Two is one, one is none ... what's your approach to acquiring multiple pistols?

[MCMXI]

We all have different criteria when we choose a pistol. Maybe we only buy "carry" pistols, or only from one manufacturer, or only one chambering etc. For example, looking at the Glock pistols below, you might like 9mm Luger and decide to collect a G17, G19, G26 and G34. Maybe you like compact pistols for carry so you decide to collect a G26, G27, G29, G39, G30, G28, G33. Perhaps you like the G27 so much that you have five!! Maybe you have no method at all and just buy what you like, when you like. So what's your decision process? Have you always had a clear plan from the start?

Anyone have one of every model shown below? My friend probably does!! In fact, I think he has some not shown here but I could be wrong.

 

[ScratchnDent]

I just try to keep my calibers consolidated. All of my autos are .45 acp, and my revolvers are .38 or .357, except for one .22lr revolver.

 

[wvshooter]

Very interesting post.

I certainly didn't have a plan. Four years ago I decided I wanted a gun. The friendly man at the local gun store sold me a Sigma 40ve. Two free magazines, I thought they were the kind you read, no kidding, and a $50 rebate. What's not to like. I still have the gun and still carry it some. Today I have 15 handguns and one rifle. This really is a sickness.

Early on I would buy cheaper guns but now I gravitate to quality. Revolvers and semi autos in a variety of calibers. I've learned that big beautiful all steel guns are not very carry friendly. But I still buy them. I don't like mouse guns. They don't seem very practical. And I've learned to appreciate polymer.

I'm not much for collecting "sets". Variety does it for me.

Oh, and I don't have any Glocks or XD's or M&P's. Just don't appeal to me. My next purchase will be a Sig or FN or CZ or 1911 or something similar.

 

[Nushif]

I try to buy only what I can reload. That would be .45 Colt and 9mm Parabellum.
So the next gun I buy would have to be a 9mm or .45 Colt. Unless I find some really cheap dies.

 

[ET]

It appears that my plan so far is to buy as many different caliber handguns as possible. I have 22 LR, .380acp, 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w, 45acp, 45LC. I have my eye on a Glock 10mm. I guess a 50 something would be in order. but I need to acquire the 10mm first. The problem is in stocking the ammo. I have to keep at least 1-2K of range ammo for each caliber & at least 300 PD rounds of each in my safe at all times (just my rule I guess). It gets slightly expensive but I like variety in my life.

 

[Carter]

I have to keep at least 1-2K of range ammo for each caliber & at least 300 PD rounds of each in my safe at all times (just my rule I guess). It gets slightly expensive but I like variety in my life.

You sir inspire me. =p

Right now the only handgun I have is my carry gun in 9mm. However, I plan on getting a glock 22 some time soon, hopefully. Then a .45 or 10mm. I like having options when it comes to calibers.

 

[wideym]

Sometimes I get the itch to have two of a kind handguns, one for each hand.

So far-

2 x S&W 19
2 x S&W 27
2 x S&W 28
2 x S&W 469
2 x Beretta 92
2 x Beretta 96
2 x Browning Hipower
2 x Glock 27
2 x Glock 22

I'm still on the lookout for another Colt 1911, Glock 32, and CZ 85 to double up on my other favorites.

 

[huntsman]

Anyone have one of every model shown below?

Is the G25 available?

For me 1 Glock would be enough.

 

[EdLaver]

I have always wanted a Glock 25 or 28, damn laws.

 

[DenaliPark]

My plan has always been to stick with what works, in doing so I have at one time owned every Glock pistol currently sold in America, though I now only have four. Hard to surpass them for the level of quality offered for the money spent.

 

[RX-178]

I'm with ET. I like having a lot of different caliber options. I like being able to take advantage of ammo discounts and deals.

I also like to have handguns that share magazines with a pistol caliber carbine. CCF Glock 17L with Kel-Tec Sub-2000, PX4 .40 with CX4 .40, Glock 21SF with Kriss Super V, Mech Tech CCU in .357 Sig with Glock 32

I'm not even a Glock fan, but when it comes to my criteria they seem to be unavoidable.

 

[Jed Carter]

I buy pistols to fit a need I have HD, CCW, Range-Competition. If I want a pistol then I invent a "need" for it, I have 5 SIGs I need another, I have 3 1911s I want another, or do I need another... There is a gun show this weekend, I'll just go look.

 

[JohnBiltz]

The only two handguns in my home are a pair of Glock 26s. One to carry and one as a spare. I bought the spare because one is none. I don't have the money to shoot anything except what I carry. I budget 100 rounds a week and would rather shoot my carry than anything else.

 

[Welding Rod]

I try to stick with platforms rather than cartridges.

For example the only handgun platforms I currently own are Sig P, XD, and 1911.

I also tend to stick with full-size guns.

 

[Fat Boy]

And then there are those among the group who can only afford one or maybe two handguns at most...

