What's your caliber?

[Enachos]

I was just curious as to who prefers the .40 over the .45 and vice versa. Not trying to start a caliber war. The reason I'm wondering this is because I'm mainly a .40 S&W fan but I've just been looking for reasons to purchase a 1911... Convince me...

 

[Fumbler]

Just buy a 1911 in 40S&W if you like the 40 that much.

Problem solved.

 

[okespe04]

Just go buy a 1911. It will speak for itself once it is in your hands.

 

[Oldnoob]

I'm a 40 and 9 fan. I would pick up a 45, but the larger size grip just push me away every time. 1911 is the only platform so far that fits ok in my hand.

 

[General Geoff]

I like .40S&W as well, and I like 1911s. As Fumbler points out, I picked up a 1911 chambered in .40S&W. Problem solved.

 

[Enachos]

The thing is though that I'd like to add a .45 to my little collection... any reasons that i should or shouldn't make the switch?

 

[okespe04]

More guns = Good. I think most people here will agree.

 

[Just One Shot]

1911 pffftt!

 

[David E]

I am a 9mm and .40 fan. I would pick up a 45, but the larger size grip just push me away every time. 1911 is the only platform so far that fits ok in my hand.

Um, you are aware that the 1911 that "fits ok in your hand" is chambered in .45, right?

 

[Gryffydd]

I think what he's saying is that of .45ACP handguns, the 1911 is the only one so far that fits in his had.

 

[David E]

The thing is though that I'd like to add a .45 to my little collection... any reasons that i should or shouldn't make the switch?

Ammo costs more, if that matters.

 

[MTO]

I have a subjective preference for .45ACP over .40S&W based on the recoil characteristics. I think of the .40S&W as flippy--like 9mm Luger out of a subcompact but more so. I don't get that same impression from .45ACP even when shooting a lightweight, alloy-framed 1911. I acknowledge that this may be mostly in my head.

I hope someday to train to be more accustomed to shooting .40S&W when time and ammo availability permits.

 

[mnhntr]

In an auto platform I am a 45acp fan, but in the revolver its the 357mag.

 

[cesarv]

.45

Go ahead and buy the 1911. You won't regret it. Despite what a lot of people think about Kimber, I went ahead and bought a Target II. I absolutely love that gun. It feels right in my hands, and I had always been a 9mm fan.

 

[mljdeckard]

You do realize that there's no way this won't become a caliber war, right?

I have kind of run out of reasons to use .40. I did for a while, but I think I feel that it is too in-between. Meaning, the .45 has a slight advantage for the amount of cm3 of tissue damage it causes, and the 9mm has higher capacity if I wanted more shots. Over time, I became more confident in my shooting skills and decided that I could do the job with a single-stack gun. In addition to this, pretty much all the guns I have tried in .40 AND the comparable .45 model, the .40 has the same felt recoil, if not a bit snappier.

The only thing in ten years that has made me think about the .40 again is that it appears there is lower demand for it in a supply crisis. There is a little pile of it sitting lonely on the shelves at the sporting goods stores.

 

[Lv4snobrdg]

my decision is one of a patriotic and efficacy influence.

.45

Don't really care about the cost/availability of ammo. I have a box of Black Talons for anyone that feels like coming into my home uninvited. Buy most of my ammo at the always present gun shows and the range as necessary.

I like the 40 and tried to talk my wife into an M&P in 40 cal, but she wanted a 45. Thats why I love her!

 

[rellascout]

9mm and 45 ACP

 

[NMGonzo]

I want a top for my 1911 in .40

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I'm lucky enough to have pistols from .32acp to .45acp suited for different purposes. my carry is usually a Makarov but may be depending on circumstances a .32acp up to the .45acp or in between them a hi-cap .380acp, 9mm hi-cap or .357 mag with hot loads.
I favor my brought back from 'nam 1911 I've worked over some.

 

[bestseller92]

My overall "favorite" auto pistol caliber is probably the .40 .

 

[Fiv3r]

7.62 Nagant. I like loading dinky odd looking cartridges into my gun one at a time. What, you mall ninjas need more than .30 cal to get the job done?

Actually, like a lot of folks I have moved up in caliber size as I shot more. Started at .38, went to 9mm, bumped up to .357 (fun but almost too much FLASH BANG), tried .45 acp and fell in love.
Not as snappy as .40 and offers plenty of THUMP on target. Not as cost effective to shoot but what is these days? Plus, they are starting to make their way back to the shelves, and not just at the gouging sporting good stores.

I'd say got for the .45 .45acp is an American classic. Whether you get one in a bonified real deal 1911, a poly frame, or what have you, the .45acp is a good ol' fashioned American bravado caliber of putting a nice big stick in hand held form. ("I'll see you high capacity and raise you bullet the size of your thumb) The .40 is nice. The .40 shoots well. The .40 is cheaper to shoot....but at the end of the day it's just NOT a .45

 

[NMGonzo]

The .45 is a Cadillac.

The .40 is a BMW.

The .357 Sig is Porsche.

 

[Blues Brother]

I still think the 9 is way underrated as a caliber.

 

[Blues Brother]

mall ninjas?????

 

[CWL]

Why not make a full compromise and get a M1911 in 10mm?