First jump into semi auto

Status
Not open for further replies.
Well, a check with Brownell's shows 5,000 pistol primers -- large or small -- run about $400. Casting bullets from wheel weights -- which I get for free -- costs only the price of electricity to heat my melting pot. If you load with Bullseye (I have an 8-lb keg) the difference in charge weights between 9mm and .45 ACP is only half a grain. And cases last forever.

So I don't see how 9mm can be significantly cheaper that .45 ACP.
 
The cost of bullets, store bought or home made is the main difference. 9mm brass lasts just as long as 45, and if youre buying it, its usually a good bit cheaper most places. My 45 loads use a bit more powder. Not much, but a bit, which adds up over time.
 
trackskippy said:
The cost of bullets, store bought or home made is the main difference. 9mm brass lasts just as long as 45, and if youre buying it, its usually a good bit cheaper most places. My 45 loads use a bit more powder. Not much, but a bit, which adds up over time.
Click to expand...
If you get your lead for free, scrounge for brass at ranges every chance you get, the main difference is in powder, and 9mm uses about 10% less than .45 ACP, which is a bit of a savings, but not that much.
 
No doubt if you get stuff for free, things can be cheaper, but to be realistic, most dont, and most of the people I know that reload, dont cast, so if youre comparing things from that perspective, 9mm is still a good bit cheaper.
 
I reload so for me a 1911 is going to be 45 ACP. I have a bunch of 9mm pistols, I think 3, but none are 1911. I personally like to shoot 45 ACP over 9mm. Probably more of a nostalgia/historical thing than anything else.

If you don't reload a 9mm would probably be the way to go. Eventually, if you get hooked on 1911's you'll probably buy a 45 ACP.
 
Vern,
I have to agree but looking at my funds the 9 mm is looking promising. All I am going to do for 100% of the time ( I hope ) is paper punching.
You have a good point. But it has always been a mystery to me why people who CAN carry, don't.

And a good point for you but I prefer revolvers. My interest in 1911’s is for reintroduction, fun and learning . At this place in my life reloading is not an option.
 
I reload both the 9X19MM and the 45ACP. The reloaded 9X19MM is more cost effective compared to the 45ACP.. That's my experience. Others may have a differing experience.
 
Vern Humphrey said:
Do you cast your own bullets? Do you have access to quantities of wheel weights?
Click to expand...
Not everyone wants to cast. I considered it in the past, but the volume I shoot just doesnt seem like it would be feasible and cost/time effective.

From what Ive heard talking to a couple of people who do cast their own, "free" lead isnt as readily available as it once was. What was given away as trash in the past, seems to be a thing of the past.

How many rounds are you loading/shooting a year that its feasible for you? How much time and effort for say, 1000 rounds? Just doing some quick math in materials alone on just 230 grain 45 bullets, Id need around 175-200# of lead just for that, plus the time to do it. Everything else would be probably another 750#.

Then theres the issue of some guns just not doing well with lead bullets, or at least just lead alone.
 
trackskippy said:
Not everyone wants to cast. I considered it in the past, but the volume I shoot just doesnt seem like it would be feasible and cost/time effective.

From what Ive heard talking to a couple of people who do cast their own, "free" lead isnt as readily available as it once was. What was given away as trash in the past, seems to be a thing of the past.

How many rounds are you loading/shooting a year that its feasible for you? How much time and effort for say, 1000 rounds? Just doing some quick math in materials alone on just 230 grain 45 bullets, Id need around 175-200# of lead just for that, plus the time to do it. Everything else would be probably another 750#.

Then theres the issue of some guns just not doing well with lead bullets, or at least just lead alone.
Click to expand...
I'll typically shoot about 5,000 rounds of handgun ammo a year. I use Lee 6-cavity moulds and it takes an afternoon to cast a thousand rounds. I powder coat them, which adds a bit more time, but in general I have about one casting session every two months.

I mostly shoot .45 ACP and .45 Colt in quantity. I powder coat my bullets and have no leading problems. Forty fives and cast bullets go together like ham and eggs.

I long ago made friends with local tire dealers and I have a lot of wheel weights in my barn -- maybe enough to "see me out."
 
Vern Humphrey said:
I'll typically shoot about 5,000 rounds of handgun ammo a year. I use Lee 6-cavity moulds and it takes an afternoon to cast a thousand rounds. I powder coat them, which adds a bit more time, but in general I have about one casting session every two months.

I mostly shoot .45 ACP and .45 Colt in quantity. I powder coat my bullets and have no leading problems. Forty fives and cast bullets go together like ham and eggs.

I long ago made friends with local tire dealers and I have a lot of wheel weights in my barn -- maybe enough to "see me out."
Click to expand...

