Stick with 9, or add a 45?

[JDBerg]

Originally Posted by Jacket67:

Should I actually be looking at something like a full or midsize double stack 9mm to keep my caliber range small, or continue looking into the 1911 platform? What about a double stack .45acp?

I definitely plan to get whichever I don't get next at some point down the road. I may opt for the 9mm next, and then save and research and get my perfect idea of a 1911. I've definitely considered it being a gift to myself once I get out of school and get into my career!.....

.......I'm going to retract my earlier proposal of a double stack 45. I'd just rather have the 1911 over any other.

The 9mm I'd be looking at is the m&p 2.0 compact. By the time I'd be getting one, the kinks (if any) should be well established and worked out. It's about half the cost of a good Colt 1911, and I'd stick to just 9mm. Then I'd treat myself to a Colt later on, and make it a special purchase all the way around.

Sounds like you asked your question & then answered it, so whatever works for you is the right thing to do

[t45]

I went thru the same thoughts when I got into handguns. I started out with a Officer Model 1911 single stack 45. Then purchased a single stack 9mm Kel Tech PF9 for CCW. Then went with a Sig 2022 dbl stack 40cal. Then went with a Ruger SR9 dbl stack 9mm. Then purchased a Springfield Loaded single stack 45. Then purchased a Springfield XDS single stack 45 for CCW. I say this because if your into handguns, you probable won't stop at 1 or 2. Life is full of choices.

[PatientWolf]

Based on Your decision to look for a double-stack, sticking with 9mm makes sense. There are LOTS of good options out there from quality manufacturers. Hold as many as you can before buying and if you have the opportunity, shoot as many as you can.

One I would recommend you at least handle is the CZ-75. It has very good ergonomics, a good trigger and is hammer fired, which has a little different feel than striker-fired options.

[P5 Guy]

Stick to 9x19

[Don P]

Stick with 9, or add a 45?

1911 9 mm is a hoot to shoot. Springfield makes the range officer and in 9 mm keeps you with one ammo. Great range gun and doesn't need anything out of the box except shooting it. If a double stack 1911 fancy's you Rock Island make one. many shooter at the competitions I shoot at are shooting them and they seem to run flawlessly

[10-96]

I know this is a centerfire topic, but have you thought about the amount shooting you could do with something like the S&W Victory .22?

[brian33x51]

Consider an hk usp 45 as well. Another fine weapon in 45 acp. 1911's never clicked with me (first pistol i ever bought was a series 80 colt) and they only match your shield in capacity.

There's also a lot of good 9mm choices as well, many service pistols will fit the bill.

Also consider adding a revolver at some point. For me more of a range/hunting type gun.

[INMY01TA]

I've been pondering an M&P Shield 45.

[Danoobie]

I would be patient, and get the move out of the way, first.

Try a FNX-45. Double-stack 45 which eats anything.

[Jacket67]

Sounds like you asked your question & then answered it

That's what I like about this forum. I have a thought that I can't clear up, I post it on here to discuss with you guys, and then I have a better idea of what I want to go with! It's what I love about TFL!

As far as a double stack 9mm goes, if I got one, it'd be the m&p pretty much without a shadow of a doubt. I've shot and handled multiple double stack 9mm's and would like to stick with a similar platform to what I already have and know I like.

CZ makes a fantastic firearm, and I definitely see myself owning one at some point. But for now, it's not what I want.

I don't want a 9mm 1911 because I feel that it defeats the purpose for what I want next. Either a double stack full/mid size 9mm for better capacity, or a 1911 in .45. A 1911 in 9mm just is not what I'm looking for, though I have no doubt they are amazing shooters.

I know this is a centerfire topic, but have you thought about the amount shooting you could do with something like the S&W Victory .22?

I actually have a Ruger mk....something back home. It predates me, and was made when Ruger was still alive. The eagle background in the handle is painted red. If I were looking just for a fun gun to go shoot, I'd consider a .22, but I'm looking for something with defensive capability.


I appreciate all of your input and helping me think through this! Because it is both cheaper, and makes more sense practically, I think I'll be sticking to 9mm for now, and add a 1911 when I have more finances to buy the gun I want, and supply the ammunition to train with it well. It's going to be a while before I make this purchase so I have plenty of time to save and move to my next school.

[BigBL87]

I was in a similar position, and my decision hinged on one thing: disposable income. I don't have alot of it, and when I buy a gun/caliber I prefer to stock up at least 700+ rounds as a reserve, and then buy as I shoot after that. I don't shoot as often as I'd like, so 700 rounds is a decent stash for a rainy day for me.

I ended up adding another 9mm, as I didn't have to worry about the cost of building up a reserve.

