45acp or 9mm

[Cecil S.]

10mm for me but 9mm is cheaper.

 

[alf]

Had a ten once upon a time:

 

[cem]

Good morning,
What is the general census with folks here?
Between 9mm & 45acp

No universal logical choice. In my own case it was 45 based somewhat on shooting precision pistol - #130 bullet and 3.5 grains of Bullseye for gallery pistol. Today I'd avoid shooting Alox/beeswax and Bullseye indoors. Then for many years carry it was nicely smithed mechanically and smoothed for comfort with thin ivory grips 1911 with a thistle maker's mark in 9x23 for effectiveness and an extra cartridge. Today it's a 9x19 M&P Fueled by Ed Brown with a red dot as I am past my 80th birthday and expect to hang it all up soon enough.

Is any one still using the 45acp.
Ive always loved the way a 1911 lays in my hand.
No other pistol on the market like it. And i like the fact i can tune the gun and trigger.
Lately i see a huge push in 9mm..its becoming the rimfire of the center fire world price wise

So in 2025 is it possible to find a higher capacity 9mm style 1911 with the same trigger system of a 1911.? Is that what the 2011 pistol is all about? Im trying to catch up.

Yes

Would you buy such a gun or stick with 45acp.

Neither, but I'm keeping a nicely smithed 1911 in .45ACP. I've gone with a polymer 9x19 for carry but I paid a good deal for a nice one. The Apex/Ed Brown trigger is not great but plenty good enough!

Even if your a reloader is there much difference in price between making 9mm or 45acp ammo once brass is purchased.

Yes, and with access to police ranges buckets of 9x19 can be scrounged for handfuls of .45ACP.

All i see is that goofy striker fire stuff. It is not for my old bent fingers. The looooong take up and clicks seems rediculous, it jist isnt for me.

I'd hesitate to modify Glocks and I know nothing about the forthcoming V series Glocks. The Apex/Ed Brown is good enough in M&P by Smith& Wesson and I have many many thousands of rounds from pricey smithed 1911 pistols for comparison.

Why cant we have drop in trigger systems for pistols like we do rifles that would be awesome. Haha..
I want a 3lb trigger pull. Short take up with a nice wall before release ive only gotten that from Kimbers, and Colts 1911..
I know im jimping around a bit but it was an odd topic that feels like it has been answered 15yrs ago when i wasnt paying any attention.

Nighthawk Custom has a solution for the factory trigger in a production 1911, with the 1911 Drop-In Trigger System from Nighthawk Custom.

The Nighthawk Custom 1911 Drop-In Trigger System, an all-in-one trigger upgrade for the 1911 platform. Never before has a high-quality trigger job been this quick and simple for 1911 shooters. In the same way the AR drop-in trigger changed the AR platform, this revolutionizes the 1911 platform.

So whats your opinion and what did you choose or would choose
Thanks

My opinion is that the 1911 is best with a .900 length case. Hence .45ACP, .38 Super and especially 9x23. At my age I've chosen a somewhat lighter extra capacity 9x19 but I paid a fair piece for a worked over pistol with a good enough trigger.

 

[Steve Donlon]

All 45's 3 1911's Sig P320 compact and on the bottom and best carry pistol HK45c

 

[bobcat93]

Wait..so its ok to stick with what i know?, is that evel legal
I have loaded and shot more 45acp then any other cartridge..other than 22LR.
Ive always had a soft spot for the 45acp
Just thought id check in..

Have you ever seen a 9mm that looked like this?, no..no you haven't hahahaha im sticking with 45acp...that was a close call..thanks guys..
I got my mind right now boss

 

[ELR LVR]

Good morning,
What is the general census with folks here?
Between 9mm & 45acp

Is any one still using the 45acp.
Ive always loved the way a 1911 lays in my hand.
No other pistol on the market like it. And i like the fact i can tune the gun and trigger.
Lately i see a huge push in 9mm..its becoming the rimfire of the center fire world price wise

So in 2025 is it possible to find a higher capacity 9mm style 1911 with the same trigger system of a 1911.? Is that what the 2011 pistol is all about? Im trying to catch up.
Would you buy such a gun or stick with 45acp.
Even if your a reloader is there much difference in price between making 9mm or 45acp ammo once brass is purchased.
All i see is that goofy striker fire stuff. It is not for my old bent fingers. The looooong take up and clicks seems rediculous, it jist isnt for me.
Why cant we have drop in trigger systems for pistols like we do rifles that would be awesome. Haha..
I want a 3lb trigger pull. Short take up with a nice wall before release ive only gotten that from Kimbers, and Colts 1911..
I know im jimping around a bit but it was an odd topic that feels like it has been answered 15yrs ago when i wasnt paying any attention.
So whats your opinion and what did you choose or would choose
Thanks

