At first my plan was to get a 1911 type .45. After speaking to a retired LEO who drinks with us at our local legion I'm not so sure anymore.He said he'd take the 9mm any day. I think his point was based on the duties of his past job where rapid reacquisition of the sight picture may be more important than knock down power. Especially if your life depends on it. For a target puncher I don't know what would be better.This will be my first and only semi handgun. Any ideas. Get both? HEHE
9mm or .45acp
- Thread starter emmab
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Last time I looked, my paper targets were not impressed with girth, just accuracy.
The 9mm is cheaper to buy and reload. I have nothing against the .45. I've owned 3 of them in the past. I love the 1911, but I won't waste my time or money just to get the fat bullet.
The 9mm or .40 are the sensible choice in auto pistol calibers.
That's why I shoot the .38 super.
The 9mm is cheaper to buy and reload. I have nothing against the .45. I've owned 3 of them in the past. I love the 1911, but I won't waste my time or money just to get the fat bullet.
The 9mm or .40 are the sensible choice in auto pistol calibers.
That's why I shoot the .38 super.
It depends on your budget and preference, really.
Your best bet is to try different things and see what you enjoy shooting more. If you get into .45 ACP, you'll probably want to take up reloading as well.
You could easily go through 100 rounds or more each time you go shooting.
Your best bet is to try different things and see what you enjoy shooting more. If you get into .45 ACP, you'll probably want to take up reloading as well.
You could easily go through 100 rounds or more each time you go shooting.
Get both. 
I can get back on target equally as well with a 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP, so I think that old LEO is full of sh*t.
Of them all, for reloading/shooting pleasure I prefer the .45ACP in a singlestack 1911 platform. But you might be better off to try out as many different 9mm's and .45ACP's & pick what suits you best. Instead of listening to a retired cop who's had too many wobbly-pops at the Legion.
I can get back on target equally as well with a 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP, so I think that old LEO is full of sh*t. Of them all, for reloading/shooting pleasure I prefer the .45ACP in a singlestack 1911 platform. But you might be better off to try out as many different 9mm's and .45ACP's & pick what suits you best.
Instead of listening to a retired cop who's had too many wobbly-pops at the Legion. 
I recently picked up my first handgun. I shot every caliber I could before making my decision. I picked the .45. Why? Because the 1911 fits my hand well.
My point? It's more important that you find a gun that is comfortable for you to shoot and then consider your options.
My point? It's more important that you find a gun that is comfortable for you to shoot and then consider your options.
By George, I think you've got it!KDX said:
9MM in a full size, steel framed 1911 is hard to beat.....
I use a Para double stack 1911 in 9MM for IPSC Production.... accurate,
minimal recoil...what's not to like.
Never mind that my current favourite is a new S&W 1911 Performance Centre
unit in 38 Super!
A 1911 in 9mm is like those old Ford Mustangs that came with 4 cylinder engines. Good on gas, looked like a Mustang on the outside but that was about it.
I'd rather shoot the .45 because when a steel plate is hit it drops hard and rewards you with a load clang instead of the tiny tinkle of a 9mm. The .45 is more expensive but so are V8 engines, good scotch and all the other things that make life worth living.
When I want cheap I put a .22 conversion kit on my 1911 frame.
I'd rather shoot the .45 because when a steel plate is hit it drops hard and rewards you with a load clang instead of the tiny tinkle of a 9mm. The .45 is more expensive but so are V8 engines, good scotch and all the other things that make life worth living.
When I want cheap I put a .22 conversion kit on my 1911 frame.
I decided to resolve this by buying a Sig 226 in 9mm and later this year a 1911 commander in 45.
In Canada the chance of you having to use the gun for self defence, makes the big vs small moot. If a bad thing happened to you, just be glad to have any firearm ready.
In Canada the chance of you having to use the gun for self defence, makes the big vs small moot. If a bad thing happened to you, just be glad to have any firearm ready.
Wow there's some advice! I don't know if that cleared it up at all. All good points. I can't really see the possibility of shooting too many different calibers but I do belong to a range and I've met a few pistol shooters so you never know. I didn't realize the vast difference in ammo cost either. The 1911 platform on 9mm converting to .22 sounds like you can eat your cake too! On the other hand...................
greatly appreciated. And yeah the legion isn't prob the best place to talk to a pissed excop- but at that time we were all in the same boat. And that ex cop has done a lot more rowing than me!
greatly appreciated. And yeah the legion isn't prob the best place to talk to a pissed excop- but at that time we were all in the same boat. And that ex cop has done a lot more rowing than me!
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