Is 45acp fading away?

I couldn't imagine that happening. Is 9mm more popular? Sure. But 45 ACP has been chugging along for over 100 years. Look at all the handgun rounds that have come and "pretty much" gone in that time: 327, 41 AE, 41 mag, 357 Sig, 45 GAP, all of those huge magnums that aren't 44 or 357 (and of course the 50 AE), weirdos like 50 GI and 400 Corbon. Then there are those that are "trying to make a comeback" or existing in certain niches, like 38 super and 10mm, and the 5.7 that really doesn't know what it identifies as (but I like it). Anyone remember the 38/45 Clerke? The 40 of course remains relevant, probably because it was so successfully marketed to LE (many agencies which are liquidating those guns, and going back to the 9mm- creating a "police surplus market". Proof that the 40 S&W is here to stay exists because even the Russians are making it in steel cases.
What 2 things do all of these calibers have in common? Well, some people drank the kool-aid when they came out, and are still die-hard users of all of these. They either have a hard time finding some of them, and end up paying a LOT when they do find them, or they enjoy the pastime of reloading. That's fine, do what makes YOU happy- after all, none of them are really "bad" for what handguns are generally intended for. The second thing? ALL of these calibers were released in whatever format of gun(s) they were offered in, from whichever manufacturers, and touted in various magazines (often as the "cover girl" of that issue) and touted as "the future", "the new go-to", "the solution to some problem", or whatever the catch phrase was (the source of the previously mentioned kool-aid). They were running sprints, and the 45 ACP was, and still is, running a marathon. Along with calibers like 9mm and 380.

The .45 ACP is too new-fangled for me. I don't trust it yet as it doesn't have a long enough track record. I'll take .45 Colt thank you.

Anyone ever see the flick "Hot Tub Time Machine?"

I feel as though I've just awakened in 1991 and picked up the new Guns & Ammo with ".45 vs. 9mm" on the cover as though there were some new revelations to be discovered.

1KPerDay said:

When people like Bill Wilson, Larry Vickers, and Ken Hackathorn carry 9mms you can bet it’s dropping some users overall. To say that it ISN’T losing some popularity is frankly silly.

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So, (the late, great) Pat Rogers wrote a great article some years ago, "Putting Down The Man Gun." Most younger guys can't possibly understand this, but for most of us shooters -- who shoot a lot, every week -- once you get into your '60s, the old injuries and arthritis become a HUGE factor in your shooting capabilities. Having had shoulder surgery, several breaks in all the bones in my right arm, wrist and hand, with the shoulder, bicep, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers being riddled with excess calcium, arthritis and tendonitis/tendonosis -- you absolutely will have to make a compromise with regard to the caliber you shoot and carry the most. I guarantee you it's not because those guys find the 9mm substantially better as a whole than .45 ACP.

Phaedrus/69 said:

But almost everyone under 60 years of age considers the 1911 to be a Fudd gun, not too far removed lever actions and double barreled shotguns.

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Simply not true, and another display of ageism. In my shooting circles, which spans three counties, several ranges, gun clubs and law enforcement entities, the 1911 is alive and well, and certainly not disregarded by the younger set.

DR505 said:

The .45 ACP is too new-fangled for me. I don't trust it yet as it doesn't have a long enough track record. I'll take .45 Colt thank you.

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I'm still not sure about those fancy metal cartridges.

JR24 said:

I'm still not sure about those fancy metal cartridges.

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Luddite.

Old Dog said:

So, (the late, great) Pat Rogers wrote a great article some years ago, "Putting Down The Man Gun." Most younger guys can't possibly understand this, but for most of us shooters -- who shoot a lot, every week -- once you get into your '60s, the old injuries and arthritis become a HUGE factor in your shooting capabilities. Having had shoulder surgery, several breaks in all the bones in my right arm, wrist and hand, with the shoulder, bicep, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers being riddled with excess calcium, arthritis and tendonitis/tendonosis -- you absolutely will have to make a compromise with regard to the caliber you shoot and carry the most. .

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Undoubtedly so. The aforementioned gentlemen have said as much when discussing their transitions from .45 to 9mms. Beat up hands, arms, elbows, wrists, shoulders prefer 9mms over .45s. However they also point out often that performance in actual shootings is very close between all of the “main” pistol calibers, and that they can shoot a lot more overall, and get quicker hits in drills, shooting the 9mm.

The advantage may be minimal but it is an advantage in that regard.

There are only three different type of 45 ACP guns in my household, 1911's, S&W revolvers, and a Thompson TM-1. As long as components are available, 45 ACP will be a may part of my inventory.

I shoot almost exclusively 230 RN bullets although I have been dabbling with 185-200 grain semi-wadcutter target style loads.

I have to admit carrying a small 9MM or a S&W j frame. But for open carry and the range it is one of my 1911 45’s. the first caliber that I reloaded was the 45 ACP. Then .40, 9MM and 38 special. I have been lucky in that I purchased Large amounts of components for these calibers Years ago. So I just look at these shelves of high priced ammo and just chuckle. To me the 45 ACP is accurate and loads of fun to shoot. And if I knew I was going in harms way the 1911 in 45 ACP would be my carry along with my AR.

Old Dog said:

Anyone ever see the flick "Hot Tub Time Machine?"

I feel as though I've just awakened in 1991 and picked up the new Guns & Ammo with ".45 vs. 9mm" on the cover as though there were some new revelations to be discovered.
[...]
Simply not true, and another display of ageism. In my shooting circles, which spans three counties, several ranges, gun clubs and law enforcement entities, the 1911 is alive and well, and certainly not disregarded by the younger set.

