Having second thoughts on first hand gun

[1911dude]

Man, it was easier to buy a car than it has been to decide on a hand gun. Up to this point I think I've decided that I want a Dan Wesson 1911 PM7. But now, I'm wondering if a 9mm gun is what I would want to shoot instead of the .45ACP. If a 9mm would be a better choice then a DW is out of the picture which would be tragic.

I know I want a 1911 so I'm trying to decided within that perameter. I do want a gun that has some oomph for the "fun" factor and I have heard that 9mm doesn't really give much oomph. Is there a huge different in cost between 9mm and .45 ammo types?

I have shot a .45 ACP 1911 and it felt good to shoot. This gun would be used primarily for range shooting at this time. Please help with comments that anyone may have.

Thanks a lot.

[Black Majik]

For your first gun, 9mm is ALWAYS a great choice. You can usually buy twice the amount of 9mm ammo over .45 ACP. Granted, my first was a 1911 in .45 also. However, looking back 9mm would have suited me better. Easier to shoot, less muzzle rise, less change of developing bad habits, and more range time!

Hook up with some San Diegans and test to your hearts content. There's a LOT of platforms to try.


Or... get both. 9mm and .45

[stphnman20]

Get both 9mm and .45acp.. Thats what I did..

[1911dude]

I'm only getting one gun at this time and don't want to get a gun I will get bored of or outgrow.

[Greg-Dawg]

Get a G17, then you'll be Glock/1911 dude.

[stphnman20]

I'm only getting one gun at this time and don't want to get a gun I will get bored of or outgrow.

Hit up a range the has handgun for rent.. Try them all and see what you like..

[aklon]

If you're going to get a 1911, resolve to go in hock and get the best you can get right from the start. It's far better to have a pistol you have to grow into, than to have one that leaves you less than satisfied the more you get to know it.

I personally feel the Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special is the emerging standard for pistols in that class and while it costs a pretty penny, you never regret spending that penny to get one.

(I have: Mk 4 Series 70 Gold Cup National Match, Les Baer TRS, Kimber Warrior 2, and a Wilson Combat Professional model.)

[ldivinag]

P226 in 40S&W...

[M1Atdk]

I always say buy what you like and dont look back.

I have a good friend who has a family and has other commitments than buying guns and he has made himself a happy happy man with Ruger pistols. His first was P95 and then he bought a KP345. Cheap and reliable.

[Butter]

Someone should also mention to you that this "family" hobby is like eating potato chips. You can't just eat one, and as you involve yourself more with classes and/or competition, or just plain range time, you'll get to try other guns. Some you'll like, some you'll not, and some you'll like but can't afford. But in the end, you'll have more than one.

Never met a guy or a gal who liked to shoot and had only one gun if allowed time, budget, and few constraints to possession.

[1911dude]

Yeah, I'm thinking I might end up doing competitions to some capacity. Are .45's not good for that?

Specific brands aside, I'm mostly curious what the major differences are between 9mm and .45 and what caliber would be recommended over the other, pro's and con's to both, etc.

[cal_gunner]

I think the decision is obvious

[Black Majik]

Just an FYI, but 1911s do come in 9mm and .40S&W also for cheaper shooting.

[dfletcher]

If you want a 1911 you can't go wrong with the DW PM 7 - just an excellent and well made 1911, straightforward and simple. I have the PM and the CBOB and really don't think there's a better value out there.

Personally, I think you're already looking forward to your next purchase (the 9mm) and not really having buyer's regret on the 1911. At least, that's the way I'd look at it by way of justifying the next buy.

And really, a 9mm 1911 is the gun world equivilent of a kit car - you know, when someone wraps a fiberglass Lotus shell around a VW Bug frame & engine. Looks OK, but as soon as you step on the gas everyone watching kind of goes "Oh, the poor guy - we're not fooled".

[Corleone]

1) Try before you buy.
2) Do the math on 9mm vs. .45 -- but compare prices between ONLINE ammo sellers, not retail brick & mortar (use search function to get list of good online ammo vendors)
3) If you end up preferring .45 ACP but the ammo cost is a factor, consider that you COULD get a .22 LR conversion kit. Those pay for themselves pretty quickly in the savings between .45 ACP and .22LR. However, the "feel" of .22 coming out of a 1911A1 will not be remotely the same as .45. OTOH, if you subscribe to the FrontSight philosophy, you would be better off doing disciplined dry fire practice rather than using live ammo. Alternately, you could use your .22 conversion on your .45 in addition to dry fire -- to make sure those holes are actually going exactly where you want them to. Then every once in a while, put the .45 upper back on and let 'er rip, and see how much you've improved.

If you like the idea of having a .22LR conversion kit, you can get them for quite a few other guns than just the 1911. Glock, Beretta 92/96 and Taurus 192 (?), Browning HiPower, and a few others I'm forgetting. It is an option.

It's really a "feel" thing vs. cost issue. For defense, many believe that "nine is fine," (after looking at the FBI ballistics tests over at ar15.com, I tend to agree, though I'm partial to .40S&W) but that's a WHOLE other discussion....

Again, find a good place where you can rent and try them out side by side.

Have a good time....