Should I buy another 45?

[Garandimal]

The M1911, because tens of thousands of Moros, Mexicans, Haitians, Germans, Russians, Nicaraguans, Japanese, Italians, North Koreans, Chinese, Viet Cong, North Viet Namese, and Arabs CAN'T be wrong.

...and the fine print on the "Man" card stipulating one.

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The SA 1911-A1 "MilSpec" - is a good, basic qualifier.

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GR

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Well, I know this is replying a little late, and I know there's a bajillion other factors involved in effective ballistics; BUT:

If things are serious, and you don't have access to premium defensive loadings, and you need to use your range ammo in actual carry/defense... I'd personally lean towards .45 acp over 9x19 by a bit. And over anything smaller by a good bit.

Given our current climate, I would not condense the caliber options you have, particularly not among larger and more common rds. There's a lot of 1911 owners, and by extension a lot of .45 acp around. Not as much as 9mm Luger, but plenty out there, should the need arise.

In contrast, 9x18 and 7.62 Tokarev are effective too, but odds are slim that you can get an emergency reload from someone else.

I actually have about 900 rds of 9x18.

Oddly, a couple days ago I started carrying my 45acp Bersa again and put the 9mm Shield in a hidey-hole. Then I signed on here for the first time in months and lo and behold the last alert I got was for your post that I'm answering. I think 45acp and 9x18 compliment each other well. I think the cartridge dimensions are the same ratio too, about 1:2. Simple design, but you can be fairly confident with just FMJ in both cases although not ideal. 9x18 has a much better shape for destruction than 9x19 too, although less powerful...spreads residual energy out more inside the wound cavity. It has similar ballistic dynamics as 45 although on different scale.

About two days after I pulled the Bersa out for carry duty again I decided to blow some leaves out in the yard while wearing sweats. The Shield with belt-clip was just what the doctor ordered. It actually hangs on in the waistband of my sweatpants very well. The Bersa would NEVER pull that off without a belt and a holster. With 45acp in my lineup again, my 9mm still hasnt gone back in the safe. It has its place. I currently sleep with a loaded 45, 9mm and 357 (38sp actually) all in the same room together. One big happy family.

 

[Whiskeyhotel2020]

Yes absolutely buy another .45. I like lobbing pumpkins (big heavy bullets) compared to super fast light bullets like a jab.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Yes, get one. If you don't like it, send it to me. I'm queer for .45s.

 

[Walkalong]

I'll second that, you can never have too many.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I've been carrying my 45 around alot more lately. I like it. It's still my only one though and very frequently I find myself in situations where my little 9mm Shield clearly conceals better, and can carry at least one more mag than with the 45. With good ammo and the same or more number of rounds, I dont feel I am losing anything by carrying my Shield instead sometimes. It's easier to dress around, weighs a half pound less, is narrower, and easier to grab and shoot in a heartbeat. I wouldn't trade my 9mm Shield for a 45acp Shield shorty on any given day. It defeats the purpose of the design IMO. I "like" 45acp but I tend to err on the side practical more than what I "like". Ergonomics are much more important to me than caliber in gun.

It's been awhile since I posted here in.my own thread. Still havent bought another 45 but it's still something I contemplate regularly. If and when, it'll probably be a full sized M&P, Beretta PX4, Ruger P-series, or possibly even the right 1911. I've also been interested in the Hungarian FEG GKK 45, which is kind of a Hi-Power design beefed up to handle 45acp. Never heard anything bad about them.