Should you diversify your calibers in case of bad times?
- Thread starter Playboypenguin
- Start date
Variety is fun anyway as others have pointed out. Even so, I see no reason to have a gun in every conceivable caliber just because I cannot afford it! I do have 9mm and 357mag/38 spl in the handgun calibers as well as 22lr. I could see diversifying a bit more and get something in .45 and maybe .380 but that is about it. I figure anywhere in the world you can find 9mm and .38 are usually available also. I have a Winchester lever action in .357/.38spl which shares ammo with my wife's Taurus 38 snubby. If I get a another long gun in 9mm that would go with my 9mm Cougar.
I have a 20ga sxs shotgun and will be getting a semi auto in 12ga soon as well as an AR15 in 5.56/.223. At that point I should have it covered for all situations.
I have a 20ga sxs shotgun and will be getting a semi auto in 12ga soon as well as an AR15 in 5.56/.223. At that point I should have it covered for all situations.
Yes and no.
I like having a handgun and a carbine in each of the 3 primary calibers I shoot. This consolidates the ammunition for each caliber ... the round will shoot in either firearm. On the other hand, having 3 calibers (.357 magnum, .44 magnum, .30 carbine) gives me diversity in ammunition, such that if 1, or even 2, become unavailable, there is still a 3rd to fall back on.
I like having a handgun and a carbine in each of the 3 primary calibers I shoot. This consolidates the ammunition for each caliber ... the round will shoot in either firearm. On the other hand, having 3 calibers (.357 magnum, .44 magnum, .30 carbine) gives me diversity in ammunition, such that if 1, or even 2, become unavailable, there is still a 3rd to fall back on.
Deaf Smith
New member
Playboy,
If it makes you happy, diversify as much as you want!
But yes, it's a good idea to have a few carry capable guns in different rounds just in case.
But you could do this:
Get a Glock 23 or 32 in .40 or .357 Sig. Buy a second Glock OEM barrel in the other round (.357 Sig or .40.) Then get a Lone Wolf 9mm barrel made for the Glock 23/32 and some Glock 19 9mm mags. And lastingly, get a AACK .22 unit for the Glock 23/32 and you will then have FOUR GUNS in different rounds!
If it makes you happy, diversify as much as you want!
But yes, it's a good idea to have a few carry capable guns in different rounds just in case.
But you could do this:
Get a Glock 23 or 32 in .40 or .357 Sig. Buy a second Glock OEM barrel in the other round (.357 Sig or .40.) Then get a Lone Wolf 9mm barrel made for the Glock 23/32 and some Glock 19 9mm mags. And lastingly, get a AACK .22 unit for the Glock 23/32 and you will then have FOUR GUNS in different rounds!
orionengnr
New member
WhyteP38 said it very, very well in post #30.
Buy the guns you want in the caliber you like most.
When the Tinfoil Hat Armegeddon comes it won't matter how much ammo and guns you have on hand because they'll only work on the zombies, UN black helicopters, nuclear fallout survivor hoards and ferrel housepets. We all know good and darn well that the aliens (the lizard lookin' ones, not the insect lookin' ones) will use their tele-kinetic ability to sen the bullets back at you.
I keep all my guns loaded with HPs and a full reload for each too. My supply of cheap fmj practice ammo can be anything from alot of everything to nothing of anything.
Honestly, if all my guns fully loaded with good defensive ammo and their respective reloads aren't enough; then I think I need more guys on my side rather than just more weaponry.
When the Tinfoil Hat Armegeddon comes it won't matter how much ammo and guns you have on hand because they'll only work on the zombies, UN black helicopters, nuclear fallout survivor hoards and ferrel housepets. We all know good and darn well that the aliens (the lizard lookin' ones, not the insect lookin' ones) will use their tele-kinetic ability to sen the bullets back at you.
I keep all my guns loaded with HPs and a full reload for each too. My supply of cheap fmj practice ammo can be anything from alot of everything to nothing of anything.
Honestly, if all my guns fully loaded with good defensive ammo and their respective reloads aren't enough; then I think I need more guys on my side rather than just more weaponry.
I believe in the K. I. S. S. system. Need I say more?
First, 22lr without a doubt.
After that, I like 9mm because just like the 22lr, you can have a handgun and a Rifle/Carbine in those two caliber, and the 9mm is more universal Worldwide.
I like the .38/.37 to, but the 9mm seem more logical.
First, 22lr without a doubt.
