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.45 ACP…I’m done (for now?)

Nothing wrong with letting go of what you're not enjoying and the Glock 21 is one I'm not too interested in either. Don't consider it a failure, all we're doing in our lives is gaining experience thru trial and error. We've all got guns we had high hopes for that let us down, but then we also have some that we didn't expect much from that punch above their weight.

The Taurus 692 I got this year is probably the best handgun I've bought in years. I just wanted a 9mm revolver, what I got was superb and having a .357 cylinder to go with it was icing on the cake. The Heritage 9 shot adjustable sight .22 I got years ago... boy, I was excited at first, but over time the accuracy and velocity on my chrony leaves a lot to be desired.

Anyway, on the .45, I've been trying to nail down what my second .45 will be as I only have the Hi Point and I like it for what it is, but something smaller and lighter would be preferred. I'm not interested in another Glock, the 1911 seems fragile for +P use (and I like to push my .45 reloads to full power standard pressure) so I look at all else available for under $700 and the options are limited.

I may well end up being stuck with the Hi Point as my sole .45 ACP, at least until I get my hands on a shaved Webley top break. I will say, I'm a lot more interested in .45 ACP revolvers than autos currently. Sure would be nice if Taurus would take their 8 shot .357 and make it a 6 shot .45.
 
In handguns, I primarily shoot 9mm, 38/357, and 45 ACP.

I never warmed to the .40 S&W/10 mm fads. Dumped what I had for them without looking back.

Same with .380 ACP. It's a wimpy copy of 9mm, and I hate getting .380 brass mixed in with 9mm.

Could probably do without .41 mag and a couple of others that I do like to shoot occasionally if I had to. But I don't have to. So I keep them around.

If nobody wants any of my stuff when I'm gone, they can have "Got Junk?" haul it to the dump. Won't bother me one bit.
 
I've gone almost exclusively to 9mm these days. I don't shoot as often and the shine of reloading has finally faded so I decided to just focus on the one.

I have a good stock of .45 loaded, so on the occasional 1911 or Glock 21 day I've still got plenty to rip off 50 or so, but I don't shoot it often.

I've almost entirely abandoned .40 or 10mm, I'd likely sell my last .40 but I have a ton of projectiles and cleaned brass I just don't want to waste, although I guess I could develop a 10mm load for the projectiles and start shooting my 10mm a little more.
 
You mean, the .45 AARP? … Grampa’s geezer round? …. Yeah, that’s been a dead doe-doe since at least 1983 when the most-awesome 10mm AUTO was introduced.

Wasn't with no slow fading sunset to it either. It got extinguished Bang-Flop! - DRT.
 
You mean, the .45 AARP? … Grampa’s geezer round? …. Yeah, that’s been a dead doe-doe since at least 1983 when the most-awesome 10mm AUTO was introduced.

Wasn't with no slow fading sunset to it either. It got extinguished Bang-Flop! - DRT.

Amusing response since Crockett switched back to a .45 S&W once the Bren flopped.
 
I’ve been enjoying handguns since my first Model 88 JC Higgins .22 I got as a present about fifty years ago.

And when I go out and about on my farm that same nine shot .22 is usually my first choice, even today. It’s really the only handgun I’ve ever “needed”.

But I own handguns in 38 Special, .357 Magnum, 44 Special, and 44 Magnum plus one 1911 45 ACP.

I load 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240 grain bullet for my 44 Specials and 6 grains under a 235 grain for my 1911 45 ACP.

What’s wrong with the 45 ACP is my 1911 tosses the cases all over, while my Ruger 44 Special dumps them in my hand.

As a self defense pistol it’s hard to beat a 45 ACP.

But if you’re just burning powder, the 44 Special is hard to top.

My kids can figure out easy enough what to do with my 1911 when I’m gone.

But for me, one 1911 45 ACP scratches the itch.
 
I gave my nephew my SW 1006, 5 extra magazines, 300 rds of factory ammo and several hundred reloads. I couldn't stirp and reassemble it any more due to my RA so I had stopped shooting it and let it go. He was happy. I still have 4 each .45 1911s, a SAA .45 Colt and a Webley Mk6 .455. I hope to keep all of them for a long time. My sons want the .45s when I'm done with them.
 
That good? I'll have to check one out!
Absolutely that good. I chronographed Barnes TAC-XPD 185 gr all copper HP defense loads @ 1270 FPS (average). That makes the 45 ACP bullets coming out of the LC Carbine equivalent to 10mm ammo fired from a handgun. But you get the handling of a rifle and the recoil of a PCC.

I’d say that’s really good!
 
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DISCLAIMER: this is simply my story…not a gripe session on .45 ACP. I enjoyed shooting them, just not enough to justify keeping….YMMV!

I’ve had a few .45 ACP firearms but I just sold the last one, a Glock 21 I had milled. Just could not fall in love with them and I rarely shot them.

To be honest, some of the “friend died and widow has a mess of guns, ammo, reloading stuff she’s stuck with….” threads kinda got to me. So I decided to just cut the cord on the beloved cartridge and see if it will stick.

I thought I had a couple thousand rounds laying around to get rid of…but I had closer to 5K. I made a couple guys happy as I sold my ammo at $15/50. Two guys cleaned me out. I hope they shoot it in good health.

