Why did you pick the .45 ACP [Archive]

davesglock30

01-02-2003, 17:54

someone here oncw said:"a 9mm MAY expand but a .45 will never shrink!" plus basically what everyone has already stated. the .45 has been proven over and over again as a very good manstopper. and it has alot of history and it's still going very, very strong. the .45 will be around for a very, very long time. and you can find the ammo ANYWHERE!!

01-02-2003, 18:09

I choose a .45 because I know from personal experience that it works.

'nuff said.

DoubleDog

01-02-2003, 19:42

.45 ACP! Time tested, and the recoil from G-30 is very manageable. Plus I can usually hit what I'm aiming at...

DD~

steelerfan

01-02-2003, 21:54

The bullet leaves a big, damn hole. Easy recoil. What's not to love?

I also used to be a .40s&w guy but the .45ACP is just easier to shoot.

Eins36

01-03-2003, 14:33

I like to make last purchases first.

Since I bought it for personal protection, what better option is there?

durajeff

01-03-2003, 15:21

I started with a 9mm and then got a 10mm, then ended up with a 11.4 mm (.45)

(Actually, I never got a 10mm)

Drills a big hole and with premium rounds, expands to .75

It is also a particularly accurate round. Like the other guy said, you can shoot more accurately with a .45 and not really know why. It is just inherently accurate.

geminicricket

01-03-2003, 15:28

New to guns. Lousy shot. Big hole. Marginally better change of actually contacting target.

Rebeldon

01-03-2003, 19:01

Big hole, less felt recoil, less likely to overpenetrate, proven record as a stopper.

jptsr1

01-04-2003, 08:31

I started off with a .357 because I wanted something that my girlfriend (at the time) could shoot, kept it loaded with .38’s in the house. Then I moved to a .45 because I got caught up in all the “stopping power” hype and thought it was the only round that could really be relied on in a pinch. Finally wound up with a G26 as a carry weapon. I bought it for my wife and made the mistake of taking it to the range and just never gave it to her. I still take the G21 to the range and carry it occasionally if its cold and I'm wearing a big coat or something but that’s usually about all the work she gets.

J.

MrMurphy

01-04-2003, 16:35

My dad was a .45 guy (after using one in Vietnam, he was a believer) I grew up a .45 guy through my own research, and after being a news photographer and seeing guys hit with 9mm's walking away or crawling away (usually bad shot placement) and seeing what .357's and .45s usually do if placed anywhere NEAR the proper area, it just reinforced my opinion.......

Not to mention 3 of the 4 guys I know who've actually shot someone with a smaller caliber weapon (two 9's and a .38) went to .45s if they could (one went to a .40 but that's department-mandated).

Braz

01-04-2003, 17:06

For all the above reasons and the mystique,

"In 1942, on a black October night in the steaming jungles of Guadalcanal, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone single-handedly wiped out a company of Japanese trying to overrun his position on the Tenaru River. With a Colt .45 pistol and two machine guns – one cradled in his arms after the other was knocked out – he stopped a screaming banzai attack and held out until dawn, when reinforcements came up. Nearly a hundred sprawled enemy dead were around his cut-off outpost. Basilone became the first Leatherneck to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II."

SELFDEFENSE

01-04-2003, 18:35

Because I already had 3 9mms.

davesglock30

01-04-2003, 19:10

on the same note as MRMURPHY, i work at a state prison and have personally seen and talked to numerous inmates that have been shot multiple times with a 9mm (and alot of them were NOT poor shot placement,they were mostly in the chest area) but i still haven't seen one walking around that had been shot with a .45!:) now i know that .45's are pretty rare with LEO's so that cuts the odds down but their are sill cops out there packing .45's!! one inmate that always comes to mind is the one that has 5 bullethole scars all over his chest/abdomen and one in his shoulder. the only thing that he has wrong with him is he can't lift his arm that he got shot in the shoulder! and he's not some huge monster just an average size guy.

Short Cut

01-04-2003, 21:34

First handgun was a S&W model 66 that shoots .38 and .357 nice simple and reliable, still got it. When I became interested in carrying concealed I bought a .40 Beretta that also came chambered in 9mm and I still have it.

I chose the semi because it carried more rounds than the revolver and was easier to reload. I bought the .40 S&W over the 9mm due to the outcome of the extensive ballistic testing performed by the California Highway Patrol.

Then I rented a GLOCK model 30. I was more accurate with the G30 right off the bat than I was with the .40 Beretta which I had shot a couple thousand rounds through.

I know that the .45 has an excellent track record for antipersonnel purposes which is good to know. However the GLOCK 30 is what sold me on .45s. I like everything about the G30. I think it is perfect for a carry gun. I like its size, weight, accuracy, capacity, ergonomics and reliability. In fact I like it so much I bought two. :)

fastbolt

01-04-2003, 22:05

Got hooked on .45 ACP as a youngster, as my dad was a big believer ...

