More accurate 9mm or .45 ACP?
- Thread starter magnumair
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A better shooter could out shoot me with a 45 when im using a 9mm. Technically speaking the 9mm would for follow up shots due to less recoil but in the hands of a pro both would be the same. For the most part it comes down to the shooter modern pistol are more accurate then most shooters.
If you new to pistolS id recomend a .22 pistol that has a 9mm or .40 conversion kit for growing room.
If you new to pistolS id recomend a .22 pistol that has a 9mm or .40 conversion kit for growing room.
Both are capable of excellent accuracy, as is 38 Special. The calibre is about 3rd on the list of things needed to put a hole exactly where it's supposed to be. First is the shooter, second the gun, third the calibre. If you're just starting out, it'll be years before calibre is a deciding factor in the accuracy equation - not being rude, shooting a pistol for accuracy is one of the toughest things you can do, and it doesn't come over night. In your position I'd suggest either a 22, or a 9mm - because the reduced costs involved will allow you more trigger time.
Define your level of accuracy, what the gun is capable of at a given range or the range of the given accuracy? It could all boil down to what you plan on shooting won't make any difference no matter how good you are, shooting steel challenges at close ranges versus bullseye shooting at 50 yards, slow fire versus rapid fire. Recoil is going to be the biggest hurdle for accuracy when shooting rapid fire, but will not effect slow fire if you can manage the felt recoil of a given caliber. Are you shooting major or minor? All calibers can be called accurate, its the purpose of the cartridge that sets them apart
I beleive there is a slight inherant advantage to the 45ACP. Since the case capacity is larger and the bullet heavier, small differences in bullet weight and powder weight represent proportionally smaller changes to overall ballistics. Also target shooters consider a bigger bullet diameter to be an advantage in scoring. If a bullet cuts a scoring line it scores the higher value. The center of two bullets could impact at identical distances from a scoring ring and the larger of the two could score higher than the smaller one. I have never seen a competitive bullseye pistol shooter choose a smaller caliber than the maximum allowed.
Cocked&Locked
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at hand gun ranges there is no intrinsic accuracy advantage to any caliber. Different pistol designs have advantages over others, but any cartridge with a quality load can shoot far more consistently then any human.
IE if your groups suck, it's more likely then not your fault (or mine LOL )
IE if your groups suck, it's more likely then not your fault (or mine LOL )
Actually, competitive bullseye shooters do in fact out shoot their ammo quite often. It is usually imperative that they find a working load.
I do of course agree that most of us are not in this select group. Again, they will use the largest diameter bullet they are allowed in their competition.
Reminds me of a quote from Lee Trevino during a tv interview - "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian". I think he then hit a beautiful drive and mugged into the camera - "that was all indian baby!". Definitely not politically correct, but this was ~30+ years ago.
Having said that, I do think range may make a difference for long distance. I believe 9mm has a faster velocity and flatter trajectory - so may be easier to shoot for long distances. Not a factor in hand gun shooting unless you want to try shooting 100+ yards out. Myself, I think I would probably just get a carbine (in 9mm).
I have struggled with this question for a while. I am a newish shooter and not that good, sadly. I can shoot my 1911 .45 way better than my 9mm BHP, fact is I can barely hit the target with the BHP but the trigger is gritty in them. I also have a revolver that shoots 9mm and it is great in SA. Overall I shoot a revolver in SA way better than a semi-auto or a revolver in DA. The .45 is a mild push the 9mm in BHP has a twist and a lift at the same time. The 1911 .45 is a heavier gun. I just bought a lighter .45 ACP semi-auto and am buying a light .40S&W so this should be interesting. May shoot my theory all to hell! If you reload the cost advantage is less between calibers.
I have to say that my favorite gun is the 1911, it just feels so right in my hands and looks so classic. Second favorate is a SS Revolver, Ruger or S&W.
I have to say that my favorite gun is the 1911, it just feels so right in my hands and looks so classic. Second favorate is a SS Revolver, Ruger or S&W.
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