Didn't read through the whole thread but
They each have their advantages
One may outweight the other in certain circumstances
9mm holds more rounds, so that may be attractive in some aspects for certain things
Like range practice, or out walking around shooting cans and rabbits etc.
and a llight plastic Glock is a good Camping "Beater" pistol where you wont care much if you
drop it, scratch it etc.
But the very reason the "Double tap" was invented was not because people miss so much
is because the 9mm is such and anemic round
So you hold twice as many, but then have to use twice as many
A .40 is much better than a 9mm if given the choice
But a 9mm is a great 50 yd target gun
---
For Self Defense - a .45 is a much better choice.
But once I got a double stack 10mm Auto
---
All other pistols take a back seat to it

 

[charlie b]

Does that mean you did choose a .45? That picture could very well be a 9mm or .38Super or .460Rowland, etc.

I love the 1911 in .45. So does my wife. Hers is a Light Commander with slim grip panels. Yes, she had to learn stoppage drills. We both shot quite a bit decades ago and I reloaded and cast bullets for our pistols. The others I liked were .357mag revolvers. My main carry gun was an SP101.

Me? I don't have either one anymore. Why? I don't shoot much anymore, just enough to keep me confident in my defensive capabilities. Don't even reload for them anymore. So, when the newer small 9's came out I shopped.

If I was limited to the older HP's and FMJ's I'd pick a .45 anytime. But, the newer 9mm ammo is suitable for me to carry on a daily basis. The nice thing, as pointed out above, is it's cheaper to practice.

I ended up with a S&W Shield Plus. 10rds in a package the size of a PPK but lighter. Very easy to conceal. If I want a range day, or a backup mag, I have a 15round that extends the grip to a std size. I can also swap out the barrel for one with a compensator and I have a full size pistol capable of a long day at the range.

The triggers of many of these have changed a lot. No, nothing is as capable as the single action of a well tuned 1911, but, they are smoother and lighter than you might believe. Even Glocks have better triggers these days.

So, yeah, for daily carry I go with a smaller 9mm. If I wanted a range gun I'd probably still have a .45 1911.

PS we were taught the double tap when shooting the .45. The 9mm, when shooting FMJ, spawned the triple, 2 shots to the chest, one to the head.

 

[ISS]

Okay, am I reading that you carry a light weight hicap 9mm so you can shoot somebody twice or three times to do what I do with one 45acp round? Or be able to shoot eight or nine bad guys before you need a reload...? I just stay out of THOSE neighborhoods.

 

[ridgeway]

I like 9s...

 

[30EX]

.45 is still King, but I carry a high capacity CZ-75 because there’s scum out there that carry high 9’s too

 

[charlie b]

Okay, am I reading that you carry a light weight hicap 9mm so you can shoot somebody twice or three times to do what I do with one 45acp round? Or be able to shoot eight or nine bad guys before you need a reload...? I just stay out of THOSE neighborhoods.

Not really. I carry the 9 cause it is so much smaller than the 1911. Before you talk about the small 1911's, I've tried them and have yet to find a 3 1/4" barrel 1911 that is reliable.

If I need more than one round of 9mm I am in deep s&&&. Why then the higher cap mag? It fits my hand better. I did try out a bunch of single stack .45 and 9mm and ended up with the shield plus.

I don't believe the 'one shot stop' stuff about the .45. Yeah, if comparing FMJ's I'll take the extra dia. But, when using bullets designed for each, I don't see that I am giving up anything with a 9mm for personal self defense. There has been a LOT of compilations of shootings and research lab data collection over the past couple decades. 99.9% of them result in the finding that shot placement trumps caliber in almost all conditions. A poorly placed .45 will be just as bad as a poorly placed 9mm. A well placed round will do the same regardless of the caliber, if the penetration is sufficient (refer to the FBI penetration standards). Yes, you can argue that an expanded .45HP is a fraction of an inch bigger than an expanded 9mm. If I am relying on a .1" difference in shot placement then I need to practice more. Using that argument you should be shooting a .50 or .60 caliber. Some argue permanent vs temporary cavity, but, the only place I've seen data that supports that kind of thing is with rifle velocity bullets.

Yes, I remember the old days. When a 125gn HP out of a .357Mag was the ONLY one shot stop solution, as supported by the state police out here in the west. 1911 was a barely sufficient second place. The .30 carbine was so weak anyone with a winter jacket could just waltz through the gunfire. The 9mm and .38spl needed 5 or more shots to stop someone. Times change. Ammo changed. Pistols got better.

