Why do you own a .45?

**dialM4murder** · 10-15-07, 13:53

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** · 10-15-07, 14:20

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** · 10-15-07, 17:03

Originally Posted by gotm4

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** · 10-15-07, 17:45

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** · 10-15-07, 18:13

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** · 10-15-07, 18:44

Originally Posted by gotm4

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)

Originally Posted by dialM4murder

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** · 10-15-07, 19:30

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** · 10-15-07, 20:10

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.