Cant afford .45 acp, thinking bout going 9mm

[Darebear]

I just recently moved out of the nest, and I'm not having money problems but I am realizing that I can't drop 50 bucks (25$/box) a week for .45acp ammo. I can't reload neither, I live in a apartment and reason number two is HK voids the warranty if you shoot reloads. I can catch 9mm on sale for 10$/box at my local Dicks Sporting Goods. So clearly I can afford 9mm more than .45 ergo I'm thinking about just concentrating on the 9mm platform. I know that I am giving up a def edge in stopping power by making this decision but I am at peace with my decision. And in a HD situation what my 9mm cant stop my Rem 870 will. ;-).

If anyone can recommend any proven 9mm HP loads then I would appreciate that. My G19 is loaded with Corbon DPX 115 grain. 115 is pretty light so if there are any heavier proven loads I would appreciate your input.

Also I know the cream of the crop seems to be the S&W M&P but I don't like the M&P line. I'm thinking of either a HKP30 or a Sig P226. If anyone has had any experiences with either please share, I like the HK line but the trigger reset is far and I like the Sig line but a Sig P226 requires more maintance from what I heard... Also I don't plan on carrying this gun, my G19 will be my EDC once my HK45c is sold... G19's don't break with normal maintance do they?

 

[Overkilll0084]

What does the apartment have to do with reloading? A small but workable setup can be stored in a plastic bin when not in use. Consider a Black & decker workmate as a bench that you can fold up and stick in a closet.
I'm not aware of any mainstream firearms manufacturer that endorses reloads in their guns. I haven't let that stop me. When firearms manufacturers start paying for my ammo, they get a vote.
9 mm is a perfectly adequate defense round, contrary to all the haters. Maybe not the best, but it'll do the job if you do yours. I like Winchester Ranger 147 JHPs. Any suitable defense load should be fine, including the CorBons you already have.
Either of your pistol choices should be fine. Which one do YOU like best?
Aside from normal cleaning, What maintenance? SIGs are pretty durable devices.

 

[Pyro]

How about 9x18 or 7.62x25? Surplus ammo is still around and is cheap to buy bulk.

 

[Dogguy]

Sounds to me like somebody wants to justify the purchase of a new gun. We've all done that before.

 

[Wicked1911]

Anyone who doesn't like the P226 has either never owned one, or can't afford one!

 

[Skylerbone]

If you already have a Glock in 9mm why would you buy another defense minded 9mm? If .45ACP is what you want and you believe you could afford feeding it if you loaded then ask the rents for a small space where you can load (assuming you didn't fly too far). Buy a small set-up, load for what you have while saving money and think about what you really want.

I can reload Hornady XTPs in .45 for about $27/100. That's $3.50/box more than your current WalMart shoot-n-pray target 9s. I say that not as a knock against the 9mm but against ammo that simply isn't reliable. You can buy a Lee single-stage press for the price of a box of Corbon, yeah $25.

 

[Effigy]

I don't have experience with H&K pistols, but I tend to prefer a metal frame so the SIG is my choice. I also prefer the controls/ergonomics on the SIG, and I think they're generally a little cheaper to boot.

EDIT: I didn't see that you already had a G19 when I started replying. In that case getting a .45 isn't a bad idea, though I'd recommend the 9mm for someone's first handgun. Either of these 9mm pistols won't really do anything your G19 doesn't, but if you want another 9mm just for kicks I don't think you'd go wrong with either. I prefer the SIG design myself.

 

[Darebear]

What does the apartment have to do with reloading?

I'm weary of having the setup in my apt. Especially with the maintence people coming in when I'm not there. Which they are allowed to do.

What maintenance? SIGs are pretty durable devices.

O. I'm not knocking the Sig's durability. I have owned nothing buy polymer pistols and I hear from guys that own 1911's, stainless steel handguns and other non polymer pistols that they require more maintaince then say a Glock. That's all.

 

[Darebear]

Sounds to me like somebody wants to justify the purchase of a new gun. We've all done that before.

Lol. Not really. Just trying to get things straight, maybe even condense.

 

[the_hustleman]

Sounds like reloading isn't as expensive as I thought.

What would a beginning loader such as myself need to get started in an apartment?

*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[Darebear]

If you already have a Glock in 9mm why would you buy another defense minded 9mm? If .45ACP is what you want

O... .45 acp isn't what I want. I want 9mm for several reasons mainly cost, I'm just trying to gather seasoned shooters opinions on if this has ever happened to them, condensing down to one handgun caliber. Another reason I'm switching to 9mm is because I noticed that I feel a little more comforted with high capacity mags, I know that people will say it only takes 2-3 rounds and I don't plan on dumping 15 rounds... It just makes me feel better to have a high cap mag. Hopefully a politician doesn't come along and brings the ban back... UGH!


Well I like to own two pistols no matter what. Just incase one goes down. That's why I asked at the end with normal maintance if Glocks break... Because when I'm condensed down to just 9mm my G19 will be my only EDC. I guess if my Glock ever did go down I could conceal carry a P30... A sig P226, not so much ;-).

 

[Smaug]

I voted P30L, but what I really think you should do is reload, so you CAN afford to shoot the cartridge you want to shoot.

Living in an apartment is not a reason not to reload. Lee makes a hand press that is perfect. Even before I had my hand press, I had my single stage press clamped to an old desk. The components all stored away in the drawers.

