9mm or 45cal

[EngProf]

My Hi-Power is one of the few produced in .40 S&W. Other than having a recoil spring so heavy that it makes racking the slide something akin to cocking a crossbow, it is probably my favorite .40 cal. handgun. Sometimes I'll take it to the range during qualifications just for grins, and the 20-somethings there don't have a clue as to it's provenance. Most do think it is pretty groovy, though.

I have two Hi-powers, so I don't need another, but I hate to hear they are not making them anymore. Proves that anything worth having will be discontinued.
One of mine is a mid-70's Belgian and the other is a Nazi-marked WWII production.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Sweet. What a collector's item.

http://taskandpurpose.com/m1911-pistols-cmp-sale-details/

 

[Dm101]

Ah, ok. I asked because in a situation of where the spouse/partner is less likely to be familar with firing a gun, I've always heard it recommended that you get the gun that is the most simple and easiest for the spouse to fire, so in a panic situation they are able to simply discharge the weapon. Since your spouse has her own weapon, my point is a little nil.

I'd recommend you go with the 9mm because of cost if that is really what would determine your range time. A gun you are more familar with due to more shooting time is a better gun than one you are not as familar with. Also, I can see the advantages of being able to carry the gun, even if that is something you don't see regularly happening right now. I'm not sure if the concealed carry is a matter of preference (you'd be more likely to carry the 9mm) or if it is a matter of legality (you legally couldn't carry the 45 in your state or it would be much harder to get the permit to carry the 45) because I live in a state where it is next to impossible to get a permit to carry a handgun, concealed or not.

Same here.
Maryland is a nanny state and you can't get a carry permit if you're a civilian.
At all.

But me, for firearms...I choose 9mm.

Cost, weight, ease of use...all positive aspects for me.

I wasn't built for brawn, I was built for speed.
And that is why my bow and knife are my primary weapons.


They don't go down after an arrow or two, I close in with the knife and leave nothing to chance.

 

[Dm101]

And a nice NRA Instructor Licensure to go with them...

 

[MikeKardec]

I was never a fan of 9mm until I shot it in a full sized 1911. Up until then the 9s I'd shot were in light framed guns and were a bit too 'snappy' for my taste. Given the speed of the recoil I'd prefer something with a bit more power, like .357. For a long time my vote was for the power and the slow, jolly, recoil of the .45 ACP. BUT ... once I felt how mild a 9mm could be (even a 9+P could be) in a heavier gun, I've come to appreciate it more. With modern power and bullets and the right pistol I don't know if I see as a compromise any longer.

 

[The Jackal]

I was never a fan of 9mm until I shot it in a full sized 1911. Up until then the 9s I'd shot were in light framed guns and were a bit too 'snappy' for my taste. Given the speed of the recoil I'd prefer something with a bit more power, like .357. For a long time my vote was for the power and the slow, jolly, recoil of the .45 ACP. BUT ... once I felt how mild a 9mm could be (even a 9+P could be) in a heavier gun, I've come to appreciate it more. With modern power and bullets and the right pistol I don't know if I see as a compromise any longer.

My 1911 is a .45 and it shoots like a dream. The platform and weight just lends itself well to be fired, regardless of caliber. I much prefer shooting it to the 9mm that I usually carry throughout the day (I'm a little guy and a 1911 is hard to conceal carry).

I know they make a 1911 all the way down in 22, but I can't imagine that being much more than a novelty.

 

[Dm101]

I was never a fan of 9mm until I shot it in a full sized 1911. Up until then the 9s I'd shot were in light framed guns and were a bit too 'snappy' for my taste. Given the speed of the recoil I'd prefer something with a bit more power, like .357. For a long time my vote was for the power and the slow, jolly, recoil of the .45 ACP. BUT ... once I felt how mild a 9mm could be (even a 9+P could be) in a heavier gun, I've come to appreciate it more. With modern power and bullets and the right pistol I don't know if I see as a compromise any longer.

THIS is what I want!!!
I need a 1911 style 9mm that takes glock mags and my life will be COMPLETE!!!
(If such a sexy beast exists....)

I only got a Glock because it shares the same mags as my tried and faithfully accurate trusty rifle...but I can't get completely comfortable with that gun for some reason. Maybe I need a different gen or different model...I don't know.
I reckon I should test some other models this summer and see if Glock is really meant for me.

