Shot a 1911 chambered in .45 today... for the first time

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Wow..

What a great cartridge. With all I had read I had expected the recoil to knock me on my ass. The complete opposite. I found it a pleasure to shoot. It didn't have the snap that 40 and 9mm have (due in part to the weight of the gun as well I would imagine, but still).

I had completely dismissed the idea of getting a .45 for this reason.... but now that I have fired one, I am seriously considering picking up one of the Norc 1911's that are coming in with Marstar's next shipment.

If anyone would care to answer a few questions about .45ACP I would greatly appreciate it.

1. People around here make it sound like .45ACP is an endangered species or something. Is it safe to say that although it may be in short supply now and then, that we will most likely never see .45ACP disappear in our lifetimes?

2. The cost of .45ACP... I am familiar with the cost of commercial ammo, but for reloading.... approximately how much would a box of 50 cost to reload using your own brass, and FMJ bullets?

3. How many times can you typically reload .45ACP brass shot in a 1911 assuming one is using standard loads?

4. How are the Norc .45 magazines? Any issues?

Thanks very much!!
 
Dude, .45 auto has been with us for the last century, it isn't going anywhere...EVER. That is unless the Rapture happens and than were all kind of ####ed.

I can't answer the reloading questions, but I do know that a box of the cheap CCI Blazer (aluminum casing's - non-reloadable), is about $18 in Alberta.
 
.45acp is probably the most popular handgun caliber in North America...I wouldn't worry about availablity

I don't reload .45acp, but I think you can probably load a box for $10 or less using copper plated bullets. FMJ will likely be more...

.45 is low pressure so you can porbably reuse the same brass a quite few times...

but with the US army re-adopting the .45ACP cartridge
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didn't they scrap that project and LONG time ago?? 9mm is here to stay as well ;)
 
Now that you've partaken of the 1911 .45ACP Kool-Aid there is no going back! :) No worries about the .45ACP, it remains one of the most popular cartridges on the market, and if you haven't noticed, the 1911 is more popular today than it has ever been!

The .45ACP is a very easy cartridge to reload for and if you buy high quality brass and care for it properly it can last for years. I've got some older brass that has been reloaded more than a dozen times and it still going strong. I know of one guy who has gotten as high as 25+ reloads out of his brass. I haven't tried pushing it that much, but its doable. You just need to carefully examine and discard any weak brass before loading. I'm not sure what his secret was, but I'm guessing you just need to becareful, try not to work the brass too much and don't go crazy with the +P type loads. If you do that, your brass will last a long, long time.

One thing about the 1911 you should remember: buy good magazines! Wilson, Colt, Metalform, McCormick or Mec-Gar are all good, although I prefer Wilsons. The Norc mags probably work okay, but there's nothing as frustrating as constant FTF/FTE stoppages caused by a crap magazine.
 
Reloading with lead bullets would make reloading cheaper. You could even cast your own bullets from wheel weights. Norinco mags although servicable are not the best but surplus U.S. military mags are still available and maybe the cheapest mag around. Even aftermarket name brand mags a cheaper than some of the 9mm mags out there.
 
Bigger case means more powder so your powder cost is at least double. Your initial cost for bullets is ~30% higher than 9mm, but because the bullets weight twice as much, you may need to factor in the extra cost for shipping them as well.

Guns are cheap - feeding them is what hurts. If you have the cash to keep a .45 fed, don't plan to shoot much, or just can't feel manly shooting a 9mm then go for it! Otherwise, wait for an NP-29 to come up on the EE or thru Marstar and you may just discover your soul mate.
 
I shoot one Kimber .45 last few months and regreted to spent my money on two set of compound bows, I should have buy a STI or Kimber. Anyhow a lot of poeple was miss leaded by the others who never fire a .45. IMO it is the greatest cal to boot.

Trigun
 
.45 *is*a great cartridge. It also happens to be more expensive and that is a factor for most people.
 
Welcome, and by the way, now you're effed. You now understand why 45 shooters refer to other pistols as 'nice little guns', and why 'real' refers to 45's only. Component prices are higher naturally, one 230 grain bullet for a 45 is the same weight as 2 9 mil bullets. Primers are about the same price for both, cases are more expensive in 45, but they do last longer with standard velocity loads. Always buy the best mags you can find - Wilson's are good as are Mec Gar - avoid rounded, 'dimpled' followers in Norcs as they can cause issues. As soon as you own your own 45, you do become entitled to being an opinionated pr*ck with a mildly condescending attitude to people who are unaware of what a 'real' gun is. Welcome to the Club. :D
 
Powder cost isn't bad at all with 200/230 gr. lead bullets. I've filled mine with less Bullseye/IMR 700X than what is required for 9mm and had excellent results. Buy a 1911 from Marstar. You have been advised :)
 
Reloading would be the smart thing to do for a .45.
The cost of .45 commercial ammo vs. 9mm is close to 2 to 1.
$22 for 100 9mm and $21 for 50 .45 (approx).
.45 is nice to shoot....but it will empty your wallet fast.
 
