Is consolidation to one caliber wise?

[huntsman]

I'd ditch everything but .380acp and .45acp

 

[Four_Speed]

You have attained what I and others my age (~30) are trying for. From where I sit, variety is not at all a bad thing. If someone wants to go plink, we can plink. If another wants to shoot great big holes, we can. Another poster said it right - stockpile and shoot what you like the best. However, I differ from most others here when I suggest to keep the rest, even if you don't shoot them much. They may come back like big sunglasses.

 

[David E]

What's one .45 acp handgun going to do that another .45 acp handgun won't do with very similar results?

Consolidation is one thing, severely limiting your overall options is another.

 

[Jason_W]

Consolidating to one, common round that is unlikely to become obsolete is highly pragmatic.

But I'd get really bored if I went that route.

 

[bruzer]

How many agencies (military, LEO) do see using multiple calibers? For the most part the military has the 9mm and most LEO have the .40 when using a handgun. These guys do it for a living and you don't see them carrying 5 or 6 different calibers.
I myself like to shoot multiple calibers out of the same weapon (.40, 9mm & .22). I have trouble switching from gun to gun. Find out what works for you.
Beware the man with one gun. He knows how to use it!
Mike

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Screw all that, variety is the spice of life.

That's what I like. Simple, direct answers. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[easyg]

How many agencies (military, LEO) do see using multiple calibers? For the most part the military has the 9mm and most LEO have the .40 when using a handgun. These guys do it for a living and you don't see them carrying 5 or 6 different calibers.

This is merely for commonality of caliber among tens, hundreds, even thousands of personnel.

If you have a platoon of fifty soldiers it is a good thing if they all use the same ammo.
Doing so allows soldiers to share ammo among the living and scavage ammo among their fallen comrades.

And commonality of ammo allows agencies and forces to make huge bulk ammo buys at greatly discounted prices.


None of this really applies to the lone individual in a self defense situation.

 

[mdauben]

I told my group of about 6 co-workers that I had decided to consolidate my handgun selection to guns clambered for the 45 acp and some thought it was wise while others thought it was a poorly made decision.

If you don't need a hunting sidearm or a pocket sized CCW weapon (even "compact" 45's tend to be a bit on the large size for pocket carry) the only real drawback of your plan is cost. Obviously, .22 ammo is much cheaper for training, target practice and general plinking. If the cost isn't an issue for you, IMO the 45 will do everything that a .32/.380/9mm/.38/.357/.40/.44 will do for you.

I've often said there are only 4 1/2 useful pistol cartridges:

Personally, my minimum caliber choices would be:

• .22LR - Target practice, small game, pests, plinking
• .38 Spl/.357 Mag - Secondary SD caliber, medium game
• .45ACP - Primary SD caliber
• .44 Mag - Medium/Large game

 

[easyg]

If the cost isn't an issue for you, IMO the 45 will do everything that a .32/.380/9mm/.38/.357/.40/.44 will do for you.

Well, the 9mm and the .380 do offer greater magazine capacity in a smaller pistol than the .45 in a pistol of equal size.

 

[Strahley]

I tend to go with .22, .380 (only for pocket semi-autos), 9mm, .45, .357, and .44. These cover everything a handgun should be used for

 

[philoe]

Craigc said it. Keep em all for the variety factor alone. Where is the fun in introducing new shooters to a .45 and a different .45? What about at the range? Will you get bored going from one .45 to another as the folks next to you go from caliber to caliber and you tell yourself that you are happy with your consolidation?
From a tactical and military standpoint consolidating makes sense, but sometimes being too practical can put a damper on the fun factor.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have more 45's than any other caliber, but I don't see a need to limit myself.

 

[bigbomar4]

I guess I am on the other end of things I have have .22lr and a .40 for several years and just got my first 9mm. Next purchace will be either a .45 acp or a .357 mag.

 

[orphanedcowboy]

I have my own "range" at the farm about 20 minutes away, never been on an actual rifle/pistol range. I shoot enough shotgun sports at the range to keep me busy, and as soon as I buy a couple of more launchers to go with the 3 I have, I probably will stop going other than for league shoots.

