I know this topic has had probably more mileage than an old car, but what are your collective thoughts on multiple rifles and multiple calibers? I have thought, due to financial reasons, of standardizing everything( all 5.56 rifles) with the exception of my FAL and M-1 Garand. How do you guys feel about this?

the financial reasons would have to be dire, to say the least.  my take on this, only.

I have standarized my collection.

9mm
45 ACP
223
7.62x39
308
30.06
12 Gauge

That's about it for me.  

Max

I've got 13 or 14 calibers running around, doesnt bother me one bit.

I don't see the point.  Stock up on the ammo you shoot the most and have enough ammo for your SHTF weapons but hell you see a gun you like in a different caliber you shouldn't pass on it just because it isn't your standard caliber.

I'm fine with:

.380
.38/.357
9mm
.45
.223

I'd like to eventually add a .22 rifle, 30-30 Winchester/Marlin, Winchester Model 70 .300 WinMag and a Single Action Army .45 Colt.

ADD: O_P's thread on Mak's the other day now has me interested in getting one, too.

HH

My only suggestion is to minimize calibers to guns with more popular calibers and/or historic meaning.  I ditched my only .40 for just 9mm and .45, and it felt good to stock more 9 and .45 thereafter.  

Quoted: the financial reasons would have to be dire, to say the least.  my take on this, only.

+1, Very dire

i standardize to military calibers.  thats good enough for me.

I've got 16 different calibers, between shotguns,long arms and handguns.

But I have only buy 5 different sized brushes and patches. 12 gauge, .22, .30, .38 and .45.

I didn't set out to do that. But it is pretty convenient.

Standardise calibers? Hell,I standardised guns.4 M14's and Sig P226 and P228.That didn't last long,an Fal para project that I sold to a buddy came home when he decided it was too much work for him.A Winchester M1 Garand seduced me.My wife bought me a mint Yugo SKS.Then the siren call of a long lusted after 8 shot Ithaca 37 featherlight riot gun. Then the worst thing that could possibly happen. I got a C&R license.It was to be used for CMP purchases but,well,shit happens.I still stock pile ammo and parts for my M14 and Sigs,since their my GOTO guns but I now have many more mouths to feed all with difrent dietary considerations .

Normal use and SHTF guns:
22LR cal
9mm
45 cal
5.56mm
7.62mm NATO
12 ga

For collectables:
30-06 cal
7.62x39mm

My ideal collection (someday):
US Rifles:
1x 1903
1x Garand
1x M1A (foe M14)
1x AR-15 A1 style
1x AR-15 A2 Style
US Pistols:
1x 45 acp revolver
1x 1911
1x M9 Beretta
US Carbines/SMGs:
1x M1 Carbine
1x AR-15 XM/CAR style
1x AR-15 A2/Car Style

SHTF/Practice guns:
4 AR-15 M4gery
2 AR-10 Rifle
2 USP45
2 G19
2 Browning Buckmark Micro 22 Pistol
2 Browning Buckmark 22 Rifle

Handouts/BOL/Trunk Guns:
G19
AR-15 kit build A1 style lightweight carbine

I figure I need to save about 35k for most of that

Instead of standarding calibers so much, buy weapons chambered in calibers likely to be around for a while, like .45 ACP, .40, 9mm, .223 Rem., .308, 7.62 x 39, and 12 gauge. Stay away from some of the more "novelty" calibers like 10mm and .45 GAP.

The concern to me is not being able to buy ammo when I need it. You can buy 9mm or 12 gauge shells anywhere. Staying with the tried-and-true-type calibers is the way to go.

I second the standard calibers over the "lost" ones. A gun is worth jack but for conversation if there is no ammo to go with it.

My Calibers.
.22
.25 [yeah, I got ONE mouse gun]
.32ACP [WW2 German 38H]
.38 special
9mm
.45acp
.45colt
.454 casull
.308  7.62mm]
30/06
5.56
.30carbine
7.62x39
16 gauge
12 gauge
For the less then common calibers I have mucho stored up in case it becomes difficult to get.

If you're worried about finances, then standardize on 7.62x39. You can get 1,000 rounds for under $100. I picked up a 1,000 round case of Wolf 7.62x39 at a gun show over the summer for $90. If you have an Academy anywhere near you then you can get 1,000 rounds of Branaul for $125.

I standardized on 22LR, 380 ACP, 9mm, 38/357, 40, 10mm, 44mag, 45 ACP, 45LC, 30 carbine, 223, 308, M1 carbine, 762x39, 12 gauge - 15 total

I have completely standardized my collection.  I exclusively have brass-cased centrefire ammunition.  No blackpowder, caseless, crossbows or catapults.

First, check the ak ammo section and learn about 7.62x39 ammo right now before taking the above advice.  Right now lots of posts are talking about increased prices and it being hard to come by.

Some people have a mentality that works when considering standardizing.

Others are collectors who like shooting what they collect.

To some extent I am a collector since I buy when the oppurtunity presents itself for me to get something neat at a good price.

For guns I take to the range or take hunting or take varminting or use for ccw, I standardize because I am not going to have 4 different handguns I use for ccw and have those 4 guns be a double action revolver, a glock, a 1911, and a sig.

Too many different ways to operate safeties or reload rounds or differences in how the trigger works.

The nice thing about standardizing is buying magazines or ammo or reloading components in bulk saves me a bit of money.

If you are someone who plans to go or has gone to some gun schools for handgun or rifle or shotgun training then I think using the type of firearm you trained on makes more sense instead of trying to adopt your ar15 training to something else like a fal or an ak type rifle.

Same goes for training on a revolver or a sig or a glock or a 1911 and trying to use that exact same training on the other guns.  The drills are similar but if safeties or magazine releases or slide releases are in different spots you are not really doing yourself any favors by getting training on gun A and carrying gun B.

Where is that picture that says, "CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!"