It seems to me that some handguns are so different from others, that using both might be a deficit in the worst of moments. Believing that, I've generally tried to stay standardized in what I own and use. Those SF members who have been here a fair chunk of their life might recall I was 100% HK P7 for a good while. I adored the platform, but I ultimately decided that for my purposes, the lighter weight, lower cost, higher capacity and added tac rail made the Glock 19 a better platform for me. So, I've been 100% Glock for many years now.

That said, I've recently picked up an Ed Brown 1911A1. I've owned several in the past. I think we all would agree, if you are going to use a 1911 for defense, you'd best train a bit. But will training on that manual of arms cross me up...? Perhaps., but I dig the 1911A1 and appreciate the kinesthetics of working with it.

Then the though occurred to me. Well.. Why not standardize on the 1911A1? I mean,. why not, other than it is heavier, more complex, more expensive, has no rail, and probably three other reasons that aren't apparent to me now. But still, I'm tempted. Old habits die hard.


This re-entry into 100+ year old handgun designs made me think of this comic. Hope you get a chuckle.

I wanted to slim down my ammo and also wanted to get rid of some guns I no longer shot. I sold my revolvers and my two .45’s. The benefit of that is I only need .22 and 9mm for handguns.

I also did similar with h my rifles and got it down to .223, .22 and 9mm (carbine).

So with all my guns I only need 3 calibers of ammo.

For me in handguns I prefer automatics in various makes, I'm not hung up on one brand. Calibers, .22 and 9mm. Rifles, once again various makes. Calibers, .22, .223 and .308 all in an AR platform.

When I clicked on the thread title, one of the last things I expected this to be about was 1911s.

Exoense of shooting, capacity and reliability would all be turn offs for me.

As far as standardizing in general? Variety is the spice of life. I do know people that have standardozed to 9mm but even then, I feel you're missing out on some fun stuff.

No I haven’t standardized to a caliber or platform. I competed in IDPA and shot SSP, ESP, CDP, and REV. I never had a problem shooting different platforms and did quite well slapping the trigger around a match. Back then I carried and shot 1911s more than anything. I moved from a 1911 to an HK P2000/P2000SK in 357sig DA/SA, carried that for almost 10 years. Found I was shooting 9mm better than 357sig so switched to an HK P2000/P2000SK in 9mm. Then I started to take training classes and began to focus on fixing some fundamental problems I had with my shooting. I began shooting Glocks and focusing on trigger prep and control. I began working on shooting faster with greater accuracy. Began carrying a P365. I spend a lot more time shooting striker fired guns these days, Glocks, P320 Legion, and the P365. When I bring a 1911, HK P2000, or any one of my classic P series Sigs I am amazed at how well I shoot them. Heck, I’m amazed at how much better I shoot a carbine these days now that I’ve been taught how to operate the gas pedal (trigger). With all that said, I wouldn’t over think the standardization of platform or caliber as long as you train effectively. The grip, sight alignment, and fundamentals of working a trigger system is not really different from platform to platform. I can acknowledge that having a manual safety or forgetting to decock a classic P series before reholstering could be an issue under stress. That just has to be trained into your subconscious by repetition. Pick what you like, practice with it, take a class or two, and enjoy it.

I was all 1911 for a while. My deep concealment was a Sig 238. Then my next size up was an Dan Wesson officer 9mm and my preferred carry clothing allowed was an Ed Brown Kobra Carry, and eventually the Wilson EDC X9 when it was released.

I was eventually bit by the plastic fantastics and tried Glock, M&P (really liked the 2.0 line) and then eventually the Sig 365 and G43.

Even when I carried the 365/G43, I would still carry my Wilson EDC X9 from time to time. I just loved that gun and shot it so well. When Wilson released the EDC X9S, I got one and have been carrying it since. The 365 is slimmer and lighter, but not by a lot and I simply shoot the X9S better.

So here I am back full circle with my "1911's" albeit double stack 9mm versions. I'll still toss my 380 Seecamp in the pocket on rare occasions, but it's mostly "1911's" across the board again.

For carry? Yes, 9MM Glocks (G19 mostly, but sometimes G43/45) and S&W J-frames.

I do keep away from adding new calibers, but I currently have more than just 9/38.

If Glocks work for you, maybe just get a 1911 for fun range times?

I carry everyday in my work vehicle a Ruger P89 and Ruger PC carbine (original).... both not only in 9mm but use the same magazines. Does that count?

