Do I really need a .45?
- Thread starter SATX man
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plexreticle
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Everyone should have a .45 ACP.
Dave Dembinski
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9mm, .40, and .45 aren't much different in terms of one-shot stop percentages. But hey, what's this "need" business? 
If you've already got a gun you feel safe carrying then you don't need it, but do you want one?
If you've already got a gun you feel safe carrying then you don't need it, but do you want one?
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Not much difference ballistically, and the .40 fits more rounds in the magazine.
However, if you want a .45 just to have a .45, then by all means get one. But IMHO the .40 is not an inferior cartridge.
However, if you want a .45 just to have a .45, then by all means get one. But IMHO the .40 is not an inferior cartridge.
DawgFvr
Member
Hard to beat a 10 + 1 little pocket cannon sitting on the night stand. My 2nd Generation DAO PT145 is turning out to be a very nice home defense weapon...along side my shotgun.
10-Ring
Member
I have said this for a long time....we all evolve to the 45 acp...some latch on & hang on, others fall by the way-side. At the very least, you have to pay your homage & respect to the 45 acp and decide for yourself! Go rent on for a while, shoot about 1000 rounds before you decide & take it from there~
rdaines
Member
With the other calibers in your collection you don't "need" a .45 but it would provide you with a different shooting experience from either the 9mm or the 40 S&W.
texas bulldog
Member
who on THR is really going to advise you not to get a 45?
I'm finding myself going back to the .45 ACP after experimenting with the .40 S&W. I have yet to decide if I want to keep my .40 or sell it for another .45. We'll see.
Power has nothing to do with it in my eyes. It's the selection of guns or platforms to launch bullets.
I like the 1911. It can be made in 9mm Luger and .38 Super, but it was designed for the .45 ACP. I can get an XD, M&P, or a Glock in .45 if I want to go that route. Glock makes two sub compact .45s and there's small 3" 1911s available.
If you don't want a 1911, you should be perfectly happy with .40 or 9mm.
Power has nothing to do with it in my eyes. It's the selection of guns or platforms to launch bullets.
I like the 1911. It can be made in 9mm Luger and .38 Super, but it was designed for the .45 ACP. I can get an XD, M&P, or a Glock in .45 if I want to go that route. Glock makes two sub compact .45s and there's small 3" 1911s available.
If you don't want a 1911, you should be perfectly happy with .40 or 9mm.
MCgunner
Member
I have had a .45 of one or another type for 20 years now. The reason I "need" it (my justification) is momentum games. I originally bought one when I got into pin shooting. Now days, I don't do a lot of that sort of thing, pepper popper shoots now and then, but nothing rocks the steel over like a big, heavy bullet. Effectiveness in self defense? Well, I normally carry a 9 because it fits in a pocket and it has a good track record with 115 grain +P in defense scenarios. It's all I need for self defense and easier to carry than even the Taurus pictured above. If I go IWB, now days, it's the SP101 with 140 grain Speer bullets at 1340 or something near. It's as much as any +P .45 out of a lot longer, heavier gun. The little SP101 is a pocket cannon. Well, I carry it IWB because it's a might heavy for a pocket, but it rides light and speaks with authority. I rarely carry my .45 anymore, though it will conceal okay under a loose enough shirt IWB in the Sparks Summer Special I have for it. I shoot the thing as well or better (a Ruger P90) than anything I have and it's very accurate and 100 percent reliable. I shot IDPA with it for several years, fine weapon, I just like revolvers and compact pocket 9s for carry. Most .45 platforms ain't really of a CCW size and those that are ain't any better ballistically than my pocket 9, so I've not fallen for the .45 hype. It ain't the caliber or the gun anyway, it's the man behind it. I do like carrying a service caliber, though, as opposed to my .380. The only real worry I have about .380 caliber is adequate penetration. The service calibers, .38 special and up, I'm confident will penetrate.
Do you NEED a .45? Probably not if you're talking self defense, but that shouldn't be a reason not to buy one. I don't want to be without a .45, myself, if only because nothing quite flattens a pepper popper as fast and as sure. It does have ol' moe on its side. To be honest, though, the .40 shooting 200 grain stuff is about as good as the .45 even for momentum. I just never got into .40. When I got into .45, it was before the .40 was even thought about and the ten was an oddball curiosity in an oddball gun called a Bren.
