Why do you own a .45?

[dialM4murder]

...as opposed to a 9mm.

[HolyRoller]

Being indecisive, I own both!

9mm will git-r-done with modern hollowpoints, and practice ammo is as inexpensive as centerfire handgun ammo can be these days. .45 will make a bigger wound, but will cost more to practice with. More 9mms will fit in the same size gun, and you can carry twice as many 9mms weight-wise, but each .45 bullet is more likely to stop the fight. I'm about equally happy with 16 rounds of 9mm or 8 rounds of .45.

I carry a .45 Springfield TRP 1911 on and off duty, because I can hit with it and I can reload in under 4 seconds, which will go down with practice. My other off-duty full-size is ye olde M9, with which I can hit well enough. If I were going on a loooong hike or camping trip, I would take it instead of the 1911 because I can carry lots more ammo, also it's less expensive if I somehow lose it. The M9 and 1911 carry and conceal about equally well with proper leather, which for me is a Summer Heat IWB holster from Wild Bill's Concealment.

.45 or 9mm? It doesn't have to be one or the other. Each has its uses.

[ST911]

Better question: Why own a .40?

[Don Robison]

Better question: Why own a .40?


+1
I've got three(2 glocks, 1 Sig) that may not be around much longer. I just don't shoot them. It's either 9mm or .45 on my range days.

[R Moran]

Because thats what 1911's are chambered for.

Bob

[RudyN]

I have both. Two Springfield Armory .45s and a XD9 Tactical. Bought the tactical as 9mm is cheaper to shoot.

[Lumpy196]

Because no one has ever had to make the argument that .45ACP is as effective as 9mm.


...and it's what 1911s are supposed to be chambered in.

[Robb Jensen]

...as opposed to a 9mm.

You question assumes that the reader only owns one or the other.

I own 3 different .45s (a Glock 21SF, a SIG 220ST, a SA 1911)
I own 4 different 9mms (a Glock 17, a S&W M&P9, a M&P9c, CZ85 Combat)

[rob_s]

Because when I used to carry a 9mm, every once in a while I would see some big-ass huge fat Buddha-looking mother humper and wonder... "is 9mm going to be enough on that guy?"

I don't have those moments anymore. :p

thanks for reminding me, by the way, as I recently was considering going back to the Glock 19/26. :eek:

[Submariner]

"The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be. It was true in 1911 and is true now." —Colonel Robert J. Coates, USMC

And the 1911 is chambered in .45 ACP.

[dialM4murder]

Interesting answers. I was toying with the idea of a .45, but just couldn't answer why. So far I have a Sigpro 2022, and a Smith & Wesson M&P. Both chambered in 9mm, and I Just put a Glock 19 in layaway about an hour ago. Thanks for not turning this into a caliber war by the way, shows the class of people here compared to some other sites. Keep the comments coming.

By the way, is $499 a decent price for a 19?
(Darn sales rep kept trying to jam DPMS AR's down my throat because they were only $650).

[AR-15A3]

My first centerfire pistol was a .45 Sig P220 (Euro model Browning import), still have it and I got other brands of .45 and 9mm after that.

I learned to shoot pistols starting with .22 LR, then .38 Spl, 9mm and finally .45 from my father's pistols when I was 13 y/o.

At the age of 16 I competed in NRA style smallbore and centerfire pistol matches at my local gun club after I completed a gun safety course and in the 80's I competed in USPSA-IPSC combat shooting with my company's team where I worked.

My .45 pistols: Sig-Browning BDA (P220), Colt-Wilson Combat 1911 competition with compensator, Colt 1911 Combat Gov't, Colt 1911 SS Gov't, Colt 1911 LW Officers Model

My 9mm pistols: Sig P226, CZ-75 (Swiss made clone), Glock 19

[dialM4murder]

You question assumes that the reader only owns one or the other.

I own 3 different .45s (a Glock 21SF, a SIG 220ST, a SA 1911)
I own 4 different 9mms (a Glock 17, a S&W M&P9, a M&P9c, CZ85 Combat)

Why do you have both? Variety or other reason? Just curious.

[DocGKR]

Definitely because of the 1911.

I willingly choose to use any of the following pistols: .45 ACP M1911's, .40 S&W M&P's, and 9mm G17/19's.

[R Moran]

So Doc,
With out turning this into a endless calibre debate, and I have read most of posts at TF etc on calibre/bullet selection....

Are you saying absent the 1911, you wouldn't use a .45?

I recently attended a LAV course, and he did not seem to be afan of the .40, but he wouldn't really "endorse" the 9 or 45, just said some of the 9mm loads are very good.

I have both an M&P in 40 and 45, and considering a move away from 1911's, and trying to decide which of the 3 calibre's I should move to as a primary, to stock ammo, etc.

I know this can get ugly, and I'd like to avoid that. Does it just come down to what you are comfortable with?

Bob

[Robb Jensen]

You question assumes that the reader only owns one or the other.

I own 3 different .45s (a Glock 21SF, a SIG 220ST, a SA 1911)
I own 4 different 9mms (a Glock 17, a S&W M&P9, a M&P9c, CZ85 Combat)


Why do you have both? Variety or other reason? Just curious.

Without meaning to sound like a smartass, mostly because I can. My Glock 17, M&P9 are mainly competition guns for USPSA, IDPA and GSSF. I carry my G21SF, 1911, M&P9c and CZ85. I do sometimes shoot the 21SF in IDPA CDP division as well. I haven't decided whether or not I'll keep my SIG 220ST. The 21 and 1911 I have fill that role better.

The CZ is just a work of art. I have shot it in ESP division of IDPA a little.

