MaterDei
Member
Go with the .45 ACP and show that newcomer wannabe the door. 
.40 or .45 cal? Narrowing it down
- Thread starter dandamien
- Start date
- Status
Why shoot .40 in a gun that is available in .45? Just me.
I've heard forever about the 9MM and now the .40 being available in "smaller" handguns and then they start talking about Beretta's etc. ! :banghead:
The 1911 is and always has been thinner than most firearms and not any longer or taller than many touted when these folks talk about "smaller " firearms! Drives me nuts! :banghead:
Buy what you want. Just don't tell me it's a smaller package than the "BIG", "HEAVY", "HARD TO MASTER" .45 ACP. Nonsense.
OK I'm done ranting.
I've heard forever about the 9MM and now the .40 being available in "smaller" handguns and then they start talking about Beretta's etc. ! :banghead:
The 1911 is and always has been thinner than most firearms and not any longer or taller than many touted when these folks talk about "smaller " firearms! Drives me nuts! :banghead:
Buy what you want. Just don't tell me it's a smaller package than the "BIG", "HEAVY", "HARD TO MASTER" .45 ACP. Nonsense.
OK I'm done ranting.
Liberty4Ever
Member
At the risk of being redundant...
http://www.kahr.com/pistols_PM9094.html
I'd like to see a 1911 that small or that lightweight. They also offer the PM40, a .40 S&W version that's just a tiny bit larger and an ounce heavier. A few other manufacturers have small yet reliable subcompact CCW pistols.
Not knocking the venerable 1911, but there are smaller and lighter options for concealed carry that are very reliable, plenty powerful, and fine shooting. Semi-auto pistol technology has progressed a lot in 95 years. New materials and design improvements have been added to the 1911, but to fully utilize the new technology and evolved understanding of the concept first pioneered by the 1911, a new design is needed. I don't drive a Model T, and wouldn't even if someone added fuel injection and electronic ignition. That's probably a bad example, and maybe even inflamatory. I don't mean it that way at all. The basic 1911 design is a classic. Modern 1911 designs are still a remarkably good choice today for many applications. But there are certainly smaller and lighter pistols for the modern CCW market.
I also like the ballistics of modern pistol cartridges better than the venerable .45, but that's a whole 'nuther discussion. I certainly wouldn't argue that anyone is undergunned if they chose to carry a .45. I wanted a full power cartridge in a pocket pistol, and that drove my decision. Everyone has different needs and wants, which is part of what makes firearms so interesting.
Hey Liberty4Ever
The Kahr in .40 or .45 is a great gun. In recent years there have been many excellent small guns introduced into the market.
The Taurus Milenium Pro is an interesting gun and get good reviews also.
My point was the people who bash the .45 as being too big and talk about 9mm being able to fit into "smaller" guns, yet go on to talk about guns bigger than the 1911 .45. The old timers know what I speak of I believe. Every gun rag in America has at one time run an article about the too big, to hard to master .45, and then raved about an as big or bigger gun in 9MM. Fine if they think it is hard to master. Just don't tell me a CZ or a Beretta is "smaller". Makes me want to wrech.
If one is going to bash the .45 go ahead, but make sense!
As for ballistics. I like that the .45 ACP is a low pressure round. One of its assets as far as I'm concerned. I like slow and heavy vs fast and light.
Your welcome to disagree with me.
1911 Rocks! Roll Tide, & Florida should play Ohio State!
The Kahr in .40 or .45 is a great gun. In recent years there have been many excellent small guns introduced into the market.
The Taurus Milenium Pro is an interesting gun and get good reviews also.
My point was the people who bash the .45 as being too big and talk about 9mm being able to fit into "smaller" guns, yet go on to talk about guns bigger than the 1911 .45. The old timers know what I speak of I believe. Every gun rag in America has at one time run an article about the too big, to hard to master .45, and then raved about an as big or bigger gun in 9MM. Fine if they think it is hard to master. Just don't tell me a CZ or a Beretta is "smaller". Makes me want to wrech.
If one is going to bash the .45 go ahead, but make sense!As for ballistics. I like that the .45 ACP is a low pressure round. One of its assets as far as I'm concerned. I like slow and heavy vs fast and light.
Your welcome to disagree with me.
1911 Rocks! Roll Tide, & Florida should play Ohio State!
Jim Watson
Member
Get a gun you like. Then buy the appropriate ammo, there is not as much difference as each caliber's fans would have you think.
But I agree with Robertbank. The only Glock I would (do) mess with is a G17 9mm. I see a lot of Glocks in IDPA and the G17 is the one that made the company's reputation. The other models and calibers are pretty ordinary.
