Diversify calibers, or stick with one ?

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by IrishMonk, Oct 25, 2014.


  1. IrishMonk

    IrishMonk Monkey+

    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 ?
     
    Motomom34 likes this.
  2. mysterymet

    mysterymet Monkey+++

    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...
     
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  3. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    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
     
  4. oldawg

    oldawg Monkey+++

    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.
     
  5. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    .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
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2014
  6. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    @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.
     
  7. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2014
  8. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Never forget about having a .22 conversion for what ever your side arm is.

    Same can be said for long gun.
     
    Yard Dart, kellory and tulianr like this.
  9. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    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......
     
  10. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    With the right gear you can use spent .22 hulls to mfg FMJ rounds.
     
    chelloveck likes this.
  11. NotSoSneaky

    NotSoSneaky former supporter


    Everything you need for this ---> Here (Corbin)

    If you look at the pricing for large scale production you better be sitting down. [tongue]
     
    3M-TA3 likes this.
  12. IrishMonk

    IrishMonk Monkey+

    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!
     
    Yard Dart likes this.
  13. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Hopefully we have helped as well as showed you the way in maximizing your caliber and capability as a family team [chopper]
     
    IrishMonk likes this.
  14. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

  15. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    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
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  16. IrishMonk

    IrishMonk Monkey+

    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.
     
    Yard Dart, kellory and tacmotusn like this.
  17. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    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.
     
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  18. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    The SEALs also use the H&K Mk 23 Mod 0 .45 ACP. It was specifically designed for USSOCOM

    Depends on the mission ;)
     
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  19. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    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...
     
  20. AmericanRedoubt1776

    AmericanRedoubt1776 American Redoubt: Idaho-Montana-Wyoming Site Supporter+

    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.
     
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