RON in PA
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Two recommendations: a 1911 or a S&W M&P 45.
Should I buy another 45?
- Thread starter Offhand McFlan
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Offhand McFlan
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Thanks, and I mostly agree. However, "modern" for me might be like mid-90's.
I do like the feel and layout of the M&P series and as I said, I have a Shield so handling will also be nearly second nature. Beretta PX might be better quality and i like a real hammer sometimes...but the M&P ergo feels like an extention of my hand. That goes a long way as long as the build is fairly reputable.
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Offhand McFlan
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I'm not sure I really want to get into carrying SA for EDC.
My bedside gun is, though...
Ive been really attracted to the M&P for a few years. As said I already carry a Shield quite a bit.
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Offhand McFlan
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Yes, absolutely....what was the question?
I had the Bersa UC45, and it was a good gun, but I traded that for a Llama 45, that was not a good gun, but it did introduce me to the 1911(ish) pattern. I then bought a real deal 1911 and love it. That being said, and as much as I am a fan of the gun that descended from heaven with our lord and savior JMB, there are other models that handle the 45 auto cartridge quite well. Ruger SR 45 comes to mind. The cartridge itself is fantastic. It's heavy, its fat, it's slow and does a lot of damage....kinda like meThe recoil impulse is just different than higher pressure rounds, more of a shove than a slap. I find it very comfortable to shoot and a joy to reload
I also find it very comfortable to shoot, in longer barrels anyway...
It definately has a thump as opposed to a whack.
But since good hollow points narrow the gap sooo much, wny SHOULD I bother to maintain 45 as a staple of my arsenal? I've never really owned a hicap 9mm for EDC either. Why should I go 45 instead?
I guess I should have made it clear in the OP, this WILL be for carry or I wont buy it.
I can think of a reason right here and now:
The added benefit of semi-auto bear-defense witnout having to go up to at least 180gr 357, 44mag or 10mm. Yes, yes...I know 45ACP is rarely "recommended" for that...but 9mm certainly isnt! When I bring the family camping, I usually end up bringing both a 9 and a 357, or a 9 and a shotgun, or a 357 and a shotgun. Although less than ideal, it seems that 10 or so rounds of 45 is no slouch for bear. Probably in most cases it would settle the score with average to large blackies.
There. I just thought of a reason to have my carry weapon chambered in 45. .
What a shame I have to answer my own question!
It just seems that more people want to talk about their platform than explain why I should keep this caliber in my arsenal. The question was about a caliber not a gun.
dickydalton
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3 pages of blathering made me go down to a gun shop today and buy another 45ACP. Nice price on this Rock Island.View media item 3121
el Godfather
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I would say 2 things:
1. If you are more comfortable with compact guns (which are in 9para and x18) then why change for the reasons you mentioned already. I would rather trade up in the caliber which is better suited to your needs.
2. From a gun aficionado point of view a .45 is a must have in a collection. I do not have extensive experience with them as I have only owned HK USP, MK 23, Sig 220, DW 1911, Glock 21, Colt and Springfield 1911s. The only ones survived the trades etc are Mk 23 and DW1911 - and those two I can recommend any day. More so DW1911 vBob than Mk23 because vBob is compact and you can carry it easily instead of your 9paras and x18. Btw for some reason I have no love for x18. Had 2 and not anymore.
Good luck.
1. If you are more comfortable with compact guns (which are in 9para and x18) then why change for the reasons you mentioned already. I would rather trade up in the caliber which is better suited to your needs.
2. From a gun aficionado point of view a .45 is a must have in a collection. I do not have extensive experience with them as I have only owned HK USP, MK 23, Sig 220, DW 1911, Glock 21, Colt and Springfield 1911s. The only ones survived the trades etc are Mk 23 and DW1911 - and those two I can recommend any day. More so DW1911 vBob than Mk23 because vBob is compact and you can carry it easily instead of your 9paras and x18. Btw for some reason I have no love for x18. Had 2 and not anymore.
Good luck.
CapnMac
Member
Lots of answers here.
And, really, you don't have to commit to a 1911. Unless you want to.
SIG, Glock. Taurus, S&W, Ruger, all make interesting and unique arms in .45acp
Not all of those are automatics, either--there's plenty to say about .45acp in a wheelgun, even some eminently carry-able ones.
SIG P220 is not really a different dimension than a 1911, and has some very modern features--I'm not selling mine.
Taurus PT945 and the PT145 are both very interesting, too.