After that, I like 9mm because just like the 22lr, you can have a handgun and a Rifle/Carbine in those two caliber, and the 9mm is more universal Worldwide.
I like the .38/.37 to, but the 9mm seem more logical.
Firepower!
New member
No.
In bad times or times or war I rather no diversify. I would like to have as much similar caluber weapons as possible so that all weapons remain functional. Not to forget to load up on the ammo without buying different kinds. At least I find good deals when buying same type of ammo. Just my opinion.
BTW...where is PBP?
In bad times or times or war I rather no diversify. I would like to have as much similar caluber weapons as possible so that all weapons remain functional. Not to forget to load up on the ammo without buying different kinds. At least I find good deals when buying same type of ammo. Just my opinion.
BTW...where is PBP?
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
as a guy who loads around 50 different cartridges...
variety is the spice of life...
but it would be hard to argue against the 22 lr, 38 / 357, 9mm, 45... commonly used & shot... therefore likely most easy to obtain if ( say your house burned down, & you lost all your re-loading supplies )... & as long as the guns didn't go up in flames, the variety of calibers would make refilling the chamber easier,
but... if the house did burn down, & you lost everything but your daily carry gun... having a common caliber for your daily gun probably could pay off in finding ammo supplies...
hmmm.... maybe that CZ compact in 9mm aught to become the every day carry piece
variety is the spice of life...
but it would be hard to argue against the 22 lr, 38 / 357, 9mm, 45... commonly used & shot... therefore likely most easy to obtain if ( say your house burned down, & you lost all your re-loading supplies )... & as long as the guns didn't go up in flames, the variety of calibers would make refilling the chamber easier,
but... if the house did burn down, & you lost everything but your daily carry gun... having a common caliber for your daily gun probably could pay off in finding ammo supplies...
hmmm.... maybe that CZ compact in 9mm aught to become the every day carry piece
Fishslayer
New member
I was actually considering that the other day. Presently I have .357 & .45ACP. I also have a "pretty good supply" of finished ammo & makin's for more.
I ALSO have a ginormous pile of .40 brass, "incidental" pickups when I police my .45. I have bad eyes & they ARE pretty close...
Considering something in .40 just for the diversity. And I can get all the free brass I want.
One caliber I think might be currency when SHTF is .22lr. Everybody & his dog has one of those.
I ALSO have a ginormous pile of .40 brass, "incidental" pickups when I police my .45. I have bad eyes & they ARE pretty close...
Considering something in .40 just for the diversity. And I can get all the free brass I want.
One caliber I think might be currency when SHTF is .22lr. Everybody & his dog has one of those.
Some thoughts from a reloading perspective:
.38 Special cases last virtually forever. The case mouth generally splits long before the body or web fails. With a little care, you can retrieve 100% of your brass.
There is .38 Special data for virtually every handgun powder (including a few that are way too slow-burning).
Lead bullets require a mold, scrap lead, and lube. The wax ring from a toliet will work as lube in a pinch. Scrap lead can be found in old windows, fishing tackle boxes, and batteries. (Using battery lead isn't very safe, but there you are.) You need to buy a mold ahead of time, of course.
As always, the "weakest link" are the primers. Fortunately, small pistol primers are among the most common.
I agree that the most common chamberings, like 9x19mm, seem to be the most affected by hoarding. The military orders over the last few years may be part of the problem, also.
.38 Special cases last virtually forever. The case mouth generally splits long before the body or web fails. With a little care, you can retrieve 100% of your brass.
There is .38 Special data for virtually every handgun powder (including a few that are way too slow-burning).
Lead bullets require a mold, scrap lead, and lube. The wax ring from a toliet will work as lube in a pinch. Scrap lead can be found in old windows, fishing tackle boxes, and batteries. (Using battery lead isn't very safe, but there you are.) You need to buy a mold ahead of time, of course.
As always, the "weakest link" are the primers. Fortunately, small pistol primers are among the most common.
I agree that the most common chamberings, like 9x19mm, seem to be the most affected by hoarding. The military orders over the last few years may be part of the problem, also.
Finally, sombody said Contender!
Yep, two widely different schools of thought. The KISS and Diversity. Neither one is absolutely the best under all concievable situations. Let's see where each has short comings.
KISS, neat, simple, elegant, simple, lowest cost, and did I mention simple?
What could possibly go wrong with having a single common caliber (or maybe two, one for auto, one for revolver)? Ok, 3 if you count .22LR.
