Can't shoot nearly as good with a 45 as with a 9mm...is it just me?

[the count]

I have a safe full of guns incl. several 45 caliber pistols like a Glock 30SF, HK USP 45 Tactical and others. And a bunch of 9mm like a SIG 226, Glock 19 etc.

I do action pistol shooting at several ranges and have come to the conclusion that as great the 45 caliber round is in theory, actually hitting a target with it is MUCH harder that with 9mm round. Especially when moving about. And I am trying to compare apples with apples, ie. using either polymer guns or all metal guns for both calibers, DA vs DA, etc. Action pistol shooting is as close to real world gun fight scenarios that most of us will get to (thank god) and the 45 just does not cut it (for me at least) accuracy wise. What good does that big piece of honkin lead do if its inches off target compared to a 9???? I happened to talk to Louis Awerbuck about this a few days ago (don't know who he is? Google the name) and he actually had the same opinion....!

 

[9mm+]

Everyone has their favorite caliber that they're more accurate with, often without any regard to the actual pistol it's married with (and, of course, the same caliber in different pistols will also produce an "accuracy favorite"). I prefer .40 S&W over anything, but I'm pretty decent with the .45 and less so with the 9mm. I'm accurate with all of them, but more accurate with the .40 and so on in that order. Calibers and individual guns have their own unique profile and most people will shoot better with one than the others.

I wouldn't sweat it. Just recognize your own proclivities and roll with it.

 

[gym]

it's subjective, most folks who shoot all their lives tend to lean tword the 45, I have always shot it as well if not better most of the time, the model of weapon never really never mattered. I shoot my glock 30 better than my 9mm 0r 40 cal, and 1911's much better, but I like the feel, everyone is different. I alo enjoyed and shot snubbys well, when my uncles who were much more skilled than I didn't like the snubby at all, "how you hit things with this is beyond me" I could still hear my uncle say, as he fired his 45, or one of his target 38's.

 

[CZguy]

duplicate message, please delete.

 

[CZguy]

What good does that big piece of honkin lead do if its inches off target compared to a 9????

Absolutely none...........but I have noticed that most people shoot substantially better on the internet, than they do at my range.

Personally I've gone back to a DA/SA 9mm, because I shoot it better. It really is a personal choice............shoot what works best for you.

 

[the count]

Personally I've gone back to a DA/SA 9mm, because I shoot it better.

Sure everybody should shoot what works best for them....

Today I shot my Glock 30SF against my Sig 226.... probably not a fair comparison..SIGs rule!

 

[wow6599]

I have shot a lot of different guns, probably well over triple digits. To me it's not about caliber so much as it is about the gun, and even two of the same model won't shoot the same.

I shoot my BHP (9mm of course) better than anything else I have ever shot........stock trigger and all.

 

[MCMXI]

the 45 just does not cut it (for me at least) accuracy wise.

Are you talking about accuracy at speed or just accuracy in general?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I can't say that I've seen much difference in static accuracy between the 9mm or .45ACP in my personal shooting or training classes. While I will agree that ultimate speed and accuracy at the higher level does give the followup shot advantage to the 9mm...not many of us can really expect to reach that level of skill without a lot of work.

My experience would lead me to believe that if you are shooting in action pistol competition and finding that you are seeing a noticeable difference, that it is likely time to take a Shooting Fundamentals course. There really isn't much difference in managing the recoil of the different cartridges

 

[john5036]

Depends on the platform (and the person). I can shoot 1911s just fine in .45 and be just as confident/accurate with those like I feel I am with the Glock in 9mm. Bear in mind I also shoot a 92FS, so the transition from Glock trigger to SA is not a huge stretch for me.

The only obvious difference for me when I shoot a .45 and then a 9mm, is that the .45 has a more concussive bang note than that of the 9mm.

 

[LiveLife]

We have done many "bring your guns and run the stages" at past matches where we get to shoot various pistols in the same stage to compare accuracy and stage times.

