Dedicated Caliber
- Thread starter ZVP
- Start date
I have, on numerous occasions bought a handgun because it was in a caliber I already own. And also forgone purchases that were in calibers I simply didn't want to tool up for.
For instance I've passed on all the .50 cal stuff, even in guns I wanted, simply because of having to add .50 bullets, cases, & dies. Another .44 or .45 for me (or 38/9mm) simply means another neat gun to check out, without any additional ammo related expenses (until/unless none of my usual components gives satisfactory results, which is pretty rare)
Guv, I'm not going to play fair with my answer.
I don't have to choose, I don't need to choose, and I won't choose just one. If there were a credible situation that would require me to only have one handgun (and there is none such that I can see), my choice would be between the guns that have sentimental value to me, (all are in useful calibers) and which ever one I finally settled on (and that wouldn't be easy) would be the caliber I kept.
Now, If you are just starting out, and don't have a battery of guns and calibers collected over 40+ years of handgunning, I can give you my opinions of different things I know about, and what might be best for what you want.
Most people will have all their needs met well with just two, a .22LR and a .357. And the .22 is more convenience than need. The wide range of loads possible in a .357 revolver makes it about the most versatile choice for most uses. Even very big game has been taken with the .357 in the hands of experts. And .38 wadcutters do a fair job on small game, within your ability to hit accurately.
No one gun is best for all possible situations, likewise, no one caliber. Despite my personal affection for big bore pistols, I have to admit that you have to go a long way to find a situation where the .357/.38SPL combination doesn't fit somewhere between "works tolerably well" and "works great"!
For not wanting to be nailed down, your diplomatic well thought out choices make very good sense.
Having owned and shot handguns for the past 35 years I can honestly say that I have all ways had at any one time at least 1 22 and 1 357. I may have gone off on some 45ACP road or 44Mag/big bore or who can remember what road but all ways kept some amount of my old standbys (22&357). Lucky for me, these days I seem to just add when in the past I had to trade for something new or old and shiny!
Having owned and shot handguns for the past 35 years I can honestly say that I have all ways had at any one time at least 1 22 and 1 357. I may have gone off on some 45ACP road or 44Mag/big bore or who can remember what road but all ways kept some amount of my old standbys (22&357). Lucky for me, these days I seem to just add when in the past I had to trade for something new or old and shiny!Pond James Pond
New member
I could imagine taking it down to one calibre.
Perhaps not one cartridge, but one calibre.
So, I could live with working with .44 only, although I'd only be ditching .38Spl to do so. I don't have many revolvers, so it seems an easier task than some on here!
Perhaps not one cartridge, but one calibre.
So, I could live with working with .44 only, although I'd only be ditching .38Spl to do so. I don't have many revolvers, so it seems an easier task than some on here!
I guess I'm different in addition to being cheap. Except for a couple of old single shot shotguns I inherited, everything I have is either 22 (LR or MAG) or 9MM. They are the most affordable rimfire and centerfire sizes and they cover what I have whether they are a handgun or a long gun.
Obambulate
New member
.22lr
.22 Magnum
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
With revolvers and rifles for the various calibers, I'm pretty well covered for most occasions.
.22 Magnum
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
With revolvers and rifles for the various calibers, I'm pretty well covered for most occasions.
dakota1911
New member
I was pretty happy in the hand gun world with 22/22mag 9mm 357/38 44mag 45ACP and 45LC. Then about 2009 I got into 38 Super in 1911s and maybe the next year 10mm. Have lots of fun shooting them all.
Now down here in the SW the 45LC has the advantage of decent shotshells for snakes. When I boonie bang I carry a Ruger Blackhawk and the first two chambers to come up are shot shells and after that some Ruger only reloads. I have looked at the S&W Governor where you can shoot 410, 45LC and even 45ACP with moon clips but you can't shoot the really hot hand loads in it.
Now down here in the SW the 45LC has the advantage of decent shotshells for snakes. When I boonie bang I carry a Ruger Blackhawk and the first two chambers to come up are shot shells and after that some Ruger only reloads. I have looked at the S&W Governor where you can shoot 410, 45LC and even 45ACP with moon clips but you can't shoot the really hot hand loads in it.
I understand what the OP is talking about. I used to like to play a game called "What If"? And that was like what if handguns were banned or you could keep what you had but could not buy any new guns.
I thought about stocking ammo cans with a 38/357 revolver, whatever I could get along with a small cleaning kit and as much ammo as could be stored in the same can and then hide them in different areas.
It was a fun mind game and I still play it on occasion. Of course like most of you I have several different guns in various calibers and enjoy them all. But for the most part I shoot 38s and 22s. So the 38/357 is a very doable caliber for my uses. I am best set up to load and cast for that round.
Do I want to limit myself to just one centerfire round? Hell no. I am on the hunt right now for a 1911 that fits fits my idea of the perfect 1911. I will find it too. There is no hurry. The hunt is half the fun.
I thought about stocking ammo cans with a 38/357 revolver, whatever I could get along with a small cleaning kit and as much ammo as could be stored in the same can and then hide them in different areas.
It was a fun mind game and I still play it on occasion. Of course like most of you I have several different guns in various calibers and enjoy them all. But for the most part I shoot 38s and 22s. So the 38/357 is a very doable caliber for my uses. I am best set up to load and cast for that round.
Do I want to limit myself to just one centerfire round? Hell no. I am on the hunt right now for a 1911 that fits fits my idea of the perfect 1911. I will find it too. There is no hurry. The hunt is half the fun.
A .357 Magnum revolver can also shoot the 38 Specials. Saves money at the range too. A .44 Special revolver is pretty awesome, but I think the .357 trumps it for versatility. I enjoy revolvers a lot, but stick to 9mm, .40 (Beretta) and .45ACP (1911 Desert Eagle) at the range most often.