Prior to today, I had only tried out a .380 and a 9mm- My dad had me convinced that .45's would surely jump out of my hand and hit an innocent bystander or that the explosion would blow out of my ear drums. After all these months of 1911 praisings I was subject to in TFL and here, I just HAD to try one out. Being a small guy (by small, I'm talking 5'3), I didn't think I could handle a full size 1911, so the guy suggested a Kimber model- I believe it was the Ultra Carry but I do not recall for sure, but it fit snug into my hands and it wasn't much bigger than my dad's Walther PPK/S. I loved the feel of it and it shot great. There were a few times when a new round failed to load (most likely because I was limp-wristing, could someone explain what exactly limp wristing is? I've only heard of the term), but after a few rounds, I had no problems and I was beginning to get a pretty tight group. To put it breifly, I loved it to death! It was such a big contrast to the small bang of the .380 and now I can join the other people when they talk about how great the 1911s are. I just had to share with everyone :-D
First time with the .45
- Thread starter Yohan
- Start date
- Status
Knives
Member
I have a Kimber as well (Classic Custom model) and I love mine too. Glad to hear you're liking your 1911. 
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
- 22,510
Too many old legends persist about the 45 ACP. It is neither a guaranteed 1 shot stopper that will flip a person around nor is it a gun that will spin the shooter 180 degrees. Like most everything else, the truth is somewhere in between. Thanks for ignoring the fables and seeking the truth for yourself. BTW, once you've turned to the dark side of the 1911, there's no turning back.
Knives
Member
D'oh! Better check my glasses.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
@Yohan
I must have missed it, I'm a 5'2 woman. What was the recoil like on the .45? Gentle or a strong blast?
I must have missed it, I'm a 5'2 woman. What was the recoil like on the .45? Gentle or a strong blast?
2 Mastrogiacomo
The recoil was actually quite fun! Strangely enough, it felt really snug and comfortable and I had a blast! My dad's .380 has a tendency to bite into the web of my hand and leave a red mark, but the .45 was very comfortable and it didn't hurt my hand at all like I thought I would. Honestly, I was afraid the gun would leap out of my hand, but it was nothing like that at all. As far as recoil's concerned, it felt the same as the .380.
The recoil was actually quite fun! Strangely enough, it felt really snug and comfortable and I had a blast! My dad's .380 has a tendency to bite into the web of my hand and leave a red mark, but the .45 was very comfortable and it didn't hurt my hand at all like I thought I would. Honestly, I was afraid the gun would leap out of my hand, but it was nothing like that at all. As far as recoil's concerned, it felt the same as the .380.
Knives
Member
In my opinion the recoil of a .45 isn't that bad at all. I'm not a big guy, only 5'10 and about 130 pounds and it doesn't toss me around enough to worry about.
TallPine
Member
"limp wristing" is when you absorb too much of the guns recoil with your arms and/or wrist. In other words, you let the gun come back towards your body too much when it fires. The recoil is what shoves the slide back on the frame, so if the whole gun moves too much then the slide/frame interaction is limited.
This is a poor description by a revolver guy, but nobody else answered your question yet.
I've never had that problem when shooting semi-auto pistols, but the first time I fired a 1911, I squeezed the mag release accidently with my thumb and it failed to grab a cartridge from the mag (luckily the mag didn't fall clean out on the ground).
This is a poor description by a revolver guy, but nobody else answered your question yet.
I've never had that problem when shooting semi-auto pistols, but the first time I fired a 1911, I squeezed the mag release accidently with my thumb and it failed to grab a cartridge from the mag (luckily the mag didn't fall clean out on the ground).
Sven
Senior Member
Recoil of the .45 is more of a 'push' backward than a 'snap'.... helps to be gripping the gun correctly. I prefer the recoil of the .45 to that of the 9mm.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
From a woman's point of view, I think the 9mm is one of the best in recoil. I HATE my .38!!
However, my Berettas are a dream. Looking forward to buying a Cougar in a .45 after hearing about the smoothness.
