Anyone here consolidate to only 1 caliber?

[Gorenut]

Just a random musing...

Of my handgun centerfire calibers, I shoot and own 9mm, 357mag, and 44mag.

I don't currently own a 45, but I've definitely shot a lot of handguns (and frequently) in this caliber.

Lately, ammo and reloading components are still hard to come by in my area at a decent price and even though I do reload, I have a very modest setup. So reloading is kind of slow, but I don't frequent the range as much as I used to so its not too bad (used to go 2-3x a week, now I'm lucky if I even get that per month).

So I was thinking if it'd be a good idea to just consolidate to 1 caliber. It'd allow me to streamline my reloading and I can just stockpile 1 caliber that I'll stick with. Currently, splitting up calibers means I might never get enough of any 1 caliber.

If I do decide to consolidate to 1 caliber, it'll probably be 45ACP. It'll also mean I'd probably have to reorganize my collection. I'd have to sell/trade some and somewhere along the lines replace those with a S&W 625, 1911, and a Glock 30.

Anyone else go through this type of transition, what are your thoughts/experience? Mind you, I've already streamlined some of my calibers because in the past, I had 40SW and 357SIG as well. Good idea? Bad idea?

The one bad point that immediately comes to mind.. 45ACP is probably one of the most sought after brass, etc. So I'd be competing with everyone else to get my grubby paws on the brass.

Other point of contention is that 357 was the first caliber I started off on. SO it'll always have a soft place in my heart and I already have a ton of brass for it. If I decide to streamline, I wanna go all the way. I'm not looking to add another caliber to reload in.

 

[Arik]

Shortened but never that much. Just got rid of all my 308 at the hight of the panic. It was too expansive to shoot in semi auto. Otherwise i really do love them all (guns) and keep the common stuff. I noticed that everytime I sell something I eventually end up buying something else.

Life is too short for only one caliber. You dont have to shoot it all the time to own it!

My dad is the only person i know who can stick to only ONE gun in one caliber

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[thezoltar]

I've actually added to my stable as I don't reload and you never know what you'll find on the shelves.

 

[Gorenut]

I've actually added to my stable as I don't reload and you never know what you'll find on the shelves.

Funny, I had the same mentality before I reloaded. During the previous ammo drought, I was so happy to be able to just casually drive down to Wally World or any gun store and freely pluck up my pickings of 40SW and 357SIG (especially 357SIG).

 

[scruffy]

I did. Sold off my Ruger LCP .380 ACP and Colt 1991 .45 ACP. Sticking with my .38 - .357 revolvers. Admittedly I do miss the Colt. That was s fun gun to shoot, but a royal PITA to maintain and keep running reliably.

 

[67tempest]

Own only one caliber?

I couldn't do it. My collecting interests are mostly military and there is such a wide variety of calibers out there used by other countries over the years it would be impossible to stick to only one caliber. I could see you wanting to narrow down all the different varieties of ammo you need to purchase but I never worried about that. I am always buying oddball military caliber ammo when I can find it even if I have nothing to shoot it in. If you want to streamline your reloading only concentrate on your favorite caliber but don't give up collecting. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[arjay]

My interests tend to focus on one caliber at a time,but I don't sell off guns anymore.I had sold off all of my handguns about 20 years ago and since then I've only bought guns that I considered classics rather than the latest thing.Some of them may sit for years,but I'll get back to them eventually.

 

[Skunkhome]

I am also shifting my emphasis but totally the other way. I have been without a 357 mag for more than 15 years until the day before yesterday. The calibre is easy to reload and very versitle, and also available in rifles which also can shoot everything from target loads to short range big game. Since I do reload I find .38/.357 to be a lot nicer as you don't have to chase brass. I see me gravitating away from my much lover .45 ACP and 9mm autos to emphasize the .357/.38. Actually I am moving away from all the hungry autos and now looking again at my bolts and lever actions. That said, I have no plans to reduce my inventory in any of those other calibres.

 

[hotrod150]

I've got a 9MM & a 22, both semi-autos, but otherwise all my handguns are 38 special revolvers. Not so much because of the caliber, but because I really really like S&W Chief Specials. But although it's not flashy, the caliber's a pretty good one too. 158 gr lead HP at 850-900 fps is my only load & it works for me.

 

[Old Corp]

Yes.
Tomorrow I'm selling my Makarov in oddball 9x18.