I once watched him trade off his prized S&W M29, one of the earliest available, for a modified Colt 1911. The 1911 had been in military service on both sides of the Atlantic, and had then been rebuilt and accurized by a Border Patrol Armorer for border use, back when such things were daily necessities ... The agent thought a .44 Magnum was better firepower, and my dad was eager to get the rebuilt & accurized 1911. Both men came away happy ... and I still remember watching him shoot that 1911 seemingly endlessly as I grew up, and feeling an immediate affinity the first time he let me shoot it out in the country ... A great pistol, and I wish I had it ...

Back when I still reloaded, it was an easy caliber to reload ...

I always found it an easy caliber to shoot, and shoot accurately ...

A Colt Combat Commander was one of the first off duty weapons I ever carried, and I still own it. I regret trading away a lightweight Commander and a Star PD ...

With the large selection of very fine pistols chambered for this round, and the much improved bullet designs available for this caliber, I've continued to add .45 pistols to my collection over the years ...

Specialized units of both L/E, and the military, have "rediscovered" the effectiveness of this caliber ...

P-990

01-05-2003, 20:06

Yep, no .45 ACP for me. I know it might be a bit better than my pet 9mms. Absolutely cannot contest that fact at all. Yet I seem to have 3 9mms and no .45s. (Glock 17, 26 and a Walther P-990) Someday I will have a .45 in my collection, for certain. Either after I find the perfect .45 caliber Glock or after (heaven forbid) I get into a gunfight with one of my 9s. Until then, I say to each his own, for it is his own skin.

(Oh yeah, and I don't regard any handgun of less than .41 Magnum/10mm power level to be especially potent! ;) )

Wiz

01-05-2003, 20:07

You ever look down the business end of one?

gundudemp5

01-06-2003, 01:21

After 4 years as an M.P. when the military still had a real side arm (1911a1) I swore I would never own one until I came across one a buddy of mine owned it had been customized I shot it I fell in love with it.
I now own 9 .45's all of them are like my kids I keep them warm dry and fed very well. The fact that they have the best stopping power is a big plus.
Accuracy is very good as I can shoot bowling pins all day long at the 50 yard mark is nice too.
The ease of reloading is another factor also as I do alot of shooting of the m1a1 thompson.
The brass is easier to pick up at the ranges I go to also its the main brass we use at our range.
I suppose I have more brass than I will ever need in my lifetime but you can never have too much of a good thing. ( is 75,000 rounds of .45 brass too much?) ;f

emarsh

01-06-2003, 20:37

Because its easy to tell when you hit 'em with a .45 - you can see the bottom of their feet. :)

AKA

Knock down power.

MtnBiker

01-07-2003, 16:55

.45 is a very accurate caliber. It is also very effective for personal defense.

Ammo is plentiful and reasonably priced. It is an easy caliber to reload.

And, I like the big holes it puts in the bulls-eye.

gbpdm21

01-07-2003, 19:45

WELL THATS BECAUSE ITS WHAT MY DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO GIVE ME ;f TO CARRY. I'LL MISS MY 9MM SMITH ;f

DAVE RICHARDS

01-17-2003, 01:40

First of all I just like shooting. So I like shooting a little of everything. I don't think with the better bullets their is much difference in stopping power between 9mm, .40 and .45 so it's not a bigger is better thing. I'd say what really turned me on to .45 was the accuracy. I have a G-30, Sig 245, and a Sig 220. All three guns are amazingly accurate. Next the G-30 seems to me to just be one incredible balance of size to power ratio. Easy to conceal, 11 rounds of full power .45, mild recoil, and again accuracy. I carry my G-30 more than anything else because of the above factors. If I have to go into a bad area I carry my G-30 backed-up by my G-27. If that won't handle anything that comes up your done for!

tackdriver

01-17-2003, 13:35

While reading all of these I have been thinking of a response that will convince you. I don't need to convince you. There are many very good points in the previous responses. But try this anyway: take a 9mm, .40 and a .45 round. Put them in your hand. Toss each up and feel the weight. Also, look down the cavern of a speer gold dot .45 defense round. Want to be hit by a baseball or a BRICK?

brownie

01-18-2003, 12:07

Cause they don't make a 46acp.

Brownie

TWS G26

01-18-2003, 18:52

I didn't need to read any of this, but glad I did. So, I can trade one my G19's for a G30 and not regret it?

chevrofreak

01-18-2003, 19:40

you always regret getting rid of a good gun

if you have 2 G19's and are comfortable trading 1 for a 30 then go for it.

both are excellent weapons

Cola di Rienza

01-18-2003, 19:42

I have a G-30, Sig 245, and a Sig 220.