Not much can go wrong, but something to consider, your ammo supply consists of what you have on hand, or if bugging out, what you can carry. balanced against percieved need. And, what you can scrounge/barter/buy.
(and components are the same as ammo for this discussion)
OK, you got plenty at home, you're golden. At least till you run short. Resupply? ok, if it is around. Lots of ammo for the GI, police, and popular calibers, right? But remember, this is the ammo that lots of other people are going to be looking for also! Any of you 9mm shooters that during the recent shortage had to curtail, because the stores never had any, or didn't have much? Somebody else bought what they did have, before you could? Could find .40 on the shelves, but not 9mm? Think on it.
Scrounge ammo from local area or while on the move in shtf situation? OK, you get what you find. Probably you find something you can use, but maybe somebody else got there first. And maybe they took what you needed, and left what was of no use to them (or you)?
Find a deserted home/store and find ammo, even after others hav been there? no 9mm, but maybe 3 boxes of .32acp and one of .25? Point for diversity, maybe. You see the possibilities?
No, it isn't practical to have something in every possible caliber (although it would be fun), but consider the T/C Contender. Only a single shot, true, but besides being a great gun for sport, its still a gun. And having spare barrels in differnt calibers, (cheaper and more portable than complete guns) gives you a good shot (pardon the pun) at having something that will shoot, that could use a wide variety of what you might come across.
For sure, keep a fighting handgun, and basic load of ammo for it, for emergencies, but think about a Contender, for use in Mad Max times. And for use getting food.
The other side of the coin, Diversity, has advantages as well. The down side is the cost (if you are just now trying to put something together), and the lack of portability of the whole bunch (guns + ammo) A plus is having something to use most anything you might come across, and another possible advantage is that you will have trading stock (assuming you have enough to trade).
While it is unlikely that we will ever have a situation where the collapse of our ammo supply system is total, or permanent, it is possible that getting resupply might be delayed, long term.
Imagine for a moment that the ammo makers go belly up, (or more likely are only kept working for govt supply). Now, if you have something in the govt calibers (and are allowed to get ammo), sure, you're set. If you have nothing in govt calibers, you're facing hardship. But if you have guns besides those in govt calibers, you can use them with whatever you can get until that supply runs dry, and still have govt caliber gun(s) and ammo left when you need them.
I've got some really oddball calibers. Not going to get/find resupply in a bad situation (hell, some of them I'm having a hard time getting ammo for today!), but nobody else is going to be interested in my ammo! And I have plenty in the govt/popular calibers too. And then, there's my T/C, with currently, 11 barrels, ranging from .22LR through .45-70. I even have one in 9mm!
I figure, in the bad and scary time, I'll be using those oddball ones first, until I run out of that ammo. Then I'll be back to the "standards", with plenty of ammo for them, too.
You might also consider a flintlock. Its the ultimate long term no manufactured ammo gun. With a mold, and the time, (and assuming you have the knowledge), you can make bullets, and powder, and flints can be found, springs can be made by blacksmiths, etc. ITs the one kind of gun that would still be able to shoot when the rest of the Mad Max world has used up all the factory made ammo (including percussion caps). Now that's real long term planning!
Yep, two widely different schools of thought. The KISS and Diversity. Neither one is absolutely the best under all concievable situations. Let's see where each has short comings.
KISS, neat, simple, elegant, simple, lowest cost, and did I mention simple?
What could possibly go wrong with having a single common caliber (or maybe two, one for auto, one for revolver)? Ok, 3 if you count .22LR.
Not much can go wrong, but something to consider, your ammo supply consists of what you have on hand, or if bugging out, what you can carry. balanced against percieved need. And, what you can scrounge/barter/buy.
(and components are the same as ammo for this discussion)
OK, you got plenty at home, you're golden. At least till you run short. Resupply? ok, if it is around. Lots of ammo for the GI, police, and popular calibers, right? But remember, this is the ammo that lots of other people are going to be looking for also! Any of you 9mm shooters that during the recent shortage had to curtail, because the stores never had any, or didn't have much? Somebody else bought what they did have, before you could? Could find .40 on the shelves, but not 9mm? Think on it.
Scrounge ammo from local area or while on the move in shtf situation? OK, you get what you find. Probably you find something you can use, but maybe somebody else got there first. And maybe they took what you needed, and left what was of no use to them (or you)?
Find a deserted home/store and find ammo, even after others hav been there? no 9mm, but maybe 3 boxes of .32acp and one of .25? Point for diversity, maybe. You see the possibilities?
