Do we all need a 45ACP handgun?

[Jack Ryan]

Sure. Why not?

[Gunfu_blaster]

45auto is my main caliber. I have a G30S. I am a minimalist. I don't want the responsibility of having more than a couple guns. I usually own 2 to 4. My 45auto is my main weapon I decided to master. All other guns come and go. The reason I like 45auto is versatility. It has the widest range of bullet weights and is capable of just about anything. For HD, Inceptor ARX are good rounds. They are 118gr at 1250fps and recoil about the same as a 9mm if not less. They are like ball ammo, so they penetrate less than 9mm on walls and hit very hard on bodies because of the bigger caliber.
Who says you can't hunt with 45auto? You can kill Grizzly, Polar, Moose, or anything like that. Elmer Keith proved to the US Army that a 250-260gr projectile from a 45colt revolver (about 900fps) kills a Grizzly with 1 or 2 shots anywhere in the torso. That's why the Army adopted it to kill Warhorses that weight over 1000lbs, and it did just that, warhorses became obsolete. A 255gr hardcasts +P is equal to that loading. If I want more power, my 30S is capable of shooting loads as powerful as a 460Rowland.
Capacity an issue? No it ain't. I have 9, 10, 13, 17, and 30 round mags and they all work perfectly well, they are professionally re-sprung and reliable.
The 30S is not big or heavy. Even with the modifications, it weighs less than 24oz empty and still conceals even with a big steel compensator. It's 100% reliable with all ammo loaded 20,000-40,000PSI and runs on a 15lbs recoil spring and 3lbs trigger pull.

[44 AMP]

Elmer Keith proved to the US Army that a 250-260gr projectile from a 45colt revolver (about 900fps) kills a Grizzly with 1 or 2 shots anywhere in the torso. That's why the Army adopted it to kill Warhorses that weight over 1000lbs, and it did just that, warhorses became obsolete.

No, he did not. Keith was born in 1899, twenty six years AFTER the Army adopted the .45 Colt cartridge in 1873.

Kill a grizzly with one or two shots "anywhere" in the torso?? Possibly, but possibly not. Look up "old Mose" for a documented example of how tough a grizzly bear might be.

and just FYI, warhorses didn't go completely obsolete until after WWII. Mounted cavalry units of more than one nation saw combat during WWII. They didn't do very well against a more modern mechanized enemy, but they were used and fought valiantly.

[RUT]

Not anymore...been there/done that.

[justanotherolddude]

Exactly. Kind of like which stance to use. Whatever comes natural and works for you.

[rodfac]

Do we all need a 45 ACP....probably not, but it works for me.

Of all my guns, I fire the the first shot from my favored 1911, a Sig RCS model, the most accurately. While I've never timed my 2nd shots, I suspect that one of my 9's may be a fraction of a second faster, but it wouldn't work any better on target, and may not even do as well.

I have confidence in a .45 that I just don't share with any 9mm despite its supposed improvements with modern JHP's, after all, those same design improvements have made the .45 just that much better.

Here's the gun: Sig's 1911 RCS and my means of carrying it, OWB. Best regards, Rod

[Nathan]

I love 45 auto. In my old age, I’ve been forced to admit that 1.5 9mm’s are probably more dangerous than 1 45. I feel secure with either, but prefer a 9mm with twice as many in the mag and my ability to put shots on target quicker. I can still make due with most of what is in the safe.

[rickyrick]

I’ve always wanted a 1911 style pistol, but the mag capacity has always been the main detractor for me. If I lived in an area with limits on magazine capacity, I’d go .45 without hesitation.

[stagpanther]

Simple answer is yes, everyone needs one, even if they think they don't.

[Brian Pfleuger]

I personally have no desire to own a 45.

I love the 1911 look, especially slight variants.

My most coveted handgun ever is a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander in 10mm.

45acp? Nah. It's fine... but it fills no particular need.

[Gunfu_blaster]

If I chose a 45 specifically for the benefit of underpenetration I would use 185gr in +P or 45super. They are still low pressure rounds and the faster those bullets go, the less penetration they do. Example, a 185gr XTP at 1500fps will open up going through a index finger, hit the cardboard backing of a cheap Walmart entertainment center and be expanded to 3/4" by the time it hits it's first wall. It will go through said wall of a manufactured home(2 1" plywoods) and exit into the next room making a 1" exit hole and stop inside a basket of laundry. This means that if it hit someone in that room it would likely not even break the skin.

[rickyrick]

This thread is giving me the itch.

How does the Springfield 1911 milspec stack up. I know it’s an “entry level” whatever that means.

[44 AMP]

Example, a 185gr XTP at 1500fps will open up going through a index finger, hit the cardboard backing of a cheap Walmart entertainment center and be expanded to 3/4" by the time it hits it's first wall. It will go through said wall of a manufactured home(2 1" plywoods) and exit into the next room making a 1" exit hole and stop inside a basket of laundry. This means that if it hit someone in that room it would likely not even break the skin.

Is this an example from personal experience??

[bac1023]

Yes, I just bought this one…

[Sulaco]

I would never go bear hunting with a 45ACP.

I also would never defend my home with a handgun.

Also, I think 45ACP performs on humans much better than what is perceived in ballistic testing. I don't know why, it's just what I have observed.

[The Happy kaboomer]

You don't need it if you don't want it...........We all make our choices.........We're all NOT as one.

[glider]

Only reasons I can think of to not have a 45ACP is if the recoil is too much for someone or if they need a bunch of rounds. More than likely 8 rounds are plenty if you can hit what you're shooting at! A reload takes a split second. The 3x3x3 rule is, a self-defense situation usually takes 3 seconds and 3 shots from 3 yards. Anything from 9mm up will work, I just prefer a 45acp, 185 gr Gold Dots at 1000fps! However, if I felt the need for more rounds, I do have a Sig P229 and a Sig P226, 16 rounds of 40S&W in each and a 40S&W is probably equal to a 45acp, some would say better!

[Blue Duck]

No, we don't all need a 45, but It's my favorite defense caliber, mostly because I have shot the Colt 1911 extensively for 40 years, and carry a Lightweight Commander, for CCW. Home defense, it's a an old Colt series 70 5" steel 45acp. but nowdays, it's backed up by numerous other weapons, but it's still the one I will start with, as long as I can get to it.

[Seven High]

I want to own a pistol or revolver in every defensive caliber available. During an ammunition shortage I should be able to locate ar least one caliber that’s still available.

[Erno86]

I noticed that the 45ACP round has more 'oomph' on reactionary targets like apples and pears than, say, a 9mm.

[Shoots Left]

No.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by Shoots Left

No.

"No" to what?

[Shoots Left]

Just replying to the question posed by the title of this thread.

[pete2]

Short answer is yes, we all need 45s. Makes a bigger hole.

[wild cat mccane]

Hahaha...

I can't tell if The 1911 Bible author in this thread is joking or not on the "just this one" cause you buy so many 9mms...