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45. ACP - who carries it still? Or is it a 9mm world?

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January 17, 2025, 10:46 AM
Stinx
45. ACP - who carries it still? Or is it a 9mm world?
At My current Department we are issued M&P 45’s. These are being phased out for Glock 45 9mm with Acro P-2 and streemlight weapon lights. Everyone is thrilled to be dumping the 45. YMMV
January 17, 2025, 10:57 AM
Johnny 3eagles
I still, although less frequently, carry my 1911 .45acp. It just seems more masculine than the effeminate ( Smile ) 9mm.





If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.


NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER
January 17, 2025, 12:31 PM
sig sailor
quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
I still, although less frequently, carry my 1911 .45acp. It just seems more masculine than the effeminate ( Smile ) 9mm.


Oh Johnny,you are a bad man. Wink Funny, but a bad man. LOL
Rod


"Do not approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction." John Deacon, Author

I asked myself if I was crazy, and we all said no.
January 17, 2025, 05:20 PM
besshoudini
It depends on my mood and weather.
January 19, 2025, 08:52 AM
SIGguy229
quote:
Originally posted by bcjwriter:
I’ve been tinkering with my Colt 1911 Commander and wondered if people have all gone to 9? I used to carry a 9 Glock 19, a S&W 640-1, and a colt commander. Now all I carry is my 9’s (and the 640 when I’m feeling saucy...). I’m feeling nostalgic for my 1911’s...do you carry one? Or is 9 the king now?

Post pics - I need to feed my 45 envy...


I flip between carrying my P320/9mm, P365/9mm...and my P320/.45 and G30/.45 Sometimes I go crazy and carry my P239/.40
January 19, 2025, 09:52 AM
Ghostface7.62
The top one was my old ERT pistol I had just been issued right before we switched over to the P320. I was able to get a basically new pistol at a trade in price.

I carry a 220 sometimes when I’m not carrying a 229 in .40….

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ghostface7.62,
January 19, 2025, 10:30 AM
ohioup
I go back and forth between 45acp and 9X19mm. About 80% of the time, these days, I'm carrying a Lightweight Colt Commander in 45acp. Alternately, it's a Glock 26 in 9mm.
January 20, 2025, 09:43 PM
car541
quote:
Originally posted by longjohn:
.45 is obsolete. If you want "more" than 9mm, there is no reason not to go with 10mm….The .45 is kind of a relic.


I will disagree with that. The development of bullets for the 10mm stopped in about 1990. At present, just about every bullet you get in a 10mm cartridge was designed for the 40 S&W and doesn’t get to take advantage of the extra power.

The 45 doesn’t have that disadvantage since some development has been done in the last 30 years (although 9mm got much more attention since pretty much any bonded 45 passes the FBI press protocols).

Today, the differences between 9mm, 40, and 45 are pretty minimal (and by extension 10mm falls in the same range of performance)


I don’t mind 10mm, but I don’t deceive myself that there is some magical difference.


*****************************
"I don't own the night, I only operate a small franchise" - Author unknown
January 21, 2025, 12:42 AM
krieg
Not the best for concealed carry maybe but my USP45 tactical + KAC silencer has probably been my favorite pistol to shoot.
January 21, 2025, 04:51 AM
CQB60
When I’m feeling nostalgic, I’ll take my P220 compact out for a spin..


______________________________________________
Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun…
January 21, 2025, 05:11 PM
armored
I carried my P220ST for work for about 30years,open carry.
When I needed a CCW I carried my CZ Shadow 9mm loaded with 19rnds.
Since IL. has changed the magazine capacity to 15 rnds on a handgun I have been unable to locate any 15rnd magazines for the CZ (the new mag limit) I had to settle on 10rnd 9mm mags.
Since I can only carry 10+1 in 9mm I might as well go back to the P220ST and carry 8+1.

Deep down I'm still a bigger hole and a heavy bullet fan especially if I have to sacrifice capacity.
January 21, 2025, 07:15 PM
Flashlightboy
I love my Commander and 625, they same way I love old photos of Ingrid Bergman. Nostalgia, romance or history? I dunno.

But the days of my carrying a .45 are gone. 9mm bullet technology makes a difference without a notable distinction. Years ago Federal said they can make a bullet do whatever they or the customer want it to do and that's very true.

