Should I buy another 45?

[Offhand McFlan]

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.

Thats kind of what I'm thinking. Also, regarding the enthusiasm I expressed for the M&P45: Recently after dropping my Shield in the sand and surf while frolicking up in the Great Lakes (jumped the holster), I found it to be quite messed up by that. I doubt a simpler weapon would have been so much. And I doubt I would have got more than a round off in that condition. I cleaned it up and now its fine, but that made me re-think getting the M&P 45. More and more revolvers are looking better for travelling....so I might just look for a deal on a 45 Pitbull. That's been on my mind for awhile. I wish they made a 4" target version. That would probably be equivalent to a 5" semi.

And for the record, a gun jumping its holster has NEVER happened to me before! Not even playing soccer or doing yardwork.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

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.

Some people say their TNW-ASR's had FTE and stovepiping issues that cleared up after TLC. (Wow thats alot of acronyms, huh??) And particularly with the 45 version. Maybe that's been rectified in later production, I dunno. Either way I still find it quite attractive. Any of those breaking-in issues with yours?

I think for survival, the 45 version with a Charter Pitbull as backup would be a great combo, sharing ammo without needing so many magazines. And hell, if the TNW broke you could use the mags to load your pitbull quickly.

 

[Old Dog]

I'm not looking for validation..

Um, then why ask perfect strangers questions about what they think you should spend your money on?

This is a firearms forum, and yes, most of us here have a deep and abiding affection for anything in .45 ACP (and since many of us are in fact Americans, we also favor the 1911).

 

[Ironicaintit]

Do you really need a reason?

 

[Offhand McFlan]

For the nth time, I'm asking for practical not romantic or affectionate reasons I should keep the cartridge. No one here including me has put down 1911's in any way, shape or form. And I am an American and any weapon used to defend the Constitution of the United States is a good one in my book. In fact, stabbing a commie in the eye with a Chinese toad-sticker might be very fitting at this point in time.

And by the way, a few people answering the OP have actually been helpful instead of using "45 ACP" as an excuse to build another 1911 shrine. If you were a Glock Jock I wouldn't even waste my time answering you at this point. You accuse ME of looking for validation while repeatedly coming at ME to get me to endorse your favorite gun!

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Do you really need a reason?

Yes.

 

[Tallball]

My 45acp Pitbull has worked out well for me. I got a good deal on it. It's as accurate as any of my other snubs. The way that it holds the cartridges without a moonclip is interesting and effective.

Hi-Point makes ugly cheap carbines that are effective. I got a used 9mm one for $120-something. It has never malfunctioned. IIRC they are also available in 45acp.

Charter Arms Pit Bull 45acp

• Tallball
• Nov 19, 2018

Hi-Point 9mm carbine

• Tallball
• Dec 28, 2017

 

[Crazy Horse]

Some people say their TNW-ASR's had FTE and stovepiping issues that cleared up after TLC. (Wow thats alot of acronyms, huh??) And particularly with the 45 version. Maybe that's been rectified in later production, I dunno. Either way I still find it quite attractive. Any of those breaking-in issues with yours?

I think for survival, the 45 version with a Charter Pitbull as backup would be a great combo, sharing ammo without needing so many magazines. And hell, if the TNW broke you could use the mags to load your pitbull quickly.

I took it out last week to use and try out the Pinty Red/Green dot. I let another person fire it. He loaded it up with 9mm 115 grain ammo. Out of two 33 round Glock clips, he had one FTE. I then used some of my 147gr ammo. No issues at all.
It seems to be breaking in pretty well.

The pinty was great. I was able to get it zeroed in really fast and was hitting a very small shotgroup inside the bullseye at 20 yards. Not bad for a 40 dollar sight.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be looking at getting the 45 conversion kit, hopefully by months end-not holding my breathe for a father's day surprise ;-). The only thing I'm not looking forward to is purchasing manufacturer ammo to run through it-prices don't look to be going down anytime soon.

I have plenty of reloaded 45 acp ammunition, but I like to use manufacturer ammo for the first 200 or so rounds before switching up to a steady diet of reloads.

