IF I OWN A 9MM DO I REALLY NEED TO GET A .45?

[Tom_R]

Whatever works best for you, and whatever you can handle is a good place to start.

There are many different tools for the specific job that you want to do.

.45acp I'd a proven cartridge, and while it is associated with the 1911, there are excellent Glocks, Sigs, Berettas and S&W revolvers that chamber the round.

Personally, as other have stated, I think at least one 1911 type pistol is a must have for every serious gun collector. We just owe so much to John Browning, I think it is a great sign of respect to have one in his honor and shoot it every once in a while - No Safe Queens!

9mm, .357 magnum/.38 special, .45 acp are all great rounds.

 

[WR Moore]

Doesn't matter if their job title is Coroner, Forensic Pathologist or Medical Examiner. None can tell if a wound channel is made by any particular caliber of JHP until they measure the bullet found at the end of it. Or, look at the empty cases if the bullet exited.

To paraphrase NIJ Report 100-83, the single most important factor in incapacitation is shot placement.

If you shoot the 9mm well, buy quality, major manufacture JHP rounds and quit worrying. If not, practice rather than a larger round you may shoot less well, is the proper remedial action.

 

[Rockets]

Yes. Yes you do. Preferably in a 1911. Every American should own a .45 1911 and a .357 Magnum wheelgun.

Hallelujah ! Don't forget the 44magnum

 

[gaucho1]

Hell Maybe!.......then again

 

[southfloridasixshooter]

Both are great calibers and I reload and shoot both. My take on the situation is to use both. If you really had to choose one, I would go with a 45, in my opinion it is a lot more versatile. It is a great round if you plan to start reloading, it is a low pressure cartridge, meaning you have a little more room for error and less likely to blow up your gun, unlike the 9mm which is a high pressured round. As far as stopping power I'm confident with a 9mm, but I refuse to believe that it is equivalent to the 45. Most data that compares the two has a 9mm +p+ round up against a standard pressure 45 round. They fail to bring up 45 +p or 45 +p+ (45 super). The 45 acp gives you options, in the city standard pressure loads should suffice, in the sticks I'm loading +p or 45 super. Before running any gun with high pressure loads make sure it is safe to do so with that particular gun. Most modern 45s will run a limited amount of 45 super safely, this is not a round to be fired everyday. With all this said, the 9mm does have the advantage of being cheaper if the shooter is buying factory fresh. If reloading, 9mm is still cheaper, but the difference between the two is much less.

 

[Amp]

I don't want to stop ANY bullet.
And I would bet my .38 would do its job if call upon.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Then how the hell did we survive a couple of world wars and numerous skirmishes with the 1911?

That 1911 was built for combat. Pick up a WWII vintage .45 and shake it. It will rattle like an old Ford pickup. A little dirt or mud didn't have much effect on it.

 

[SMSgt]

Any of the commonly used SD calibers (as well as many others) will do the job if you do your. It's a moot discussion.

 

[Laketime]

The 9mm is best suited for sub compact autos. The 1911 is your full size fighting gun. If we look at the high capacity 9mm, then why not a high capacity .380. ( might be able to put two more in there) There is a reason often ignored why the 9mm went high capacity.Enough .25 acp's will get the job done if you spray enough of them .The 9mm was designed to remove two soldiers off the battle field, one carrying off the wounded is the second. The .45 acp was designed to kill.

 

[striking]

Maybe you are asking the wrong question. Which one are you are you more likely to actually carry?

The big gun at home isn't nearly as useful as the smaller gun on your hip.

I love my 1911s but they spend a lot more time at the range then they do in a holster.

 

[Engieman]

The whole caliber debate is a slippery slope that will wage anytime you get or more gun enthusiasts in the same room. But YES, you do need a .45. He's why.....take a look at all the small business owners that support the industry through the production of holsters, aftermarket grips, storage cases, polishing, blueing and sandblasting finishes; the lonely engraver just waiting for your order.....the list goes on. Think about it as your own personal contribution to jumpstarting the sluggish economy and keeping the American dream alive where a man has the freedom to start his own business and achieve financial independence.

From this perspective, it's down right patriotic to buy as many guns that you want, and the Second Amendment allows. The small business owner NEEDS you. Our Founding Fathers would be proud

 

[zoom6zoom]

A 9mm may expand to the size of a .45, but a .45 will never shrink down to 9mm.

