Would it be better to diversify the caliber of firearms you own, or try to keep it all the same ? Trying to decide if it's best to keep it all the same, ie all 9mm so ammo supply would be simple... Or diversify in case something happened to ammo supply and you had to scavenge for whatever you could find. Thoughts ?
If I had guns, which I'm not saying I do, I'd have most in some my standard calibers so it would make stocking up easier for me but I'd also have a few in common but not my normal caliber for that type weapon just in case. I'd have some ammo for them but not a ton of it like I would have for the calibers that were my standard. Does that make sense...
It's never good to put all your eggs in one basket. Yes yes it's cliché, but it is the first thought that popped into my head. Now let me follow up. IMHO, every household needs at least a weapon per person of age within the house, plus extras for growing young ones. Adequate ammo to support them all for an extended period of time. Next, What do you choose? First off since you said 9mm, and that is primarily a pistol cartridge, I will assume you have a pistol. Due to the wording of your post I am also assuming this is probably the only caliber or weapon you presently own. Not so good. A hand gun is a poor choice for home defense. Also the 9mm has limited stopping power. Don't get me wrong, I own 9mm handguns and they have their place. I am a new convert to the AR platform of rifles. Like most converts I am almost rabid about it. I am getting ahead of myself. Your household collection of firearms should include; a pump or semiauto shotgun in 12 gauge, a 22 rifle (ruger 10-22 ideal), a centerfire rifle (a repeater in a very popular caliber). These weapons are multi-purpose. Personal choice comes into play and we could discuss and argue about it forever. I will not go deep into that at all. I would suggest there are many centerfire rifle calibers to choose from. I would suggest you choose from; .223rem/5.56mm nato, .308win/7.62x51nato, 7.62x39. I am sure there are others that will get the job done, but I choose these due to the massive quantities of ammo and weapons already out there in use in these calibers. YMMV
What tac said pretty much covers it for me with one addition. Black powder which tac also has I now know do to his careless breach of OPSEC this very morning.Cheers to you on a successful hunt tac . For me it is muzzle loaders in flint lock for rifle and shotgun. Mainly for the ability to scrounge the materials from other ammo or components you find or barter for.
.223rem/5.56mm NATO inexpensive (about $0.32 per round) little recoil very popular, with good availability good for short to medium range .308win/7.62x51 NATO good for short, medium and longer range powerful very popular, with good availability but not as available as .223/5.56 reasonable cost (about $0.68 per round) 7.62x39 good for short and medium range cost: about $0.22 (steel case) to $0.95 (brass case) per round .22LR fuggetaboutit relatively very expensive hard to find due to current market conditions General purpose, self-defense and hunting 1 .22LR (1-2k rounds. not in this market) 1+ .223rem/5.56mm (1-2k rounds) 1+ .308win/7.62x51 NATO (1-2k rounds) 1 special caliber (200-800 rounds) Larger game .308win/7.62x51 NATO Dangerous game .450 bushmaster .458 SOCOM
@IrishMonk that is the continual discussion in all of our heads I suspect. Every time one goes to acquire a new firearm, I know the thought of "does this fit into my ammo plan" comes into play.... at least in my house it does. It can be hard to build a sufficient supply of ammo for a firearm.....multiple calibers make it a bit more challenging. But as Tac said above, you need various tools for each type of job that you need it to perform for you. Let's say you have a 9mm in pistol and an AR in 5.56.... use that exact same configuration for each member of the family. That way you have only two calibers, spare weapons parts are more manageable, and interchangeable magazines between your team in a firefight. Then add in 12 gauge with various ammo types for each role that it may perform. And finally game gathers such as the 10-22 or other hunting type rifles.
Never forget about having a .22 conversion for what ever your side arm is. Same can be said for long gun.
Whatever one decides, on this issue, It is imperative, that one has a way to Resupply, (Reload) the spent Cases, once expended. Even if it is just a Hand Loader from Lee.... Just making the POINT......
Everything you need for this ---> Here (Corbin) If you look at the pricing for large scale production you better be sitting down.
I was primarily thinking of my side arms when bringing it up. I was considering trading my G22 for another G19... and maybe adding a 9mm revolver as back up. Keeping the side arm ammo simple, not to mention having 2 G19s could come in handy parts wise or whatever down the road if needed. Thanks for the replies!
Hopefully we have helped as well as showed you the way in maximizing your caliber and capability as a family team
.45 ACP and .40 SW have more stopping power. 9 gives you a couple of more rounds vs. the .40 using default factory mags. The G22 is really nice, why are you looking to switch entirely to 9? DoD is looking to replace the M9 (DoD version of the 92F). They are not very happy with 9mm. The went back to .45 ACP. Sticking to their guns: Marines place $22.5M order for the Colt .45 M1911 | Fox News The Marines Are Reissuing The 1911 Colt .45 Pistol Because The 9 mm Is Too Weak - Business Insider
I am running the M&P .40 and have plenty of rounds on board for a conceal carry in the appendix mode...let alone on the hip in a tactical environment. I have 14+1 and if I can not get it done in a mag...or two... I best be retreating. Product: Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Flat Dark Earth Carry Kit
The Marines may use the .45acp, but the Seals use the 9mm... honestly, "stopping power" is kind of an over rated topic IMO. Unless your shooting at a person jacked up on bath salts or something. I think shot placement is key in any side arm round, as well as bullet / load choice.
I have a .45 ACP Colt 1911 and a few rounds of ammo, a 9MM w/17 round capacity because it is the NATO ammo, a rifle that fires 5.56X45 and .223 following the same reasoning as with the 9MM. My reach out and touch rifle is a .308/7.62X51 following the same logic that come the necessity to replenish my resources there is opportunity to do so.
The SEALs also use the H&K Mk 23 Mod 0 .45 ACP. It was specifically designed for USSOCOM Depends on the mission
Why not just get a few "After Market" Barrels for your G19 & G22, in what ever Calibre you would like, and you can have the best of ALL Worlds... Then in a SHTF Senerio, you can scrounge any Ammunition around and have a Weapon, that can be converted to use what is available.... I would stress Shot Placement over Type of Round, ALWAYS...
Agree with BT, the Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel works fine for 40 S&W conversion to 9. I've had extremely few failure to fires with it. Just had to stop up on G19 mags for my G23.