Can you give me your opinion on the Sig 245? I'm considering getting a .45 in the next few months, and the 245 looks great to me. I've had the chance to handle one and the gun does fit my hand well, but I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet.

How is the recoil and such as compared to other .45 handguns? My only experience shooting .45 came from a Ruger P97, so I'm not well versed. :)

fastbolt

01-18-2003, 20:12

SIG 245 ...

It's not my personal favorite, but you might not have proposed to my wife, either. :)

I recommended this SIG to someone desiring to change their .45 CCW weapon about a year ago. He had qualified with a Colt Officers Model, but wanted something simpler ... meaning just being able to pull the trigger for his first shot. Not a bad idea for someone that doesn't make it a point to practice with cocked & locked.

He didn't like some of the other possibilties for various reasons ... Glock, S&W and HK ... so I recommended the SIG, as it fit his requirements for size, weight, caliber and cycle of operation. He tried it, bought it and really liked it. He's more confident with it, and that's VERY important. He's definitely not a "gun person", either, if that means anything.

Rent one if possible. You might like it. Nicely made weapon.

Cola di Rienza

01-18-2003, 20:40

Thanks for the input fastbolt. ;f

TWS G26

01-18-2003, 21:17

Instead of trading a G19 for a G30, I've decided to keep both G19's, buy a G30, and save down the road for another G30. Then I'll have a pair each of two excellent guns. The addiction is out of control.

fastbolt

01-18-2003, 21:36

TWS G26,

Don't think you're the first, or last, person to rationalize things in that way.;a

I can't see anything wrong with it.;f

Polo

01-18-2003, 23:40

Originally posted by TWS G26
Instead of trading a G19 for a G30, I've decided to keep both G19's, buy a G30, and save down the road for another G30. Then I'll have a pair each of two excellent guns. The addiction is out of control.

Sounds like a plan -- a real good plan :)

davesglock30

01-19-2003, 17:42

as hannibal would say-"i love it when a plan comes together"-long live the A-TEAM!!;Q ;e ;f

wrenrj1

01-19-2003, 19:47

I bought a Springfield 1911 as a retirement present to myself from the National Guard last year. I have since bought an M-9 and a G21.

I really like shooting my M-9 (92FS) but truly love shooting my 1911 and G21.

Wren

wrenrj1

01-19-2003, 19:49

P.S.

Looking at the business end of a .45, it looks like a sewer pipe! now that's intimidating...

Wren

Drjones

01-20-2003, 02:45

Big Dawg:

Dude, have you ever seen the size of a .45 bullet?

There ya go....;f

denfoote

01-20-2003, 03:04

I just wanted a .45!! Just like I wanted any other caliber I own. Nothing special about it as far as I'm concerned!!!

charleym3

01-20-2003, 16:47

If I'm going to be limited to 10 rounds, I'd rather that they be .45 than anything else.

Coolknight

01-21-2003, 05:06

Cause it works better then most.

Regards,
Coolknight

flyfisher100

01-24-2003, 12:28

When I was in High School (a long time ago) I got all of the .45 ACP for free from a friend. Needless to say, I shot a lot!!! One summer he told me that I used about 4500 rounds. (If I had a Glock then it probably would have been 9,000.)
I liked it, it did what I wanted and kept shooting it. I have to reload my own now---the friend died about 20 years ago.

G-36

lharken

01-24-2003, 22:40

;U I always loved 45s, 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 454 you get the idea. I just bought my first Glock and guess what?? 45 ACP! Mostly because it reminded me of my dream weapon when I was a street cop, a Walther PPK/S in 45 ACP. I think the Glock 30 is about as close as I'm likely to come.

Jam Master Jay

01-24-2003, 23:08

If you're gonna go, go big. I want the closest thing to a cannon that I can get and still be legal. Besides, when you say .45, people go "coooool".

Greg W

01-25-2003, 00:39

I chose the 45 because it makes a nice big hole. I went through my 40 S&W kick, but I went back to the 45. because I believe it is better than a 40.

I must admit I am tempted by the Springfield XD in 357 Cal.

Greg
Big Dawg #1088

HOS

01-25-2003, 09:37

;f
A guy asked me one time "Why did you buy a .45?".
My reply to him was--"Because Glock does not make a .50 yet."

HOS

01-25-2003, 09:45

;f
My dad was at a gun show once and was eyeballing a Colt Defender really hard. A fellow walked up to him and asked "What would you want that thing for?". My dad's reply was-
"If I have to shoot somebody,I am not looking to just make them sick!"
Like father, like son I guess!

(By the way, he bought the Defender! Sweeeet!!)