Should you have a 1911? Dunno, if you like them, yes. If you want one just to have one, yes.
And, really, you don't have to commit to a 1911. Unless you want to.
SIG, Glock. Taurus, S&W, Ruger, all make interesting and unique arms in .45acp
Not all of those are automatics, either--there's plenty to say about .45acp in a wheelgun, even some eminently carry-able ones.
SIG P220 is not really a different dimension than a 1911, and has some very modern features--I'm not selling mine.
Taurus PT945 and the PT145 are both very interesting, too.
Should you have a 1911? Dunno, if you like them, yes. If you want one just to have one, yes.
Terry G
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I have a Colt Series 70 MKIV, a Glock 21, and a CZ 97b, and the winner is..........the CZ 97b. Soft shooting, accurate as can be, and holds 10 & 1 enough to stop any argument. Heavy, but in a good holster you get used to it quick.
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Offhand McFlan
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I think should have titled this thread "why should I keep 45ACP".
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Offhand McFlan
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I dont neccessarily like compact guns exclusively. They just make more sense for grab n go concealment. I can carry my Shield or Mak in a sweatshirt pocket as i do chores around the house and yard. They also fit perfectly in the armrest compartment in my Toyota with several magazines. No reaching. No bending. No twisting. I can have it out in a second for a would-be carjacker.
I love the feel of my Arcus Hi-Power more than either though, and there are times and places I would prefer more firepower or stopping power than a single stack 9. I also have a fairly heavy Dan Wesson 15-2 with a 4" barrel. It will handle hot loads as well a Ruger, maybe better. Ive carried it in the woods lots, AND also in town from time to time. Its just a bit bulky and square for urban concealment and doesnt draw as fast.
My choice of single stack 9's for EDC is more about how they carry and conceal than how easy they are to shoot and handle.
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Offhand McFlan
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Maybe we shouldve just let the Germans keep the A-Bomb and the V2, executed von Braun, and come up with our own doomsday weapon and space program. It's so unAmerican to keep that stolen Nazi technology around and build our country's success around it. And how many guys brought Tokarevs and P38's home from our wars as souvenirs??
I've owned about 15 handguns in the past 9 years and about 10 of them have been American.
Seriously, you really went there.
Although I carry a Mak sometimes I carry a Smith & Wesson usually. Did you miss the part where I said I kind of want a full sized one? And then you talk about gun collecting....which for most people entails having a variety of interesting guns from different times and places. I dont consider myself a collector although I do like to try new things out and have a variety to play with.
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Offhand McFlan
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I have actually had RI 1911's on my Gunbroker watchlist a number of times. Very affordable and well made. Just never took the plunge.
Crazy Horse
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Since you are familiar and like M&P, I recommend the Shield 45 2.0. It's an M&P, single stack and concealable. I know you mentioned not wanting a short barrel. The Shield 45 standard barrel is 3.3 inches, but the performance model is a 4 inch barrel. To me a 4 inch barrel is the sweet spot and a good compromise between concealment and barrel length (accuracy).
el Godfather
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I guess another question to get some insight would be to ask you about your neighborhood and the threat level. I say this because you mention the need to carry weapon even when you are in the house or doing chores around it.
whereas it is personal practice and training, I do not carry the weapon in the house. I know where they are etc. this is a tough choice for some of us. I wont go in detail but will post a thread soon.
if you do feel the need to carry a weapon around the house then in the long run you should focus on weight and size as when aesthetics wear off these 2 are left behind.
even if you move to a 45 I would suggest a compact polymer or a vBob sort of gun.
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Offhand McFlan
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I like that!
And I didnt know the M&P 45 was single stack either. Nice! I like the simplicity. If I get one I'll probably follow up with a Charter Pitbull in the same caliber eventually or vice versa. I think they would make a great combo.
Now what carbines can share those M&P mags? Any? When I still carried a KelTec P11 which basically takes the same mags as the S&W 59 series, I thought about getting a Camp Carbine or Sub 2000 that would share them.
I am actually very interested in 45 as far as PCC's go. Those heavy bullets reach a whole new level out of a long barrel. As for the 45 Shield, I like the caliber AND the gun, but I dont like short barreled 45's. I dont think I'd be gaining anything by having like 3 less rounds for just a teeny bit more power. At times I wish the Bersa (my first handgun) was a 9mm. I probably wouldnt be looking to sell it now if it was. Its not because I dont like the caliber its because I don't think it's a very good match. The 9mm version has like double the capacity and is virtually the same size! And in 9mm it probably wouldnt have that annoying hammer bite issue.