That leaves me in a state of simplicity as at that point all I have to keep up with is:
.22 LR
.22 WMR
5.56/.223
.243
.270 WSM
7mm-08
.30-30
7.62x39
7.62x54R
.300 Wby. Mag.
.303 Brit
.35 Whelen
.45-70
7.62x25
.32 S&W
.380 ACP
.38 Spl.
9mm
.357 Mag.
10mm
.41 mag.
.44 Spl.
.44 mag.
.45 ACP
.45 AR
.45 Colt
.500 S&W

Glad I got rid of the 9x18 Mak. Simplicity is good.

 

[BJoe]

I own, and shoot, ONLY .22, .38/.357. Keeps life simple. My days of playing 'king of the range' are gladly over.

 

[DonD]

Yes.
Tomorrow I'm selling my Makarov in oddball 9x18.

That leaves me in a state of simplicity as at that point all I have to keep up with is:
.22 LR
.22 WMR
5.56/.223
.243
.270 WSM
7mm-08
.30-30
7.62x39
7.62x54R
.300 Wby. Mag.
.303 Brit
.35 Whelen
.45-70
7.62x25
.32 S&W
.380 ACP
.38 Spl.
9mm
.357 Mag.
10mm
.41 mag.
.44 Spl.
.44 mag.
.45 ACP
.45 AR
.45 Colt
.500 S&W

Glad I got rid of the 9x18 Mak. Simplicity is good.

Funny with that laundry list of calibers. If someone wants to simplify, that's fine but going down to one caliber would be really boring. I don't have a huge collection but I reload for 5 calibers, don't want fewer. Don

 

[44wheelman]

I once sold an EAA Witness that was my only gun chambered in 38 Super. Found that I could fire my 38 super handloads in my model 60, and was all set to sell my unloaded brass & dies.

Two weeks later at a gun show, see an individual walking around with a Springfield Factory Comp with Tasco Pro Point on a Weigland mount, how much I have to ask....$500 he replies... No thanks, I've only got $400, but I just got out of shooting 38 Super... 2nd thought I'll give you $400 for it, and he took it.

And thats as close as I've come to ridding myself of one of my cartridges... So I guees the other 20 or so with multiple guns chambered in each are safe.

 

[holo]

I have a few .22 .38 .45 .44 but also think its important to have a rifle and handgun that shoot the same caliber. So that's why i have a lever action rifle in .38/.357 to go along with the 64's 19 66's. i have thought of getting rid of everything else but that's no fun and I hunt with my .44's.

 

[mg357]

I have not had to consolidate down to one gun caliber yet, but if i have to one day i think it would be .22 caliber since rimfire ammunition is less expensive and i don't have the necessary equipment to reload and i don't have a space in my home for the reloading equipment.

 

[pharmer]

I have tried to simplify. Shotguns; easy 12 ga. Rifles also easy, .223/5.56, .306/ 7.62x51. Long and short .22's. Handguns; .38/.357, .44mag, 9mm, .45acp., a couple .45 Colt have wandered in but one is a convertible OM Vaquero. I'd like to get down to 2 calibers in sidearms but I get vapors every time I seriously consider it. Joe

 

[old bear]

With one exception all of my firearms are .357 Magnum caliber. This allows me to safely shoot everything from 38 special target ammo up to full power .357 Magnum ammo. For me the .357 magnum revolver is the end all be all in revolvers. As an added bonus until recently factory ammo was easy to locate and WAS not overly expensive.

 

[Camster]

I'm reverting to my childhood interest in .22s.Now,if I could find a nice mini-bike,it would help with that return to childhood.

 

[brokenprism]

I actually considered this from a worst case Political scenario -- how many calibers did I want to try to carry into the hills?

So I have two Model 29s, and a Model 17. I can carry 1000 rds of .22, and maybe a few hundred .44 spec/mag. I gave up a perfectly good Commander to finance the second 29, and the carry differences are huge. I blew that one. But I still have a sweet gun, with the vintage vibe I prefer and which the new Commander didn't provide. I just can't resist a 4" big bore N frame. It's a sickness. I almost bought a Model 57 more than once in the last month, and I have not a single round of .41 ammo. They're just beautiful.

I do, hoever, have over 1000 rds of .44, so it was easy to narrow calibers. I'd rather hunt with .44 mag than .45 ACP, but in the end, it's not 4-legged animals I arm for.

 

[jughed440]

One caliber would not be fun for me. I need my .22 fix as well as 38 Special/357...definately can't go without shooting the .45 ACP either. The only other caliber S&W i have is .44 Spec./Mag, but i can make do without shooting the pricey .44 ammo.