[vigilant1]

The first handgun I ever owned was a Taurus PT-99AF 9mm (basically a Beretta 92F copy). Within a year of this I purchased a Beretta 92f 9mm (italian made version,not US). During this peroid I read endless .45 vs 9mm debates (Saginaw,Marshall,Cooper, etc,etc,) none of which ever convinced me one way or another.

However, it was the countless conversations, advice and stories when "shootin the breeze" with numerous rangemasters, police officers and former military that eventually led me to where I am now :

1 Springfield XD .45acp compact
1 Colt Commander 1991A1 .45acp
1 Ruger SP101 "snubbie" .357 magnum

I no longer own any 9mm's though I would never
discourage anyone from getting one. That Beretta 92F was as reliable a handgun as anyone could want.

[Rana]

Though it has been said...

The 1911.

I own 7 x 1911's. All in .45. Any other caliber would be blasphemy.

I don't own any other model in .45; as it would be a waste of ammo to put it through something else.

I also have a few 9's. P226, G19, & a P7.

Other than a few revolvers I have always wanted, nothing else strikes my fancy.

All the M&P talk makes me want to see what all the hoopla is about though.

With that said the .45ACP is still my favorite pistol caliber cartridge.

[Don Robison]

Without meaning to sound like a smartass, mostly because I can.

Same here .45s 4X1911, 21SF, P220, 325PD
9mms G17, G19, G26, Hi Power, 92F, P85

[LDM]

Like a Texas Ranger once said: Because they don't make a Colt 46!
Stay safe.

[Patrick Aherne]

I have to carry an issue USP .45 on-duty, off-duty, I carry a USP Compact .45 so I have the same system, controls, etc.

[DocGKR]

I like the large magazine capacity of a 9 mm and when using the right load, terminal performance is fine, although intermediate barriers can be problematic. Although I like to shoot the Hi-Power better, the Glock 17/19 are about the perfect out-of-the-box universally available pistols.

The .45 ACP definitely has a terminal performance edge, especially with ball, but at the expense of either a larger platform or reduced magazine capacity. I shoot better with a 1911 than any other pistol I have tried, but 1911’s do require extra effort and expense to get right. I have not gotten excited about other .45 pistols I’ve been issued or used.

I’ve always liked the terminal ballistic potential of .40 S&W, but have not liked the various pistols available—the S&W .40 M&P has solved that problem for me. It is hard not to like 15 rounds of 180 gr JHP in the magazine, especially in an ergonomic, low bore-axis, soft-shooting pistol with a 1911 grip angle; I am especially looking forward to the .40 M&P’s with ambi-safeties.

---------------------------------------

For those folks incarcerated in states with 10 rd magazine limits, then I’d stick with a .45 ACP M1911, .45 ACP M&P, or a .40 S&W Browning High Power for personal use.

[Short Bus]

Not to hijack the thread but, I own neither a .45 or 9mm pistol nowadays. I was a dyed-in-the-wool .45 fanboy for many years before I discovered that the 9mm works just fine. My .45 ACP 1911 was retired and replaced by a Glock 19 for several years. I held off on the .40 S&W until I was satisfied that it was a mature cartridge and was going to be around for a while. (I've been around long enough to remember the 10mm ACP debacle...) Now, all I run in a first-line pistol is .40 S&W. The only debate I have anymore is whether to stick with the Glock or move to a 1911-style platform - in .40 S&W.

However, if I were going somewhere that .40 S&W was unavailable, I'd take a high-cap 9mm over a single-stack .45, provided that I could run the ammo of my choice. If I were limited to ball ammo, I'd take the .45 ACP. How's that for muddying the water? :D

[RogerinTPA]

My dad was a big .45 fan, but I trained on the 1911A1's prior to the big military handgun trails back in the 80's controversial switch to the 9mm's. What an on going debate that was and still is. I own the M&P9c, and an old S&W 6906, but own 2 .40's, Glock 23 and Beretta PX-4 Storm. I enjoy shooting the two calibers doing double taps, rapid fire, controllability and economy. It's all about shot placement, but I do have to admit, I'd like to own a high end classic 1911. :p

[R Moran]

Doc,
Thanks for the reply. You pretty muched sum up what I've been mulling over.

I've been shooting a 1911 for about 20 years now, but am willing to move into the new century. I shot my M&P45 at LAV class fairly well, it just seemed like it took more effort then with the 1911 the prior day.

Of course the M&P40 almost seems like the "Answer". I've got one of those, so maybe I should get the 9 also, and see how things shake out.

Either way, I won't be to far wrong.

Bob

[Joe Mamma]

Why do you own a .45?

Because they don't make a .46 (someone had to say it :))

Joe Mamma

[losbronces]

Because they don't make a .46 (someone had to say it :))

Joe Mamma

Ah, but they do make a the 0.50 Action Express (AMT and Desert Eagle).

[SHIVAN]

The 1911 is properly chambered in .45acp.

45acp loads meet or exceed the FBI minimum penetration while making a bigger hole.

[Mike91A]

Becuase it fits my hand and is what I am familiar with. XD40 has a good fit also for short fingers.

[toddackerman]

...as opposed to a 9mm.

Because of the MUCH bigger hole at the end! It has been proven time and again that bullet diameter is the MAIN priority in stopping power. There are others, but this is tried and true! That's why everyone with a 9mm tries to get their Hollow Points to expand to a.45 cal.




Tack

[Hersh]

JMB said unto me in a dream, "go forth and partake of the 1911!"

[Hersh]

JMB said unto me in a dream, "go forth and partake of the 1911!" ;)

[Failure2Stop]

Because I am a heterosexual male American :D .