If i get another 45 it'll probably be at least a semi-compact, min 4" barrel like has been said, and either hammerless or with a good beavertail, and probably DA/SA. As I said before, a 1911 IS on my list as well...but from a practical earthly point of view not a religious otherworldly one.
Crazy Horse
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Yeah, I haven't found any PCC's that share M&P mags-but with most folks looking for compatibility with Glock mags, I didn't research much. Not being able to go that route, I did the next best thing and look for a PCC that uses the same caliber bullets. TNW-ASR/ASP fit that role. I purchased the 9mm PC style firearm from TNW-ASR at Buds. The good thing about it is that you can purchase the 45 acp kit (no FFL required) once you have the firearm and change it out to fire 45 acp rounds (or just get the 45 acp ASR/ASP from the start). BTW, in 9mm the firearm uses the Glock 33 round mags, so that's pretty good. There are other caliber kits you can obtain such as 40 Cal 357 SIG and 10mm. Mine is still fairly new and I've put ~150 9mm rounds through it. No issues with only 1 FTE. But I do reload my own ammo. I'll be looking at getting the 45 acp kit in the next couple of weeks.
Make sure you look around before settling on a PCC. There's plenty out there for every level budget.
Good luck.
Make sure you look around before settling on a PCC. There's plenty out there for every level budget.
Good luck.
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Offhand McFlan
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To actually have several PCC's already available that even take S&W 59 mags is quite a thing! Seems to me we'll start to see more "M&P mag carbines" eventually if theyre not already available in a few examples. PCC's have finally made it past the gauntlet of "I just don't get it" naysayers, and are sought after by very serious folks, even militaries. I think the TNW Aero line of survival rifles is an example. They could stand to have some wrinkles ironed out but its a great little platform akin to the .22 caliber AR7 way of thinking, but in 45 they go a few octaves higher. It's funny how many guns first chambered in 22 for stealth, simplicity and practicality often end up being chambered in 45 at some point, skipping everything else!
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Offhand McFlan
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Old Dog
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"Seriously?" Um, no attempt to see the attempt at humor? Seriously, maintaining a sense of humor helps one get through life with lower blood pressure and keeps one at lower risk for cancer as well. Clearly, you do not read the posts of others carefully, otherwise you would have detected that I am a connoisseur of German firearms as well as American, Swiss, Brazilian, Spanish, Austrian and French ...
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Offhand McFlan
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The only one that can answer your question is you. For the life of me I can not figure out why folks need confirmation/validation or direction from social media on whether or not they need or want another firearm. Ask your best friend, your wife, or your hunting buddies, they probably know you well enough to give some direction. But random folks on the internet? It's basically gonna be "get what I have, get what I have!" because those folks too need some form of validation for their choices. Sheesh......
Most of the people I work with arent all that experienced with firearms except for a few hunters. A number of people have actually come to ME for advice out that crowd. Out of work I am a loner and family man mostly. Why do I pick people's brains on social media? So I can catch alot of opinions in one net and sort out which ones make sense and which ones dont and politely dismiss or ignore those who get too dogmatic without further ado. Why are you all here? You all post plenty for people who dont need social media.
Obviously there is a sizable school of fish here and some of them have some interesting and/or experienced points to make....when theyre not slobbering and intoxicated over their 1911's.
Hey... I give you this: If they were all Glock fanboys as opposed to the 1911 crowd I WOULD NOT BE HERE AT ALL! Until recently I wasnt writing or reading in any gun forums for like two years or maybe more. I did it routinely for years but got tired of it and just started enjoying my own on my own time in real life....ALONE. From what I see of people these days its usually better thay way. Guns and hunting arent usually a social thing for me. Once in awhile, that is all.I'm not looking for validation...and yes, I probably should have titled my thread differently. I'm curious what solid practical reasons one would keep the ammo and buy another 45 for carry. So far Ive heard mostly alot of romantic aspiration and nostalgia for 1911's here. If they love theirs...GOOD! But its not what I'm asking, and I've tried to clarify this a number of times in later posts to no avail. Oh, well...
nofendertom
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Maybe you could stash the .45 ammo for awhile---it won't go bad---rent a gun or two, what ever strikes your fancy---if you decide on a .45 you will have
the ammo. Buying the ammo later might prove more costly.
the ammo. Buying the ammo later might prove more costly.
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