9mm vs .45, S&W vs 1911, so undecided. Help!

John Wayne

John Wayne

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Ok, I am in the market for a first hand gun - semi auto. I have been reading this forum. I gather that the 1911 is a big hit on this site and most people prefer the .45mm over 9mm.
I don't want a beginer gun as I don't want to get bored of it. I have had my time with old Berettas to get bored of them. I have a Buget, I want a gun, taxes in all for 1 G. I am Ok with used.
On the Wholesale Sports website, someone recommended to me the S&W M&P 9mm but I might be thinkin the .45mm.

So I just wanted to know what you guys have to recommend.
 
See if you can go somewhere to try out both. 9mm is much more affordable to shoot, and thus it reasons to say that you would end up shooting it more.
 
yes I have read about this. the couter would be - once I start shooting, I can get into reloading ammo to off set the cost. I am not aposed this.
 
John Wayne said:
yes I have read about this. the couter would be - once I start shooting, I can get into reloading ammo to off set the cost. I am not aposed this.
Click to expand...

It depends on what you want it for...

For example, 9mm is perfect for IPSC production.

Personally, I don't see how someone can get "bored" with a particular cartridge. Also, I'm not trying to be mean (Seriously) but if you can reload .45 for less what do you think you can reload 9mm for?

Get whatever floats your boat but 9mm is a great way to start.
 
4n2t0 no hard feelings. as long as the ammo is easy to come by, I'll worry about that later.

what I am lookin for is a more definate solutions - eg: Model,specs,where to buy, good deal, that kind of thing.
 
For your fist handgun. Maybe you will play one or both of the action shooting sorts? If so, either the Glock 17 or the M&P 9MM. Both are reasonably priced, shoot the 9MM. The latter is easy and economical to reload and work well in both sports. If you don't like either of the guns after awhile or you want to change the after market is reasonably strong. Both will last you your lifetime. If you have small hands buy the M&P, better grip and sights.

Want a steel gun? Go with the CZ 75/85Combat for all the above reasons.

Want a 1911 go either 9MM or .45acp with the STI Trojan. The best buy out there in terms of quality and reliability. A little more than your budget but the gun will be with you for the rest of your life.

Take Care

Bob
 
Honestly, it's hard to get bored with any caliber. I thought a .22 would be boring but plinking with that at the range was some of the most fun I've had in a while. Don't have to worry about large costs in ammo, reloading, etc.

It all depends on what you want but piece of advice: get the 9mm first so you can learn and get the hang of shooting so you don't develop a flinch early on. Plus
It's more cost effective
 
My first gun was a CZ75b in 9mm. I then bought buckmark. I am def not bored of either. If i could shoot through the same hole over and over again I would be... lol So i would get the 9mm and go from there.
 
I have an M&P9 and a 1911 Commander, the M&P is what I shoot most. I've been shooting since I was a child, and have shot pretty much everything. I'd recomend the M&P45 if you really want a 45.
 
John Wayne said:
Ok, I am in the market for a first hand gun - semi auto. I have been reading this forum. I gather that the 1911 is a big hit on this site and most people prefer the .45mm over 9mm.
I don't want a beginer gun as I don't want to get bored of it. I have had my time with old Berettas to get bored of them. I have a Buget, I want a gun, taxes in all for 1 G. I am Ok with used.
On the Wholesale Sports website, someone recommended to me the S&W M&P 9mm but I might be thinkin the .45mm.

So I just wanted to know what you guys have to recommend.
Click to expand...

1- When you say S&W in the title, what model are you talking about?

2- Have you held any of the guns you are thinking of buying? Don't spend 1G on anything you haven't held in your hand first. Fit is crucial. The one thing that will make you bored or completely lose interest in a gun no matter how good they look or how well they function is if you can't get a good, comfortable grip on it. Plenty of people here will try to tell you that this or that gun should be your first choice, but the bottom line is, it's not because they like a particular firearm that you will. Same as a car.

3- You'll also hear MANY different points of view on wether 9mm is better than a .45, but one thing everyone agrees on is $$; 9mm is cheaper. If I was you, would also go to a shooting range to try out both calibers.
 
My first pistol was CZ75 in 9mm. I now shoot .45 in 1911s. I would recommend starting with 9mm. .45 bucks harder. No sense building yourself a terrible flinch that will be a real bugger to let go. 9mm is a lot cheaper too.

My best advice of all came from an old gunsmith. Whatever you buy, make sure it fits your hand. It should fit like an old shoe. When you bring it up and point, the sites should be on. The CZ and 1911s do that for me. Glocks and Berettas do not. That should be your first criteria.
Have fun.
 
Whatever calibre or gun you decide on there is a lot to be said for getting some expert instruction on handling it. When I started shooting .45 ACP I couldn't even hit the target at 7 meters, a fellow at the range showed me a few things and now I am progressing and getting better groups every time I go to the range.
Reloading is the only way to go if you plan to shoot a lot,I was forced to reload due to the cost of .45 Colt ammo ( about $1.00/Rnd) which I use in my "cowboy" gun. Casting the bullets dramatically lowers the cost as the .45ACP bullets are about 20 cents each.
 
You asked so here's my .02

9mm or .40 = CZ 75/85 or BHP MkIII

9mm, .40, 10mm or .45ACP = 1911

That is all.

:canadaFlag:
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NAA.
 
If you think 9mm is boring from a Beretta then I would suggest that you'll soon be bored with .45 as well.

In fact I'd suggest that it's not the gun or the caliber of the bullet that you find boring but the idea of standing in one spot and blasting away at a sheet of paper.

If you enjoy the guns and shooting itself but not this idea of standing on one spot and perforating paper for no good reason then look into the local IPSC and IDPA scene as well as the Speed Steel events held at a bunch of the local clubs.

IPSC matches are held at both PoCo and out in Maple Ridge at Thompson Mountain. IDPA is currently only done out here in Chilliwack. Speed Steel practice nights are held weekly at Abbotsford Fish and Game and monthly starting in April at Mission.

Note that to do well at these events you need to be able to shoot both accurately AND fast at the same time. But no one will laugh and point if you manage to get more than your share of misses. And often as not if you ask most of the others will be happy to suggest things to aid your shooting.
 
it doesn't matter what your first handgun will be, because you WILL end up buying another handgun within 2-4 weeks, if not sooner. This is just from my experience. Before you know it, you will have over 10 handguns, in all calibers, then you can chose which ones to keep :D and then sell the rest and buy rifles, shotguns... or just stock up on ammo, maybe a reloading station... it's endless!! you might have to get a second job.
 
To become bored of shooting a certain calibre is to become bored with shooting itself, which to me... is impossible. If not .22, start with 9mm and move up. Pretty standard.
 
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