Having second thoughts on first hand gun

[AdamM]

P226 in 40S&W...

+1!

[rayra]

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.

More oomph per squeeze than yer average re-hash of the hoary 9mm vs .45 debate / trollfest.

[sb_pete]

Go to a range where you can rent some guns. Try out a few of the different platforms.

Figure out whether you prefer:
1. SA only (1911 action)
2. DA/SA (most HK USPs, Beretta 92, and Sigs)
3. DAO or variations (like HK LEM or PARA's LDA series)
4. Striker-fired (Glock, XD, M&P, Steyr M/S, etc.)

I would honestly recommend holding off on buying your first pistol for a while and shooting a bunch of other pistols.

1. 1911 platform
2. H&K USP platform (and try one with a match trigger)
3. Sig Sauer P 220, 226, 229
4. Springfield XD
5. Glock
6. Beretta 92 platform
7. Smith and Wesson M&P

There are a zillion others, but those are the most popular pistol lines now and will be easy to find for rent. SHooting them will give you an indication of what it is you really want. You can also blast away with 9mm and .45 that way and make up your own mind.

I would not recommend anything chambered in .40S&W as your first pistol. .45 can be fine as long as it is a bigger pistol (but keep in mind your gf/wife probably won't want to shoot it), 9mm is much cheaper and much easier to master.

Hope that helps,
-Pete

[BTF/PTM]

Another +1 on trying before you buy, it's the best money you can spend before getting that first pistol. It's amazing how different one pistol can feel from another for each user. Any gun that any of us say is the greatest thing since non-corrosive primers may feel like a bag of ***** in your own hands.

As for 9mm vs. 45acp, a 9mm pistol will have substantially less recoil "thump" and will cost significantly less to fire regularly. That said, I was absolutely convinced I wanted a 9mm for my first gun right up until I rented a .45 and then was absolutely certain that nothing was cooler than the feeling of firing a .45. Now I own one of each and like them equally.

[aplinker]

Pete gives good advice, but I might suggest it from another perspective...

I've come to the conclusion that if you buy smart (aka - used) you can buy and not worry. I have yet to sell a gun at a loss.

Why does this matter to you? Well, you're trying to kill yourself over buying the "perfect" gun. There is no such thing. There will never be a gun that will be "the one." No matter how much a guy loves his wife, he still sees hot chicks and thinks, "I wouldn't mind popping off a few rounds with that one."

So, calm down. Take a deep breath. Guns are fun. This isn't a life ending decision. You really CAN'T go wrong.

There are so many good choices (and really very, very few bad ones).

There's no real compelling reason for a new shooter to buy .45 over 9mm. 9mm runs about 30-50% less (Wal-Mart is $20/100 for 9mm and $32/100 for 45 and is still the cheapest out there for brass cased). Defensively, shot placement is all that really matters, especially with modern JHP. The small superiority of .45 over 9mm ballistically isn't enough to justify the purchase that more practice will buy you.

In the end - buy what excites you. Buy what you want to shoot. Shoot a lot. Get some training.

[mark2203]

Listen closely to Ted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYyHNgeFA8&feature=related

[dgey]

go to a range and rent all of the platforms you want to try.

1911's do come in 9mm.

As far as ballistics go, 45 acp performs better but in reality, it's all about shot placement. If you get shot in the ocular cavity, a 22 will take you down just as fast as a 45.

[1911dude]

Great replies so far, thanks.

Given that this will primarily be used for sport I might go to the range two to three times a month. By shooting 100-150 shots each time I go, that would very roughly equate to $36-$50 in additional ammo cost per month with .45 over 9mm. It could be broken down to $6 for every 50 shots. Is this a deal breaker cost wise? Hmm, probably not.

I can see that there's not a whole lot of benefits for a gun owner like me to have a .45 versus a 9mm. I haven't yet shot a 9mm but I have shot a .45...a Kimber Super Match II and boy what a thrill that was. Of course I was being very deliberate in shooting it but I had a lot of control over it and at no point did I feel uncomfortable with the recoil. I KNOW I would be happy with a .45 but (and it's a medium sized but) a 9mm would go a little further with respect to operating cost.

I will be taking some training courses and if I feel compelled I may do a shooting match here and there. Are .45's not the appropriate gun for that?

[aplinker]

Shooting matches with .45, unless you reload, will get expensive fast. You can absolutely do it, though.

On the recoil... I, and many others, describe the recoil of .45 as more of a push and 9mm as a snap. .40S&W is even more pronounced of a snap. None of them are anywhere close to what I'd consider strong in recoil.

[CSACANNONEER]

Do the math and get a .22lr for your first gun! You will be able to shoot A LOT more for A LOT less $. Therefore, you will become a better shooter faster and cheaper. After you have saved thousands on ammo, you can put that money toward a good 1911 and reloading gear.

[ar15barrels]

I think the decision is obvious

Yep, 9mm.
45 is too damn expensive to shoot in volume and it kicks too much.

45 shooters go to the range and fire a 100-200 rounds and they are flinching both from the ammo cost and the recoil.

9mm shooters warm up with 200 rounds and don't even notice the cost or the recoil.

[dfletcher]

Yep, 9mm.

45 is too damn expensive to shoot in volume and it kicks too much.

45 shooters go to the range and fire a 100-200 rounds and they are flinching both from the ammo cost and the recoil.

9mm shooters warm up with 200 rounds and don't even notice the cost or the recoil.

All is relative ...... http://www.grafs.com/product/186795

[ar15barrels]

All is relative ...... http://www.grafs.com/product/186795

[peekay331]

go get a subcompact 9mm, e.g. Glock 26, S&W M&P, etc., then you'll have the recoil you're looking for and the cheapness of the ammo.

seriously though, just get a 9mm and go from there. It's no fun going to a range and having to be stingy on ammo.

[Batbunny]

Not so long ago I was in the same bind as you. I went with a .22 as my first handgun and to be honest it was the best choice I made. I usually go shooting maybe twice a month and 500rd bricks take awhile to get through. I'm no pistol shooting expert, but the .22 has definitely made me a better shooter. I now own a 9mm and I'm getting quite decent with that, and the .22 still helps me shoot better.

So I think whatever you choose get a conversion kit to go along with it. You will have more fun.

And like others have said, theres no such thing as getting one gun...

Also if you want a Dan Wesson you should get it, that gun is on a short list of guns i want to buy.