For me, I can shoot G17 with the fastest stage times and next fastest with G22 with comparable accuracy (most targets set at 7-15 yards). These are out of various H&K, Sigs, Berettas, etc.

For targets set at 15-25 yards, it's hands down 1911/M&P45 for accuracy over Glocks.

I average 3-4+" 25 yard shot groups off hand with G17/G22 and 2"-3"+ 25 yard shot groups off hand with 1911/M&P45 with occasional sub 2" shot groups. I can't do that with G17/G22.

 

[mljdeckard]

If it works best for you, that's it. Everyone else's opinions aren't going to be working to save your keyster.

I varied for a long time, I tried lots of different guns and calibers. I think in retrospect, the reason I got rid of the 9mms I owned, is that they weren't reliable. And while I have reasons to not prefer the M-9 I was issued, I can shoot it quickly and accurately, it has a great SA trigger. And yes, if you can put 5 rounds on target with 9mm in the same time you can put 3 .45 rounds on target, you may well have the advantage with 9mm. I have found that the .40 is the most difficult of the three for me to shoot quickly and accurately. The thing that spoils me to .45s is mostly 1911 triggers. FOR ME, this gives me the greatest advantage. Maybe one day down the road I'll get around to getting one in 9mm.

 

[MidwestRookie]

of course it's your fault you can't shoot one caliber better than another...i know it's not my fault..

everyone will shoot a different caliber differently, with even more difference given their choice of gun they shoot said caliber out of..everyone has a sweet spot. whether it's .45 or .22 is up to them entirely..

 

[BCRider]

Well, if it's not because you're flinching then it's because the choice of guns that shoot the .45 are not in tune with you. It's certainly not the round itself.

I can shoot my 1911 with .45 at least as good as I can shoot my 9's. And often times better.

 

[loneviking]

What most are missing (I think) is that the Polymer .45's have bigger frames than the 9mm's to accomodate the size of the .45 round. I have a hard time with most of the polymer .45's, as the grips tend to move in my hand no matter what grips are on the gun. (And no, I don't have a weak grip as I can bend tin cans out of shape all day long). The problem is that my hands are too small to comfortably use the .45.

 

[golden]

Shoot what you shoot best

COUNT,

My agency issues me a .40 S&W H&K P 2000 to shoot on duty and I have several other .40 calibers, but my choice would be a 9m.m.

I like the 9m.m. because it has the lowest recoil and for me is the easiest to shoot. Sure, a steel frame 1911 is not that hard to shoot in .45ACP, but it weighs 2 1/2 pounds. I do not want to carry that around and a 9m.m. 1911 will be easier to shoot as it will have less recoil.

In the same weight gun, the 9m.m. will have less recoil, usually more rounds and need fewer reloads. That can contribute to a greater practical accuracy for the shooter.

A GLOCK 19 will kick in 9m.m., but the identically sized GLOCK 38 will kick more as it is a .45 (in this case the .45GAP). If that does not effect your shooting, then you should shoot just as accurately with either gun.
If the recoil does effect you, then the GLOCK 19 will shoot more accurately.

Jim

 

[dnthmn]

I can shoot more quickly with a 9mm, but I've found most .45's to shoot more accurately for me; that includes shooting slow fire.

 

[06]

A bud shoots comp at 100 yds, 300 yds, and 500--with 45 ACP. The 500 yard shooter is not a 1911 style but the other two are. The is not action shooting but target only. Still would not want Taylor shooting at me.

 

[GLOOB]

I've never shot a .45 that I didn't like. They seem to be more accurate, to me. But they usually come with a longer sight radius and heavier overall weight.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I'm certainly not what would be considered a good shot but I enjoy shooting. About a month ago I bought a G30. The first .45 I've shot in maybe 20 years. As I get more used to it I'm finding my groups getting smaller and smaller. I put 50 rounds in a group I can cover with the palm of my hand at 7 yards which is a very good day for me. I'm beginning to think I might be a better shot with a .45. The big test is going to be when I start trying to shoot it fast. I was not shooting at a slow pace exactly but I certainly was not pushing the pace. If I can get to the point where I can do fast follow up shots its going to become my carry at least some of the time.