Casting is a dying art. There are so many choices online now, it’s mind boggling. I “retired” from casting a few years ago.
 
SSBN617b said:
caught up in the .45 vs 9mm conundrum
Click to expand...

There's really no conundrum. 9mm is effective with modern defensive ammunition. Frankly the cost will be the biggest factor. Pick your handgun to fit you properly (fit your hand/grip), invest in reliable performance, buy it in 9mm, spend the extra money on proper training and practice ammo and get good with it. This surpasses all the other considerations.
 
Anchorite said:
Casting is a dying art. There are so many choices online now, it’s mind boggling. I “retired” from casting a few years ago.
Click to expand...
I LIKE to cast bullets, just like I like to reload.

I found a loophole in Arkansas Game Regulations -- for small game (like squirrels) "nothing larger that .22 rimfire -- UNLESS there is a modern gun or muzzle loading season in effect for deer, bear or coyote."

Coyote season runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec. I cast 160 grain Lee bullets, size, gas check and powder coat, and use them in my Remington M1903A3 Springfield for squirrels! :)
 
Two categories steered me away from both 9mm caliber 1911, and a 1911 with a barrel shorter than about 4.25. A Google search will yield many complaints, therein.

The (online) specials on 45acp ammo seem to be boxes of 100 for below $60 with free shipping. That's plenty lower than the stores in my area.
 
Vern Humphrey said:
I LIKE to cast bullets, just like I like to reload.

I found a loophole in Arkansas Game Regulations -- for small game (like squirrels) "nothing larger that .22 rimfire -- UNLESS there is a modern gun or muzzle loading season in effect for deer, bear or coyote."

Coyote season runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec. I cast 160 grain Lee bullets, size, gas check and powder coat, and use them in my Remington M1903A3 Springfield for squirrels! :)
Click to expand...
I like to reload too (well, sorta, depends on my mood), and Im basically doing some aspect of it every day of the week, mostly reloading what I shot over the week, and that's without casting. Im barely keeping up as it is. If I was casting too, Id have to give up shooting to make time. :p
 
trackskippy said:
I like to reload too (well, sorta, depends on my mood), and Im basically doing some aspect of it every day of the week, mostly reloading what I shot over the week, and that's without casting. Im barely keeping up as it is. If I was casting too, Id have to give up shooting to make time. :p
Click to expand...
The trick is to be retired and live a LOOOOOOONG time afterwards. :)
 
Vern Humphrey said:
That's why everyone should handload. When you do, the .45 ACP is price-competitive with the 9mm. A 230 grain bullet cast from wheel weights, loaded over 5.0 grains of Bullseye is pretty cheap.
Click to expand...
It cost's me, for a 230 gr, RNFP .45 .12 per bullet .08 per primer = .20 ea. Powder use is minimal
 
Vern Humphrey said:
which is a bit of a savings
Click to expand...
I have this bias that 9x19 (or 9x17 for that matter) really wants a press to get consistent loads. That's my bias.

And a press is a bit more up-front cost to OP than, say, a Lee Loader.

And, while a person can load 9x19 in a Lee Loader, to my experience, you spend more time go-no go gauging all the rounds made that gettign a single-stage is so much a better choice. But, these are my biases, brewed in from being frugal (and poor) back in old school days.

And, I'm presuming OP is really meaning "not having much money"--which may be unfair.
 
aaaaa said:
I agree with those who say get the 1911 in 45 and find something else for the 9mm. I am paying 24 cents a round for 9mm FMJ and 42 cents a round for 45 FMJ. I don't mind the extra cost for the 45. Rarely shoot my 9mm.
Click to expand...
For that matter, get two 1911s, one in .45 and one in 9mm! :)
 
Hikingman said:
Two categories steered me away from both 9mm caliber 1911, and a 1911 with a barrel shorter than about 4.25. A Google search will yield many complaints, therein.

The (online) specials on 45acp ammo seem to be boxes of 100 for below $60 with free shipping. That's plenty lower than the stores in my area.
Click to expand...
I get my .45 FMJ for $21 a box of 50.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Wolfman Zack
  • Locked
Semi-Auto for Revolver Guys????
2 3
Replies
64
Views
5K
Delford
Delford
S
  • Locked
9mm 1911
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
WestKentucky
WestKentucky
T
  • Locked
semi auto or revolver for woman?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
4K
maxxhavoc
maxxhavoc
G
  • Locked
Sad realization: semi auto vs revolver
Replies
20
Views
3K
russlate
R
S
  • Locked
Why the majority of semi-auto manufacturers stops at 45 ACP-40 S&W???
2 3 4
Replies
86
Views
3K
wally
wally
Back
Top