Why?

C

cluznar

New member
Why do many new shooters start out with a .22LR pistol then move up to .32 then .380 then 9mm, then .40 or .45?
Is it because of advice of seasoned shooters? Or things they read and hear about small calibers not being sufficient?
Or maybe because Wyatt Earp and company carried .45's?

Also why is it that many who try larger calibers end up using a .380 or 9mm or .38 for concealed carry?

We have the greatest selection of calibers and handguns available to us that there has ever been. But with that comes much bickering about which guns are the most worthwhile.

Could we get by well if every gun manufacturer made only 3 guns in each caliber? Such as full size 9mm, compact 9mm and sub-compact 9mm, but only one make of each of these guns. And in revolvers only made a six inch barrel and a three inch barrel and a two inch barrel in each caliber? Also they would make pocket guns in only .22, .32, and .380 calibers?

I'm sure if cowboys of the old west could see the amount of choices we have in handguns they would be astounded.

Could you get by with less choices? :triniti:
 
I have two hands and two feet, 10 fingers and 10 toes, 35+ guns, 8 shotguns, two full auto, what was the question again?
 
cluznar said:
Why do many new shooters start out with a .22LR pistol then move up to .32 then .380 then 9mm, then .40 or .45?
Is it because of advice of seasoned shooters? Or things they read and hear about small calibers not being sufficient?
Or maybe because Wyatt Earp and company carried .45's?

Also why is it that many who try larger calibers end up using a .380 or 9mm or .38 for concealed carry?

We have the greatest selection of calibers and handguns available to us that there has ever been. But with that comes much bickering about which guns are the most worthwhile.

Could we get by well if every gun manufacturer made only 3 guns in each caliber? Such as full size 9mm, compact 9mm and sub-compact 9mm, but only one make of each of these guns. And in revolvers only made a six inch barrel and a three inch barrel and a two inch barrel in each caliber? Also they would make pocket guns in only .22, .32, and .380 calibers?

I'm sure if cowboys of the old west could see the amount of choices we have in handguns they would be astounded.

Could you get by with less choices? :triniti:
Click to expand...

If the cowboys had our choices they would have needed an extra horse to haul all their guns.
Short answer: YES. Long answer, Why would I? I'm an investment adviser. I teach my clients to diversify.
 
I don't own a .25ACP, .32ACP, or a .380ACP anything. I do have 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP in semi-autos and .32-20WCF, .32 S&W Long, and 7.62 Nagant in revolvers. I normally concealed carry a .45ACP with the .40S&Ws as alternates. Lack of choices would be boring.
 
Half a lifetime ago, I started out with a .22 revolver because I could afford to feed it. That translated to lots of practice and improving skill. That old Ruger has lots of bigger brothers now.
 
cluznar said:
Why do many new shooters start out with a .22LR pistol then move up to .32 then .380 then 9mm, then .40 or .45?
Is it because of advice of seasoned shooters? Or things they read and hear about small calibers not being sufficient?
Or maybe because Wyatt Earp and company carried .45's?

Also why is it that many who try larger calibers end up using a .380 or 9mm or .38 for concealed carry?

We have the greatest selection of calibers and handguns available to us that there has ever been. But with that comes much bickering about which guns are the most worthwhile.

Could we get by well if every gun manufacturer made only 3 guns in each caliber? Such as full size 9mm, compact 9mm and sub-compact 9mm, but only one make of each of these guns. And in revolvers only made a six inch barrel and a three inch barrel and a two inch barrel in each caliber? Also they would make pocket guns in only .22, .32, and .380 calibers?

I'm sure if cowboys of the old west could see the amount of choices we have in handguns they would be astounded.

Could you get by with less choices? :triniti:
Click to expand...

Same reason there are so many motorcycle and car models. If the perfect one were made, everyone would have one.

However, with firearms it is even more than that. Firearms are tools and each one has a purpose. I certainly wouldn't trust my self-defense to a .22LR. However, for competition and skill practice that is a great round. Throw that round into a rifle and now you have a great small game rifle. Now I certainly wouldn't use a .338 on small game, because that has another distinct purpose.

And, no, I'm not going to get caught in your web of no one needs anything more than a .380 debate you seem to always want to start.
 
I also do not own a 32 or 380. My collection goes from 4 in 22lr and skips to 9MM,40S&W, 45LC,45ACP and throw in .410 for handguns. Also various caliber long guns. Need has little to do with it. It is mostly want. Like they say, as long as it's for sale, I want them all.
 
My first handgun purchase was a M&P 9mm, followed by a Kimber 45ACP and a Buckmark 22. Actually shot the Buckmark before any of the others. As a child we used to shoot a 22LR rifle and a 22 caliber gas powered pellet pistol. 22 is a very inexpensive, non-intimidating round to fire; easy to control and practice technique(s) that works for you. I bought a 380LCP for backup later and eventually bought an S&W 686+ w/4" barrel, followed by a Kahr MK40. What do I carry the most, the Kahr. Granted it does not pack 10,15 or 20 rounds (like some guns out there), but it is very compact, powerful and best of all, I am very accurate with it. The Buckmark and 686+ are equally accurate, but not as easily concealed. A revolver in the J frame is small enough to CC, but the recoil of a 357 or 327 Magnum is quite a bit more than that of the MK40. The 40S&W is also less expensive to shoot. Funny to me, I originally thought I'd never buy a 40 because many said they were harsh, but I like the 40 the best. Yeah, it's a bit feistier than the 9mm, I just never warmed up the 9 like the 40 cannot really specify why.
 
"Why do many new shooters start out with a .22LR pistol then move up to .32 then .380 then 9mm, then .40 or .45?"

I do not know of anyone who has done that. It just seems pointless.
 
Paul_of_TX said:
"Why do many new shooters start out with a .22LR pistol then move up to .32 then .380 then 9mm, then .40 or .45?"

I do not know of anyone who has done that. It just seems pointless.
Click to expand...


I do not know anyone who has progressed in the same way either, but by anecdotal evidence I've read it seems that it happens. Someone new to shooting and handguns may not know where to start. You know how you were the first time you had to buy a jock strap and the clerk asked what size and you're like....umm....and someone says what's your waist size...

Maybe the same when a new shooter is picking a first handgun. Don't want to get the biggest one and look ostentatious, but do I want to get the 9, or is that just following the crowd? 38? You see them in the movies, but does anyone REALLY own one of those?? 22? Is it too small?

There have to be a million questions going through the mind of a new shooter and a lot of what is on the internet doesn't help.

My dad wasn't into guns much, but somehow ended up with a few. We never once shot together that I can remember after he taught me to shoot. Fortunately, my brothers and buddies and I were allowed to shoot all we wanted and we never had an incident, so we shot, a lot. When I decided to buy my first pistol, I did my research and made my choice with confidence due to experience with rifles and shotguns.

For some who have never shot or been around guns, I can imagine figuring out what to buy is subject to a lot of other people's opinions. Part of learning is buying guns until you have what suits you.
 
cluznar said:
Could you get by with less choices? :triniti:
Click to expand...

I could definitely get by with having a choice of seeing fewer inane posts around here.

Any chance you could get by with posting less of them?
icon_eek.gif
 
I think in many cases it goes just the opposite way. Start out and keep a large caliber handgun and add a .22LR later.
 
S&W645 said:
I think in many cases it goes just the opposite way. Start out and keep a large caliber handgun and add a .22LR later.
Click to expand...

Pretty much! Worked that way for me... I bought what I plan to carry and will get the stuff to play at the range with later. Otherwise I'd be even more broke than I am now.
 
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