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Awesome film! Loved it although the sequel wasn't as good. Still you don't need to grab the Chernobli and hop in the Wayback Machine to see this. No one is claiming the 1911 is dead, just that it's not the premier fighting handgun in the 21st century. Not even close. I don't think anyone with much awareness of the current state of firearms development would try to claim otherwise. Some young folks have 1911s just like some like 70' clothing and 50's music. But my guess is that for everyone that primarily carries a 1911 there are at least fifty that primarily carry Glocks. Maybe things are different in the three counties that comprise your AO, but I doubt it very much.

Ageism aside I did carry a 1911 back in the 80s. I'll let you do the math.

kimberkid said:

After learning the basics on 22LR dad introduced me to the 1911 45acp which has been a lifelong companion.

Even as far back as 20-30 years ago I’ve owned a Beretta 92, SiG 226 and a couple other 9mm, 380 & various other smaller calibers but when we regained the right to carry concealed, along with most NFA rights in 2007, I like many people started looking seriously at smaller pistols for carry. Now I own nearly as many 9’s as I do 45’s and haven’t purchased a 45 for several years.

It occurred to me a few weeks ago, and I’ve been watching for threads on 45’s on all boards & social media I’m a member on, and it’s becoming a rare thing to see anything on 45’s ... even with 40S&W falling from favor with LEO departments they seem to be leaning to the 9mm as well.

So, what say you?
Is the short, fat & slow 45acp fading into obscurity?

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Nah. I don't think .45acp is going anywhere, as long as it's legal to buy; and as long as we can own centerfire weapons.

The 1911 isn't outdated from a functional perspective (plenty of Browning-designed semiautos out there), and it's iconic in American history. I had double-figure 9mm pistols before I bought my first 1911, and the one I got (and wanted) was a 5" GI in .45.

No, not fading in my little world.

Old Dog said:

once you get into your '60s, the old injuries and arthritis become a HUGE factor in your shooting capabilities

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I don't doubt your assessment, as I've experienced in my mid-40's currently that things are more painful than they used to be, and recovery is slower (namely, rollercoasters with my 10yr old)
I bought about 4500 rounds of factory .45acp a couple of years ago, from a recently retired friend who decided is too painful to shoot much of.

As for .45 ACP riding off into the sunset, I doubt it. I don't think it was ever the "most popular" handgun round as prior to the 9mm revolvers ruled the roost. Maybe in it's heyday the 45acp was the most popular semi-auto round in the U.S., but that's about it.

I'll never be without a 1911 chambered in .45ACP. If the time ever comes, it'll be the last to go.

I believe the .45ACP is fading but not because of the effectiveness of the cartridge.
From my observations---a lot of newer and younger shooters are enamored with the latest (and greatest?) plastic pistols. They see them almost always in 9mm
all over TV in cop shows or the military changing (upgrading?) from old .45s to the more modern 9mm (?). They like the high cap mags and the cheaper ammo.
At the last Gun Show I attended (pre Covid) there were tables of nothing but 9s. Some
of which were way cheaper than .45s.

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.

George P said:

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.

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As much as i dont like the 45ACP. I still have 3 in the safe. so i will be holding onto the caliber. And that only reason is times likes this. Have the ability to shoot anything i can find ammo for.

As far as the 10 round limit thing goes, I have a G23 back up and will use that. Can still use cheap 9mm ammo with a barrel change and is only 3 rounds less then a standard round, and i can use all the same holsters and mags as my main carry gun (g19). If i had to go to 45 ACP. i would need everything but the weaponlight.

Some flavor of S&W Model 25 or 625 is on my short list of firearms I want to own.

So I am forced to say "no" to the OP question.

.

45 ACP wont fade away in our lifetimes, along with other "immortal" cartridges like 9mm, 22 LR and 30-06.

.45ACP won't fade away to total obscurity but I believe it will lose popularity.
I know it won't with me.

Look I like the SIG P365 as my hands are smaller. I used to carry a HK USP compact in .40 I have a P220 and a single stack Glock 45 compact.

For bigger guys who are wanting EDC, the Springfield Hellcat is a good fit. So is the Taurus G3

nofendertom said:

.45ACP won't fade away to total obscurity but I believe it will lose popularity.
I know it won't with me.

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The problem is that as Boomers die off, like the WW2 generation did, it will just be another old gun to Millennials and Gen-Z

N9NWO said:

The problem is that as Boomers die off, like the WW2 generation did, it will just be another old gun to Millennials and Gen-Z

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I'm a millennial, I love 1911s.

I am GEN X, and i have a 1911 for nostalgia. That's it. Its high maintenance compared to modern pistols. But its fun for a range gun.

Robbins290 said:

I am GEN X, and i have a 1911 for nostalgia. That's it. Its high maintenance compared to modern pistols. But its fun for a range gun.

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Never quite understood that. I clean my 1911s just as often as anything else (and not every range trip).

Oh, I guess I have to replace the springs more often than some (every 2000 or so with the .45s) but that's hardly a lot of work.

I had 2 at one point, both would not go more then 400-500 rounds in a range session without need to be field stripped and relubed. Vs my P220 can go 1000. never made it over 1000 with the 45's. But i have with a P226 and glock 19. Never need to relube them.

Robbins290 said:

I had 2 at one point, both would not go more then 400-500 rounds in a range session without need to be field stripped and relubed. Vs my P220 can go 1000. never made it over 1000 with the 45's. But i have with a P226 and glock 19. Never need to relube them.

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I never had that problem with my 1911s. Also never had that problem with my Glocks or Browning HP either. I like 1911s for carry due to ergonomic and pointing ability. Glock feels like a 2x4.