Do we all need a 45ACP handgun?

[USMCGrunt]

Because the .45 ACP was designed with cow-killing technology right here in America! Just recently with the colder weather here now, I’ve put up my Shield Plus in 9mm and am back to carrying my 1911 Commander in God’s caliber.

[Outpost75]

I seldom carry a .45 ACP for defense as I mostly prefer a lighter, more compact, pocketable gun, being 76 years old and retired in a rural area. In do have a 21-1/2 oz. S&W 325PD with 2-1/2" barrel to scratch the .45 Pocket Blaster itch for winter carry in the barn coat pocket. The Bond Arms deringer is used with Speer shot loads for copperheads when working in the yard.

What I DO like the .45 for is as a field gun, because guns, brass and molds are plentiful and affordable. A .45 does not require jacketed bullets to be effective. Any fast burning pistol or shotgun powder you can sweep off the bench top will work. Any lead alloy which will melt will work. At subsonic velocity improvised, home-made bullet lubes work. K.I.S.S. principle.

A .45 M1911 or any revolver in that caliber accomplishes the majority of missions you want a handgun to perform. I use mostly revolvers, because they are my preference. Moon clips make fast reloads a breeze. Heavy loads are not needed. A 230-grain flatnosed cowboy slug at hardball velocity does it from a handgun and runs tickety boo in a carbine with suppressor.

[BJung]

All the handguns I own are chambered for brass I picked up at the range. Owning a 1911 was inevitable. My opinion was based on what I read online until the day I conducted a cast hollow point bullet expansion test and comparison. The medium was compressed wet newsprint compressed to a hardness close to my arms and legs. Do you recall the disruption left in a gel block? This translated into a pulverized fist size cavity for the .45 and a golf ball size cavity for the 9mm. To me, the .45 is the best one shot drop round next to the 125-357 mag. The 9mm can't compare

[CajunBass]

I don't but if you want one, it's OK with me.

Personally I'm down to a 380 these days. Maybe a 22 before long.

[Algunner]

45 ACP is a low velocity round similar to 45 Colt long and 44 Special. Low expansion and penetration through a large muscular animal like a bear. For handgun no less than 44 magnum is probably the minimum. Even then you would need to be close. I would use a rifle.

[44 AMP]

I've owned a number of .45 autos, most of them Colt Govt Models or actual 1911A1s. Many have come and gone, but I've always kept at least one .45 Auto, though not always the Colt.

One that I have had and deeply enjoy (and respect) that isn't the 1911 pattern is my Browning BDA .45 (SiG P220). I've had one since 1980, and in some ways its superior to the Colt pattern guns.

Smaller and noticeably lighter than a Govt model, with the same magazine capacity and it has the DA/SA action some folks desire. Its not a pocket gun, but a smaller than "duty size" pistol that has always worked well and is quite accurate. No, its not as accurate as my Dad's Govt model (one hole 5 shot rip at 25yd (from my hands, rested)) but its good enough for my needs.

[Tool]

Sorry I'm new to the gun world and didn't know this has been a century old debate :-) Sounds like a 1911 in 45acp is a must. If I will only get one 1911, which one would you recommend?

[bamaranger]

The P220 was an issue sidearm for the NPS (along with some other "P" models). That has changed now, the agency going to almost exclusively 9mm with the FBI endorsement, but at the time the .45acp was popular with about 1/3+ of the sworn rangers nationwide, maybe 500 pieces (purely an rough guess). When the switch was made to auto's, the .40 S&W was still in its infancy, the 9mm was receiving bad press due to the Miami FBI shootout. That left the P220/.45. It was an easy choice for me. Carried a P220 for about 30 yrs on and off duty, and eventually bought one of my own to boot.

The P220 was an extremely reliable pistol with all ammo types and manufacture. The only feed troubles we experienced was with the original SIG 7rd welded back mags and the installation of an "upgraded" 8 rd follower. The upgrade was quickly nixed. When MecGar supplied the stainless 8rd mag a bit later, they ran just fine.

The P220 possessed a unique ghostly accuracy quality. I was shooting alot, which likely helped, but I frequently made shots and accurate strings of fire in training and IDPA that were seemingly beyond what I thought I were my capabities. The DA/SA was not a problem, although one needed to stay familiar. The DA first shot might have been a wee bit slow if shooting beyond 15 yds, but the excellent SA follow-up helped, provided of course you made the mental adjustment and actual execution of from DA to SA. Trained up and sharp while I was working it was not a problem. Five or six years later, in retirement and shooting a G34 in competition, out of 9mm ammo for my IDPA Glock, I dusted off my personal P220/.45 and shot it at a match. DA gave me fits and I resorted to a "shot cock" on a stage or two.

