me.

Here in Minnesota I've never heard of an incident where a 9mm wasn't sufficient penetration even "padded" up in the winter.
Don't you guys down south watch Mythbusters? they have dealt with most of these speculations in one way or another.

I carry different calibers and platforms at different times. I never mix calibers ie carry a .45 and a 9mm for back up.

I do mix platforms ie Semi-Auto pistol and Derringer in 9mm.

 

[Jonah71]

I carry a S&W .38 spec. 5 shot snubby as a bug in case my Glock 23 malfunctions. Yep, I worry about that a lot. (JK).

 

[PocketRocket]

Two Calibers - One Platform

I acquired a blued Colt Combat Commander in 9mm, but after several less than stellar performances by 9mm ammo used by fellow officers, I bought a 5” Colt barrel in 9x23 and had it cut down to 4.25” for the Commander.

The original 9mm slide’s breach face is compatible with the 9x23 and the only other change is using a 38 Super magazine to accommodate the 9x23 round.

I use the 9mm set up for practice and plinking and the 9x23 for concealed carry. The benefit as mentioned before is the consistency in handling and operation. As a precaution I put up ALL magazines and ammo along with the barrel in the caliber that I’m not using.

 

[WardenWolf]

It depends on where I'm carrying and why. If I'm just doing everyday carry, I want something small, compact, and easy to conceal. I carry my Polish P-64 in 9x18 Makarov. If I want or need a cannon (hiking or hunting in an area with dangerous animals) I would carry my Tokarev in 7.62x25. Different guns and calibers for different roles.