 

[The Jackal]

I only got a Glock because it shares the same mags as my tried and faithfully accurate trusty rifle...but I can't get completely comfortable with that gun for some reason. Maybe I need a different gen or different model...I don't know.
I reckon I should test some other models this summer and see if Glock is really meant for me.

I know Glocks are supposed to be the be-all and end-all, but thus far I've not picked one up that I liked. I'm a firm believer that a pistol should be comfortable to the point its almost pleasant to hold and I've not run across one yet that fit that description.

Granted I've not tried them all, mostly just the ones my friends have, but I've not been as impressed with them as everyone else always seems to be.

 

[Dm101]

I know Glocks are supposed to be the be-all and end-all, but thus far I've not picked one up that I liked. I'm a firm believer that a pistol should be comfortable to the point its almost pleasant to hold and I've not run across one yet that fit that description.

Granted I've not tried them all, mostly just the ones my friends have, but I've not been as impressed with them as everyone else always seems to be.

Same here.
Put a Glock in my hand and at 25 yards I won't hit the target 8/10 shots fired.
Put a 1911 in my hand and at 25 yards I'm within the third circle.
Put a Beretta 92fs in my hand and at 25 yards I'm dead center every...friggin...time.

Frankly, it might be easier for me to just swap to a Beretta-Mag version of my rifle and go back to a 92FS like I started with and leave all this Glock business in the dirt where it belongs.
But goodness I love that rifle of mine...it's been everywhere with me....

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I'm not a Glock fan either. I've shot many at the range. Not a big frame 9mm enthusiast EXCEPT for the Beretta 92fs. That calibur just seems made for that style of gun or visa versa.
I shoot best with my .45acp Paraordnance P12. Rotery clip wide grip holding 12 .45 rounds. It's just such a sweet shooter. A friend bought it new and let me shoot it. At 25 yards I seemed to put almost every round in the same hole. Finally I talked him into selling it to me. Must be just one of those unique assemblies of precision barrel frame alignment and the way it fits my hand. I did have a better trigger installed and bore smoothed, which didn't make any difference in it's accuracy. It's my carry gun and one I feel very confident with.

 

[MikeKardec]

I know Glocks are supposed to be the be-all and end-all, but thus far I've not picked one up that I liked. I'm a firm believer that a pistol should be comfortable to the point its almost pleasant to hold and I've not run across one yet that fit that description.

Granted I've not tried them all, mostly just the ones my friends have, but I've not been as impressed with them as everyone else always seems to be.

There are some companies that resculpt Glock grips, a big improvement IMO. I really don't like Glock products but they have educated me on striker fired semi autos. I didn't like the idea until I was exposed to it (and until I tried one of those "improved" Glock triggers) and then I became a big fan. If executed well, striker fired is my favorite system. Glock and a few others will mount a red dot with tall suppressor sights (to get the sights into the red dot window). It gives you carbine style accuracy in a small package. However, it's very important to have a pistol that has those iron sights for quick and dirty shooting because it's easy to "lose" the dot. It's also important to have a pistol that points well for the same reason. A 1911, that pretty much aims itself, would probably be the perfect package with a red dot and a flat shooting caliber choice. I've never shot a set up like that but the Glock with a Trijicon or Leupold red dot is pretty good, add the sculpted grips and it's a bit better. Still not a 1911, though.

Half the magic of the 1911 is that it's a single stack mag. I have a big hand but double stackers are still like grabbing a brick and there is little indication of "forward." The front of the 1911 and many other single stack guns gives you a feeling for where you are pointing. Even the Sig 220 doesn't replicate it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

It is according to the size of your hand. I have a big hand but with long fingers. When getting ready to shoot a single stack 911 I must adjust my grip somewhat to find the right comfortable spot to hold. With a double stack .45acp my hand seems to just fall into place ready to fire. Like I stated above, I feel that is part of why the rounds find the target so closely with my P-12.
HD

 

[IXL]

I shoot Glocks well and like them, just not enough to actually ever carry them on duty (and I've been fortunate in that I've never had to). Duty carry is why they make Kimber 1911s (.45 acp) and SIG Sauer P228s (9mm). I used the SIG to gain the Top Gun Shooter award for my class while attending the academy, and that was back when 50-yard shots where still part of the qualification course.