No, it isn't practical to have something in every possible caliber (although it would be fun), but consider the T/C Contender. Only a single shot, true, but besides being a great gun for sport, its still a gun. And having spare barrels in differnt calibers, (cheaper and more portable than complete guns) gives you a good shot (pardon the pun) at having something that will shoot, that could use a wide variety of what you might come across.
For sure, keep a fighting handgun, and basic load of ammo for it, for emergencies, but think about a Contender, for use in Mad Max times. And for use getting food.
The other side of the coin, Diversity, has advantages as well. The down side is the cost (if you are just now trying to put something together), and the lack of portability of the whole bunch (guns + ammo) A plus is having something to use most anything you might come across, and another possible advantage is that you will have trading stock (assuming you have enough to trade).
While it is unlikely that we will ever have a situation where the collapse of our ammo supply system is total, or permanent, it is possible that getting resupply might be delayed, long term.
Imagine for a moment that the ammo makers go belly up, (or more likely are only kept working for govt supply). Now, if you have something in the govt calibers (and are allowed to get ammo), sure, you're set. If you have nothing in govt calibers, you're facing hardship. But if you have guns besides those in govt calibers, you can use them with whatever you can get until that supply runs dry, and still have govt caliber gun(s) and ammo left when you need them.
I've got some really oddball calibers. Not going to get/find resupply in a bad situation (hell, some of them I'm having a hard time getting ammo for today!), but nobody else is going to be interested in my ammo! And I have plenty in the govt/popular calibers too. And then, there's my T/C, with currently, 11 barrels, ranging from .22LR through .45-70. I even have one in 9mm!
I figure, in the bad and scary time, I'll be using those oddball ones first, until I run out of that ammo. Then I'll be back to the "standards", with plenty of ammo for them, too.
You might also consider a flintlock. Its the ultimate long term no manufactured ammo gun. With a mold, and the time, (and assuming you have the knowledge), you can make bullets, and powder, and flints can be found, springs can be made by blacksmiths, etc. ITs the one kind of gun that would still be able to shoot when the rest of the Mad Max world has used up all the factory made ammo (including percussion caps). Now that's real long term planning!
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
Um... if I'm "scavenging"... I'm taking all the ammo I find... even if I only have one handgun & one rifle caliber
bullets can be pulled, used in another similar cartridge or melted for something comletely different, generally ( in hardship ) pistol powders could be dumped out & reused in other pistols, rifle powders in other rifle cartridges... even the primers could be pushed out ( we are talking hardship here ) even if one in four detonate or get damaged getting pushed out & put back in, primers are primers & if you are low in supply, I'm not leaving any ammo I find, just because I don't have a gun in that caliber...
IMO, the only problem with diversity is if you are bugging out, you can't possibly carry everything... ( & I'm a big Contender collector as well ) & the Contender / Encore might be the ultimate bug out gun... a rifle caliber in a 14" handgun, coupled with a good revolver or semi auto handgun, & of course you would have to have one assalt rifle
but even being a "diversity guy"
alot could be said for one caliber, & a gun that shoots cast bullets well & a bullet mold, & hand loading tools... one could pull apart other ammo for a long time, & put together your cartridge, long after your "new" components ran out... if one were going this route, a good heavy duty revolver ( more forgiving of possible crazy powder mixes, & most reliable with cast bullets & those crazy powder mixes ), & one of the old cartridge hand loading tools that used to be available before presses became popular ( styled after the old cowboy hand load tools, that could easily fit in a saddle bag )... BTW... I have a couple of these for several of my straight wall case cartridges, they work reasonably well... & though in general, they have kinda been lost in time, they would be most practical for this type of situation...
not if I was there 1st...
bullets can be pulled, used in another similar cartridge or melted for something comletely different, generally ( in hardship ) pistol powders could be dumped out & reused in other pistols, rifle powders in other rifle cartridges... even the primers could be pushed out ( we are talking hardship here ) even if one in four detonate or get damaged getting pushed out & put back in, primers are primers & if you are low in supply, I'm not leaving any ammo I find, just because I don't have a gun in that caliber...