CH

 

[Officers'Wife]

It's been my experience when somebody asks a "should I" question they have already decided to do it it but just want people to agree with them.


One of the joys of living in America is the wonderful scope of choice we have. From 1911 to Luger clones, the choices are there. So perhaps the question you're asking is not should I get… But which one should I get…

 

[Ironicaintit]

I’m pretty well wedded to my BHP for concealed carry. For me, it’s darn near perfect.

I also have a para p14 and FN/FNP, but they are too big for practical concealment, IMO.

Can you find a chassis for 45 that you really like and handle well? Then get that.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

It's been my experience when somebody asks a "should I" question they have already decided to do it it but just want people to agree with them.


One of the joys of living in America is the wonderful scope of choice we have. From 1911 to Luger clones, the choices are there. So perhaps the question you're asking is not should I get… But which one should I get…

Sorry to have mislead so many people by a hastily written title. In the body of the post I thought I had made it more clear what I was asking. In later posts I made it abundantly clear. I guess it stands to reason that some people might begin to post before seeing where the post had actually gone; Hell I do that myself...but then again I catch and correct myself on that all the time like I did in the post about Police Positives. The OP was about the 38S&W version not 38Sp.

There's only so much you can fit in a title. Mine should have been more like "practical value of 45ACP" and it wouldn't have invited so much romantic spouting and that "we REAL Americans use blah blah blah, arent you one of us?" sentiment.

I'm looking for practical, tangible and technical reasons why 45ACP and guns chambered in it should take up space in my arsenal, other than just because its cool.

Now... I think I'll go paste that last paragraph in my OP.

Update: No way to modify OP. Oh, well...

 

[Suedenflames68]

I read the discussion and am confused as to what input you are seeking.
Your not looking for input on specific guns.
And you arent wanting to debate ballistic differences .
Outside of those parameters I can think of nothing relevant to the decision.
James

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I took it out last week to use and try out the Pinty Red/Green dot. I let another person fire it. He loaded it up with 9mm 115 grain ammo. Out of two 33 round Glock clips, he had one FTE. I then used some of my 147gr ammo. No issues at all.
It seems to be breaking in pretty well.

The pinty was great. I was able to get it zeroed in really fast and was hitting a very small shotgroup inside the bullseye at 20 yards. Not bad for a 40 dollar sight.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be looking at getting the 45 conversion kit, hopefully by months end-not holding my breathe for a father's day surprise ;-). The only thing I'm not looking forward to is purchasing manufacturer ammo to run through it-prices don't look to be going down anytime soon.

I have plenty of reloaded 45 acp ammunition, but I like to use manufacturer ammo for the first 200 or so rounds before switching up to a steady diet of reloads.

CH

Sounds like its overbuilt not underbuilt. Good thing. I always got the impression its a serious quality firearm. The only thing that bothers me is that (if I'm correct) there are no sights except that which you add yourself. Thats become kind of a pet peeve for me, but in this case I'd make an exception. I have a Russian red-dot bought for an AK which ended up on the shelf which I'd probably throw right on there. i think eventually I'd try to have a pro put a front sight on it and get a picatinny peep for the back.

Seriously, the idea of PCC's like this really do give me a reason to keep 45ACP. Would you want to be stranded in the Rockies with a 22 or a 9mm? 45 still becomes a game changer there. I think the gap is much narrower for handguns.

 

[John Joseph]

My first and only 45ACP was/is a Bersa Thunder Ultra Carry. It was actually my first handgun which I carried concealed for about 2 years before switching to various 9x19's and even 9x18's. These days I switch back and forth between a Shield with a belt clip in summer and a Makarov in winter, and occasionally carry a 357Mag when hiking. By generally switching to smaller guns and calibers for EDC I have found it easier to stay armed nearly ALL the time and keep much more ammo at hand.

