Is 45acp fading away?

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Besides, 45 ACP is a newbie when compared to 9x19, 9x19 was introduced several years before the 45 ACP hit the scene.

By that logic, we should all be using .32's. The 7.63mm Borchardt (1893) pre-dates the 9mm by 9 years; the 9mm ParaBellum (1902, means "made for war") only predates the .45ACP (1904, means "Automatic Colt Pistol") by 2.

Then again, I think what you're really saying is, the .45ACP was a natural evolutionary improvement over it's predecessors, the 9mm and 7.63mm.

 

[SDGlock23]

I've wondered the same thing, and I think to an extent it is fading away not because there's anything wrong with it, but the trend for quite some time now has been increasingly smaller and smaller guns, something the .45 doesn't have a lot of. The 1911 is largely .45 but not solely .45 and part of me thinks most of the .45 crowd consists of older guys. As for the polymer guns, I know one reason I don't have .45's anymore is that generally speaking, they're just larger guns.

Sacrificing weapon size and capacity can be a tall order especially for a carry gun. Not many people would choose a 5 shot smallish .45 (XDS for instance) over an 11rd 9mm (Hellcat) that is smaller in every way, especially since .45 really loses steam from such short barrels, I've clocked factory .45 230gr running in the upper 600 fps range from such small guns. In larger guns I'd prefer the .45 over the 9mm, guess that's why I settled on the .40, it does well no matter bbl. length.

 

[The Glockodile]

45 is baked into our collective shooting culture. Might not ever be the most trendy or popular, but I doubt it’s fading into obscurity anytime soon either.

Yeppers.

Just like Cowboy Pistoleros and Harley - Davidsons.

Stuff that may or may not be long in the tooth, but they'll linger on, for whatever reason...

 

[Jimbo80]

I think the 45 will be around for many more decades,

I would bet many more centuries. Like anything else JMB touched the .45 is here to stay.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

And the Buff is slated to remain on active duty for 30 more years. How many whiz-bang superstratobombers ago was it declared antiquated by "the experts"?

 

[The Glockodile]

And the Buff is slated to remain on active duty for 30 more years. How many whiz-bang superstratobombers ago was it declared antiquated by "the experts"?

We have no more money, mon!

We be poor!

 

[Waisting lead]

.45 acp hopefully will never fade away.
I love the .45 , of all stripes.
The colt ,the 45/70 and the acp .
A large heavy round even at subsonic speeds is very effective.
Even if your wearing body armor a 45 will probably knock you on your @$$.

 

[JohnKSa]

Then again, I think what you're really saying is, the .45ACP was a natural evolutionary improvement over it's predecessors, the 9mm and 7.63mm.

I don't know that it makes sense to call either of those two cartridges evolutionary predecessors of the .45ACP.

I don't know that it would be easy to make a case for the idea that the .45ACP is in any way, developed from or modified from the 9mm or the 7.63mm.

My understanding is that Browning was already working on something in a smaller caliber (probably based on the other cartridges he designed) and when the Army said it wanted something in .45caliber, he made the change.

Maybe someone has a good background on the topic and can expound. Frankly, I would find that to be really interesting reading.

 

[Waisting lead]

I don't know that it makes sense to call either of those two cartridges evolutionary predecessors of the .45ACP.

I don't know that it would be easy to make a case for the idea that the .45ACP is in any way, developed from or modified from the 9mm or the 7.63mm.

My understanding is that Browning was already working on something in a smaller caliber (probably based on the other cartridges he designed) and when the Army said it wanted something in .45caliber, he made the change.

Maybe someone has a good background on the topic and can expound. Frankly, I would find that to be really interesting reading.

Actually the .45 acp is the 30/06 shell cut down.

 

[fxvr5]

Actually the .45 acp is the 30/06 shell cut down.

Not according to SAAMI specs. Also, the 45 ACP (1904) was created before the 30-06 (1906).

 

[JohnKSa]

Also, the 45 ACP (1904) was created before the 30-06 (1906).

Well, sorta. The base cartridge was the 30-03 (1903). The changes that made it the 30-06 wouldn't have affected the part of the cartridge that would have remained after being cut down. (Just an observation, I'm not arguing one way or the other relating to the theory that the .45ACP is a cut-down version of the .30-03/.30-06.)

