When it's time to buy another handgun (and the itch is irresistable), caliber or chambering is rarely the first consideration. Usually the gun itself has attracted me (KT's .32 and .380, for example), or I happen to find a good specimen of what's on my permanent wish list (3" revolvers, BHP's), or there is a specific plan (I needed a J-frame round butt, either .38 or .357).
New handgun - Same caliber or different?
- Thread starter hasbro_fan
- Start date
cerberus65
New member
+1 on avoiding .25 and .32.
.380 works well in pocket guns. I can always conceal my .380. Unfortunately, I can't say that about my slightly larger j-frame.
Almost everything I have was to fill a particular niche. Caliber considerations came second (although it definitely was a consideration). But I do have a 1911 that I bought because .45 ACP shoots so well for me. I had tried my brother's 1911 and then a couple of range rentals and every one shot very well.
If you count .38/.357 as one caliber, I have 7 calibers. I doubt I'll be increasing that number any time soon. And I do have multiple guns that chamber a couple of calibers but they are quite different platforms. As one example, I have a revolver, a semi-auto, and a rifle in .22LR.
.380 works well in pocket guns. I can always conceal my .380. Unfortunately, I can't say that about my slightly larger j-frame.
Almost everything I have was to fill a particular niche. Caliber considerations came second (although it definitely was a consideration). But I do have a 1911 that I bought because .45 ACP shoots so well for me. I had tried my brother's 1911 and then a couple of range rentals and every one shot very well.
If you count .38/.357 as one caliber, I have 7 calibers. I doubt I'll be increasing that number any time soon. And I do have multiple guns that chamber a couple of calibers but they are quite different platforms. As one example, I have a revolver, a semi-auto, and a rifle in .22LR.
Not sure if this has already been said, but don't get set up to make a grave mistake with ammo. For example, if you have a .357 don't buy a .38. If you mix the guns in use you could find yourself in an emergency trying to put .357 ammo into the .38. Same with 44mag and 44 special. If you already have the .44 magnum, don't buy a .44 special, for the same reason.
I found I had .38 special and .357mag ammo in my go-bag, along with .38 and .357 guns. It dawned on me that I could have the .38 gun in one hand, and .357 ammo in the other. So I traded in the .38 on another .357.
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I found I had .38 special and .357mag ammo in my go-bag, along with .38 and .357 guns. It dawned on me that I could have the .38 gun in one hand, and .357 ammo in the other. So I traded in the .38 on another .357.
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FairWarning
New member
I'd stay away from "trend" calibers like .45 GAP and .357 SIG. I doubt these will survive in a big way in the mainstream years down the line, they don't offer enough difference over the existing choices and are already harder to find. Remember the Sony Mini-Disc? Was supposed to replaced CDs, but never happened. Like my guitar collection (that's another story 
), I believe in having a variety of tools for the job, not clones with different finishes, etc. Next handgun I want is a XD .45 Tactical, next rifle a .308 Evil Black Rifle.
), I believe in having a variety of tools for the job, not clones with different finishes, etc. Next handgun I want is a XD .45 Tactical, next rifle a .308 Evil Black Rifle.hasbro_fan said:
hasbro_fan - This is often the case with questions & answers here on The Firing Line. How do you make mixed replies useful to you? What I do is look at the rationales behind the answers. The ones that have rationales that are more inline with my priorities or own types of reasoning, those are the opinions that I value the most.
Also, I try to include my own way of thinking in the original post, so that folks can see it from my viewpoint as well as their own when they're answering.
For instance: Are you a reloader or not? Do you buy your ammo locally (where it can be VERY expensive) or online? (where only certain calibers are more expensive)
Since you prefer to keep it simple, you should do just that. Pick a few calibers that will do everything you need them to do and stick with them. If you reload, you don't need to consider the ammo cost for those calibers. If you don't, definitely consider ammo cost, variety, and availability.
hasbro_fan
New member
Oh, I sincerely appreciate all of the replies to my questions.
I read this and other forums, and learn something every day. I try to search for information before posting questions, and then try to post a question to something I cannot find in other threads. (I'm not asking which caliber people prefer, for example.)