Through my range time with my 45ACP Bersa I probably shot up upwards of 3000 rounds before going to the 9x19, however the change had everything to do with the Bersa and nothing to do with the 45ACP cartridge. The Bersa has an abbreviated beaver-tail and frequently would bite the web of my hand on recoil. By the end of most range sessions I'd have a little trickle of blood there, unpleasant but semi-tolerable since I WAS having oodles of fun, after all...

Anyhoo, these days the Bersa just doesnt make it out of the safe. I'm thinking of selling or trading up anytime. And I have like 400 rounds of 45ACP gathering dust as well. I have nothing against the round at all, but now I'm faced with either selling the ammo if I sell the gun...or keeping it to use with something new! And that's the thesis of my post. I'm curious what people's thoughts are regarding this. I'm not interested in a 45vs9mm showdown. With good ammo 45 has a slight edge but you get less capacity. I wont debate it beyond that generality. One of the reasons I like 45ACP is its so much easier to load magazines and fumble with loose rounds in the dark or under pressure.

So I am considering another 45 in some form, just because I do kind of like them and I happen to have a good start on a stash of ammo. But then again, if I sell the Bersa I could grab a new CZ or Browning Hi-Power.

In 45 I'm thinking of a Beretta, an M&P, maybe even a 1911, maybe a Camp Carbine, a Ruger PC carbine, a Charter Arms Pitbull...and others still.

Thoughts?

I'd leave the .45 acp party if I were you.
The best way to improve and maintain your skills are to focus on what you've determined works best for you, and that appears to be the 9.
If you want to indulge in range toys, the more cals the merrier---even cap and balls are a hoot---but a thorough and intimate knowledge of your "weapon of choice" should, IMHO take precedence and that unused Bersa sounds like a distraction for you.
So send it on it's way.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I read the discussion and am confused as to what input you are seeking.
Your not looking for input on specific guns.
And you arent wanting to debate ballistic differences .
Outside of those parameters I can think of nothing relevant to the decision.
James

Ballistic differences have been debated to death elsewhere and Ive partcipated in those debates and am satisfied with my conclusions. There ARE other reasons to keep cartridges around besides the sophomoric "its bigger!" arguement (such as reloading options)..and there ARE other threads to choose from. A few people here have been mindful and helpful rather than indignant and dogmatic.

 

[Suedenflames68]

Ah, yes I suppose that is true. Just got hooked on this one as it was interesting to try to read through and make sense of.

Was merely looking for clarity as to what you were inquiring about to see if I could offer any relevant information.

James

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I'd leave the .45 acp party if I were you.
The best way to improve and maintain your skills are to focus on what you've determined works best for you, and that appears to be the 9.
If you want to indulge in range toys, the more cals the merrier---even cap and balls are a hoot---but a thorough and intimate knowledge of your "weapon of choice" should, IMHO take precedence and that unused Bersa sounds like a distraction for you. So send it on it's way.

Thats my tentative plan, as stated in my OP. The Bersa is not a distraction it's almost forgotten and more of a liability financial and otherwise while sitting in a safe. The question was not if I should keep my Bersa or not. Sooner or later it's going. I have about 400 rnds of 45ACP sitting next to it. As stated, I'm not really a 1911 zealot but I think theyre fine. It's not what I really want to carry on most days and this thread is not asking people what I "should" carry. I already know what I'm most likely to carry. I usually carry a Shield, a Makarov or a 357. All that comes from years of experimentation. Tentative EDC alternatives I dont own are a bigbore revolver like the CA Bulldog, a S&W39 or 3rdGen compact, or some other compact from a reputable manufacturer. I chilled off the Bersa because of the gun not the caliber its in.

Yes the 9 generally works better for my daily routine and environment. but I'm not about to erect a shrine to it. I like to have a few distinct options but not too many. I could easily put 9x18 in my safe and choose another alternative. Reasons I keep it is its cheap, firearms are small, tough, highly accurate, concealable, simple, efficient and effective enough to stop most folks within a few shots. Plus if I needed to arm an inexperienced family member or friend in a crisis it would be my goto. Those are my practical reasons for keeping 9x18. I could think of a few good reasons to keep 45ACP too, albeit fewer.