Comparing the two SAAMI drawings definitely shows differences--the main one being that the .45ACP is a straight-walled cartridge while the .30-06 has a tapered body. But things are similar enough to be interesting.

 

[JR24]

Topical article by Mas Ayoob.

https://www.thearmorylife.com/ayoob-is-the-45-obsolete/?utm_campaign=The Armory Life&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=126986170&utm_content=126986170&utm_source=hs_email

 

[brutus51]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, everyone knows the 9mm is the "new .45". Tomorrow the "new 9mm" will be the .32ACP.
Can't wait for the .22LR to take over.

 

[LeftyRed]

Not around my place. I have more love for 45ACP wheel guns than shell shuckers though. I hate policing brass.

I think a whole generation of shooters got wound up in velocity and maximum bullet expansion when slow and fat has been doing it for years and years.

Lefty

 

[JR24]

Not around my place. I have more love for 45ACP wheel guns than shell shuckers though. I hate policing brass.

I think a whole generation of shooters got wound up in velocity and maximum bullet expansion when slow and fat has been doing it for years and years.

Lefty

I really need a .45 ACP wheel gun, I think my next will be a Blackhawk .45 LC with the ACP conversion cylinder.

 

[LeftyRed]

I really need a .45 ACP wheel gun, I think my next will be a Blackhawk .45 LC with the ACP conversion cylinder.

As much as I like the BH Convertibles, try and find an Uberti or Pietta SAA repro with the conversion cylinder. Handier and twice the fun.

 

[JR24]

As much as I like the BH Convertibles, try and find an Uberti or Pietta SAA repro with the conversion cylinder. Handier and twice the fun.

The reason I had been thinking Blackhawk would be to get some more modern sights on it for a woods/hunting sidearm option. I have a couple .357 vaqueros that I like but wish had proper sights on them.

But I'll keep that in mind . I've really also always wanted one of those Schofield repros

 

[LeftyRed]

The reason I had been thinking Blackhawk would be to get some more modern sights on it for a woods/hunting sidearm option. I have a couple .357 vaqueros that I like but wish had proper sights on them.

But I'll keep that in mind . I've really also always wanted one of those Schofield repros

Completely understand that! Awaiting for the Italians to add adjustable sights to one of their repro models.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Completely understand that! Awaiting for the Italians to add adjustable sights to one of their repro models.

I have an Uberti SAA in 44 mag I think 6.5" barrel, model Callahan target. Has adjustable rear and ramped front.

 

[Rodfac]

Good grief...the .45 ACP fading away? Power, caliber, penetration and a history of success that goes back over 100 years....if anything, it's better now that it's ever been. I'll opine that it's about all the recoil the average shooter can handle and still get off quick 2nd and 3rd shots when needed. It's my #1 choice where very serious social encounters would be anticipated, and where a 12 bore shotgun would present wardrobe difficulties. YMMv, but learn to handle it's recoil and you'll be a convert. Best Regards, Rod Below: that's my Sig RCS in .45 holstered in a home made 'Avenger' type OWB.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

For me never. I will be replacing my 5-shot 357 CC revolver with a 45 CC-sized pistol as soon as I can. I have nothing against the 9mm, the 40's or even the 380's but the 45 is a proven performer that I can shoot very well so it will stay with me until the average person grows to 7-ft and 400 lbs. Then I'll switch to a 10mm or a 44 Magnum.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Not according to SAAMI specs. Also, the 45 ACP (1904) was created before the 30-06 (1906).

But not before the 30-03 which is virtually identical, and which uses the 7X57 Mauser head.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yes. Yes it is. So is 9mm, 357, 40 S&W............

 

[Riomouse911]

I personally think the .45 is Super.... as does my SA .45 Super.



I think the grand old .45 ACP will be around and popular for a few dozen more years or so... .

Stay safe.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Well, all you guys who think it is fading away, I will be glad to take them off your hands for proper disposal at my local gun range.

Dang, I wish you'd have made the offer years ago! But now I don't own any dur to the caliber fading away. Finally sold the few hundred rounds of ammo I had sitting around; sold it all at pre-pandemic pricing to some friends.