45 cal. Revolver or 1911?

[sckothmann]

I need to fill a caliber hole in my meager collection, 45 cal.

The question is revolver or 1911? The fact I am posting this in the revolver subforum does give a hint to which way I am leaning, BUT, I am open to advice.

The primary purpose will be a range gun, plinker, paper or steel shooter.

If I get the revolver, it may do duty as HD. Don't like the manual of arms for the better half on the 1911.

1911 might be used in competition, if I can ever find the time.

May carry either on the trail.

Y'all chime in. If you have specific make/model recommendations, elaborate on the "why" if you would please.

The .45 ACP is a heck of a round for auto-loaders, but I have to admit, I have never fired it in a revolver. I have used, and reload for, the .45 Long Colt cartridge in a revolver and love it! Easy to reload.....easy to shoot.....easy to find ammo.

So far, the only real drawback that I see is that to use the .45 ACP in a revolver is that you will have to use some type of a device that will allow you to eject the spent rounds after firing. Of course, like "Dale 53" said, you can always use the .45 Auto Rim loads which will solve that problem, but I am not sure how easy they are to locate, or where you might get the brass. You might want to ask him. Still, it would be fun to own one!

 

[POWinCA]

Glock 41 with cut for a RDS.

If you have to have a 1911 get a Para Ordnance P-14.

 

[Ed Fowler]

My 625 is just as accurate as my Sig P 210 in my hands. The auto rim cartridges are great, never had one split, after about 40 reloadings the bases expand to the point where they will not fit in the table of my Dillon, but that is plenty enough life span.

I like the 1911 on the range, but picking up brass is tiresome.

 

[Ed333]

For a 45 , I say do both. I started out with a Les Baer P-II, and I can't see myself ever getting rid of it. Later I picked up a 625JM, which I sold when I needed some cash. And then I picked up a S&W Governor, and have been amazed at how much fun it is. I went thru some .410 rounds, but I have concluded that is kind of gimmicky, although I can see it for HD, but the real hoot is going back and forth between 45acp and 45 Colt. I have been having a blast reloading 45 Colt at different levels, picked up some HKS speedloaders, and use them in fallling plates and steel challenge matches. Tons of fun. An extremely practical revolver, I like it much more than I thought I would.

 

[Sawfish]

I have a 1955 and a Colt New Service. Both are great shooters. Brass for the 45 AR is available from Starline and is very durable. Don't worry about the strength of the 1917 and New Service revolvers. They were made to shoot .45 ACP GI ammo, which generates pressures around 30,000 psi. Used brass can sometimes be found in the CMP Forum classifieds.

 

[deanbatt]

I'm a pretty new pistol shooter, but have got to say after shooting several different revolvers and semi autos, my favorite is my Colt Combat Elite in 45 ACP

 

[jtcarm]

I'm going to answer a question you didn't really ask, but I think is important in making your decision.

You seemed to be saying your wife might be using the gun for HD.

I agree the 1911, while my favorite CF auto loader, is not the greatest choice for a relatively inexperienced shooter.

But:

Unless she has larger than average female hands, an N-frame is going to be quite a handful.

On the other hand (no pun intended) I have pretty stubby digits and could handle a 1911 at age 12 (this was an A1 with the short trigger.). The long triggers found so often nowadays are ok for me, but I still prefer a medium or even short trigger.

A DA auto .45 will be even worse. The DA trigger is usually a long reach and heavy.

Then she might find the recoil of a .45 a bit much.

So I suggest his and her guns.

Now you have two dilemmas: which .45 for you and what gun for your wife?

No need to thank me;-)

 

[Freedomfirst]

I am a revolver guy - a "wheel gunner" - so I will always pick a revolver.
Somehow, in my mind, revolvers just look more like what a gun should be. I learned from firing .44 Magnum revolvers that I would get the longest barrel available. A .45 sounds like a big load and a lot of that firepower is lost with a short barrel. Other than that - enjoy !

 

[chasmatic]

I forgot who said this, one of the Gun Masters, maybe Cooper:
"If you want to scare somebody use a semi-auto; If you want to kill somebody use a revolver."

Good enough for me. I have a couple 1911s and a Jerry Miculek 625. If you are not familiar with 45acp get a 1911 and fiddle around with it. When you want to get serious get a revolver.

 

[nuubee]

I rarely post here, but I do so enjoy lurking here and reading the extremely informative threads. And the photos - my appreciative drooling is making me consider getting a lobster bib.

There may not be much point to it, but - in a pinch - would the S&W .45 acp wheelguns safely shoot 45 GAP rounds in moon clips? Thanks!

 

[tenx100s]

.45 Revolver vs 1911

I too own both with more emphasis on the 1911. At this time in my life I prefer to own a great gun than a multitude and so I can say without reservation that the S&W Performance Center knows how to make a revolver in .45 ACP that is an absolute joy to shoot. On the other hand they do some very nice work on their version of the 1911. You do seem to be predisposed to a revolver so my vote goes to selecting a 625 revolver out of the S&W PC, buy a bunch of moon clips from Brownells and shoot the gun until it is filthy. Clean and do it again. If you like revolvers you will love shooting this gun. The red "white" and blue grips are thin for my taste but Brownells has that remedied as well.