 

[WillDe83]

I consolidated on platform (or close enough to be a platform), currently I have a HK 45 for HD and a HK P30 for carry.

My other pistols are just for fun.

 

[c919]

My approach...

Variety is the spice spice of life.

I guess I took the "fill every niche" approach. There have been times when I acquired two autos, two bolt actions rifles, two revolvers in a short time span, but mostly I go for stuff that isn't too similar to stuff I already have.

Now, it's nice to have a lot of different stuff, but it comes with a catch... ammo. I'm big on having a good pile of ammo for each gun at all times. SO having guns in a slew of different calibers can be a bit much. It's like trying to feed a myriad of animals from around the world or something. None of them eat the same grub.

But, that's what I like... a little bit of everything.

And as to owning that many Glocks, geez, I bet that got boring quick. I love my G20, and there are a few others I wouldn't mine owning, but I'd pick a different brand if I was going to go all fanatical. I tend to go for the "different" stuff. If I had the money for all those Glocks, it would have gone towards a Blaser rifle, low S/N Auto Five, old lever guns, or a bunch of old S&W revolvers.

 

[Sapper771]

I bought a G17OD. Then I started thinking that I needed a G19. Got the G19RTF2, then started looking at the G26. I got the G26OD. I caught word that they were going to quit making the OD Glocks, so I put a G19OD in lay-away. These are part of my carry rotation. They are the same caliber and all accept Glock 17 magazines. All three handle about the same, so there is little to no transitional issues. Most of their parts will interchangeable.

I have noticed here lately that I look for necessity in firearms that I may purchase. I don't really make enough money to purchase them because they are cool. If I see a firearm that I like, I have to ask myself "what would I use it for?". Some I buy have a slight collectors value, but still make good range guns.

 

[FriedRice]

Am I supposed to have a rational plan? Uh oh. My only rule now is to shoot it first.

 

[medalguy]

My approach is find a gun that (a) looks neat, (b) looks interesting, or (c) I don't already have, then buy it.

 

[jackpinesavages]

I never had a plan before, but then ammo. prices went through the roof. Then, after a bunch of research here and at TFL and S&W Forums, I found that some makers Chassis productions were easily convertible; the M&P 40c accepts .357SIG and 9 mm barrels as drop-ins!? WOW! All I had to do was make sure the mag./ammo. was changed over and VOILA, 3 pistols in one!

Now I buy in accordance with what I have ammo. for, and/or reloading supplies for; 9mm, 10mm, .40, .44, and .45. As for Glocks....had a G23 and sold it off. Ran 1st Gen. G17s in the Academy and loved them, but since then, not so much. I am interested in the G20 and G21 but have not started shopping them seriously.

 

[Rexster]

I tend to consolidate, to an extent. I don't like to stock too many different types of ammo, and I like my go-to weapons to share some handling characteristics, such as pointability and trigger stroke length, to economize on training time and ammo expended.

My autopistols tend to be SIG, P229, DAK, chambered for .40 S&W. Three of them are on my virtual "qual card" as primary duty pistols, and a fourth, which is actually DA/SA, as an off-duty pistol. I have one more with which I have not qual'ed. The mandated primary duty cartridge of my employer is .40 S&W, and we buy our own weapons, guided by a list of approved weapons. I do have a factory 357 SIG barrel, and a Bar-sto 9mm conversion barrel, but presently carry .40 all the time. In the dark days of the post-election ammo shortage, I could find 357 ammo easily, while .40 was scarce. The 9mm conversion barrel is primarily for lower-cost, lower-recoil training.

I do own one 1911, a Les Baer TRS, from my 1911 days. I may carry it again someday, but my time to train is limited, and my ammo budget is limited, so I concentrate on long-stroke DA practice.

I have a Seecamp LWS-32, which has a long-stroke DA trigger, like my DAK SIGs and DA revolvers.

My DA revolvers tend to be .357 Magnum. I do have my old .41 Mag duty sixgun, but it is largely retired to the safe, and two J-frame .38 snubs, which I rarely use. I have an S&W Model 17, chambered in .22 LR, which acts as a trainer for all of my DA handguns, as the SIG DAK system's trigger is much like a K-frame trigger pull. I use the .357 revolvers for back-up, utility, and fun guns.

My fun guns also include single action revolvers, which thus far are all chambered in .45 Colt, with one having a spare cylinder chambered in .45 ACP.

 

[BHP FAN]

I'll post some I like...these are all .45 acp.

 

[BHP FAN]

 

[ugaarguy]

As far as handguns, I've owned quite a few over the years. I did alot of experimenting early on, and through trial & error found that 1911s fit me best, and I shoot them best. Now I pretty much stick to 1911s because they fill the basic needs of carry, target/range, and HD quite well. I do have a pocket auto for the odd times that I can't easily carry a 1911. I also still have a couple revolvers that I keep for enjoyment. Still, I'd rather keep my training time & resources focused on one platform so I can maximize my skill.