I’m turning the proceeds into mostly .22, 9MM, and .223 ammo and components. So I guess I’m really not making things easier but I certainly shoot those cartridges much more than .45 and it won’t sit stacked collecting dust as much…

I’ve been debating 38/.357 next, but I do like shooting a revolver once in while, so probably not. Plus my .38/357 holdings are much more manageable…

Keeping .40 and 10MM for now. I don’t shoot them much but I have lots of ammo and no market for it.

Anywho, I feel like I betrayed a friend by closing out .45, but reality is I just sent it on to a home that will use it.

And the world keeps turning…
when shooting is a chore… .22 LR is your best friend

Throw a box of 500 in your bag, couple of .22 pistol and enjoy shooting- grilling - & chilling

then head to Walmart 500 more .22 at $30!
 
when shooting is a chore… .22 LR is your best friend

Throw a box of 500 in your bag, couple of .22 pistol and enjoy shooting- grilling - & chilling

then head to Walmart 500 more .22 at $30!
“shooting is a chore”? Grilling and chilling?

What does that even mean?

Friends don’t let friends post drunk…

:rofl:o_O:oops::neener:🤣
 
Now that I'm thinking about it; I might end up putting the G21 on the block, and getting some entry level 1911. Just so I can still have the 45 acp but in a cooler gun.
 
I think if I were in this situation I might get rid of stockpiled ammo, but keep a few boxes of defensive ammo in those calibers I have it in and a few boxes of FMJ just for if I ever feel the need to fire a few magazines through the gun. I would have a hard time divesting the guns themselves. I don't always grab all my guns when I go shoot, and some haven't seen the range in a long time, but they're always there for when the fancy arises, even the ones that maybe only see fifty rounds every few years. Most of the ones I won't let go of, I couldn't replace, and I learned the hard way about selling guns like that.
 
Unless you need the money right away, I'd look at it as an investment. Is that Glock 21 going to be worth more now or will it keep up with the stock market and/or inflation in 10 years?

Ok, nm. Glocks have been 500-550 dollars new for about 25 years now. If they're still 500 dollars new in 2035 then I'd agree you aren't going to see much gain keeping it. That said, nice condition firearms, especially discontinued ones MAY increase in value or may drop like a rock. Popular Glocks are commodities like 2X4's with the exception that 2X4 prices tend to actually keep up with inflation.
 
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Absolutely that good. I chronographed Barnes TAC-XPD 185 gr all copper HP defense loads @ 1270 FPS (average). That makes the 45 ACP bullets coming out of the LC Carbine equivalent to 10mm ammo fired from a handgun. But you get the handling of a rifle and the recoil of a PCC.

I’d say that’s really good!
They’re kinda heavy though…
 
I think if I were in this situation I might get rid of stockpiled ammo, but keep a few boxes of defensive ammo in those calibers I have it in and a few boxes of FMJ just for if I ever feel the need to fire a few magazines through the gun. I would have a hard time divesting the guns themselves. I don't always grab all my guns when I go shoot, and some haven't seen the range in a long time, but they're always there for when the fancy arises, even the ones that maybe only see fifty rounds every few years. Most of the ones I won't let go of, I couldn't replace, and I learned the hard way about selling guns like that.
I did end up keeping a small amount of .45 ACP that is basically what you mentioned. No guns though. I kept the ammo on the slim chance I come across a screaming deal on an XDm .45 Compact.
 
You get your 9mm and come to a bowling pin shoot, you will see very quick how great your 9mm is. You will want to trade it for a bigger gun, quick. Been a match director for 40+ years and ran many pin matches, never fails, the maco mouse gun folks show up and find out a 9 will not take a bowling pin off a table on a standard set. So a 200 pond man....yeah sure.
Exact reason I carry a 45 with 252 grain SWCs. If I must shoot, whatever I do shoot stays shot. IMG_0961.jpeg
 
Armorer 101 --- A question qbout your Para LDA --- How does one load the first round from the magazine if the gun is empty ? Does the hammer stay cocked ?
 
You get your 9mm and come to a bowling pin shoot, you will see very quick how great your 9mm is. You will want to trade it for a bigger gun, quick. Been a match director for 40+ years and ran many pin matches, never fails, the maco mouse gun folks show up and find out a 9 will not take a bowling pin off a table on a standard set. So a 200 pond man....yeah sure.
Exact reason I carry a 45 with 252 grain SWCs. If I must shoot, whatever I do shoot stays shot.View attachment 1232742

Guess if I ever decide to shoot bowling pins I’ll be sorry…

👍
 
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If I didn't reload, I'd certainly not shoot several of my guns, 45 ACP, 44 Mag, and 357 Mag. I use light loads for those, but its still noticeable when I switch from 38 to 357 at the range.
 
Most important rule fer me: Have fun.

My caliber selection is just like my overall hobby selection; very cyclical. I started with 22lr and 38/357, and poo-poohed 45acp (but still love 45colt…!). Now, I’ve dropped my 22lr for WMR… and am enjoying the Lord’s caliber in both pistols and carbines (very much enjoying that Ruger LC 45!). I very well may circle back around, but in the end it’s all okay; still shootin.
 
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