Firstly, forget about what will happen in the SHTF event. Whatever it is, the reason for preparing by obtaining diversities among firearms calibers is to ensure you can obtain ammo for it. This is not detracting from reloading whatsoever. I guarantee, however, that situations will arise in which you have to load a firearm and don’t have time to sit around with your RCBS “Rock Chucker” press or your Lee Handloader. You have a need to employ a firearm at the moment, and time is of the essence.
Common calibers ensure that you will usually have ammo for the weapon no matter where you go. This is one of the reasons it is advantageous to own an AR-15. Personally, I hate ‘em, because after 200 rounds or so, you have to clean the carbon off of them. The AR-15 is so finely-tuned with so little leeway between moving parts such as the bolt group and bolt carrier that any severe carbon buildup is almost intolerable to firing the weapon. That being said, we have had more than 5 decades of dealing with .223/5.56 mm ammo. The military, law enforcement (state and local) all rely on the AR-15 family; therefore, ammo is obtainable.
The phrase “What if?” however, is your watchword. If you have either a .308, or a 7.62 x 39 mm (AK), then you’ll also be in pretty good shape. Law enforcement is switching back to .45 ACP, but there are still plenty of 9mm rounds to go around. The .45 ACP round is a great round that is widespread. Your .357 magnum and .40 Smith and Wesson rounds are not as common but are commonplace. In essence, yeah, you need each of these.
One piece that I’ll finally mention is really unique. It’s the P-320 Compact by Sig Sauer. They have a system called the Grip Shell system. This Grip Shell is the basis for the weapon, that accepts full size magazines and full length slide assemblies. What’s so big about this? You can switch out 9 mm, .357 sig., .40 S&W, and .45 ACP on the same frame: the frame will hold all four of those calibers. Nifty, huh? Not only that, but it is a “redefinition” of BATFE rules.
The Grip Shell is a modular frame that is a trigger group and receiver with a serial number. Guess what? It is this frame that has the serial number, and not each of the individual barrels that you can change out on it. Ahh, I feel the gleam of many eyes reading these words now. Isn’t that neat? You can buy four calibers, but only one receiver is your serialized piece. You run with the ball from there: imagination is the only limitation.
If you want prices, you’ll have to check with a gun dealer. The basic piece will run about $700 more or less, and additional barrels will be more. It’s all up to what you want, but you can pretty much cover the bases with it, as you’ll be sure to find something to fire through it no matter how short ammo may be in supply. To take that “kit” and pack it up with you…well, that would be prudence and providence prepared by your own hand. Just make sure to pick up a box of ammo initially for each caliber you decide upon.
For anything you shoot, you should also be able to reload, and I recommend a good stationary press akin to the one I mentioned before, as well as a Lee handloading kit with dies and accessories. The latter you can pack in your rucksack, as you never know when you might need it. So hopefully you’ll take some advice to stock up and “plow the field” on different calibers. If you run across a supply that won’t feed your main piece, it would be good to have a backup piece that can fire what you find until your “lead sled dog” is “fed” and up and running again. Keep that powder dry, no matter what the caliber, and stay in that good fight! JJ out!
I believe just the opposite. Consolidate your calibers to the cheapest to buy ammunition for prior to SHTF, and stock up. Instead of $700 for a Sig P-320. Why not $400 for a used 9mm Glock and $200 for 1000 rounds of 9mm. Use the remaining $100 dollars for spare mags or more ammunition.
You could spend $300 for a used 9mm glock (handgun)Gen 1 and $400 for a 9mm Sub2000 (Rifle) which both guns use the same magazine and bullets. That way the same bullets / magazine combo could be used in both a rifle or a handgun.
I just believe one gun with 4 different barrels and 4 different magazines will be a headache and confusing out in the field.
Keep it Simple, and have a great life.
I have to agree with you. Although I maintain an inventory of ten calibers in rifle and handgun, my SHTF “go to” firearms are concentrated in just three of these: 5.56X45, 7.62X39 and 9mm. Ammo is far less costly in volume purchases for these calibers and it is available everywhere. Inside 200 yards, where 99% of your action will be, the AR/AK calibers are sufficient. What I have chosen to do is maintain multiple platforms in these common calibers. If I need to knock something down at 300 yards or greater, I’m not going to irritate it – I’ll use my 30-06. Although I have great respect for the .308, the ballistics are just not as good.
I strongly agree with Country Boy, but for a different reason. The more diversified you are, the easier it is to grab the wrong ammo in a crisis. That at minimum can be a major problem, and at its extreme could result in disaster. Simplifying preparations is important for ease of operation in a crisis – which becomes an emotional issue in addition to all the physical events of concern – and people operating under emotional stress are not particularly functional. I have .22’s for training and rodent control, 12 gauge for close in defense and appropriate hunting, 9 m/m for concealment and easy carry, and 7.62 for reach out and persuade. Why make things more complicated than they already are? I think that the message this article conveys is wrong.