HK is not alone in that they void the warranty if you admit the gun was damaged from a reload. It isn't a big deal. I blew up my Ruger P90 barrel once with a squib load followed by a full power load. I sent it in to Ruger, told them just what happened. They said: "We'll fix it for $100. We recommend using factory ammo only." So I paid my money for a lesson learned the hard way and they fixed the gun.

Check out my signature thread for some illustrations of how to reload on a budget or with a small space.

If you don't WANT to reload, that is another story. You're welcome to miss out on all that it has to offer, but it is sure a big shame to see people making choices like this.

Lots of folks don't shoot 44 Magnum because of the ammo cost. ($40 a box) I load it for $12 a box, and it is probably my favorite round to shoot, tied with 22LR.

 

[Yahtzee4U]

You seem a little unsure of what you want Darebear. It seems (after much ciphering) that you would simply like a second 9mm pistol to back up your G19, and you want 9mm because it's cheap? Why do you need another 9mm pistol to back up your G19, Glock's are known for their extreme reliability and durability. Are you actually carrying this gun everywhere and want a BUG? Or do you simply want another gun lying around the house in case your 12GA (which is what I would use first, not second..ahem) and G19 fail on you simultaneously?

Buy a .357 revolver. Ruger or S&W. Will last you two lifetime of shooting and .38spl ammo for practice is almost as cheap as 9mm.

 

[1KPerDay]

Get a .22 handgun and a bunch of ammo.

 

[hAkron]

Sig P226, 228, or 229. AlsO get the .22 conversion kit for some seriously cheap shooting. As an alternative, get a used CZ 75B and the .22 conversion kit for cheaper than the Sig

 

[hAkron]

For a cheap reloading setup go with a Lee kit.

 

[JDGray]

Sig doublestacks(226) are just huge guns....I like my CZ75B-SA for a target gun, with a set of thin aluminum CZ grips, makes it nice and thin!
9mm's have plenty of stopping power, that would be the least of my concerns

 

[Darebear]

You seem a little unsure of what you want Darebear. It seems (after much ciphering) that you would simply like a second 9mm pistol to back up your G19, and you want 9mm because it's cheap? Why do you need another 9mm pistol to back up your G19, Glock's are known for their extreme reliability and durability. Are you actually carrying this gun everywhere and want a BUG? Or do you simply want another gun lying around the house in case your 12GA (which is what I would use first, not second..ahem) and G19 fail on you simultaneously?

Buy a .357 revolver. Ruger or S&W. Will last you two lifetime of shooting and .38spl ammo for practice is almost as cheap as 9mm.

I apologize to all if I seem uncertain. I am certain of owning just handguns chambered in 9mm. I am certain that I do not want to reload, I will not give reloading the safety respect it demands so I don't want to get into it. The only thing I am not certain about is what firearm will replace my .45... Also it is def easier for me to do what I need to do with a handgun in the middle of the night. It may seem silly but it is easier for me to have a handgun with a WML in one hand and another hand free. I guess I got the shotgun because it was cheap and powerful and kinda fun to shoot.

I do want a BUG, but not a traditional BUG... just a "back up gun" if the Glock19 has to go to the gunsmith for any reasons. I would like a range and HD handgun. Something bigger, longer sight radius, more mag capacity etc. Just a second 9mm handgun. I adhere to the "One is none and two is one" idea.

 

[camsdaddy]

Ok I can't resist. You want to buy a 9mm to have when your Glock 19 is broken and out of commision? Buy a High Point you will never need it anyway.

 

[Tennessee Ned]

Both of those are fine guns but I'd go with the Sig.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Get a .22 handgun and a bunch of ammo.

Does HK have a 22 LR adaptor for your current pistol? If not, you could consider getting a different 45 that has a factory 22 LR conversion kit. I do agree that your shotgun is your better home defense weapon. How about you cut out a few Starbucks trips and eating out at lunch and take that saved money for 45 ammo?

 

[Darebear]

I know it sounds silly, maybe it's just a OCD thing that I like to prepare if one gun goes down and needs serviced.

 

[Darebear]

Ok I can't resist. You want to buy a 9mm to have when your Glock 19 is broken and out of commision? Buy a High Point you will never need it anyway.

I know it sounds silly, maybe it's just a OCD thing that I like to prepare if one gun goes down and needs serviced.

 

[Geckgo]

I'm having a hard time seeing your reasoning here, maybe I'm missing something. Let me make sure I understand this properly. You are tired of having two different calibers and want just one. I understand that. Easier to horde ammo for one pistol rather than choosing between your babies. But let's be honest, you could get another glock 19. I think you just want a newer, prettier model. It's okay, you can tell us, just make sure that your glock is in the other room when you say it

Get what you want man. I kind of like the sig, or the HK, it's a personal thing. Both of them will spit .355 inch hot lead just as well. If someone were to offer me one of the two, I think I'd take the Sig.

As for 9mm defense ammo, I hear HSTs perform really good in 9mm. I'd go with 147gr ammo, but I'm a 45 guy and I like heavy bullets.

Take a picture when the baby arrives!

 

[Skylerbone]

If I were you and had a 19, I'd get a 17L and call it a day. If you want to spend more money then I'd add new sights to both. I'm not a Glock owner, I appreciate their virtues from afar and I think a consistant platform choice is better than swapping back and fourth.

If the budget were higher I'd say get a 1911 in 9mm or a BHP (or both) then dump everything else and you'd have a great shooting, reliable pistol to enjoy for a lifetime.