I think the 1911 conceals better than a P220. Yeah the SIG has a shorter barrel, but the grip angle is different and the butt length seems larger, though I've never measured. I always struggled with the P220 printing through a garment. With similar holster and apparel, the 1911 seems not so much a challenge.

Finally, the P220 seemed very durable in service. I surrendered my armorer's log to the next guy when I retired, but I cannot remember any parts breakage on the 8-10 guns in my care. We performed routine detail strip and clean per SIG and they all ran like sewing machines. Round count varied, some guns were shot only at quals and might rack up only 200 annually, others could be 5x that.

Still have my private purchase and it's not for sale.

[Tool]

Originally Posted by bamaranger

The P220 was an issue sidearm for the NPS (along with some other "P" models). That has changed now, the agency going to almost exclusively 9mm with the FBI endorsement, but at the time the .45acp was popular with about 1/3+ of the sworn rangers nationwide, maybe 500 pieces (purely an rough guess). When the switch was made to auto's, the .40 S&W was still in its infancy, the 9mm was receiving bad press due to the Miami FBI shootout. That left the P220/.45. It was an easy choice for me. Carried a P220 for about 30 yrs on and off duty, and eventually bought one of my own to boot.

The P220 was an extremely reliable pistol with all ammo types and manufacture. The only feed troubles we experienced was with the original SIG 7rd welded back mags and the installation of an "upgraded" 8 rd follower. The upgrade was quickly nixed. When MecGar supplied the stainless 8rd mag a bit later, they ran just fine.

The P220 possessed a unique ghostly accuracy quality. I was shooting alot, which likely helped, but I frequently made shots and accurate strings of fire in training and IDPA that were seemingly beyond what I thought I were my capabities. The DA/SA was not a problem, although one needed to stay familiar. The DA first shot might have been a wee bit slow if shooting beyond 15 yds, but the excellent SA follow-up helped, provided of course you made the mental adjustment and actual execution of from DA to SA. Trained up and sharp while I was working it was not a problem. Five or six years later, in retirement and shooting a G34 in competition, out of 9mm ammo for my IDPA Glock, I dusted off my personal P220/.45 and shot it at a match. DA gave me fits and I resorted to a "shot cock" on a stage or two.

I think the 1911 conceals better than a P220. Yeah the SIG has a shorter barrel, but the grip angle is different and the butt length seems larger, though I've never measured. I always struggled with the P220 printing through a garment. With similar holster and apparel, the 1911 seems not so much a challenge.

Finally, the P220 seemed very durable in service. I surrendered my armorer's log to the next guy when I retired, but I cannot remember any parts breakage on the 8-10 guns in my care. We performed routine detail strip and clean per SIG and they all ran like sewing machines. Round count varied, some guns were shot only at quals and might rack up only 200 annually, others could be 5x that.

Still have my private purchase and it's not for sale.

Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear Sig P220 is so amazing. I wonder how it compares to HK45?

[USMCGrunt]

I have both Sig P220 and HK45. My Sig is an old West German model a the HK45 I just got a few months ago. Both are very accurate although I think the P220 has a slightly better trigger. My biggest problem with the Sig, (and this extends to my P226 and 2340 as well) and the reason I don’t carry it is that I’m an old 1911 shooter. To me, the controls on the Sig design are backwards. I’ve tried it in IDPA matches and on the clock, found myself trying to send the slide forward with the decocking lever. Embarrassing but at least not a fatal f-up in areal world situation. Yes, it’s a training issue that can be overcome if I want to dedicate myself to the Sig design but I prefer to stick with more 1911-ish controls on my other handguns.

[Koda94]

Originally Posted by Tool

For home defense purposes, a 9mm will be just fine, am I right? Not to mention the better magazine capacity and less recoil. Unless I'm going to hunt bear, why do I need a 45acp calibered handgun?

Yes, you are right. For any defense a 9mm is just fine and in fact no less than any other caliber. The advantage with 9mm is generally more capacity, and cheaper ammo so you will practice more. People will tell you other calibers have more "stopping power" but its not true, 9mm is plenty for self defense.
If you decide you want a different caliber anyways, thats fine too, its personal preference but a 9mm is just fine.

[Shadow9mm]

]Gun sam did a pretty interesting comparison between 45 and 9mm a couple weeks back. Here's the video, and the comments were very interesting as well. https://youtu.be/xNl-8tO3EX8?si=QX6gs05C_JRuh0rq

The basic synopsis as i understand it is that while 9mm passes the tests, and works to stop threats, 45 does it better. Reading the comments lots of people chimed in reporting to be law enforcement or medical. Their general assessment was something along the lines of, it takes 2-3 rounds of 9mm to stop a threat vs 1rnd of 45, and that if you shot with a 9mm even a couple times your a lot more likely to survive than if your shot with a 45.