But I agree with Robertbank. The only Glock I would (do) mess with is a G17 9mm. I see a lot of Glocks in IDPA and the G17 is the one that made the company's reputation. The other models and calibers are pretty ordinary.
md7
Member
dandamien, you have two really effective self defense calibers that you are deciding on. not to straddle the fence, but both work, and will fit your needs just fine. you need to see which gun fits your hand the best, do you shoot the .45 or the .40 more accuratly, etc. you have already decided on a very reliable brand of pistol in glock IMO, and the two calibers are both great. pick the one you shoot the best, fits you best. and you won't go wrong.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,710
JMHO.
If you are starting out, practice is more important than caliber.
9mm ammo costs about 1/2 of 45 acp.
If it were me, I'd buy a 9mm (as an earlier poster stated, Glock is at it's best in 9mm) and shoot all I could afford.
Gain some proficiency with cheap ammo, then move to whichever caliber you like.
Most of us own more than one caliber. No law against it (yet).
If you are starting out, practice is more important than caliber.
9mm ammo costs about 1/2 of 45 acp.
If it were me, I'd buy a 9mm (as an earlier poster stated, Glock is at it's best in 9mm) and shoot all I could afford.
Gain some proficiency with cheap ammo, then move to whichever caliber you like.
Most of us own more than one caliber.
No law against it (yet). Eightball
Member
Since all he said was .45...
.455
or .454. or .45LC
Seriously, .45ACP is the way to go. Why? It just is, and that round has many kills to its name, in wahtever form; get it in HP from the right gun that you can aim intuitively (even if it is a glock...but hey, whatever works), and you will never feel undergunned.
regards, Eightball
.455
or .454. or .45LC
Seriously, .45ACP is the way to go. Why? It just is, and that round has many kills to its name, in wahtever form; get it in HP from the right gun that you can aim intuitively (even if it is a glock...but hey, whatever works), and you will never feel undergunned.
regards, Eightball
Cousin Mike
Member
I like the .45 better than the .40S&W, and I do indeed like the .40S&W. My concealed carry instructor said it best.
"The .45ACP is designed to kill people. Not wild animals, it's not a hunting round. It's not designed to shoot through kevlar or car doors. It's not designed to shoot down airplanes. The .45ACP was designed by John Moses Browning for the sole purpose of killing people. And to that effect, it's the best round for that job, and has been for the last 100 years."
I agree.
That said, I don't feel too bad about carrying a .357, but the .45 would almost always be my first choice between .40 and .45. Both are fantastic rounds for self defense IMO, so you won't catch me hating on either one.
"The .45ACP is designed to kill people. Not wild animals, it's not a hunting round. It's not designed to shoot through kevlar or car doors. It's not designed to shoot down airplanes. The .45ACP was designed by John Moses Browning for the sole purpose of killing people. And to that effect, it's the best round for that job, and has been for the last 100 years."
I agree.
That said, I don't feel too bad about carrying a .357, but the .45 would almost always be my first choice between .40 and .45. Both are fantastic rounds for self defense IMO, so you won't catch me hating on either one.
Duckster
Member
I went with .40 FN HP
I went with a .40 FN HP. I've owned 1911s before, but went with the .40 FN HP instead. I had one when I went through SRT Training and loved it, but hated the 9mm. When I saw the same pistol in .40 I was in Love. Especially after I shot it. I can hit the bottom of V8 cans at 25 ft. So a .40 for sure.
I went with a .40 FN HP. I've owned 1911s before, but went with the .40 FN HP instead. I had one when I went through SRT Training and loved it, but hated the 9mm. When I saw the same pistol in .40 I was in Love. Especially after I shot it. I can hit the bottom of V8 cans at 25 ft. So a .40 for sure.
doofus
member
.40S&W and 357Sig
One nice thing about many .40S&W pistols is the ability to drop in a factory 357Sig barrel and shoot both calibers, as they use the same mags.
One nice thing about many .40S&W pistols is the ability to drop in a factory 357Sig barrel and shoot both calibers, as they use the same mags.
CountGlockula
Member
Go for the .40S&W, since you're in between.
Once I rented out the G35, totally fell in love with it and ordered one for myself.
Once I rented out the G35, totally fell in love with it and ordered one for myself.
10-Ring
Member
Welcome aboard! Really depends on what you and what you need from your firearm. I don't like the 40 S&W, so I'd go w/ the 45 acp - classic all American round that you really can't go wrong using.
- Status
