I have - like many of you - used both as a military pilot.
In the UK where even the highest airfields are probably less than 600 feet above MSL, you probably won't mind winding the altimeter from 1013 to 993mb (at worst).
However, if you wanted to fly into - say - Black Rock airfield in the States, you might not enjoy the wrist and finger ache you would get changing from 1013 to 798mb.
Then just imagine going into San Rafael Airport in Peru, where you would need to set 532mb. Anybody know an altimeter that goes that low???
Horses for courses methinks.