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I'm in the process of looking for my next hand gun that will in all likelihood be another Glock to diversify calibers beyond 9mm. I'd welcome the forum's input and feedback on my next caliber - .45 or .40/.357. Look forward to everyone's comments.

I too have would be interested in other's thought on this. I have accumulated guns in many different calibers and have wondered if it is best to stick with one or two or is it a good idea to have many different calibers guns. I usually come down to thinking it is six of one and a half a dozen of another.

It's not like I am going to get rid of any of my guns either. I've grown too attached to them to get rid of one.

I have pistols in .22, .38, .380, 9mm, .40, 10mm, .45.

My EDC is a Glock 9mm. If you go bigger than 9mm, jump right to .45. I love my G21, especially suppressed.

I have handguns in a few different calibers: .22, .38, 9mm, .357, .40, .45acp, .45LC, .44, 5.7, and .327. While a keep a hundred or so rounds in each caliber, I only stock up on the main calibers that I would consider my "go to" guns in a crisis situation. I my case I keep a healthy stock of .40 because two of my better handguns and one carbine are chambered in that. I also keep a good stock of .45 and a smaller but healthy supply 9mm with my main ammunition stock being 5.56 and 7.62.
If I were in your shoes I would probably go .45 for my next caliber as I think it is a good compliment to 9mm.

AJSully421 wrote:I have pistols in .22, .38, .380, 9mm, .40, 10mm, .45.

My EDC is a Glock 9mm. If you go bigger than 9mm, jump right to .45. I love my G21, especially suppressed.

That's the gameplay, to have the calibers as you listed above. I should clarify that I have .22, .38, .357 magnum, and 9mm. Carry is G19 or SW 642. 10mm will probably be my last caliber to source, really debating between .45 and .40/.357 sig (conversion) then a .380 after those two.

I have taken the opposite route and sold off all my semi-auto handguns except for 9mm and now have (2) 9mm revolvers as well, no Glock's as I just do not like them. My reason was to have all common calibers and full interchangeability with ammo as well. Since I reload it is a plus to just dial in the press for a single caliber and go to it. If I was to add another caliber it would be a 45 Sig 220 which is IMO the best 45 on the market without getting into custom high priced 1911's. Had a Sig P239 in 357 Sig that was a great gun, just did not like the price of the ammo so after the novelty wore off and it just sat in my safe it was off to a new home.

I would ask myself the motivation to "diversify".

If you are doing it just because you want more calibers or if there is some practical reason.

That said, I have 22LR, 380, 9mm, 38 spec, 357Mag, 40S&W and 45 ACP.

I didn't buy them to be different. That is just the way it happened.

Right now I shoot mostly 22LR, 9mm [my EDC] and 38 Spec [alternate carry].

Salty1 wrote:I have taken the opposite route and sold off all my semi-auto handguns except for 9mm and now have (2) 9mm revolvers as well, no Glock's as I just do not like them. My reason was to have all common calibers and full interchangeability with ammo as well. Since I reload it is a plus to just dial in the press for a single caliber and go to it. If I was to add another caliber it would be a 45 Sig 220 which is IMO the best 45 on the market without getting into custom high priced 1911's. Had a Sig P239 in 357 Sig that was a great gun, just did not like the price of the ammo so after the novelty wore off and it just sat in my safe it was off to a new home.

Except I can't bring myself to sell off any handguns.

When it comes to self defense against two legged varmints, what can a .22, .38, .380, .40, 10mm, .45, or any of the others mentioned do that a 9mm can't?

Salty1 won't even shoot a Glock, much less own one. That is fine, more for me :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Motivation if twofold. One, I want to increase my hand gun collection for my self and my sons as they grow older. Secondly, I'd like to diversify the types of ammo sources for supply purposes. If memory serves me correct, it seems like .40 was more readily available a while back when 9mm was hard to find.

Celebrate diversity! I think .45 auto is the next logical step after 9mm (unless you want to enter the bold and wonderful world of revolvers). Why? I don't know; it just feels like the right thing to do.

silverbear wrote:Motivation if twofold. One, I want to increase my hand gun collection for my self and my sons as they grow older. Secondly, I'd like to diversify the types of ammo sources for supply purposes. If memory serves me correct, it seems like .40 was more readily available a while back when 9mm was hard to find.

I wholeheartedly endorse getting multiple calibers. My main reason: shooting 9mm day in and day out gets old. Some days its fun to pull out the ole .44 mag.

karder wrote: If I were in your shoes I would probably go .45 for my next caliber as I think it is a good compliment to 9mm.

That was my original thought, but I see a few pre-owned G22/G23s out there at very reasonable prices where adding a conversion barrel would about equal a G21.

AlaskanInTexas wrote:Celebrate diversity! I think .45 auto is the next logical step after 9mm (unless you want to enter the bold and wonderful world of revolvers). Why? I don't know; it just feels like the right thing to do.

Actually have a SW 586 nickel 4" that is a joy to behold and shoot!

I prefer to have some multiple calibers. Just stock up on the one you like or want to rely on the most. During the ammo shortage of 08 I was living out of state. During any week I could go to any of at least 3 different local sporting goods/gun stores and find at least 9+,40 or 45. One week I might only be able to find one caliber at one store or another at the same store the following week. For the longest time all I could find was 9mm and at the time I didn't have one. For about 6 months one store had thousands of rounds of .357 Sig on the shelves because not many people owned one.

In the mean time if you have a G19 get the same size in 40 or 357. That way you can use the same holster and use the holster money for more mags.