9mm VS .45

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Patrickshot

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I was just wondering the cost difference between 9mm and a .45 cartridges. Does shooting a 9mm save you a lot of money in the long run? Also what would you suggest for a novice shooter.
 
Save money? Forget guns, get a library card. Even just 22lr costs about $30 per trip to the range for me and my dad. I reload 45 and it costs about $18 per 100. If I didn't reload 45 I couldn't even dream of affording to shoot it. 9mm is cheaper than 45, but if cost is a concern, do what I did, get whatever centerfire you want and reload for it. But also get a ruger 22lr to do the bulk of your shooting with. I'm gonna predict my brand new to me ruger mkIII, will have it's round count surpass my Glock21sf, in approximately 5 trips to the range.
 
curtmg said:
Save money? Forget guns, get a library card. Even just 22lr costs about $30 per trip to the range for me and my dad. I reload 45 and it costs about $18 per 100. If I didn't reload 45 I couldn't even dream of affording to shoot it. 9mm is cheaper than 45, but if cost is a concern, do what I did, get whatever centerfire you want and reload for it. But also get a ruger 22lr to do the bulk of your shooting with. I'm gonna predict my brand new to me ruger mkIII, will have it's round count surpass my Glock21sf, in approximately 5 trips to the range.
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x2 - well put.

It's too bad Marstar doesn't sell the Norinco M93's anymore. For $150, it was a great .22 pistol to learn to shoot with - not so much for practical or defensive shooting - but for the fundamentals of safe, pistol marksmanship, it can't be beat.

I find that reloading .45ACP costs about the same as buying factory 9mm (around $0.20 per round); but I also find reloading an enjoyable hobby too.
 
In the united states, where you can shoot in your backyard,I'd suggest a .22 rimfire pistol. If you live very very close to your shooting range and can go daily, then also, a .22 rimfire pistol.

If you are like most people in Canada, I'd suggest a quality adult airgun to a novice shooter. It takes buckets and buckets of shooting to get good with a pistol, it's harder than a rifle to get competent at.

You should shoot every day, in your backyard, basement, or garage. And an adult airgun, like one of the revolvers from smith and wesson, or twinmaster will make it easy to do so. My smith and wesson 6 inch airpistol, weighs the same(actually about two ounces heavier), feels the same in the hand, and has the same trigger pull as my .357 magnum.

Trying to get good with a centerfire of any caliber will be very expensive, trying to get good with once weekly trips to the range will be very slow.

** a very cheap airgun or airsoft gun will not help you much as they just aren't that accurate.
 
I have had both and 9mm is alot cheaper to shoot, but I found .45 way more fun to shoot. I sold my 9mm and am buying a .45 again.
 
When you pick up enough .45 brass from the range, then you reload them. bullet is cost about 30% more than 9mm. Primer remain the same. I couln't really see .45 is very expensive. But it is a much better round than 9mm.

Trigun
 
The difference in reloading costs based on M.T. Chambers price list is .02cents per round, bullet costs are all there is extra.......Fun factor is many times higher with the .45!!
 
You can reload now 45 cheaper than reload 9mm.
.45 alloy bullets 100-$8.50
9mm bullets FMJ 100-$13.50. not easy to get 9mm alloy bullets.
price for rest of all almost same.

P.S But few places left for good deal on 9mm (frontier bullets) 1000-$82.00....MARSTAR.
 
Cast your own bullets!


If you want my opinion, I think a great round (not very popular) to learn on (if you can find a revolver chambered in it) is the .38 S&W. Not much umph, and it'll help you develop good shooting posture and habits. .45acp can mess you up early on if you develop a flinch... and even 9mm can do it for some people.

I'd recommend learning on a revolver first (just preference). 38 spl is SUPER cheap, and if you get a revolver chambered in .357 magnum, you can shoot 38 spl in it. Two guns for the price of one.

I bought a kp345DPR as my first pistol and it made me develop a lot of bad habits, including poor trigger pull, grip and a flinch. It's not 'uber' recoil, but for someone who hasn't shot much handgun, it'll give you a surprise.

Not sure what others think, but I honestly think a revolver in .38spl/.357 mag or one in .38 S&W would be great to learn on.
 
9mm is what I let friends shoot to experience shooting a "real" handgun...
The 45 is what I'd rather be shooting :)

I compromise between the two and go .40S&W
 
I'd recommend learning on a revolver first (just preference). 38 spl is SUPER cheap, and if you get a revolver chambered in .357 magnum, you can shoot 38 spl in it.
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This is a great idea, thanks Fry. I like the looks of the Smith and Wesson 686 revolver.
 
For the lowest cost, cast your own bullets. Here the 45 shines. Wheel weights is plenty strong at the ACP pressures. Now your shooting boils down to primers and powder (and a very little lube) - you pick up your brass right? That costs about 6 cents per bang plus whatever replacement cost is for brass (that can add up too).

40S&W is the cheapest. Brass is usually plentiful and free/cheap. Casting requires you water quench the same alloy to be hard enough. Right around 4 cents per bang.

9mm requires a plated or jacketed bullet. Could never get cast hard enough not to lead. Brass is free/cheap. However, with bullets skyrocketing in price, I figure it is over 12 cents per bang.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
curtmg said:
Save money? Forget guns, get a library card. Even just 22lr costs about $30 per trip to the range for me and my dad. I reload 45 and it costs about $18 per 100. If I didn't reload 45 I couldn't even dream of affording to shoot it. 9mm is cheaper than 45, but if cost is a concern, do what I did, get whatever centerfire you want and reload for it. But also get a ruger 22lr to do the bulk of your shooting with. I'm gonna predict my brand new to me ruger mkIII, will have it's round count surpass my Glock21sf, in approximately 5 trips to the range.
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youre shooting 1000+ rounds of .22LR when you go to the range?

when I have enough time to shoot 300 or 400 rounds, I always think its a good day :(
 
THX-1138 said:
youre shooting 1000+ rounds of .22LR when you go to the range?

when I have enough time to shoot 300 or 400 rounds, I always think its a good day :(
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Taking my dad with me helps keep the .22 numbers up, that and I can only get out once a month or so. I just feel like I'm making up for lost time when I finally get out there.

You want to burn some 22's get one of these, mine is coming soon http://www.canadaammo.com/product.php?productid=28&cat=0&page=1 I imagine 1000 rounds of 22 might soon be 1500 :eek:
 
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