Im still processing my thoughts on the video and will probably make a post for it, but im seriously considering carrying a 45 more frequently, and am looking into getting a slim/compact 45 next year.

I will say, if you want to have a well rounded firearms collection you should have a 45cal handgun .

[Shoots Left]

You should select the largest caliber for a home defense pistol that you can shoot accurately and have good control.

This...this right here!

[bamaranger]

When I received my issue P220, I sold the Colt Commander I had been shooting off and on for several years prior. Seemed foolish to be working with a decocker - DA/SA pistol for work and dabbling with a Colt and manual safety as well.

That dang Commander (in .45) never wanted to run right anyhow. I had a good bit of money sunk into Millet sights, several variety of mags, and a slick up and tune by at least two reportedly competent .45 'smiths. I was glad to see it go.

I should have kept a round count on my issue P220. For 22 yrs I shot it in qualification courses, personal practice, in-service training, and any other training I could wrangle that involved shooting. Quals alone would equal 3000 rds and I'm thinking I shot at least that much on my own. Would not surprise me it was near 10,000 rds.

[GeoW]

For self defense the 9mm is fine. If one can shoot as well with a 45 ACP then it's even finer.

[gwpercle]

I don't know about you ...
But on my nightstand is a model 58 S&W 41 Magnum and a
AMT Hardballer 1911 45 acp to back it up ...
When I answer that bump in the night ...I want some firepower ...
Two big guns beat one ... Seven Ways To Sunday !
Gary

[Tool]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

I don't know about you ...
But on my nightstand is a model 58 S&W 41 Magnum and a
AMT Hardballer 1911 45 acp to back it up ...
When I answer that bump in the night ...I want some firepower ...
Two big guns beat one ... Seven Ways To Sunday !
Gary

Those are some serious calibers for sure. Watch out for folks living in other rooms of your house, and make sure to wear ear protection. I thought for home defense, you do not want to use guns that will penetrate many layers of walls.

[TruthTellers]

It's nice, but not necessary.

Before I got the Hi Point (scoff if you will) I only had one handgun that could shoot .45 ACP and it was a revolver, but the ease of free brass at the range has caused me to rethink owning more. If I didn't reload, I wouldn't bother, I think 9, .40, and 10mm can all do the job a .45 can and be cheaper and more practical to own.

[Paul B.]

Back in 1965 I was working the midnight shift at a 7/11 stop and rob. Company rules disallowed having a firearm so my 1911 was under the seat of my car. One night this guy came into my store and I can tell yo first hand, staring down the muzzle of a 1911 is quite intimidating. I go lucky as he did't hurt me but the longer I looked into the muzzle of that pistol, the bigger the hole seemed get. I know it's only psychological but it's also something I hope to never experience again. I quit that job a couple of weeks later.
Paul B.

[Terry G]

For carry it's a 9 MM CZ P-01 and a CZ 97b in .45. At home it's a Glock21 in .45. with light and laser.

[Doberman1]

Originally Posted by Dave P

What I like about the 45acp for home defense, is that it is a sub-sonic rounds. Much easier on the ears than 9mm, 10mm, etc

I shot my 9mm into a bucket of sand in my hallway just to check out the sound. It wasn't bad at all. What got me was the smoke and the smell that lingered for a couple of days.

[JohnKSa]

Handgun rounds discharged indoors can cause hearing damage. I know two people with permanent hearing damage from indoor discharges.

It's also best to avoid firing inside of a dwelling unless it is unavoidable. Lead is typically vaporized from the base of the bullet and from the priming compound and released into the air to be inhaled and to settle on surfaces unless lead-free ammunition is used.

That's why indoor ranges typically have serious ventilation systems to blow discharge smoke downrange away from the shooters.

[Skans]

Here's the one thing I like about 45acp. It is probably the most effective subsonic round if you are going to use a suppressor.

If I have no plan on using a suppressor, then I would rather have a 9mm or 10mm.

[FunGramps]

I have the need for whatever will go bang when I pull the trigger and eliminate a threat.

[FITASC]

What I like about the 45acp for home defense, is that it is a sub-sonic rounds. Much easier on the ears than 9mm, 10mm, etc

And if go that route, a 45 acp carbine threaded for suppressor would be awesome. That said, my Ruger 9mm PC takes me 32 round Glock mags and is threaded for a suppressor (and they now offer a 45 PCC)