I did, and how you're using it makes absolutely zero sense. Maybe you didn't infer the correct conclusions from my wiseacre post:

(1) The internet amplifies complaints.
(2) Most stoppages are the result of either ammunition failures or shooter error.
(3) Finding a gun that truly doesn't work right is hard.

Now, #3 is where folks get hung up. What counts as "reliable" varies from gun to gun and its intended usage. For instance, a CCW pistol is allowed to be a little picky about ammo, so long as it functions with defensive ammo. If I try and feed a carry gun a magazine of underpowered target ammo, it's my fault when the gun doesn't work. What it can't be is picky about the manner in which you operate it. It had better work whether you slingshot or use the slide release, shoot with two hands or one, or limp-wrist it like a wet noodle.

If I accept the OP's premise of ".45s are less reliable than 9s", I would trace it back to that last bit. There are a lot of really small guns on the market, and they're chambered in everything from 9mm to .45 ACP to 10mm. All of them work just fine when you use the right technique. But more powerful cartridges like the .45 ACP and 10mm aren't as well-suited to downsizing, and demand more from the shooter. That doesn't make them "less reliable", just more demanding, sometimes to the point that they're just not a very good choice for the sorts of jobs we ask smaller guns to do.

I didn't read all the responses here but I am almost certain you will get a lot of people contradicting this statement. My Sig P220 has been nearly flawless through 15,000 rounds and I bought it used. I did have to replace the recoil spring. I have a Taurus PT-145 that is perfectly flawless through about 5000 rounds. Not a single failure of any kind. And both pistols are very accurate. 45's are just as reliable as any other caliber if they are built well.

Interesting discussion. I've used both calibers since the '60s in a pretty wide variety of guns. I did experience chronic reliability issues with several .45 ACP Colt Government and Gold Cup models, purchased new back in the '70s. But during the same period, S&W 9MM model 39 and 39-2s I had also displayed reliability issues. A 9MM pistol that was reliable for me back then,and now, were/are the FN/Browning High Powers. They just worked. But given quality ammo and guns, I've experienced near flawless reliability with both calibers in recent years. I think gun,ammo and magazine manufacturers finally have this reliability thing down pat. Should the need arise, I would have no hesitation in carrying any of my .45 or 9MM pistols, by several different manufacturers, from a reliability stand point..........ymmv

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

See post #4............

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S&W Accumulator

I am more of a wheelgun guy but it wasn't always so.And based on my past experience(many 10s of k rounds),I can state today about the guns I still own that my Gold Cup in .45 is a little less reliable than my CZ Shadow in 9mm which is less reliable than my Combat Commander in .45 made in the '70s.
So I'd guess that it is more a question of individuals as far as guns go than a general caracteristic of the caliber per se.

To the guy who says 1911s are junk, all of mine run when you use good magazines and decent ammo. The only bad 1911 I ever owned was a custom built for me that hated me. It ran for everyone else, same ammo, same mags. Went out w the smith that built it w some other guys. Of the 5 1911s there mine ran for everyone but me. All the other guys 1911s ran like a top for me. Smith got me out of it even. Bought another 1911 no problem. Pooh happens some time. I have had a K38 and a K22 that wouldn't shoot a group. I have had a bad Glock. I had a bad Ceiner 22 conversion unit w a mag that would not go into the magwells of multiple 1911s. I have had a bad 686 and a bad 66. I have run 2 629s out of time. Over the years I have probably owned 20 or maybe even 30 1911s and only that 1 had an issue w me. Think I have 10 of them right now w 3 being 9mm and the rest in 45. Trying to count I remembered another problem child. As new Kimber a client bought new and before he shot it he got busted. I took it on a fee. It was was out of spec and wouldn't feed ball out of a magazine. Never should have left the plant. I owned a lot of handguns. I used to shoot a lot had some parts break and wore a few handguns out. That said I'd bet my life on a 1911.

The only .45 autos that I have ever owned have all been 1911s. I have
two currently and have owned three others in the past. I have a variety
of 9mm autos, fifteen or so, none of them are 1911s. In my experience
9mm autos are indeed more reliable out of the box than .45s. If I had to
take a NIB Beretta 92 or any 1911 .45 and defend my life with it I would
grab the 92 without hesitation. Remember if it jams new out of the box
you die. I think many 1911 fans would do the same whether they want
to admit it or not.

Lots of good comments here. Also a lot of opinion and conjecture.

For the record, I will continue to carry a 1911 .45 pistol daily and keep my old Browning Hi Power 9mm as a very reliable back-up. In the (hopefully unlikely) event that I ever have to go out knowing that a gunfight is likely I will take along a Remington 870 12-gauge as a minimum, possibly a .30 M1 Carbine, and probably try to recruit a few well-armed friends to come along.

YMMV

That may be true. Many 1911's are made as target pistols these days. I went to buy a 1911 the day I ended up buying a Sig P220. The seller of the 1911 asked about double the going rate for the gun. I laughed and went to a LGS where the owner talked me into buying a Sig. That was quite a while ago. I've never regretted it for a second. I'd take it over a NIB 1911 for SD simply because I don't know what kind of build a new 1911 might be.

It's tough to make a case for the big, heavy, single-stack 1911 in today's world. This is because today's world is spec-driven, and which isn't always the most complete way of evaluating a gun. Sure, a basic model is going to hold just 7+1 rounds of .45 ACP (I'm not going to touch the different capacity magazines you can buy)--but all that weight and makes it superlative at delivering those rounds, and the large size gives a great grip and sight radius.

To put it another way, I alluded to the Glock 29 in another post elsewhere. On paper, the 29 is amazing--10mm, 10+1, same size as a 30. It's even quite manageable to shoot with standard anemic factory ammo. But once you start shooting nuclear-grade defensive ammo, well...by all accounts, it demands an extra-firm grip and stance.

That, frankly, isn't really ideal or even acceptable. If it's a defensive gun, it should practically work limp-wristing it upside down. The 29 looks great on paper, but for most people, it's just not a good choice.

..........Same as old Ford vs Chevy......Apples vs Oranges......Up vs down. everybody's gonna shoot what they like.......Arguing just waste time that you could be shooting.

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S&W Accumulator

A little history lesson,

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Dum vivo cano

Why even worry about it ! If you think the 9mm is more reliable, use it. If you like the 45acp use it ! To each his own !

Dopplebok

Actually it is the exact opposite. In 1911s at least the 9mms' are more finicky than the 45s. They are very sensitive to # weight of of recoil springs, loads, and COL, as compared to modern 1911 45s. I have noticed that the guys shooting 9mm in single stack competition seem to have a harder time keeping their pistols tuned, while the 45s just keep chugging along. I have had two high quality 1911 9mms and both of the them were very finicky and hard to keep running. I have had probably five or six 1911 45s over the past 40 years and they all digested anything, SWC, RN, light and stout loads without a hiccup, and without having to fiddle with a lot of different recoil spring weights. 1911 magazines are not a problem with 45acp as long as you buy high quality mags. Buy cheap ones or war surplus used ones and you will probably have problems.

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Can my S&W Mdl 10 shoot +P

I have always found the .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .44 Special cartridges to be more reliable than 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP.

Not sure why? Maybe the gun design?

While not a 1911. My 4506 will hand cycle a magazine of empty brass without jamming.

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S&W Accumulator

Well, if Paul Harrell says it....

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Retired Career Security Guard