Guns can be micro, compact or full size with capable rounds. Guns hold more ammo. We practice a lot and ammo is less expensive.

I'm not sure I'd suggest a .45 and certainly not a .40 to a new shooter. I can't think of a reason why I wouldn't outright recommend a 9mm.
January 29, 2025, 06:06 PM
wishfull thinker
I changed from a SIG 9mm 320 when 'they' decided that in WA that would give me an unfair advantage over the skell-lowlifes and bottom-feeders when they wanted my lunch money and reduced my legal capacity to 10. So I lost capacity but upgraded t0 noise and mass with a Commander and a lot of catch up practice with a .45, Col. Colt's gift to mankind.


_______________________

January 31, 2025, 01:09 AM
YooperSigs
Just picked up a P250 .45 1st gen. A new frame and new style slide release are inbound. Action on the old dog is sweet!


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
January 31, 2025, 04:37 PM
armored
I tend to contradict my own philosophy when it comes to caliber choices.
I have always been an advocate of Hi Velocity. I have several Weatherby rifles chambered in Weatherby calibers that I endorse my decision with.
When it comes to my personal self defense for a handgun I always seem to favor big caliber, heavy bullet. I believe if I hunted I would probably think the same way despite my brain telling me that high velocity is the answer.
Before I retired I carried daily for work.
As the regional firearms instructor I could carry anything that was excepted by the company I worked for ( DA/SA - DAO, NO safety, barrel at least 4". Eventually DA/SA was eliminated as a choice unless you were grandfathered in)I was at the range almost daily so I could self qualify myself with any gun that fit the Company's requirements.
When push came to shove I always broke down and picked a 45 with 230 grain bullets.
My brain always felt confident that if I had to use my gun I would probably be lucky to get off 1 round since more than likely I would be ambushed (Armored truck hopper).
My brain says pick the caliber that gives me the biggest hole without counting on expansion and the heaviest bullet that will penetrate the deepest..
This philosophy kept me mentally secure for 30 years.
February 04, 2025, 05:36 AM
blindref
quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
I still, although less frequently, carry my 1911 .45acp. It just seems more masculine than the effeminate ( Smile ) 9mm.

Big Grin Big Grin Nice!




Bye for a while, guard the fort. - My Dad


February 04, 2025, 04:20 PM
94hokie
A p245 is what I sometimes carry as it’s basically the same size as my H&K p2000sk in 9mm. Love that gun.
February 04, 2025, 08:21 PM
TexasRaider
About 95% of time, I'm carrying a P239 or P229 in .357 Sig. But, if I've decided I'm going to carry .45 ACP that day, I usually divide up which pistol I carry by what the weather is going to do; if it's going to be cooler or warmer.

Warmer Forty-Five weather usually sees me carrying a 1911. On occasion, it'll be my deceased Father's 1974 satin Combat Commander or 2010 era Remington R1, but most of the time I'll save those due to sentimental value and carry a Sig 1911 Fastback Carry in plain ol' Nitron. Great handling 1911, shoots awesome:



In cooler or colder forty-five weather, I'll pick up my Sig P227 Elite, as it carries 10+1 and handles like a dream and works well with gloved hands. It's surprising how much difference that extended beavertail makes:



Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a big fan of fast moving 185 gr +P JHP's like the Golden Saber, Cor-Bon or Super Vel. If I can't readily find +P, I'm ok with sneaking by for a bit on Federal Hi-Shok or Speer Gold Dot. The .45 ACP is still incredibly viable as a self-defense caliber, depending on the load.

I think it's absurd to say it's obsolete.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TexasRaider,


________________________________________
"Just A Wild Eyed Texan On a Manhunt For The World's Most Perfect Chili Dog...."
February 05, 2025, 10:07 AM
YooperSigs
Mini Range Report on my "new" (to me, anyway) .45 P250 Compact:
In balmy Yooper weather at 2 degrees, I ran a mixed lot of 150 rounds, ball and HP through the gun. DAO was a challenge to pick back up, especially with gloves on. Upgraded frame and gun was trouble free. Based on slide wear and smileys, my guess is this old dog has been shot about 2K. Will I carry this "obsolete" gun? You bet! Just as soon as my G Code holster shows up!


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
February 07, 2025, 08:54 PM
Ironmike57
I just purchased a gently used WC 1911 full size. I am going to have Ryan make an IWB holster for me.
Then I will carry it.