Do you NEED a .45? Probably not if you're talking self defense, but that shouldn't be a reason not to buy one. I don't want to be without a .45, myself, if only because nothing quite flattens a pepper popper as fast and as sure. It does have ol' moe on its side. To be honest, though, the .40 shooting 200 grain stuff is about as good as the .45 even for momentum. I just never got into .40. When I got into .45, it was before the .40 was even thought about and the ten was an oddball curiosity in an oddball gun called a Bren.
Scorpiusdeus
member
No, you don't "need" a .45.
You have two .40 S&W and they'll get any job done the .45 will.
If you have the lose cash and "want" a .45, by all means go out and get one.
You have two .40 S&W and they'll get any job done the .45 will.
If you have the lose cash and "want" a .45, by all means go out and get one.
10X
Member
Well, let us be honest it is really a matter of want rather than need.
It also depends on what you want to do with it, sef defense, target, a different type of gun or just to have. You didn't say what your 40s were.
A 40 is a perfectly capable caliber. The 45 offers some variety in your case.
I really like the 1911 in 45 ACP. It is one of the guns that says this is the way a gun should be.
As far as cost, I just bought 10 boxes of 45 ACP from Dicks for $10.98 per box. The 40 was priced the same.
For a cost advantage the 9mm is priced at $6.98 per box for 10 or more.
It also depends on what you want to do with it, sef defense, target, a different type of gun or just to have. You didn't say what your 40s were.
A 40 is a perfectly capable caliber. The 45 offers some variety in your case.
I really like the 1911 in 45 ACP. It is one of the guns that says this is the way a gun should be.
As far as cost, I just bought 10 boxes of 45 ACP from Dicks for $10.98 per box. The 40 was priced the same.
For a cost advantage the 9mm is priced at $6.98 per box for 10 or more.
KINGMAX
Member
I am a firm believer in a 45 acp
I learned pistols on a 1911 in the ARMY. I am a firm believer in a 45 as the best in a personal protection round. Pistol engagements are usually between seven out to fifty feet. You want the round to take the threat off it's feet, not to past through. I want that big piece of slow moving lead to do just that. A .38 spl, PLUS + P, I don't take the chance. Someone under the infulence of something, maybe not. A 45, YES. A 357, 9MM will pass on through up close. In the case of a 40S&W, I really don't know.
I learned pistols on a 1911 in the ARMY. I am a firm believer in a 45 as the best in a personal protection round. Pistol engagements are usually between seven out to fifty feet. You want the round to take the threat off it's feet, not to past through. I want that big piece of slow moving lead to do just that. A .38 spl, PLUS + P, I don't take the chance. Someone under the infulence of something, maybe not. A 45, YES. A 357, 9MM will pass on through up close. In the case of a 40S&W, I really don't know.
MarshallDodge
Member
I like 40 but I am more accurate with 45.
Go out and get yourself a 45.
Go out and get yourself a 45.
CountGlockula
Member
The only concern is ammo cost, if that's not a concern...then get all the .45s you can get.
tegemu
Member
One consideration is the absolute JOY of shooting a good 1911, it's in a class of it's own.
Lonestar49
Member
Same as..
...
Seems like the more accurate question is:
~ Do I really need another gun? ~
And we all know what the answer is, and what most will do..
I thought I had the 45cal issue wrapped up with my Sig P220R, but then I got a Colt Defender, and my last 45 will be either a SA, Sig, or Colt 1911 4" or 4 1/4" barrel 45.
Of all my guns, 380, 9mm, 40cal, only the 45 has 3, maybe four (a 5") places in my collection of working guns.
Falls under: Variety is the spice of life, as a man has to have choices, as well.. lol
Then it WILL STOP ..
LS
...
Seems like the more accurate question is:
~ Do I really need another gun? ~
And we all know what the answer is, and what most will do..
I thought I had the 45cal issue wrapped up with my Sig P220R, but then I got a Colt Defender, and my last 45 will be either a SA, Sig, or Colt 1911 4" or 4 1/4" barrel 45.
Of all my guns, 380, 9mm, 40cal, only the 45 has 3, maybe four (a 5") places in my collection of working guns.
Falls under: Variety is the spice of life, as a man has to have choices, as well.. lol
Then it WILL STOP ..
LS
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CD0311
Member
yes..in a 1911
flashman70
Member
As Texas Bulldog said, "who on THR is really going to advise you not to get a 45?" LOL
longeyes
member
My primary two house guns--with a number to choose from--are a Colt 1911 and a Glock 30. I trust them to stop any attack.
George Hill
Member
Of course you do. Silly question.
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