I'll head to a gun show tomorrow that I've been to in the past and have purchased at with the plan to compare between three or four handguns based on all of the information. (Of course, the selections may be already picked over.) If they don't have one of those, then I'll probably wait unless there is an option that presents itself.
I read this and other forums, and learn something every day. I try to search for information before posting questions, and then try to post a question to something I cannot find in other threads. (I'm not asking which caliber people prefer, for example.)
I'll head to a gun show tomorrow that I've been to in the past and have purchased at with the plan to compare between three or four handguns based on all of the information. (Of course, the selections may be already picked over.) If they don't have one of those, then I'll probably wait unless there is an option that presents itself.
I added a 40 SW pistol to my collection because simply put,it was the most beautifully finished non custom guns I had ever seen.
Now I will be trading that gun in for a gun that I can actually carry on me without it looking like I have a hunk of LOOK AT ME!!!!!! STAINLESS STEEL on my side.
The 40 SW was a new additional round to me.
I already had a .380,a .22LR and a 38 special.
Now I've added a 9mm to the mix.
I am paring down.
Unfortunately,to have a respectable amount of power in a semi auto,you really should have a 9mm so I will have a small carryable handgun in that.
Probably a Kel Tec PF-9.
Kahr's polymer guns cost more,have had similar problems than KelTecs and are marginally larger and cost more,way more.
And Kahr's customer service has had some issues.
All of my guns have to have a reason to be in my house.
Being pretty is nice but if I won't have a defense use for the gun,it goes.
I already have a Smith Model 10 guarding the house.
I have a 380 Mauser that has earned a permanent place in our family.
I have a Taurus Ultralight in case my wife needs a snub nose revolver quickly.
The 22 High Standard six inch revolver is something I can afford to let hang around and is good if I need to dispatch a varmint or two.
But my Ruger 9mm,which is a great gun and my Taurus PT101 40 SW which is the beauty,what a finish on this gun!-they have to go.
I don't have the money to own guns that have to stay home because they are simply to big to carry.
I'm leaning towards a KelTec P3AT first ( the Mauser is stainless and kind of heavy-plus it's a classic to me)then either a KelTec PF-9 or a Smith 442 lightweight no lock dao revolver.
But then again,a grinding wheel can make that Ultralight Taurus into a hammerless real quick for free.
So it might be two KelTec's.
Who knows?
Until you pay for them,it's anything you want to buy.
So my short answer is the same caliber-especially if it's 9mm-the cheapest practice ammo you can buy right now.
Now I will be trading that gun in for a gun that I can actually carry on me without it looking like I have a hunk of LOOK AT ME!!!!!! STAINLESS STEEL on my side.
The 40 SW was a new additional round to me.
I already had a .380,a .22LR and a 38 special.
Now I've added a 9mm to the mix.
I am paring down.
Unfortunately,to have a respectable amount of power in a semi auto,you really should have a 9mm so I will have a small carryable handgun in that.
Probably a Kel Tec PF-9.
Kahr's polymer guns cost more,have had similar problems than KelTecs and are marginally larger and cost more,way more.
And Kahr's customer service has had some issues.
All of my guns have to have a reason to be in my house.
Being pretty is nice but if I won't have a defense use for the gun,it goes.
I already have a Smith Model 10 guarding the house.
I have a 380 Mauser that has earned a permanent place in our family.
I have a Taurus Ultralight in case my wife needs a snub nose revolver quickly.
The 22 High Standard six inch revolver is something I can afford to let hang around and is good if I need to dispatch a varmint or two.
But my Ruger 9mm,which is a great gun and my Taurus PT101 40 SW which is the beauty,what a finish on this gun!-they have to go.
I don't have the money to own guns that have to stay home because they are simply to big to carry.
I'm leaning towards a KelTec P3AT first ( the Mauser is stainless and kind of heavy-plus it's a classic to me)then either a KelTec PF-9 or a Smith 442 lightweight no lock dao revolver.
But then again,a grinding wheel can make that Ultralight Taurus into a hammerless real quick for free.
So it might be two KelTec's.
Who knows?
Until you pay for them,it's anything you want to buy.
So my short answer is the same caliber-especially if it's 9mm-the cheapest practice ammo you can buy right now.