Gotta agree with that.

 

[Kid44]

I read something many years ago about which to choose, the
9mm or the .45. It went something like this:

If you were put in a room with only 1 door and a "bad guy" came through the door every few seconds with the intent to do you harm which gun would you want, a 9mm or a .45?
The answer was unanimous, a .45

 

[the ringo kid]

Put it this way, Ive always wanted to own a machine gun. If I can ever afford one? im buying one. If you can? why the heck not?

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have been a .45 ACP person, 1911 to be specific, as far as defense goes, since the early 1970s. I used to think the 9mm was just not up to the task. And it wasn't. Until very recently.

I agree that the 9mm, in a proper load, will serve well in a defense scenario. It has other advantages. Higher magazine capacity, less costly, less recoil for faster follow-up shots, chambered in pistols more suited to "most" hands, etc.

My current favorite load is the new FBI round, Q4392, a 147 grain Bonded HP, sold to the rest of us as the RA9B load. There are many other fine rounds from other makers. Use a "premium" hollow point type load and you will be fine. If you don't care about auto glass, the RA9T also has a great track record.

 

[LT4]

I read something many years ago about which to choose, the
9mm or the .45. It went something like this:

If you were put in a room with only 1 door and a "bad guy" came through the door every few seconds with the intent to do you harm which gun would you want, a 9mm or a .45?
The answer was unanimous, a .45

While I would rather have a .45 it would depend on how many bad guys and how many bullets the gun held.9mm does have the capacity.

Everyone should at least shoot a .45 once even if they decide not to own one.

 

[Watchdog]

If it was a SHTF situation, I think the 1911 would jam up after it gets dirty where a Glock or a MP won't

As most everyone knows, the Colt 1911 underwent a series of rigorous tests before being chosen as the official pistol for the U. S. military.

Quoting from the history of the Colt 1911:

"In the selection process, which started at 1906 with firearms submitted by Colt, Luger, Savage, Knoble, Bergmann, White-Merrill and Smith & Wesson, Browning's design was selected, together with the Savage design in 1907.

However, the U.S. Army pressed for some service tests, which revealed that neither pistol (Colt's or Savage's) had reached the desired perfection. The Ordnance Department instituted a series of further tests and experiments, which eventually resulted in the appointment of a selection committee, in 1911.

Browning was determined to prove the superiority of his handgun, so he went to Hartford to personally supervise the production of the gun. A torture test was conducted, on March 3rd, 1911. The test consisted of having each gun fire 6000 rounds. One hundred shots would be fired and the pistol would be allowed to cool for 5 minutes. After every 1000 rounds, the pistol would be cleaned and oiled.

After firing those 6000 rounds, the pistol would be tested with deformed cartridges, some seated too deeply, some not seated enough, etc. The gun would then be rusted in acid or submerged in sand and mud and some more tests would then be conducted.

Browning's pistols passed the whole test series with flying colors. It was the first firearm to undergo such a test, firing continuously 6000 cartridges, a record broken only in 1917 when Browning's recoil-operated machine gun fired a 40000 rounds test."

I really wonder how many .45 acp pistols could pass that same test today? I think the Glock would be an early victim.

 

[Watchdog]

Everyone needs a .45!
My personal preference would be a 1911.
I don't think I've ever held, shot or seen a more reliable firearm.

Carrying one for SD or CC however, is another story altogether. The weight and size are enough to make me seek other choices.

With some of today's new holsters, especially those that carry a full size 5-inch barrel 1911 almost parallel to the ground, I think the size and weight are becoming moot points. Also, another key to making a full size better to carry is...you have to have a belt of sufficient width and thickness...especially thickness, to keep the belt from sagging under the weight. One of my belts is a 1.75-inch wide Bullhide Belt. The width fits easily through belt loops on my jeans, and the thing's a quarter-of-an-inch thick. When you tighten that belt up, it stays tight with no sag, no matter what size pistol you hang on it.

 

[Watchdog]

You have to have a 45 to be a true American. It's the law.

I was smiling so big after reading that one, my eyes were all squinted up and I could barely see to hit the "Like" button.

 

[breakerofwind]

You shoot the bad guy w/a .45 in a closed room and you're probably going to need a hearing aid.

The bad guy is going to need a mortician...

.45 is the way to go...