Multiple calibers, or consolidate?

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've been trying to consolidate ever since I retired... but the gun gods won't let me. Every time I divest myself of all firearms chambered for a round that I want to quit carrying in inventory, they tempt me with something new. It's just not fair, I tell ya!

Now, it's down to:

.22LR
.38 SPL
.357 Mag
9 MM (tried to get rid of this, but that didn't work)
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
.45 Colt
5.56 MM
7.62X51/.308
.410
20 GA
12 GA

I did manage to eliminate .30-06 so I guess I'm making progress...

[schneiderguy]

I'm down to three calibers:

.22lr
9mm
7.62x54r

I've got a handgun and rifle in .22, handgun in 9mm and then the obligatory Mosin in 7.62x54r.

I'm a starving college student so that's all I can afford to shoot or I'd have about ten times that

[IrishPirate]

screw consolodating...i buy guns, then worry about ammo. If a gun feels good, BUY IT!!! You don't need to stockpile for everything. If you're prepping for TEOTWAWKI, just pick 3-4 guns to stockpile for. If you're just plinking, go crazy!!!!

I have 8 guns right now:
.22lr rifle
.223 rifle
7.62x54r rifle
12ga shotgun
.25acp pistol
9mm pistol
.40s&w
.45acp

and i plan on adding more calibers (and more guns of the same caliber too )

there are fun guns and there are purpose guns. Stockpile for your purpose guns, and keep a "fun day at the range" on hand for the others

[cfusionpm]

I currently have and shoot:

9mm (three pistols)
5.56 (one rifle)
.308 (two rifles)
.22LR (one rifle)

Looking to get a .45 just to have... otherwise, not looking to expand at all. I like keeping fewer calibers and more guns.

[jeffrice6]

I've got a few handguns of various calibers....and my philosophy has been when buying a new handgun (or guns in general) that if i'm getting something different...i may as well get a different caliber too.

I used to subscribe to this notion, but now find myself consolidating... Now there are some sentimental firearms that I will never let go of, but for the most part I find myself replacing platforms that I dig in calibers that I have settled on.

[smittty]

I consolidated calipers long ago and even today I don't feel it was a compromise.

All my pistols are 9mm and each has a 22 conversion kit except for the LC9. And I would love a 22 conversion for the LC9!

My rifle caliber is 5.56/223 and I have the M&P 15/22 for plinking.

Unless you reload I don't see the value in having a large variety of calibers. I feel spending money on ammo is like spending money on gas. I want to squeeze as much mileage out of every gallon as I can.

[romeo26]

you shouldn't consolidate just yet. you still need 308 & 45acp!

[teflondog]

I like having guns in different calibers just in case another ammo shortage comes along. When 9mm and .45 were nowhere to be found, there was still a lot of .40 ammo on the shelves.

[famas619]

I consolidated to 9mm, .223/5.56, and 22lr.

[RolinThundr]

...You don't need to stockpile for everything...there are fun guns and there are purpose guns. Stockpile for your purpose guns...

+1

I have:

.45 ACP
.40 S&W
.38 SPC
7.62x51
7.62x39
7.62x54R (Yes, the obligatory Nagant)
.22 lr
12 GA

I plan to add at least one 9mm handgun and an AR in 5.56 NATO. I am also planning on stocking my greatest ammo quantities in .45 ACP, 9mm, 5.56, 12 GA, and .22lr. The rest I plan on keeping just about 100-200 rounds of each caliber on hand.

[Subotai]

I prefer to have guns in common military and police calibers. That'll be the most common "street" caliber available.

[Damn True]

Interesting topic as I'm looking to add tools to my collection and caliber creep is one of the things Ive been thinking about.

My meager scope is now at:

12ga (2 shotguns)
.308 (bolt-action rifle)
.357 (revolver 6" barrel)

I'm looking to add two more handguns (a compact poly gun & a 1911) and two more rifles (a lever action and something scary and black). I figure if I do both handguns in .45, the lever gun in .357 for that "old west matched set vibe" and the black rifle in .308 I only increase my caliber count by one.

[hyperion.excal]

I have:

40SW
40SW
40SW
40SW
.223/5.56

But lately ive been thinking of 45 acp

[NeenachGuy]

Just curious, for you folks that have more than 3-4 calibers, are you stocking 10,000 rounds for each caliber? I've hesitated to branch out into more calibers, because I feel like it would commit me to buying 10,000 rounds for each new caliber that I add, and that gets expensive and space consuming.