The handgun I start most new shooters on is an all-steel single-stack 1911 in 9mm. As stated by others above, it fits people well (certain Indiana folks excepted), has practically no recoil and has a very good trigger design. After they gain proficiency and confidence we can then go on to the super-teeny plastic-framed micro-carry 9mms, without too much of a problem. The big 1911s do make a heck of a good house gun, though.

HoosierDaddy, if you ever find yourself lusting over a single-stack, there are several custom grip makers that can supply you with larger-than-standard grips.

 

[M Brown]

Get a Shield 45

 

[Kirk H.]

Get a Shield 45

The M&P Shield 45 is one of my favorite Off-duty carry pistols. I also just picked up one of the Performance Center ones with a 4" barrel.

 

[MikeKardec]

I know they make a 1911 all the way down in 22, but I can't imagine that being much more than a novelty.

I just saw a lovely little "Browning" 1911 in .22 that was about a 1/2 scale .45 1911. Like you took an old service .45 and left it in the dryer a bit too long. Too small for me but very cool.

I've also heard that Colt has recently remade a special run of the .32 1903 pistol. We can't get it here in CA but for the rest of you Loungers, it might be just the ticket, a brand new version of an absolute classic.

 

[jkingrph]

Love my Browning Hi Power! It's an early 1980's model, accurized and tuned up, Bar-Sto match barrel, Cylinder and Slide wide trigger(eliminates magazine safety), extended slide release and safety, and cnc milled sear and hammer. Honestly it is more a range toy, fun to shoot and extremely accurate but just too large for me to easily carry concealed, plus the way I sweat in summer months that would probably ruin the blueing. For carry I just got a little Sig P365 with manual safety, I put a Gray Guns straight trigger in and the trigger pull on this little striker fired gun is actually better than some of my 1911 types. Never tried either a 9mm or 45 on a living target and hope I never have to do so, but some of the many reports on newer 9mm defensive ammo rates it up there with 45. 9mm in a micro gun is so much smaller than a 45, simply thinner making it easier to conceal, plus with my little Sig I get a 12 round double stack in about the thickness of a .45 cal grip, that would only hold about 6 rounds max.

 

[Peacoat]

Love my Browning Hi Power! It's an early 1980's model, accurized and tuned up, Bar-Sto match barrel, Cylinder and Slide wide trigger(eliminates magazine safety), extended slide release and safety, and cnc milled sear and hammer. Honestly it is more a range toy, fun to shoot and extremely accurate but just too large for me to easily carry concealed, plus the way I sweat in summer months that would probably ruin the blueing. For carry I just got a little Sig P365 with manual safety, I put a Gray Guns straight trigger in and the trigger pull on this little striker fired gun is actually better than some of my 1911 types. Never tried either a 9mm or 45 on a living target and hope I never have to do so, but some of the many reports on newer 9mm defensive ammo rates it up there with 45. 9mm in a micro gun is so much smaller than a 45, simply thinner making it easier to conceal, plus with my little Sig I get a 12 round double stack in about the thickness of a .45 cal grip, that would only hold about 6 rounds max.

You may not know this, but the Hi Power was the pistol of choice of the 5th Special Forces Group in VN. A Captain at the A-team camp at Mang Buk wanted a PRC-10 radio I had for trade. He was trying to find an untraceable Hi Power for me in exchange. He could never find one, so when it came time for me to go home, I gave the radio to another SOG pilot in my company and told him to just give it to the Captain.

I never got my Hi Power, but I hope the Captain got his radio.

 

[jkingrph]

You may not know this, but the Hi Power was the pistol of choice of the 5th Special Forces Group in VN. A Captain at the A-team camp at Mang Buk wanted a PRC-10 radio I had for trade. He was trying to find an untraceable Hi Power for me in exchange. He could never find one, so when it came time for me to go home, I gave the radio to another SOG pilot in my company and told him to just give it to the Captain.

I never got my Hi Power, but I hope the Captain got his radio.

I did not know that. I had an uncle who was a Senior Master Sargent in the USAF. He went to VN in the mid 60's, early part and carried a .357 revolver. At that time individuals, at least those with some rank could carry their personnel weapons without any problem. He sold it over there before returning. Later in 68 when I enlisted, then OCS, and in the early 70's I think it was getting different. I never made it to VN, the USAF decided to send me to Turkey for two years instead. I did get to relieve a section at one of the Vietnamese refugee camps we had at Eglin AFB in 75 though. I never ran across my uncle while we were both active duty, I was a Captain by the time he retired.