 

[std7mag]

I started with semi auto pistols with my Springfield Armory Champion. 4" in 45ACP.
Have had several other pistols in 9mm and 40 S&W that have been sold.
I started buying better quality.

I rotate through my carry pistols. Both 9mm & 45ACP.

Springfield Champion in 45.
Walther PPQ in 45. (12 rounds)
Walther PPS in 9mm.
H&K VP9.
FN 509c

I've found that if you get the better quality pistols, I don't notice that much of a difference when you're drawing and shooting from a single stage and striker fired.
Too busy making a smooth draw and focusing on the sights.

 

[gkgeiger]

I love my 1911’s, had several, mostly 9mm. My feeling is if you’re looking for a killing round go .45, if you’re looking for a fun shooter go 9mm. JMO

 

[ELR LVR]

Something I heard/ Wives tale maybe? True,? WWII stuff
---the 45 ACP was arrived at for the military because it was one round you could shoot the enemies
horse and bring it down
---
So following along that logic, if it will bring down a horse........

 

[Rubberduckie]

A 1911 has a comfort, a beautiful handle to shoot for fun or carry when I feel nostalgic. Nothing feels like it.
My sig 365 is also the same feel but smaller and easier to conceal. The added capacity is a big plus.
Hunting carry is always chest right 357 mag.

 

[seagate]

45 ACP is my choice my father a War II veteran always told us if you shoot at someone with a 45 and he doesn't fall shoot again you missed and I had no reason to doubt him.

 

[Fuj]

.45 is still King, but I carry a high capacity CZ-75 because there’s scum out there that carry high 9’s too

Yeah, a bud of mine has a drum magazine for his 75. Say's he is wearing
a colostomy bag if anyone asks about the lump.......

 

[mongo chicago]

A well placed round will do the same regardless of the caliber, if the penetration is sufficient (refer to the FBI penetration standards).

I don't trust or rely on FBI standards. Learned a long time ago how flawed many of their tests - theories - and results were after attending an FBI lecture.

 

[charlie b]

I don't dispute that as a general thing, but, their standards on bullet performance mirrors what a lot of us desired in pistols. Back in the day hollow points were designed to expand in gel (sometimes). Most didn't do anything after penetrating clothing or fur. I had a ton of the HydraShock bullets fail miserably if s single piece of denim or fur was placed in front of the target. The old Gold Dot flying saucer was another that didn't do as well in that regard. And, unless you had a vel over 1100fps many didn't expand at all.

The FBI standards at least brought that out in the open and made everyone notice the issues. Even most of the .45 ammo was redesigned to work at lower velocities of the 4" barrels after going through layers of clothing. Their standard for duty use are more extreme than what most of us would need, eg, full penetration after going through a windshield. Hornady is one who recognizes that difference in their Critical Duty and Critical Defense ammo and many have tested that ammo to show the difference.

We also have a lot more people out there with the time and resources to test the ammo extensively and are not shills for the mfgs, like magazine publishers used to be. A lot of old myths have been exposed by those folks.

 

[David Milisock]

Good morning,
What is the general census with folks here?
Between 9mm & 45acp

Is any one still using the 45acp.
Ive always loved the way a 1911 lays in my hand.
No other pistol on the market like it. And i like the fact i can tune the gun and trigger.
Lately i see a huge push in 9mm..its becoming the rimfire of the center fire world price wise

So in 2025 is it possible to find a higher capacity 9mm style 1911 with the same trigger system of a 1911.? Is that what the 2011 pistol is all about? Im trying to catch up.
Would you buy such a gun or stick with 45acp.
Even if your a reloader is there much difference in price between making 9mm or 45acp ammo once brass is purchased.
All i see is that goofy striker fire stuff. It is not for my old bent fingers. The looooong take up and clicks seems rediculous, it jist isnt for me.
Why cant we have drop in trigger systems for pistols like we do rifles that would be awesome. Haha..
I want a 3lb trigger pull. Short take up with a nice wall before release ive only gotten that from Kimbers, and Colts 1911..
I know im jimping around a bit but it was an odd topic that feels like it has been answered 15yrs ago when i wasnt paying any attention.
So whats your opinion and what did you choose or would choose
Thanks

Shoot what fits your hand and style.
I really like the 1911 in 45ACP but I also have a Glock 19 and 31 because while I like them I don't care much about them, if they get bitched up so what! For concealed carry I have a Makarov 9x18.
True story, a pharmacist friend got robbed, he popped the guy 1 time (a 200 lb dude) at close range square in the chest with his 45 with ball ammo. They found him ALIVE 2 blocks away and he lived to server his time in jail.