KirStang

The trend these days amongst AR kiddies like me is to check out the latest and greatest gear. The 1-8x leupold or S&B. The TR24. The ACOG in this flavor, or the RMR in that flavor. The KAC SR25, the SCAR17.

I was reflecting upon this the other day. I remember when I purchased my first 1911, I shot the snot out of it. Press checks were second nature, thumb safety went up without thinking about it, and I could make the 1911 sing at 25 yards (I have a quarter sized 25 yard 3-shot pattern with the gun). I shot, shot, and shot that gun to the point that the slide started loosening up (due to wear on the alloy frame).

I also thought about how I've trained so much with my 'go-to' LWRC M6A3/TA01ECOS combo, that I could accurately gauge the offset (red dot on forehead at 15' = bullet through the nose, at 200 yards aim neck level for Center of mass ).

However, these days, I have 3 AR15s, all using different optics, and about 5 pistols, all configured differently.

I was wondering--does anyone else see the value in consolidating platforms--that is, to configure all the firearms the same way? The intent of this is to standardize muscle memory and streamline logistics (holsters, slings, ammunition).

Or is, as the cliche goes, "Variety the spice of life?"

I must say, I enjoy doling out advice regarding this optic, or that optic, or what works and what doesn't based on trigger time behind a gun.

Input?

Plan9

What's the saying? "Beware the man with one gun. He likely knows how to use it."

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Variety is for those fatass rich guys on M4C or dudes who aren't really good at anything. They're trophy-holders, not shooters.

"I've had a .50 Beowulf upper for my M4 for years and..." "So, how often do you shoot that thing, hoss?" "*Crickets*"

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Being good with 50 guns usually isn't as useful as being really good with just 2 guns. And I say that as a guy that wants the 18B vault at Bragg.

Let's say for the sake of this thread that we're talking about combat shooting and assault rifles (but this could apply to Appleseed, IDPA, etc.).

Manual of arms and combat shooting fundamentals are easy enough for every modern assault rifle. USA vs. Russkis being the major split.

Taking classes on foreign weapons and buying every whizbang wondergun made in the US is fine, but pick something and master it.

Example: I know a guy that shoots a .303 all the time. That's all he shoots. And he could pick your nose with it at unbelievable ranges.

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Another example of this are those guys you'll run into at a martial arts school that tell you're they're a purple belt in this and a blue belt in that and a red belt in that. You ask them why they didn't get their black belt and they'll give you some bullshit excuse but the truth of the matter is they just got bored.

This applies even more so in the gun world. Nobody wants to take the time to master X rifle because it becomes more about YOU than the gear.

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As it applies here? I have many guns. Too many guns. I'm trying to sell them and work strictly on Glock pistol, AR carbine and AR precision rifle.

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Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Jinn

I agree with Plan, with the exception to a smidgen of the hyperbole.. you can be rich and a trophy-holder without being a fatass. :-D

If my girlfriend weren't so vehemently opposed to the mere idea of a firearm I'd have dozens, I'm sure.. I've always had more money than sense.

Right now, though.. I have one rifle and one handgun. And I think it better serves me to keep it that way, as much as I'd like to have the variety.

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"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

Plan9

Jinn, you don't have to hand us your man card. It was taken last year.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Walt

I think the goal should be to embrace simplicity and practicality beyond simply standardizing your sling selection and the location of your safety.

IMO, variety is good in a "match the tool to the job" kind of way. As an example, owning a variety in optics (EOTech vs. ACOG) would allow you to match your sights to the needs of your environment without changing weapons systems. As far as collections go, I think a practical one would include a battle rifle, a target rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. If you're a hunter, throw in a do-it-all hunting rifle and a rimfire and you're set.

I cant imagine why I would own multiple pistols of different make but of the same size/caliber. Keeping track of extra parts, the control layouts and the different magazines would just be a hassle that I don't need.

More than one M4 is redundant and a waste of money and space. I'm not trying to outfit a post-apocalyptic hillbilly infantry squad. I can't shoot/carry more than one M4 at a time. That, and the fact that swapping out parts/uppers on an M4 is easy enough, negates the need to own more than one rifle. Of course the exception would be if you were hitting both ends of the spectrum; a shit-kicking "battle rifle" and a target rifle.

I think the only redundancy should be in ammo in that it would be beneficial to have your target rifle and battle rifle to be able to use the same mags/ammo interchangeably. Same goes for pistols; ideally your deep carry pistol would be able to rock the same ammo/mags as your full-sized pistol (like all Glock 9mm pistols being able to run the G17 mags).

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