Decisions and Changes - The Firearms Forum

DWARREN123 · 01-22-2008, 07:33 PM

I have for quite awhile been thinking I have too many different handgun calibers. I have settled on 2 calibers for handguns, the 22lr and the 40 S&W. The 22lr for good inexpensive fun and the 40 S&W because I believe it is the best compromise handgun caliber, my thinking/opinion only.
I have done some selling and trading and have ended up with just 4 handgunss now, 2 in 40 and 2 in 22lr. The 40's are a CZ 75 Compact, which I had and a new GLOCK 23. The 22's are a CZ 75 Kadet and a new Beretta model 21 Bobcat in stainless steel.
I have reduced my rifles down also in the past and am finding I am enjoying the less is better principle.
Have any of you gone the same way? Less firearms or calibers?

dusty9 · 01-22-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Have any of you gone the same way? Less firearms or calibers?

Welllllll, I can't really say that I have. I shoot vastly more .22 LR than .22 WMR. I use light or standard loaded .38 for practice and don't shoot a lot of .357. I shoot a lot more .45 ACP than .45 LC because I have only one revolver for .45 LC and 2 revolvers and 2 semi autos for .45 ACP. I shoot a lot of 9mm for practice because I have 3 9mm semi autos and 1 revolver (Blackhawk convertible). I have a Glock 23 .40S&W for primary defense/CCW and 2 9mm Glocks, a l7L and 26. I do carry the G26 a lot, though. I did sell off a .44 magnum a while back, because I just had no need anymore for a .44, and I sold/traded two rifles because I did not use or need them anymore. So maybe I have thinned out my collection some. I enjoy having and shooting a variety of firearms. For instance, I have a number of .22 handguns, but no two of them are identical. Same with .38 & .357. I have 5 .22 rifles, none of them identical.

One thing you need to know: it took over 40 years to acquire the firearms I now have. I have only recently begun to have the time to use them frequently.

Anyway, there is certainly nothing wrong with your ideas of reducing the variety of calibers and firearms. The old saying "Beware of the man with only one gun - he is probably very good with it" has a lot of truth to it.

williamd · 01-22-2008, 10:42 PM

22rf (2), 22rfm (1), 380 (2), 9mm (3), 38Special (2), 357 (2), 40 S&W (2), 41M (1), 45 ACP (3) (auto and wheel) ..... need to do a few more years of and analysis! Heck, I can't even decide between semi-auto and wheel!

Bruce FLinch · 01-22-2008, 11:09 PM

Variety is the spice of life!

.177 .22, .38 .357 .40 .45. pistols .177 .22 .223 .308 rifles

LDBennett · 01-23-2008, 06:37 AM

NO!!!!!!!

How can you enjoy every cartridge ever made if you only have a few guns. I reload for more than 30 different cartridges. Variety makes it for me and I have only a few guns in the same caliber. I look for guns in calibers that I don't already have!

LDBennett

Bindernut · 01-23-2008, 09:26 AM

I'll say no too...

The last time I "thinned the herd", it wasn't voluntary. Fire did me in...along with not enough insurance coverage to replace my collection.

Afterwards, I decided that I'd stick with the basics of a .22LR, a .380, and a .357. That was okay for a couple years, but the itch for something new started to bug me again and I've added a few since then. Needed a .45 auto for plate shooting again...and then I tried a .38Super 1911 (with intentions of building a dual-caliber .38Super/10mm setup that never happened). A few 9mms have come and gone too.

But if you're looking for just the basics, the two calibers you've chose should do ya nicely.

DWARREN123 · 01-23-2008, 10:33 PM

Basics is a good way to put it. My rifles come in 22lr, 22 WMR, 7.62X39, 7.62X54R and 7.92X57 (8mm) Mauser. All fun and all have their place but I could get by with a 22lr and any one of the rifles.
And a 12ga semi auto shotgun, got to have a shotgun.
Yes I believe I am just trying to get back to some basics and uncomplicate a small area of my life.
Thank all of you (ya'll) for your replies.

cohoskip · 01-24-2008, 11:37 AM

About 3 years ago since I never used them anymore, I decided to sell all my guns - big mistake.
Now I have a renewed interest in going to the range and target shooting, and also CCW.
As you can see by my signature, I have been busy starting a new collection.
And each of a different caliber...