Also there was a time when the 762X51(308)and the .45acp were a pair!

Know why? Because you can cut down the 308 case and make a .45acp shell! Same extractor ridge,same case!

The .45 acp as designed by the man himself is here to stay!

Double duty. Bob:)
 
CanuckShooter said:
Wow..

What a great cartridge. With all I had read I had expected the recoil to knock me on my ass. The complete opposite. I found it a pleasure to shoot. It didn't have the snap that 40 and 9mm have (due in part to the weight of the gun as well I would imagine, but still).

I had completely dismissed the idea of getting a .45 for this reason.... but now that I have fired one, I am seriously considering picking up one of the Norc 1911's that are coming in with Marstar's next shipment.

If anyone would care to answer a few questions about .45ACP I would greatly appreciate it.

1. People around here make it sound like .45ACP is an endangered species or something. Is it safe to say that although it may be in short supply now and then, that we will most likely never see .45ACP disappear in our lifetimes?

2. The cost of .45ACP... I am familiar with the cost of commercial ammo, but for reloading.... approximately how much would a box of 50 cost to reload using your own brass, and FMJ bullets?

3. How many times can you typically reload .45ACP brass shot in a 1911 assuming one is using standard loads?

4. How are the Norc .45 magazines? Any issues?

Thanks very much!!
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The .45 is a great cartridge, and the 1911 a great gun. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone should want a 1911 in 9mm, it's the .45 acp that makes the 1911 what it is. I just sold my 9mm and have ordered another 1911from Marstar.

In answer to question # 2, 1000 primers costs around $29. One lb of Unique powder costs $28, which is enough for 1250 reloads with 5.6 grns. 50 hornady FMJ bullets costs $10.50. By my calculations 50 reloads using FMJ bullets would cost you $ 13 35.

I cast my own bullets and this reduces the cost considerably. $57 for one thousand reloads, or ($ 2.85 for 50 ) and I still have enough powder left over for another 250. The cases cost nothing, there are pleanty of people who leave them lying around and then complain about the cost. Shooting the .45 need not be expensive:)
 
45 ACP Still # 1.

I have been using the same 45 ACP cases for years at a time.
I have only bought 5 boxes of Factory in 3 yrs.

Most cases come from the range, as having been left there after been fired once.

(click the pic!)
I use titegroup and Win 231.
Titegroup 4.5 gr. for 45acp depending on bullet weight
Titegroup 4.3 gr. for 9 mm depending on bullet weight
Cases for 45 and 9mm are usually free
If not then I buy 3 or 4 boxes factory fresh.
Primers just about the same cost for either.
No one here I see shooting picks up 9mm range brass Most but not all, pick up 45 brass at the range,
I have had my 45 dies for 25 yrs and the press = same.
Reload cases almost forever in 45acp/ some only a few ever split.
Only real difference I see is in the bullet cost if store bought.
I used to use wheel weigts (free) cast my own.(free).
Now i just buy frontier bullets or what ever, I shoot 2-3 hundred 45's a week ..Not much any more, but still fun and especially in my Brand New Glock 21.
Also; if they were 75.00 a box they\d still be worth it.
I also have several 1911 45;s Like em all. SO -
If you cant handle 45, I guess the way to go is 9mm.
Myself, I still like to shoot some 40 Auto a fair bit.

I found Norinco mags ok but sometimes a litle weak .
No issues from stoppages because of a mag here.
You get good and not so good sometimes.
If you need some snap, just try some of my Armco 45-08
45 ACP loaded with 10 or more gr. Longshot they'll wake you up..
 
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BEARMAN said:
Reloading with lead bullets would make reloading cheaper. You could even cast your own bullets from wheel weights. Norinco mags although servicable are not the best but surplus U.S. military mags are still available and maybe the cheapest mag around. Even aftermarket name brand mags a cheaper than some of the 9mm mags out there.
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Not ture anymore, lead bullets are more expensive then plated bullets now.
 
Thanks for the high-quality thread. Popcans and I are working from the same script.

If you want to set up a reloading station, keep your eyes peeled for the Canadian Tire work table with the backstop and drawers. It often goes on sale for way under $100. The removable, thick particle board top makes mounting a press easy. Amortize the cost of a loading table, the press, the initial brass, lead and powder, a scale and a few other items, and you will still save a lot of money over factory ammo.
 
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