 

[Maneiak]

I would buy a gun for the ammo you have, then you can sell the gun if you don't like it after you shoot up the ammo

I like my Glock G21 and my Hi-Point 4595 carbine. That is all I have for 45acp...I sold my 1911 after the romance faded

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I took it out last week to use and try out the Pinty Red/Green dot. I let another person fire it. He loaded it up with 9mm 115 grain ammo. Out of two 33 round Glock clips, he had one FTE. I then used some of my 147gr ammo. No issues at all.
It seems to be breaking in pretty well.

The pinty was great. I was able to get it zeroed in really fast and was hitting a very small shotgroup inside the bullseye at 20 yards. Not bad for a 40 dollar sight.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be looking at getting the 45 conversion kit, hopefully by months end-not holding my breathe for a father's day surprise ;-). The only thing I'm not looking forward to is purchasing manufacturer ammo to run through it-prices don't look to be going down anytime soon.

I have plenty of reloaded 45 acp ammunition, but I like to use manufacturer ammo for the first 200 or so rounds before switching up to a steady diet of reloads.

CH

I wonder how (if modified properly) it would handle 45 Super. I wont get my hopes up too much. At least the takedown design could make it easy to work with. Its my understanding that the ASR construction is of lightweight alloys making it a very bad idea... unless you could have some stronger parts fabbed for it. That would probably be a project for someone with more dinero than me.

 

[John Joseph]

Thats my tentative plan, as stated in my OP. The Bersa is not a distraction it's almost forgotten and more of a liability financial and otherwise while sitting in a safe. The question was not if I should keep my Bersa or not. Sooner or later it's going. I have about 400 rnds of 45ACP sitting next to it. As stated, I'm not really a 1911 zealot but I think theyre fine. It's not what I really want to carry on most days and this thread is not asking people what I "should" carry. I already know what I'm most likely to carry. I usually carry a Shield, a Makarov or a 357. All that comes from years of experimentation. Tentative EDC alternatives I dont own are a bigbore revolver like the CA Bulldog, a S&W39 or 3rdGen compact, or some other compact from a reputable manufacturer. I chilled off the Bersa because of the gun not the caliber its in.

Yes the 9 generally works better for my daily routine and environment. but I'm not about to erect a shrine to it. I like to have a few distinct options but not too many. I could easily put 9x18 in my safe and choose another alternative. Reasons I keep it is its cheap, firearms are small, tough, highly accurate, concealable, simple, efficient and effective enough to stop most folks within a few shots. Plus if I needed to arm an inexperienced family member or friend in a crisis it would be my goto. Those are my practical reasons for keeping 9x18. I could think of a few good reasons to keep 45ACP too, albeit fewer.

Have you tried a full size steel frame 1911 in .45acp?
Either you'll like it or you won't
Either you'll discover a part for it to play in your cast of handgun characters, or you won't
I mention full size and steel because, IMHO those are the easiest to shoot well. YMMV of course.

I doubt that 400 rounds would be enough to justify buying a new pistol (of course for some of us it may well be enough) unless you happen across one at a fire sale price

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Have you tried a full size steel frame 1911 in .45acp?
Either you'll like it or you won't
Either you'll discover a part for it to play in your cast of handgun characters, or you won't. I mention full size and steel because, IMHO those are the easiest to shoot well. YMMV of course. I doubt that 400 rounds would be enough to justify buying a new pistol (of course for some of us it may well be enough) unless you happen across one at a fire sale price

For basic shootability I prefer full sized steel hands down.
I have shot 45ACP 1911's twice, and once in 38 Super. First time was in 1986 when I was 14. My uncle had me up to his place in the Vermont woods for the summer. He had a number of guns he let me shoot. The line-up was an original Walther P38, a Polish Radom P35, a standard Llama 1911 and another Llama in 38 Super. My preference out of the bunch, in order, was