Adam Thiel

01-25-2003, 10:11

My next door neighbor was a Compton police officer in the late 70s/early 80s. He told me a first-hand account wherein his partner shot a guy on PCP 13 times with a 9mm. After that, the bad guy threw his partner across the squad car! The bad guy was later DOA, but so what. My neighbor also saw a little old lady on PCP break her handcuffs.

Back when these things occurred, most of L.A. carried .38s. The Compton police force allowed their cops to carry anything they wanted. My neighbor said they all carried .45s, .357 mags, .41 mags, and even .44 mags. Nothing less.

I always liked the .45, but went over to the .357 for years. Now I'm back to the .45 because I prefer the recoil of the .45 and I think the higher magazine capacity is a major plus. I am now looking into a Glock 10mm.

You never know if the bad guy is on MAJOR drugs. That's why I like the .45.

brownie

01-25-2003, 10:30

I can see the holes on paper easier with my older eyes.

Oh ya, it makes the same size whole on perps as well.;Q

Brownie

Phredd

01-25-2003, 12:17

A guaranteed stopper

fnfalman

01-25-2003, 14:24

I didn't choose the .45 Auto over any other caliber. I chose it as the accompanying caliber to my 9mm round. These two rounds are the most available. I can find them at any store, even in the bum freak egypt Montana. And that's why I own the .45 Auto. No mystical reason.

chevrofreak

01-25-2003, 16:10

Originally posted by fnfalman
I can find them at any store, even in the bum freak egypt Montana.

Did you move to Montana, or am I missing something? ;g

Drjones

01-25-2003, 18:00

Another reason:

Have you EVER heard anyone say, or do you REALLY think you would EVER say, "Gee, I wish I woulda used a SMALLER bullet to shoot him with?" :cool:

JMC

01-25-2003, 18:47

I bought a .45 because the gun shop told me you can't be a true American unless you own a .45. ;) :) :cool: ;f

W9RPE

01-25-2003, 21:43

It's pretty, fun to load and makes a big BOOM! The bigger the BOOM the better. If I am able to immediately look to see where the hole in the target is...it wasn't a big enough BOOM.

;f

Drjones

01-26-2003, 04:25

Originally posted by JMC
I bought a .45 because the gun shop told me you can't be a true American unless you own a .45. ;) :) :cool: ;f

Isn't that a constitutional amendment or something?

;)

LewisQ

01-26-2003, 10:01

I go tmine for the same reason I got the 357SIG: I love to shoot it!

Snake Eyes

01-28-2003, 16:30

i chose it for the stopping power and i shoot better with the round also..

docglock

01-28-2003, 18:42

I have spent many hours reading ballistics reports, actual encounters, and various other discussions concerning choice of calibers. Most of the time, someone is trying to convince someone else that the .40, the 9mm or the .357 calibers have adequate stopping power. And that may indeed be the case. But in all those readings I've never heard anyone dispute the stopping power of the .45 caliber round - in the old west, in wartime or in law enforcement. So from the standpoint of stopping power, the .45 is the undisputed leader of the pack IMHO. Unless of course you want to trade up to the .44 mag, .454 casull, .480 Ruger, but I think these bigger calibers with their significant recoil and size are more suited to stopping non-humans. Also, the .45 caliber comes in many, many commercial forms at a reasonable price. It is easy to reload, from the low power lead target loads to the most powerful +P JHP self defense rounds. And it's recoil is quite manageable for most folks. Even though I'm a .45 caliber fan, I can see where special situations might dictate other calibers. For example, very small concealment weapons might work better in .357 or .38, although I am quite happy with my Glock 36 in .45 for concealment. Or folks who might have trouble with the .45 recoil, especially for long days at the range, might do better with the 9mm or .40. Or LEO or military personnel who are permitted to carry more than 10 rounds might favor the higher capacity magazines for .40 or 9mm loads for a sustained gun battle. But for the average Joe or Joan limited to 10+1 rounds for target or self defense, I am hard pressed to find a reason not to go with .45. I am currently writing an article on handgun fundamentals and plan to suggest the above approach. I would welcome your comments - either agreement or disagreement. Thanks.

Adam Thiel

01-28-2003, 18:55

I totally agree. All things considered, for killing another human being, the .45 rules.

don't tread on me

01-28-2003, 19:45

I agre. The .45 is a round I would bet my life on!!

YosemiteSam357

01-29-2003, 15:18

fprovato summed it up quite well, I think. Many people come up with data to "prove" other rounds, but the .45 ACP speaks for itself, IMO.

I just wish the ammo were available in the 100 round value packs from Walmart, as is Winchester White Box 9mm for $10.68. I must admit I find myself shooting my 9s a lot these days, simply 'cause that ammo is so cheap.

-- Sam