 

[harmon rabb]

It's the gun not the caliber in anything .45 and under, imo. (beyond that point, I think recoil for a given round could make one anticipate and flinch).

I can shoot a 1911 a lot better than a Glock. Make it a 9mm 1911 and a 45acp Glock, or make it a 45acp 1911 and a 9mm Glock, doesn't matter. The difference is in the gun's ergonomics and trigger.

 

[Smaug]

Me too. No one here likes to admit it, but I think I just flinch more with a 45 out of a pistol. 9mm is just more comfortable; very soft recoil in a full size steel gun.

Out of a revolver, I shoot the 45 ACP just fine, and just as well as a 38. But from pistols, I shoot 9mm a lot better than 45s. The pistols are about the same grade too; combat grade single actions. Para GI Expert 1911 vs. Charles Daly Hi-Power. I'm sure the 1911 has just as much potential; it just takes more practice and mental control to shoot them well.

They do have substantially more recoil than a 9mm, especially in the common blasting ammo. The common blasting ammo for 9mm is 115 gr FMJ vs. 230 gr. FMJ of the 45 ACP. From handoading both of them, I know that they take about the same amount of powder. The 9mm runs at a much higher pressure, due to much lower case capacity, but the 45, with that big, heavy bullet just recoils more, and recoil doesn't breed accuracy.

 

[Mad Magyar]

I've never shot a .45 that I didn't like. They seem to be more accurate, to me. But they usually come with a longer sight radius and heavier overall weight.

I tend to agree, at least in my case. Hate to admit that I probably focus more with the .45 than the 9.

 

[jhb]

i shoot them the same. one exception is the gun.

i haven't shot many .45acp pistols** models, so my experience is limited.

in a 1911 i shot equally as well in .45 acp to any 9mm i've shot. in a usp i've shot equally as well. in a ruger*, can't remember the model, same applies.

my one personal exception was in a glock*, can't remember the model, i didn't shoot nearly as well.








*reason i can't remember the models is they weren't my pistols, rather buddies i shot with, and even though i did fairly well with this particular ruger i'll still never own a ruger...i just don't like them at all. as much as i dislike rugers....i'll admit it shot fairly well, relative to the shooter...me.... though.

**i actually own zero .45acp pistols. these ones are families members owned, and i remember the models cause i shoot them allot when we get together. although who could forget a 1911, in either name or experience?

 

[the count]

COUNT,

My agency issues me a .40 S&W H&K P 2000 to shoot on duty and I have several other .40 calibers, but my choice would be a 9m.m.

I like the 9m.m. because it has the lowest recoil and for me is the easiest to shoot. Sure, a steel frame 1911 is not that hard to shoot in .45ACP, but it weighs 2 1/2 pounds. I do not want to carry that around and a 9m.m. 1911 will be easier to shoot as it will have less recoil.

In the same weight gun, the 9m.m. will have less recoil, usually more rounds and need fewer reloads. That can contribute to a greater practical accuracy for the shooter.

A GLOCK 19 will kick in 9m.m., but the identically sized GLOCK 38 will kick more as it is a .45 (in this case the .45GAP). If that does not effect your shooting, then you should shoot just as accurately with either gun.
If the recoil does effect you, then the GLOCK 19 will shoot more accurately.

Jim

your post makes me believe that the problem is not so much the caliber, but rather the gun, which is a G30SF. It is probably the combination of a light polymer gun with a DA only trigger that screws me up. I have a big @ss HK USP 45 which I rarely shoot cause it looks so nice, and will use that for comparison shortly.