Now to the confession. If I had to choose between my 625 PC and my Kimber Super Match it would be an agonizing decision, probably going to the Kimber. It would be like a dream turning into a nightmare. Fortunately, I'd have a .45 and could shoot my way out.

I do not believe in the redistribution of wealth but do actively support the redistribution of lead.

Wanted: Someone who likes to reload as much as I like to provide the empty brass.

 

[blueridgeman]

Harrumph !!

Do both. You'll never look back.

I've always been a S&W revolver fan. My first and still favorite gun is a SS 686 6" barrel .357. Got it right after the Brady bill was passed for $325 new.

Bought my first 1911 a little over a year ago and instantly understood why they have such a following.

Life is short. Get both.

 

[PatAz]

I have both and prefer the 1911.

 

[MSGAIS]

I'm a firm believer of "To each, his or her own". You need to figure out what your needs are and what will best fill them. Personally, when it comes to sidearms, I own one pistol and a whole lot of revolvers from .22 LR/MAG to .500 Mag (4", 6.5", and 8-3/8"). The pistol is a .380 that I purchased for my 80 year-old mother, but she can't pull the slide back. Admittedly, its pretty tough, so I purchased her Model 642 with a Crimson Trace laser. "Mom, if someone comes through your door, paint the dot on him, and keep pulling the trigger".

 

[Tom_R]

Tom,

Nice 1911, really nice. I have my grandfather's 1930s made Colt Government model and a WWII era Remington Rand (that someone carelessly nickel plated) that I would like to be refurbished like yours. Can you give me a point? If it's Turnbull, I've already checked into them and they are pricey, of course. I may send my granddad's 1911 to them, but don't need that level of restoration for the Remington Rand.

JoJo's GunWorks in Southington CT. $350 for a re blue.

They are one of the best 1911 and AR-15 shops in the country, seriously.

They do Excellent work, and both owners, John and Jody are great guys. They are well known throughout CT. Every gun store I go to in CT sends work to them, and customers to them.

 

[LeadSpitter]

Just get one of each. Because, you know if you get one, you're still going to want the other.

You can get a damn nice tightly fitted 5" parkerized 1911 with lots of included upgrades, like a fiber optic front sight, adj. rear sight, a mag-well and VZ G-10 grips for around $600.. Since it isn't a S&W and rather then suggest something other then a S&W on the S&W forum, I'll just suggest that if you're interested, then just do a search using the words 5" Parkerized 1911 through to VZ G10 grips as I described it above and it should come up.

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

I have to say that my 1911 was my go to range gun until my 625-3 came home. Since then I barely touched the 1911 and probably haven't shot it in almost a year. For range work 6 rounds is fine. The reload is fast. Moon clips are cheaper than 1911 magazines. It always goes bang and I can shoot pipsqueak gallery loads or a 250 SWC at just shy of 1000fps without having to change springs.
Accuracy is superb too.
Oh and I don't have to chase my brass around the range. I love it.

 

[sixshooter_45]

Wilson Protector!

My personal favorite.

 

[Qmark]

There is no "or". There is only "Which one do I get NOW, and which one do I get LATER?"

I stand in the same line as numerous posters have suggested, "get both". After you have both then consider a Blackhawk Convertible. Bear in mind if you can't or if you're like me simply a cheapskate and wont. Part with the $$'s on a higher end 1911. You wont be satisfied until you get a trigger job.

My three 45ACP revolver's triggers are fine as is but I am considering a trigger job on my Model of 1988. My 1988 is used mainly for double action shooting. My 1917 and 25-2 I shoot almost exclusively single action and there is little need of improvement.

My Blackhawk as is most Ruger S/A manufactured today suffer from a lack of quality control. Cylinder mouth size critical to shot to shot accuracy are all over the board. Having Ruger cylinder mouths reamed the same size and having the forcing cone elongated to eliminate the tight spot is necessary if max accuracy is a goal.

If by chance you're into bullet casting, revolver first, 1911 then spend a small fortune on 45 cal bullet molds. Either the revolver or 1911 are fine for home defense but in my opinion should be a back up to a shotgun. I don't want to start another thread about the best HD firearm but a shotgun should be the first choice for bad guy medicine. A 20 ga or even the Mossberg 410 if the wife can't handle the recoil should be considered.

 

[Englishrob]

45 Revolver or 1911

It took 2 yrs of convincing to buy a 625. Glad I did. I use it in IPSC, Speed steel, and latterly in 3-gun. Now I know I'm never going to be as fast as the pistol guys but it is great fun and builds a lot of 'old school' comments from the older guys and admiration from the younger shooters. My 625-2 is fitted with a Hogue grip which is great to handle. My wife also likes the gun... despite being small handed. 5'2"vs my 6'6" frame she is confident and accurate with the 625 and the large frame.

As for a 1911 the same friend that convinced me to get the 625 also worked on me to get a Para Ordinance 1911 full size LDA. I love the smooth action and trigger.... again it causes amusement amongst the 'striker' fraternity but again it is accurate and reliable.... still enjoy my M&P 45 though if I want higher capacity.