IMO, the only problem with diversity is if you are bugging out, you can't possibly carry everything... ( & I'm a big Contender collector as well ) & the Contender / Encore might be the ultimate bug out gun... a rifle caliber in a 14" handgun, coupled with a good revolver or semi auto handgun, & of course you would have to have one assalt rifle
but even being a "diversity guy"alot could be said for one caliber, & a gun that shoots cast bullets well & a bullet mold, & hand loading tools... one could pull apart other ammo for a long time, & put together your cartridge, long after your "new" components ran out... if one were going this route, a good heavy duty revolver ( more forgiving of possible crazy powder mixes, & most reliable with cast bullets & those crazy powder mixes ), & one of the old cartridge hand loading tools that used to be available before presses became popular ( styled after the old cowboy hand load tools, that could easily fit in a saddle bag )... BTW... I have a couple of these for several of my straight wall case cartridges, they work reasonably well... & though in general, they have kinda been lost in time, they would be most practical for this type of situation...
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How diverse? As a serious shooter, you should already have a diverse set of weapons. Who doesn't already own most of this list?
defense automatic pistol(s)
Simple service revolver(s)
Heavy hunter grade revolver(s)
22 pistol(s)
accurate 22 rifle(s)
pocket pistol(s)
shotgun(s)
rifle(s)
sniping/hunting quality rifle(s)
Is it sensible not to keep a thousand rounds of .22 on hand, anyway? Shouldn't you have 4-500 rounds for each of your commonly used pistol shells on hand anyway, in case of supply flow interruptions? should you buy a box of rifle ammo every year for deer season and let it go at that, or should you practice, and keep 100 or more at least on hand? A case of shot shells?
I don't see a person as having to buy a pistol in every possible caliber, but having a set of them in a single caliber makes sense. Get a pair of 380 handguns, and keep ammo to supply them both. Get a .pair of 357s, and keep plenty of both heavy 357 and .38 loads. Have several good .22 pistols, and several GOOD .22 rifles, and there's no reason in the world you can't keep many thousands of .22 rounds handy.
As a reloader, I'm sitting on a number of guns, a quantity of ammunition, and most importantly, components equal to supplying a small group of people for many years of hunting and basic survival. I can even deer hunt with my 30.06 with bullets cast of stolen wheel weights or car batteries if it comes down to it. I can reload for a dozen calibers I don't even own, because I own bullets, brass,dies, and universal powders and primers that I have just acquired without intent.
A person's individual level of paranoia will lead them in different directions, but beyond absolute civil war, planetary devastation, or worse, a person can supply themselves to have usable weapons for years without making a concerted effort at diversifying to make scavenging easier.
If necessary, conceal weapon/ammo caches where you can get to them. I probably should, but I'm not that paranoid at the moment. In case that happened, I could easily drop arms packages of a weapon and several hundred rounds in a dozen places, and still have a full complement of necessary weapons.
No, I see no need to diversify calibers, I believe that you should use common ones, and be able to provide for yourself.
defense automatic pistol(s)
Simple service revolver(s)
Heavy hunter grade revolver(s)
22 pistol(s)
accurate 22 rifle(s)
pocket pistol(s)
shotgun(s)
rifle(s)
sniping/hunting quality rifle(s)
Is it sensible not to keep a thousand rounds of .22 on hand, anyway? Shouldn't you have 4-500 rounds for each of your commonly used pistol shells on hand anyway, in case of supply flow interruptions? should you buy a box of rifle ammo every year for deer season and let it go at that, or should you practice, and keep 100 or more at least on hand? A case of shot shells?
I don't see a person as having to buy a pistol in every possible caliber, but having a set of them in a single caliber makes sense. Get a pair of 380 handguns, and keep ammo to supply them both. Get a .pair of 357s, and keep plenty of both heavy 357 and .38 loads. Have several good .22 pistols, and several GOOD .22 rifles, and there's no reason in the world you can't keep many thousands of .22 rounds handy.
As a reloader, I'm sitting on a number of guns, a quantity of ammunition, and most importantly, components equal to supplying a small group of people for many years of hunting and basic survival. I can even deer hunt with my 30.06 with bullets cast of stolen wheel weights or car batteries if it comes down to it. I can reload for a dozen calibers I don't even own, because I own bullets, brass,dies, and universal powders and primers that I have just acquired without intent.
A person's individual level of paranoia will lead them in different directions, but beyond absolute civil war, planetary devastation, or worse, a person can supply themselves to have usable weapons for years without making a concerted effort at diversifying to make scavenging easier.
If necessary, conceal weapon/ammo caches where you can get to them. I probably should, but I'm not that paranoid at the moment. In case that happened, I could easily drop arms packages of a weapon and several hundred rounds in a dozen places, and still have a full complement of necessary weapons.
No, I see no need to diversify calibers, I believe that you should use common ones, and be able to provide for yourself.