1) the Radom
2) the 38 Super Llama
3) the 45ACP Llama
4) the P38

The 45 was a handful at first. I warmed up to it fast. I liked it ok. But it wasn't to end up on my list of favorites to date. The vast difference in preference between the Radom and the P38 had almost everything to do with the balance of the guns, how they felt in my hand and how they aimed. I think Radom makes some of the best-balanced guns out there. Same goes for my P83 "Wanad" which I enjoy shooting twice as much as my Makarovs. I wish Radom had alot more to choose from. I am very impressed with their stuff. Years later at a range in NY, probably around 1997, I shot my second 1911 which someone let me try out, just a mag's worth. I liked it but did not fall in love. Back then I lived in NY and still didn't have any handguns because of the hoops you have to jump through there to own them . But I was developing a definite lust for the Hi-Power! It was the first handgun I'd simply slobber over in a LGS...and still do.

When I moved to PA in the early 2000's, the world of handguns opened up to me. My first was that 45ACP Bersa. Mind you, being short barreled and not weighted as good or accurate as a full-sized 1911 by any means, I lost my flavor for it within a year. And the hammer-bite was the deal-breaker. I still carried it for awhile thereafter and brought it along to the range to see if we could get along. I had faith in it as good concealed carry piece and 45ACP also almost made up for only having 7rds per mag.

The eventual replacement for my Bersa for EDC was a KelTec P11, And I bought like a dozen S&W magazines for it including several 20 rounders. In spite of KelTec's reputation for poor QA, I realized how much better armed I was with that than 7+1 in a gun which took more to handle. The Bersa should have remained in it's original 9mm form too. Chambering it in 45 was a dumb idea I think.

For me, 1911's are the "original classic". If I wasn't on a budget and a former NY native, I probably would have picked one up long ago. If I spent my days bouncing along back roads in a pickup truck in 1939 (or even 1955) worried about paranoid shotgun wielding moonshiners and wild dogs when I get out to pee, then a 1911 might well be my first choice. But that's not my situation and other things just work better for me.

 

[defjon]

Get a hold of a Springfield 1911 defender.

It's the milspec model, for under 500 usually.

Decent white dot sites, good reviews by all accounts.

 

[defjon]

I didn't read the rest of the discussion.

My reasons for the 45acp is extreme accuracy and easy to shootnes. It comes to the hand and points well.

It's very easy to ring steel at 25 yards even for most novice shooters.

Inside the home, a 45acp makes sense to me for hearing protection reasons. It's large and subsonic. If you must shoot and don't have ears on, it may do less damage than 9mm, 357, etc... The faster rounds.

Accuracy and confidence is final, and I think you'd be well met with the 1911. I was seeing the defender for like 460ish. I'm not a Springfield shill and in aware of the political missteps, but I just think its a good deal to try out the platform.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Back in the 90's I shot long guns mostly...and mostly 7.62x39, 7.62x51 and 12ga. On some afternoons I'd shoot up quite a few boxes of ammo out at the quarries. I didnt use hearing protection back then, but I dont remember my ears feeling uncomfortable or painful at any time.

These days being older and wiser I useually just follow protocols and wear protection. However, once in a blue moon I have stopped after work to squeeze off a few pistol rounds, usually just a mag or cylinder's worth of 9mm, 9x18 or 38sp in tge woods. Last time I did this was with 9mm...and all i have to say is *ouch*! I just do not remember percussion from long guns being so painful.

Indeed, 45ACP is fun to shoot, with a nice "thump" as opposed to a "crack" or a "pop". I'm not about to go test them all without protection, but I concur...I think for indoors 45ACP might be better with 38sp being the balance of effectiveness and shootability.

Couple days ago when shooting some 9x19 outside without protection, the shock not only tickled my ear drum uncomfortably, it travelled right down my eustachian tube into my neck and throat. Very unpleasant sensation. I can only imagine what that would be like in my bedroom. The pain lingered for a few minutes. I NEVER had that happen with long guns years ago.

 

[Walkalong]

Indeed, 45ACP is fun to shoot, with a nice "thump" as opposed to a "crack" or a "pop".

True, and one reason I preferred .45 ACP over 9MM in my youth before I learned about haring protection, but it is still damaging your hearing. Even one shot is.