Why have a variety of Pistols?

I have many different views as to why one should obtain more than one handgun.

For one, you can never be safe or practice enough with a weapon, period. The minute you take a weapon for granted, someone can end up taking a dirt nap. If you have multiple varieties of weapons, you have the ability to become more proficient in many types of sizes, calibers, sights, etc. The more proficient you become, the chances of you fumbling around with a certain handgun will more than likely decrease. When carrying a Glock, or a USP, (atleast I do) have the ability to identify the weapon in my grasp just by feel. Every weapon feels different. I have no problem trying to figure out which is which, and yes, I do realize that I do not represent everyone.
I feel that with endless training with all your weapons enables you to minimize your chances of that split second safety enagagement. Lastly, like most have stated, why not have as many as you can get your hands on? Again, like most, I am determined to get them before the government does. Just my .02.

Semper fi-
JJC
 
You da man 7th Fleet!! My thinking exactly. That is how I excuse my gun buying indulgences,it is a great investment. Not only financially ,but mentally as well There have been some that would question that however,maybe has something to do with the face that I could arm a small Army(just kidding BATF) any how because I want to is my primary reasoning...PJ
 
all of my handguns serve different purposes. i do try to standarize ammunition though. for pistols all i have is 9mm, .45 and .22 and for revolvers i have a .38spl, .357mag and a couple .22s.

i see where your comming from though. i practice most with my glocks since i use them for home defense. with glocks i use proper trigger reset which means i only let the trigger for forward about 1/8" after each shot till it clicks and then i shoot again. i worry that if i had to use a revolver in a defensive situation i may not let the trigger for forward enough after the first shot and it may not go off.

i don't use my revolvers for defense though. some of my pistols are for defense, others are for fun and others i've accumulated over the years and just like shooting.

i'm not planning on buying guns from many more manufacturers though. i'm sticking with glock and getting a couple more of them. they all opperate the same so i know i can use them all.
 
Bdog,

I think you have a very good point but I don't think it's necessary to sell off everything but one type of gun. There are certain things I won't have though, I won't have a Glock because they point high for me. If I train myself to shoot a Glock, then I'll be shooting low with 1911's, Berettas and S&W Autos (pre-agreement only). I won't have funky mag releases either. I don't carry two different systems at the same time. Right now I'm carrying either a Beretta 92 or a S&W 3913 (safety up). When I change to 1911's, I carry either a Gov't Model or an Officer's Model (safety down). When I carry a revolver, It's either a Model 65 or a Model 442 (no safety). Every time I switch systems I do a lot of dry firing and practicing the first few days and it seems to work. Don't dry fire your Beretta all night and carry a 1911 during the day. I think if analyze your guns and your pratice habits and use common sense, you'll be Ok and you can keep your guns too.

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Wayne D
NRA Life Member
 
Same meal 3 times a day, 365 days a year? Sounds like College all over again! Ramen Noodle ARRRRGGGHHH!!!!!

I personally would like to own one of everything (not very darn likely :) ). One of my favorite things to do is get new people into shooting, that way I'm sure to have something that suits them. Variety is the spice of life.
 
I own them because I like them and collect them ;)
The ones I use for carry I'm quite capable with. I know what I'm carrying for the moment and I know how it works. I change no procedure between them :)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
I have lots of different guns because I can! Thankfully, I live in a still gun friendly state, and I plan on taking advantage of that fact. :)
 
I don't drink, smoke or gamble so guns and knives are investments to me or I should say my family. And I can enjoy them while I'm here. No better way to learn about a gun than to get one and enjoy it. I sleep with my head next to four everynight and ah.. afternoon. :D

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"In my opinion, anyone pushing through anti-gun legislation is a bloody traitor and should be sent up for treason" N.H. Stuart
 
Not to sound like a snob, but I own a number of different handguns in a variety of calibers because I've reached the point in my life where I'm affluent enough to do so (this hasn't always been the case). Plus, I enjoy exercising my God-given right, the Government be damned, (I hope every last anti-gun politician spends eternity writhing in hell, starting with my own state's governor)to own defensive weapons.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to pare my handgun collection down to only one or two calibers to simplify reloading, but I can't really decide which calibers to choose. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
DAL

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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
--Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)

GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, ARI, NRA
 
when all you have is a hammer all problems start to look like nails...

I forget who said that but its true.

Practice relentlessly with what ever you carry and shoot all your guns responsibly.

