Thinking of consolidating calibers. Your thoughts?

[Medic218]

Ok, basically I've got several weapons that I've obtained over the years and to be honest, I just don't shoot them. Heck, I've got an AK that's never been fired!

I'm thinking of limiting my handguns to 9mm and 45acp. That would have me ditching two .40's and a .380.

As far as rifles...I'd like to get down to just the 6.8spc, 5.56, my Mosins and my .22LR. That would mean ditching several other calibers as well.

I was told once that you should never sell/trade you're firearms because at some point you'll regret it. While that is certainly an opinion and not a fact I kind of agree, but not wholeheartedly. I have plenty of weapons that I kind of think I wouldn't miss as long as they weren't stolen from me and I got something fair in return.

With that return I could invest in some other guns that serve a more practical purpose that I've been interested in.

What is your take on the subject?

Have you ever done what I'm thinking of doing? What were your short/long term feelings about parting with your guns?

Do you have any general comments about anything I might have not thought about?

[rotor]

I collect. I don't sell. Go fire that AK. They are great. Can never have too many guns

[Teamless]

After selling a few guns in the last 3 years, I have told myself, that unless it comes down to just plain needing the money and no other way to get it, no more selling guns,

I would like to have a couple of them back that I sold, so Yes, I do regret it.

[Capt Jeff]

I've made the decision not to get into any .40's just to not have to stock another caliber ammo.

I also have a few guns I rarely shoot, but would not sell them unless I was needing the money or room in the safe for something I like better.

[Cjwglock19]

I used to be the same...went to the range with every pistol caliber. Realized I wasn't practicing enough with what I carried the most. Allows me to practice more so I'm happy!

[JALLEN]

To me having guns in a wide variety of calibers is impractical. I even went to the trouble to find and buy a Winchester 94 in .38/.357 to match my Ruger GP100 ammowise. I don't hunt or compete, except for skill building, so fun and self defense is all I am concerned with.

I have .22/.38/.357/9mm in pistol and 5.56 plus the others except 9mm in rifles and that suits me. I had a HK45 but sold it pending the move to Texas, since it was the rare Cali legal HK45, but I may not replace it, given the ammo situation. Too bad because I thought it was a heck of a fine pistol.

[Medic218]

Maybe I should just sell and buy another, bigger safe.

[RJGold]

Guns are like guitars...

There's no such thing as too many. I don't ever get rid of either one.

That said, I only carry and shoot my 9mm pistols so I only stock that ammo in bulk and I do own some rifles and shotguns that I don't shoot regularly and don't stock bulk ammo for.

I do keep plenty of 12ga, .270, and 9mm on hand for my "every day" weapons.

My two cents...

[Blindref757]

Does the recent ammo shortage have an impact on your decision? For the past 6 months, I haven't been able to go practice because I wasn't sure if I could replace the ammo. All the while I was waiting in line at 9 am at Academy for .223 and 9mm, I could easily walk in any day at any time and get .300, and .270 in rifle and .45ACP. That made me think that I might need to diversify my collection to include some .45 for sure...as all I have now are three 9mm and a .25 that just sits on a shelf by the front door. So...from a person who consolidated calibers from the beginning, I wish I was more diverse. It's good to see some 9mm now in the stores and no ammo lines!

[Medic218]

Does the recent ammo shortage have an impact on your decision? For the past 6 months, I haven't been able to go practice because I wasn't sure if I could replace the ammo. All the while I was waiting in line at 9 am at Academy for .223 and 9mm, I could easily walk in any day at any time and get .300, and .270 in rifle and .45ACP. That made me think that I might need to diversify my collection to include some .45 for sure...as all I have now are three 9mm and a .25 that just sits on a shelf by the front door. So...from a person who consolidated calibers from the beginning, I wish I was more diverse. It's good to see some 9mm now in the stores and no ammo lines!

No, I think the biggest contributing factory are that I think I'm over the .40 and that I'm out of room in my safe.
I may not have the mass exodus of firearms that I made it sound like in my original post but I think there may be a couple I could part with with no regrets.

[Pacifist]

I've sold/traded/bartered many, many a gun, but never because I felt like I needed to "consolidate" calibers as I am way past the point of no return for that. Usually, the exchange took place because I acquired the gun and then found that I really didn't like it for some reason, or I found someone who made me an utterly ridiculous offer to part with it. Quite frankly, I actually can't recall a single time where I've regretted the exchange of money, firearms, or services.

[Munk]

.22LR, .22Mag, .380, .38, .357Mag, .40, .45acp, .44Mag, .223/5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 30.06, 30-30, 6.5 creedmoor, 12g, and 16g...

I may need to consolidate, too...

[The Annoyed Man]

Ok, basically I've got several weapons that I've obtained over the years and to be honest, I just don't shoot them. Heck, I've got an AK that's never been fired!

I'm thinking of limiting my handguns to 9mm and 45acp. That would have me ditching two .40's and a .380.

As far as rifles...I'd like to get down to just the 6.8spc, 5.56, my Mosins and my .22LR. That would mean ditching several other calibers as well.

I was told once that you should never sell/trade you're firearms because at some point you'll regret it. While that is certainly an opinion and not a fact I kind of agree, but not wholeheartedly. I have plenty of weapons that I kind of think I wouldn't miss as long as they weren't stolen from me and I got something fair in return.

With that return I could invest in some other guns that serve a more practical purpose that I've been interested in.

What is your take on the subject?

Have you ever done what I'm thinking of doing? What were your short/long term feelings about parting with your guns?

Do you have any general comments about anything I might have not thought about?

I got rid of my .40 and decided to stick with 9mm and .45, so that seems like a rational decision to me. I've kept my rifle picture to .308 and 5.56, for similar reasons. But that said, I'll probably pick up a .30-06 and a .30-30 some day. Those calibers seemed to always be available during the worst of the ammo crunch.

[longtooth]

I consolidate handgun calibers 2 yrs ago. Only thing in the house is .22, 9mm & 45.
Some of us have & some have not. What are your needs & what are your goals???
Everyone is different & that is not wrong.

[chuck j]

Whatever decide on will work for you a and if it does not simply alter the game plan again . Ammo shortage is a factor , not much need in have a gun that you cant get ammo for or the price is driven up to a point that you cant really afford to shoot it . I'v owned many guns and enjoyed them all to one degree or another but the last few years I'v been thinning the herd . Getting old I guess but now taking three handguns and two rifles to the range means a heck of a lot of gun cleaning and not concentrating on doing the best I can with each with shooting due to time limitations . I have had my right wrist broke in the same place twice and with arthritis set in I find shooting the 'big' handguns a rather painful experience the next day . Each of our situations are unique so there is no perfect answer for everyone . Good luck .