Most calibers for least investment

Onward Allusion · June 25, 2016, 01:11 PM

The P320 modularity thread got me thinking. While I'm no Glock fanboy, I gotta say that it's probably the least expensive platform to move into multiple calibers.

For an investment in G31 and G21, once can shoot 5 calibers (9mm, 357Sig, 40SW, 10mm, & 45ACP) for the price of a G31 to 9mm and a G21 to 10mm conversion barrels, a higher weight recoil assembly for the G21, & a 10mm magazine.

Of course, I'm not talking about anything more than range fun, but seriously, for around $1K (used) I can put together a package that shoots 5 calibers. Are there other platforms that can do this? I know a few make/models can go from 40SW-9MM or 40SW-357SIG, but are there any others that can go from 45ACP-10mm

lamarw · June 25, 2016, 03:41 PM

I can take my Polish Flare Gun and fire 5 various types of "what-ever".

Let see:

1. 26.5 mm Flares

2. 12 gauge Flares

3. .22

4. .45 Colt

5. .410 Shells

The only hitch is the low round count of one shot per loading.

Then you also need barrel inserts for the 12 gauge and the other two sub-caliber sizes .22 and .410/.45 Colt.

At about ten yards the .45 Colt makes a nasty entry wound since the bullet is twisting and turning like the old dance "The Twist".

Sevens · June 25, 2016, 06:50 PM

The Tanfoglio Elite Match, since they moved to the large frame, can run 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 Auto. However, you need a new slide, barrel and magazine so it's nowhere in the hemisphere of "low cost."

But this kind of swappability comes in handy for some folks in some places where the serial numbered part is overly restricted and you are very limited to "how many" guns or handguns you own.

1969Colt1911 · June 26, 2016, 06:07 PM

Any 357 Magnum can also shoot 38 special. But don't try it in a Rossi lever action 357 Mag. That's all their happy with, at least one I used to own.

Walt Sherrill · June 27, 2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevens

The Tanfoglio Elite Match, since they moved to the large frame, can run 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 Auto. However, you need a new slide, barrel and magazine so it's nowhere in the hemisphere of "low cost."

You forgot .22!!

If conversion barrels are available somewhere -- (?) -- you might be able to run a .40, 9mm, .38 Super and .357 SIG in a 10mm slide, and not need all those different top ends. Mags might be compatible for 9mm and .40.

The older, small-frame 9mms and .40s would run in the same slide, and the larger framed models might be as flexible. With the small-framed guns, the barrel diameters were the same.

I've never had the need to look for conversion barrels for those models, so don't know if they exist.

Oldman11 · June 27, 2016, 07:59 PM

.327 charter arms
.32sw,.32 sw long,.32 hr mag,.327mag plus you can shoot .32acp when in a bind.

ninjarealist · June 27, 2016, 08:55 PM

Conversion barrels are cool but they aren't exactly cheap. Personally I would rather buy a lot of cheap guns than one gun and lots of conversion barrels but that's just me.

One advantage of owning conversion barrels over owning a bunch of pistols is that all those pistols take a lot more time to clean than just a barrel by itself. And cleaning time starts to add up when your pistol collection grows.

tallball · June 28, 2016, 01:13 AM

If you have a break-open single-shot shotgun, you can get inserts that let you shoot handgun ammo. I have a few of them. They weren't expensive.

kozak6 · June 29, 2016, 03:46 AM

EAA's Witness/Tanfoglio pistols can do most of it on the same frame, I think. They also include .22lr, .38 super, and 10mm, as well as longslide options. They also have a compact frame and compact slides/barrels, but I'm not sure how it all fits together.

It's hard with semiautomatics, but easy with revolvers.

The Medusa M47 revolver had trick extractors and could safely fire just about any .35 pistol round, rimmed or rimless. It's generally stated to fire at least 25 different calibers.

What's the going rate? $5k? That's $200 per caliber. Not bad.

A .460 S&W can also fire .454 Casull, .45 Colt, or .45 Schofield if you are a weirdo. That's a pretty good range of power.

And then with single shot pistols (Thompson Center especially), the sky's the limit.

June 25, 2016, 01:11 PM	#1
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Most calibers for least investment The P320 modularity thread got me thinking. While I'm no Glock fanboy, I gotta say that it's probably the least expensive platform to move into multiple calibers. For an investment in G31 and G21, once can shoot 5 calibers (9mm, 357Sig, 40SW, 10mm, & 45ACP) for the price of a G31 to 9mm and a G21 to 10mm conversion barrels, a higher weight recoil assembly for the G21, & a 10mm magazine. Of course, I'm not talking about anything more than range fun, but seriously, for around $1K (used) I can put together a package that shoots 5 calibers. Are there other platforms that can do this? I know a few make/models can go from 40SW-9MM or 40SW-357SIG, but are there any others that can go from 45ACP-10mm __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

June 25, 2016, 06:50 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	The Tanfoglio Elite Match, since they moved to the large frame, can run 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 Auto. However, you need a new slide, barrel and magazine so it's nowhere in the hemisphere of "low cost." But this kind of swappability comes in handy for some folks in some places where the serial numbered part is overly restricted and you are very limited to "how many" guns or handguns you own. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 25, 2016, 03:41 PM	#2
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I can take my Polish Flare Gun and fire 5 various types of "what-ever". Let see: 1. 26.5 mm Flares 2. 12 gauge Flares 3. .22 4. .45 Colt 5. .410 Shells The only hitch is the low round count of one shot per loading. Then you also need barrel inserts for the 12 gauge and the other two sub-caliber sizes .22 and .410/.45 Colt. At about ten yards the .45 Colt makes a nasty entry wound since the bullet is twisting and turning like the old dance "The Twist".

June 26, 2016, 06:07 PM	#4
1969Colt1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2016 Posts: 170	Any 357 Magnum can also shoot 38 special. But don't try it in a Rossi lever action 357 Mag. That's all their happy with, at least one I used to own.

June 27, 2016, 07:59 PM	#6
Oldman11 Member Join Date: April 28, 2016 Posts: 77	.327 charter arms .32sw,.32 sw long,.32 hr mag,.327mag plus you can shoot .32acp when in a bind.

June 27, 2016, 08:55 PM	#7
ninjarealist Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2014 Posts: 213	Conversion barrels are cool but they aren't exactly cheap. Personally I would rather buy a lot of cheap guns than one gun and lots of conversion barrels but that's just me. One advantage of owning conversion barrels over owning a bunch of pistols is that all those pistols take a lot more time to clean than just a barrel by itself. And cleaning time starts to add up when your pistol collection grows.

June 28, 2016, 01:13 AM	#8
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	If you have a break-open single-shot shotgun, you can get inserts that let you shoot handgun ammo. I have a few of them. They weren't expensive.

June 29, 2016, 03:46 AM	#9
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	EAA's Witness/Tanfoglio pistols can do most of it on the same frame, I think. They also include .22lr, .38 super, and 10mm, as well as longslide options. They also have a compact frame and compact slides/barrels, but I'm not sure how it all fits together. It's hard with semiautomatics, but easy with revolvers. The Medusa M47 revolver had trick extractors and could safely fire just about any .35 pistol round, rimmed or rimless. It's generally stated to fire at least 25 different calibers. What's the going rate? $5k? That's $200 per caliber. Not bad. A .460 S&W can also fire .454 Casull, .45 Colt, or .45 Schofield if you are a weirdo. That's a pretty good range of power. And then with single shot pistols (Thompson Center especially), the sky's the limit.