And the next time that shiny gun behind the counter says "hello" go take a look.

Rob
 
This is a little off topic, but relevant to the importance of familiarity:

Does anyone else drive both a Ford with the gearshift lever mounted on the steering column and a GM with the gearshift lever between the front seats and sometimes reach to the wrong place to shift gears? Geez, I hate it when that happens. :)
 
The first and most obvious answer is "because I can".

Secondly, I can't always carry my P13.45 around. For example, if I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I may carry my PPK in an ankle holster. Would I always want to carry the PPK? No way. It's not that I don't love it, but I'd rather have 14 rounds of .45 coming out of a longer pipe than 7 rounds of .380 out of a short pipe. How do I get the best of both worlds? Buy 2 guns! (or 17, as the case may be).
 
I thoroughly enjoy the widely varied nuances of design, texture, feel, balance, and performance offered by the pistols in my collection. Each of them speaks volumes to me of the design efforts, thought processes, and ability of their creators and their cultures. They are high art, embodied as purely functional killing machines.
They represent mankind at its best, and at its worst. What else can you say that about?

But to answer the original question:
Why have a variety of pistols?

Because I can!
Bwahahahahaha! :D
 
Interesting thread. Here's my situation: I live in IL, where NO ONE is allowed to carry a concealed weapon. So, the only real defense situation encountered with a firearm is in home defense. With that in mind, one reliable gun in a good defense caliber would do as well as anything else. The only gun that matters is the one you're holding. All others are paperweights in terms of defending yourself. Let's face it: the only reason most of us own the number of firearms we own is because it's a hobby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I myself am a licensed collector and I enjoy firearms for both the shooting and the owning aspect. So, to answer the original question, someone in my situation would be adequately defended with one handgun, but I own many simply out of desire.
 
Here is my thinking:


Regardless of handgun, it still distills down to the fundamentals: sight alignment and trigger control.
Last night I competed (USPSA, indoor range, every Monday night!) first with my 5.5" 44 Redhawk (thank you Milt Sparks) then switched to my 40 S&W Witness, and finished with my 9mm Witness. All my guns are carry guns, and I require myself to be tested regularly with each.

And I'll repeat, it comes down to sight alignment and trigger control.
Not grip, stance, gun, ammo, or karma. Just align the sights correctly (front sight front sight front sight) and pull the trigger.
I'll also admit weak-hand-only with my Redhawk was not as easy as both hands, but I still had enough A's....

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
As noted, you have specific tools for specific jobs. IMHO if your only reason for owning a firearm is personal defense, and you have a CCW permit, you can pick one CCW gun and train with it, you'll be fine. There's some merit to the idea that learning one gun well is more effective in a stress situation than having to remember whether you brought the 1911 or the SIG or the Colt Python today.

I feel that for purely defensive purposes the best option is a "house gun" and a "carry gun". The carry gun has to be concealable and that means some sacrifices. The house gun can be a no-compromise piece with lights attached, a red dot sight, extended magazines and as long a barrel as you like. Or, you can opt for a long gun for the house; there's a lot to be said for a 12 gauge, or the folding stock .30 M1 Carbine my brother in law keeps for prowlers.

Side note: If husband and wife each have their own defensive gun they should either have guns with a common manual of arms, or train with each other's weapons. The last thing you want to hear when you're down and your wife has picked up your gun (because hers is shot empty) is "where's the safety on this thing?".
 
Heretic! Infidel! S&W Stock-Holder!

To even question the "Why?" of owning a variety of guns is the slippery-slope of heresy.
Next, you will question the "If?" of owning guns.
Then, Senators Shumer, Boxer, and Fienstien start to sound good.

Expect a visit by a team from the Grand Inquisitor SOON! I hope they are not too late.
If they annoint you with Hoppes #9 they may be able to save you from any such further delving into the festering alleys of thought that lure one off the True Path of the gun-owner.

This is not divinty school.
Save the "Why?" for after you have figured out the "How?."
As in, "How can I afford another gun?"

William


[This message has been edited by William R. Wilburn (edited October 25, 2000).]
 
I consider that question "hate speech". You must be sent to sensitivity training at Thunder Ranch, Frontsight, or some other in-patient care facility for re-programming.

I like the "tool-box" analogy. Sounds like you guys have used that one on the wife a few times.

My answer to your question is :

We won the Cold War.

:-)
 
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