So, if you can afford to stock up on both 9mm and 45, I would go with a 45 (a 1911 as you mentioned, or if you want doublestack a CZ-97). If stocking 2 calibers might be cost prohibitive, I'd go with a 9mm, and I'd recommend a CZ-75B.

EDIT: After reading the rest of the thread, looks like you don't want a CZ-75. If you're considering an M&P Compact, CZ does have the P-07 and P-09 line of polymer handguns as well, I actually have a P-07 as my bedside gun, great gun IMO. I am admittedly a CZ junkie, but you definitely can't go wrong with an M&P either if you go that route.

[Cheapshooter]

The completely irrational excuse of "I don't want to by a different kind of ammo" is so alien to me I can't even fathom it.
Get a real 1911 in 45 acp. Then maybe something in 10MM. Just for starters.

[ritepath]

You really can't go wrong with the M&P series pistols.

[disseminator]

The M&P's are nice guns. I have four of them including a full size 9mm and at this point make sure you get the gen 2 which is the same great gun with a much better grip and trigger.

They have a new 4" model to compete with a Glock 19 you might want to look at as well.

Though for me, I carry a full size 226 so.....

[Hal]

I've been pondering an M&P Shield 45.

There you go....
I love my 1911's - the two full sized ones (Kimbers) and the Commander (Colt), but, for sheer value,,,,,the .45acp Shield is really hard to beat.

[std7mag]

I carry both 9mm and 45ACP.
For my 9mm i have a Walther 1st gen PPS. Love the thing! Wonderfully accurate considering the short barrel. It is a single stack so i have 7 rounds with me.

My 1911 is a Springfield Armory Champion. 4"barrel. Also wonderfully accurate. ( i shoot one of those little 22 targets that swings with both from 15 yards). The 4" barrel lends to some concealability. Though it obviously is heavier than the Walther.

For now for you i would probably recommend staying with a 9mm.
Simply due to the fact that it is easier to find factory ammo in whatever weight bullet you want.

Harder to find factory 45 that isn't 230gr.

[Aguila Blanca]

Speaking as someone who owns a couple of 1911s, carries a 1911 in .45 ACP, and occasionally shoots a 1911 in .45 ACP in competition, I would suggest that you can scratch both itches by buying a 1911 in 9mm. They are out there, and they are nice. My absolute favorite 1911 in my meager (ahem) "collection" is an older Colt Combat Commander in 9mm. It's a beautiful gun, and it shoots like a beautiful gun.

You (or someone) also mentioned double stack. 1911s still have you covered. If you're willing to buy used, get a Para-Ordnance P18.9. For new, you can buy the Rock Island .22TCM convertible -- it's a double stack 1911 chambered in Armscor's proprietary .22TCM cartridge, with a spare barrel thrown in for shooting 9mm (the case diameter is the same, so they can share the same magazines and same breechface cut on the slide.)

http://armscor.com/firearms/tcm-seri...mbo-22tcm-9mm/

[ifithitu]

45 for me,I have seven,and feel like 8 will be enough. Lol I know you can never have enough 1911's.

[turtlehead]

9 for me.

[BigJimP]

Wait until you get out of college....save your money and buy what you want down the road -- my opinion is you'll enjoy it more in long run.

Your bias against a 1911 in 9mm is interesting....and I have heard it before...but do yourself a favor and shoot as many 1911's as you can...in 9mm, .45acp, .40 S&W or whatever...entry level 1911's from colt, springfield, etc...and high end guns from Wilson,Ed Brown, etc... ( some of us "old" 1911 guys / that had them as service weapons, that have carried them for defense for years ( me for over 30 yrs ...) / ...think some of our full sized 5" 1911's in 9mm might be some of the finest guns we own today...

I do not feel "out gunned" carrying my Wilson Combat, full sized, 5", all stainless, Protector model in 9mm with 10 + 1 every day ( and 1 extra mag )....I shoot it a lot, I train tactically doing speed reloads and tac reloads every week...

[Jacket67]

Your bias against a 1911 in 9mm is interesting

It's not that I necessarily have a bias towards 1911's in 9mm, it's just that it doesn't fit the bill for what I feel I need right now. My shield is already a single stack 9mm, so I don't feel I need to add another at this time, though I understand the full size 1911 would be a better shooter by far and hold a few more rounds.

My purpose for getting a 1911 right now would be to have a .45, and my purpose for getting another 9mm would be to have a double stack. A 1911 in 9mm just doesn't fit what I want for right now.

Wait until you get out of college

I'd love to! ...except that after I graduate in May, I've got another three years of grad school waiting....hahaha. Another reason while I'm most likely going to put a hold on a 1911 and get a 9mm next, until I start making better money after college is actually over.

[Ed4032]

I just got this in 45acp. Really a sweet gun. The recoil is less than otherwise because of the tilt barrel design. I have other 45s but this is the newest. Only $400.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/bere...-45acp-jxf5c26