I have only had one 22 handgun, a Smith 422, and it was okay, but I gave it to my dad.

I think other than the 29, I will keep just the 45s, found a M&P 45 that I forgot I traded for, it was hidden in the back of the safe in the box. I really need a pistol rack or a something for the door.

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

If I had to consolidate to just one rifle and one handgun it would be .22 LR.

 

[Pizzagunner]

Just remember, in that post-Apocalyptic novel The Road, the main character ran out of .38 Special and later encountered hundreds of rounds of .45ACP and couldn't make any use of it.

 

[Mike1234567]

...found a M&P 45 that I forgot I traded for, it was hidden in the back of the safe in the box.

Well, since you forgot about it you must not care for it much. I'll pay you $100 for it shipped to my FFL.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

I would maintain variety.

My brother got rid of all his pistols other than .45ACP. We took a cousin out shooting and all bro had to OFFER was 1911 and Glock. I have more fun going from my tiny .22LR plinker to my .45LC handcannon with 3 sizes between. Bro has since re-aquired another caliber.

In reguards to your ammo stockpile: Keep a lot of your SD/HD rounds, keep plenty of your plinking ammo. Have some for the rest. I have 8 guns and I could spend all day shooting my 12g, 9mm or .22lr. I could only spend an hour or two shooting the remainder before my stockpile was depleted.

If finance is the deciding factor, its up to you. I sold a truck and a TV when I needed cash, I didnt want to part with the firearms.

 

[huntsman]

^If you have a .45acp then you have a .22lr because of the conversions for Glock and 1911

 

[mgmorden]

It depends on how you view your firearms hobby. I hunt, I have a CWP and carry a gun when I can for protection, but I'm not always in a "tactical" mentality. I don't organize my buying habits around "wise" and I don't go to the range to "train". I buy and shoot guns to have fun.

With that in mind, consolidating to a single caliber, or gun brand, or action type, or just "consolidating" in general, is boring. I'm not going to do that.

 

[BigG]

Vern Humphrey said:

I've often said there are only 4 1/2 useful pistol cartridges:

1. The .22 LR. Everyone should have a .22 pistol.

1 1/2. The .38 Special. Although you can buy lots of flea-weight .357s, most people shoot .38 specials in snubnose revolvers.

2. The .357 Magnum -- ideal for a service revolver.

3. The .45 ACP, especially in the gun designed for it, the M1911.

4. The .45 Colt -- close to the ideal revolver hunting cartridge.

If you don't carry a snubnose revolver, don't carry a service revolver, and don't hunt, that leaves two, the .22 LR and the .45 ACP.

I've narrowed down my selection to just 22 LR and 45 ACP with a few 38 snubs. Oh yeah - I got a 44 magnum S&W and also a 357 Mag S&W. I get my reloading thrills with cap n ball revolvers, Colt type, of course!

Anyway, it's hard to narrow it down when you are an aficionado. Oh yeah - I have a P08 Luger, and a P38 ...

 

[lucky-gunner]

I keep a pistol of each caliber lying around just in case there is an ammo shortage again. I know I was able to find 40 S&W everywhere and while it's not my favorite caliber I do have a pistol chambered in it.

I would say that going by the logic that one caliber is fine. Then a couple handguns is enough also.

I like the idea of consolidating but I've found that I prefer the diversity. Most of my handguns are 9mm though.

 

[exavid]

I've weeded down my collection quite a bit, down to eight firearms. 12ga., .22 rifle, Mini14 .223, Browning Buckmark .22 pistol, Ruger LCP, Ruger SR9, Taurus 740 Slim .40, Taurus 24/7 PRO .45. I reload all but the rimfire and shotgun shells. All my pistols get good workouts several times a month at our local range so I don't see any need to specialize. Each caliber has its use.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

Who only keeps 50 rounds?Ammo cans were made to hold more than that.

 

[snooperman]

CraigC said it best-"Screw that, Variety is the Spice of life"..

My sentiments too. I am into hunting different game with single action revolvers, rifles , shotguns, etc as well as all kinds of pistols for target shooting to limit myself to one caliber. Same thing goes for conceal carry. If that one caliber makes it easy for you and that is all you NEED, go for it. To each his own.