However, my Berettas are a dream. Looking forward to buying a Cougar in a .45 after hearing about the smoothness.sm
member
he he
'nuther one addicted
'nuther one addicted
critter
Member
Yup. You're ruined now! Ain't no goin' back. BAAAAAAAD addiction. I feel 'sorry' for ya!
HA! ENJOY!
HA! ENJOY!
Neal Bloom
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 334
In my youth I remember people telling me that the .45 could break your wrist if you fired one handed. When I finally shot one I was surprised at how easily I could handle the recoil. Not as snappy as the 9mm, easier to control the weapon.
I don't know if it's the male syndrome at work, but there were the two boxes, one of 380s and another of .45s.. I was staring at both of them, and I picked the .45 without reluctance. When I first opened the box of 45, I was just staring at it in disbelief- Now I see when people mean when they say a .45 will STOP a man in one shot 
Since I've shot it, I'm itching to try it again sometime. By god I'm hooked, but I don't mind at all.
Mastrogiacomo, perhaps you should rent one and see if you do like it
Oh yes, I also forgot to mention this, but my cousin also came along. Although he's in his early-twenties now, he had never fired a real gun before. Needlessly to say, he was quick to save a few shells as souvenirs and also took the paper target home. He really seemed to enjoy shooting the .45 as opposed to the .380. Better late than never
Since I've shot it, I'm itching to try it again sometime. By god I'm hooked, but I don't mind at all.Mastrogiacomo, perhaps you should rent one and see if you do like it
Oh yes, I also forgot to mention this, but my cousin also came along. Although he's in his early-twenties now, he had never fired a real gun before. Needlessly to say, he was quick to save a few shells as souvenirs and also took the paper target home. He really seemed to enjoy shooting the .45 as opposed to the .380. Better late than never
Last edited:
45R
Member
Welcome to the world of 1911's. Nothing like shooting 230 Grs of Hardball through a hand cannon.
Nothing like shooting 230 Grs of Hardball through a hand cannon.
Last edited:
Here's another try at explaining limp-wristing.
When you shoot a semi-auto, the recoil pushes the slide back to eject the spent round and strip a new round from the magazine. The slide has to move all the way back to do that properly. The pistol must be held fairly firmly for the slide to make that trip back & forth.
If you hold the gun loosely, and it moves too much, Then the recoil just pushes the gun around in your hand, and the slide won't make the trip all the way, and either the spent round won't be ejected, or the new round won't be picked up.
Hope that makes sense.
Anyway, a semi-auto pistol needs to be held fairly firmly in order to function properly. Some are more sensitive to this than others.
When you shoot a semi-auto, the recoil pushes the slide back to eject the spent round and strip a new round from the magazine. The slide has to move all the way back to do that properly. The pistol must be held fairly firmly for the slide to make that trip back & forth.
If you hold the gun loosely, and it moves too much, Then the recoil just pushes the gun around in your hand, and the slide won't make the trip all the way, and either the spent round won't be ejected, or the new round won't be picked up.
Hope that makes sense.
Anyway, a semi-auto pistol needs to be held fairly firmly in order to function properly. Some are more sensitive to this than others.
That ultra carry sized gun is the nastiest of all the 45 types too. Rent a full sized gun next time, it is even less sharp than the one you shot. The smaller the 1911 the more sensitive it is to limp wristing too. A full size is more tolerant of it.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
I've shot my Berettas with my NRA instructor. They go off without a hitch but for me they jam. He says I'm letting it jump upwards and I need to hold it steady. The bullet comes up through the chamber and jams every time. I've got to drop the mag and rack the gun every third or four shot. I've yet to shoot it one after another without flaws...
sm
member
Grip
Unique thing about the 1911 is it so ergo designed that it fits so many shooters. BHP have this character also.
I shot my 1st 1911 in around the 2nd grade--been hooked since.
Many small hands can shoot this design better than any other.
Lady friends shoots one, 5'1, 108 # sopping wet, prefers the full size, carries a 4".
Unique thing about the 1911 is it so ergo designed that it fits so many shooters. BHP have this character also.
I shot my 1st 1911 in around the 2nd grade--been hooked since.
Many small hands can shoot this design better than any other.
Lady friends shoots one, 5'1, 108 # sopping wet, prefers the full size, carries a 4".
- Status