[Flashpoint]

I was trying to come with good reason to get a .45 ACP. I have a .40 and can not see what a .45 could do that the .40 could not. Are there really any advantages or is it just prefrance? If not I think I will join the cult of the 10mm.:D

[Rich357]

When scoring in Bullseye shooting the larger diameter hole from a .45ACP has a little better chance of breaking a line on the target.

The .45 ACP may be easier to reload.

The .45 ACP is available in virtually every store that sells ammo.

Maybe you will find you like shooting something different now and then?

Rich

[DMK]

45ACP generally shoots a heavier bullet than .40S&W but of course, not always. .45 is not as snappy in the recoil department.

However, 10mm is a bit more robust than either. Just don't expect the variety of ammo that you get with the .40 or .45

[Penforhire]

For many people .45ACP has the advantage of tradition, especially from defenders of the cult (Colt :) ) of 1911. I still own an original Series 70, fun to shoot.

[10-Ring]

I have found the 45 acp to be the most user friendly of calibers. Plus, it is available in EVERY gun shop you walk into.

[Flashpoint]

.45 is not as snappy in the recoil department

I have heard that. Anyone know why?

[Skunkabilly]

I don't think it's so much the caliber as some people find the .45 platforms like the 1911 easier to shoot from?

[Lancel]

Just don't expect the variety of ammo that you get with the .40 or .45
Actually that's quite a myth about 10mm ammo. It's easily found for web shoppers from at least 135 gr to 200 gr. in about eight different bullet weights.
There is certainly more variety for 10mm than .40 S&W - same bullets, more loadings.:)

In short, the 10mm's versatility is one of it's main attractions.

Larry

[mr. e]

I carry the 40 Auto for self defense, but for pistol games such as action shooting, I like my Kimber Custom Classic .45. I find the Kimber easier to draw and shoot accurately because of its cocked and locked capability, and the recoil is gentler so it's easier to get back on target. It's too big for concealed carry, however, so the 40 works well because it's in a smaller package.

[Flashpoint]

I have a M40 and a p239 in 9mm that I use for self defense. I was considering maybe also getting a .45 if it offered any real advantage over the .40. Since I don't really see any area where it does than getting the 10mm would more or less be a novelty, a HD and range gun.

Anyone use a 10mm as there ccw, the round seems so big it could be a liability?

[SDC]

quote:
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.45 is not as snappy in the recoil department
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I have heard that. Anyone know why?


As far as I know, it's just a question of kinetic energy; the .40 fires an almost-as-heavy bullet faster than the .45 does, the slide cycles a little faster, and that faster slide velocity translates to a sharper, faster, "snappier" recoil.

[Black Snowman]

The times, they are a changing. I remember back when I was first shopping for a handgun this thread would have been "Is the .40 good enough to beat a .45 even with twice the rounds in the mag?"

Now the .45 is having to defend itself? I guess opinions of the .40 have certainly changed over the years.

[mr. e]

I like the 40 for carry, that doesn't mean that it's any good. I might just be ignorant.

(After all, alot of people like Bill Klinton, and we know he's no good. :^Þ)

I don't think the 45's record needs to be defended (and no defense is going to help Klinton)

[mete]

From all the research I have done there doesn't seem to be any difference in actual street performance between 357 sig, 40 and 45. On woodchucks and similar I can't see any difference between the 40 and 45. Pick the gun that fits you and you can shoot well.

[Erik]

"Are there really any advantages or is it just prefrance?"

A larger diameter hole in one's adversary, which many prefer.

[DMK]

Actually that's quite a myth about 10mm ammo. It's easily found for web shoppers from at least 135 gr to 200 gr. in about eight different bullet weights. True. I actually meant less available in the local stores but heck, I rarely buy ammo locally anyway though and 10mm is obviously a very versitile round.


quote:
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.45 is not as snappy in the recoil department
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I have heard that. Anyone know why?

Good question. I don't know, but I think SDC's explanation sounds pretty plausable. I think 9mm is pretty snappy also, but doesn't have the torque that .40 and .45 have so you don't feel it as much.

[Sean Smith]

Since I don't really see any area where it does than getting the 10mm would more or less be a novelty, a HD and range gun.

Anyone use a 10mm as there ccw, the round seems so big it could be a liability?

I'm not sure what you mean. The 10mm cartridge has about the same overall length as .45 ACP and is .400" instead of around .451" caliber. 10mm guns are the same size as their .45 ACP equivalents (e.g. 1911, Glock, etc.). Lots of people carry .45 ACP guns, and 10mm guns carry just as well (and usually add 1-2 rounds of capacity in the bargin).