I also am 'standardized' in metal pistols and SA/DA but I guess that also makes me your standard stuck in the mud old geezer not willing to move up to pistols made out of high strength space age polymer.

(to be honest I do own a number of plastic and even striker fired pistols)

I would probably say yes.
If I shoot a Steel Match or USPSA it gonna be a Glock. Years ago I guess I did "standardize" on Glock since it was so easy to brake down and clean after shooting that it appealed to me to stick with it.

For casual shooting I still enjoy a wide variety of handguns.

I'd probably say the same for bird hunting. I'm a side x side shotgun junkie, and in the past 7 or 8 years I doubt I've carried anything else in the woods and fields other than one on my side x sides.
The balance, light weight, and traditional sexy English stocked double trigger birdguns are my standard.

P229 for me. I have several as my SD guns and had GGI tune a stainless one for production division.

For carry, it’s a P239 since it feels like a slimmer P229.

I did all of this years ago in .40 before its popularity declined.

I have a wide variety of calibers and platforms but for SD handguns I’ve been all striker fired 9mm for around a decade now. It was a Glock 19 for most of that time, now I switched out and carry a P365 and use the G19 for HD.

About 99% of my range time with handguns is with those two guns or a .22lr M&P.

r0gue -- reading your original post, it looks to me as if your logic is circling back to the P7.

Note that after I sold my P7 to a member here, I was stricken by seller's remorse, and I now have another one of those great pistols.

I also have a very nice 1911, but I really think that the P7 is a better pistol for carry.

Two platforms. One for 8 months out of the year (8 months is summer in TX, hot) Beretta PX4's. Winter, P30's. Controls are different but both are DA/SA and just some dry firing makes hopping back and forth between them pretty simple. I prefer shooting the PX4's but the trigger guards are not as large for winter glove use hence the P30's. I have tried for far too many years to go to a single platform only to sell said platform for another, and switching them out every 2 years. Once I settled on two platforms I haven't messed with anything in years.

The flip side of "standardizing" is the enjoyment of variety.
I realize the standardizing advantages though albeit I am not there yet.

So I too sold off/traded everything to to the point of .22, 9mm, 7.62x51, 12 gauge. I thought standardization would be the bees knees.

Now though the great "ammo runs" of the last five years have told me that variety might be the spice of life. 5.56, .300 blackout, 10mm are all almost certainly going to come back into the fold. Maybe even, *gasp*, .45 ACP which I swore off first "because the ammo was so expensive". I laugh ruefully about that now.

I have out of a sense of maximizing limited funds and limited training time. I wanted to have redundancy, adequate spare parts, plenty of mags, etc. I also narrowed to 9mm in the process.

Sold off most everything, acquired two Glock 19.5 MOS (prep for the future-RDS), two 365XLs, and plenty of mags/parts/etc

One of the two is primarily a dry fire gun so I can practice every day without rechambering expensive carry ammo all the time.

Did the same thing with rifle platforms. Duplicate 10.3” SBRs with a hunting 6.5 SBR and 16” AR.

I say go for it! Simplicity has streamlined a lot of decisions, especially during gun panics.

I was sprinting down this path, going to have just 9mm and 22LR, simple common rounds, easy to load up in good times, then I read a thread about the G40 in 10mm, bought an AR because, well you need one, shot an AK so... , stumbled on a P220 SAO carry at a great price, found a Smith 686 no dash 357 and 29-2 44 Magnum in the used gun case, you know movie guns, and some guy had the gall to trade in a PMR-30 in 22WMR and it had a real low price, and 22 wmr is loud and flamey when it goes bang,

so yeah, i'm kinda still working on that standard platform thingy....

Yes- I'm in the 9mm & 22 camp. This is mostly what is shot in handgun calibers.

I have other calibers, but for simplicity of training myself, family, and introduction of new shooters it is the most cost effective and practical.

Cheers

Standardized on .40 when I bought my first handgun so many years ago. My brother standardized on .40 as well, based on my lead.

I only stock 5 calibers across all guns:. .22Lr, .40SW, 5.56, .308 and 12 gauge (00 Buck and Rifled Slugs). Again, my brother has standardized on same.

9mm and .45 cover the bases for me. I have a .380 for the wife, so that is the only exception so far. Next handgun purchase will be a 1911 followed by a P226 Legion or MK25.

P220 SAS Gen 2 Carry
P938 SAS
SP2022
Taurus TCP