Gene Seward · 01-24-2008, 01:00 PM

I have started to stay with fewer calibers for the simple reason that if we all have to run and hide more ammo. and they fit almost all the guns. And not 14 guns and 14 different types of ammo..

ciwsguy · 02-12-2008, 06:39 PM

What? No Shotgun? Everybody needs a 12 Gauge Pump!

01-22-2008, 07:33 PM	#1
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Decisions and Changes I have for quite awhile been thinking I have too many different handgun calibers. I have settled on 2 calibers for handguns, the 22lr and the 40 S&W. The 22lr for good inexpensive fun and the 40 S&W because I believe it is the best compromise handgun caliber, my thinking/opinion only. I have done some selling and trading and have ended up with just 4 handgunss now, 2 in 40 and 2 in 22lr. The 40's are a CZ 75 Compact, which I had and a new GLOCK 23. The 22's are a CZ 75 Kadet and a new Beretta model 21 Bobcat in stainless steel. I have reduced my rifles down also in the past and am finding I am enjoying the less is better principle. Have any of you gone the same way? Less firearms or calibers? __________________ Have a nice day! -->

01-22-2008, 10:42 PM	#3
williamd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 772	Re: Decisions and Changes 22rf (2), 22rfm (1), 380 (2), 9mm (3), 38Special (2), 357 (2), 40 S&W (2), 41M (1), 45 ACP (3) (auto and wheel) ..... need to do a few more years of and analysis! Heck, I can't even decide between semi-auto and wheel! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" But, we are moving that direction. NRA Benefactor, Vet VN '64-'65 Never sell a gun or a car and you can retire right!!

01-22-2008, 11:09 PM	#4
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: Decisions and Changes Variety is the spice of life! .177 .22, .38 .357 .40 .45. pistols .177 .22 .223 .308 rifles __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

01-23-2008, 06:37 AM	#5
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Decisions and Changes NO!!!!!!! How can you enjoy every cartridge ever made if you only have a few guns. I reload for more than 30 different cartridges. Variety makes it for me and I have only a few guns in the same caliber. I look for guns in calibers that I don't already have! LDBennett

01-23-2008, 09:26 AM	#6
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,453	Re: Decisions and Changes I'll say no too... The last time I "thinned the herd", it wasn't voluntary. Fire did me in...along with not enough insurance coverage to replace my collection. Afterwards, I decided that I'd stick with the basics of a .22LR, a .380, and a .357. That was okay for a couple years, but the itch for something new started to bug me again and I've added a few since then. Needed a .45 auto for plate shooting again...and then I tried a .38Super 1911 (with intentions of building a dual-caliber .38Super/10mm setup that never happened). A few 9mms have come and gone too. But if you're looking for just the basics, the two calibers you've chose should do ya nicely.

01-23-2008, 10:33 PM	#7
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Re: Decisions and Changes Basics is a good way to put it. My rifles come in 22lr, 22 WMR, 7.62X39, 7.62X54R and 7.92X57 (8mm) Mauser. All fun and all have their place but I could get by with a 22lr and any one of the rifles. And a 12ga semi auto shotgun, got to have a shotgun. Yes I believe I am just trying to get back to some basics and uncomplicate a small area of my life. Thank all of you (ya'll) for your replies. __________________ Have a nice day!

01-24-2008, 11:37 AM	#8
cohoskip V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Summer: Chimacum, WA; Winter: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 189	Re: Decisions and Changes About 3 years ago since I never used them anymore, I decided to sell all my guns - big mistake. Now I have a renewed interest in going to the range and target shooting, and also CCW. As you can see by my signature, I have been busy starting a new collection. And each of a different caliber... __________________ To err is human, to forgive divine Neither is Marine Corps policy... NRA Life Member

01-24-2008, 01:00 PM	#9
Gene Seward V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Batesville, Arkansas Posts: 477	Re: Decisions and Changes I have started to stay with fewer calibers for the simple reason that if we all have to run and hide more ammo. and they fit almost all the guns. And not 14 guns and 14 different types of ammo..

02-12-2008, 06:39 PM	#10
ciwsguy Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KY Posts: 31	Re: Decisions and Changes What? No Shotgun? Everybody needs a 12 Gauge Pump!