And 10mm practice ammo is the same price or less than most .45 ACP practice ammo if you get it from Georgia Arms or Ammoman.com.

[Abominable No-Man]

The 1911 has a lower bore axis to the hand and arm, because it is single action. No double-action trigger mechanism, which means there's less of a distance in where the bore is, and subsequently where the recoil pushes back against your arm than there is with a double-action pistol, which is typically taller than a 1911.

To illustrate what I just posted, make a gun with your hand (index finger and thumb). Push back against your index finger, and see how much your hand rotates up. Now push back against your thumb and see.

ANM

[Flashpoint]

Sean Smith wrote
I'm not sure what you mean.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the velocities of the 10mm a lot high than that of the .45. It just seems if that is true than you run the risk of over penetration and liability.

As far as wanting a 10mm I just don't know anyone who has one, they don't seem to be all that common, that in it's self makes me want one.
I probably wouldn't ever carry it, that's what my 40.cal and 9mm are for. Right now I am satisfied with them as CCW pieces.

As far as I know, it's just a question of kinetic energy; the .40 fires an almost-as-heavy bullet faster than the .45 does, the slide cycles a little faster, and that faster slide velocity translates to a sharper, faster, "snappier" recoil.

Makes sense to me:D

I can't see any difference between the 40 and 45. Pick the gun that fits you and you can shoot well.

I have picked those guns. I don't really need any more but not needing something never stoped me from getting it before:evil:

[New_comer]

. I don't really need any more but not needing something never stopped me from getting it before My sentiments exactly.

Tha'ts why I bought a 45 myself. ;)

[Sean Smith]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the velocities of the 10mm a lot high than that of the .45. It just seems if that is true than you run the risk of over penetration and liability.

Right and wrong. 10mm has way higher velocities than .45 ACP. 10mm hollowpoints also have about the same penetration as .45 ACP, depending on the bullet weight used. More speed makes hollowpoints expand more rapidly and more drastically, causing the bullet to slow down in the body quicker and reducing penetration. With solid bullets you would be right; faster goes deeper.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/10mm.htm

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/45acp.htm

[cosmonick]

As already mentioned, the main advatage to 45 is a bigger hole. 45 is also known to be a more accurate cartridge (although I can't prove it when comparing my P220 to my G35). Another advantage is the ability to go to 400 Corbon with just a barrel change. 400 Corbon gives you near 10mm performance with bottle-neck feed reliability.

[Lancel]

Welcome, cosmonick :)
45 is also known to be a more accurate cartridgeWhat are the supporting references for this claim? Is there an impartial, similar platform comparison e.g. quality loads through Contender barrels from a Ransom rest?

Please post if it exists.:)

Thanks,
Larry

[Hal]

Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Loosiana fellow to the Promised Land

The 230 gr - - advantage - -.45acp

[cosmonick]

"What are the supporting references for this claim? Is there an impartial, similar platform comparison e.g. quality loads through Contender barrels from a Ransom rest?"

Definitely no scientific evidence that I know of. I have read articles and spoke with people that claim the 45 acp has a better inherent accuray than the 40. But like I said, that hasn't been my personal experience. Personally, I find that the platform has more affect on my precision than the caliber. Sorry if my comment was misleading.

Oh, and thanks for being the first to welcome me!

[Zundfolge]

I have read articles and spoke with people that claim the 45 acp has a better inherent accuray than the 40.
I hear that a lot too but I think that has more to do with launching platform then the bullets themselves.

There's a LOT of 6" 1911s and tricked out raceguns shooting .45 and I'd say most of the .40 guns out there are Glocks and other "duty weapons" which are clearly not as accurate as competition guns.

Also, I've found that 180gr .40 just doesn't shoot as well as the lighter ones ... and since 180gr is the most common weight for .40 (because the 10mm was built around a 180gr bullet, and the .40 is the stepchild of the 10mm) I think most people's experience with .40 is with 180gr bullets.

[Lancel]

Here's an interesting statement in an FBI study on the 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP:
As an additional consideration, the 10mm was by far the most accurate round tested, consistently providing one hole 10 shot groups at 25 yards of less than an inch (0.77" average) with both handloaded and factory ammunition built to FBI specifications. By contrast, the 9mm averaged 2.3" and the .45 averaged 2".
The 1989 report is here (http://nightmare.org/textfiles/law/nov_1.law).

For most of us there are too many variables to make an easy comparison between calibers.
For me, the real (and more relevant) question is the most accurate bullet / load in a particular individual firearm.

Larry