45ACP popularity .

[ap3572001]

I carried 9, 40 and 45 over the years. Now , it seems like 9mm is it. On duty , off duty , CCW , etc.
Is .45's popularity really declining that much ? I still favor .45 in my 1911's. Very happy with my M&P 2.0. Kind of curious where people think .45 is going.

[ARDude]

Declining in popularity....no. But 9mm still remains the most popular.

[FNGGlock]

This article gives a good sense by most popular handgun cartridges (excluding 22LR). 9mm has the lion share of sales - around 70% which seems to mimic other sources I read. 45 seems to hold in the 10-15% range followed by 380 and 40.

https://www.guns.com/news/2020/08/19/america-loves-9mm?avad=224605_b1c83ab59&utm_source=AvantLink&utm_campaign=176117&utm_medium=ale_NA

Cost and logistics of 9mm is far superior to 45 for large operations like LE or military.

Don't think the 45 is going anywhere any time soon. Even 40 & 380 is holding out with a strong following. 357sig seems to get harder to find.

[plumbum]

Still plenty of .45 shooters and platforms - but I definitely think 9mm is eating up all the .40 shooters.

[aca72]

The .45 ACP ammo is just expensive.

[checkenbach]

I bought a few extra .45 caliber guns to use up all those large pistol primers I've had stashed ...

[PogoJack]

Extar just released their PCC in .45ACP with costs less than a Glock.

https://extarusa.com/ep45/

[Dirtlaw]

The three bears decided on 45 ACP, but the Grinch insists that 9MM rules over all.

[otteray]

45ACP is very popular in my household; 2 to 1.
I have an XD subcompact that holds the Calif max capacity of 10 +1 45ACP, and it is easily concealed. So I favor it for EDC.
Now, for range practice, I'll go with the Wonder 9 as it is cheaper to run and lighter recoil. i'm not knocking it for self defense as the 9mm has proven itself in that category; I just prefer a bigger hole.

[Peahi2]

45 ACP cost is a huge factor of course...But looking at my handy dandy ammo purchases spreadsheet, the prices are back closer to 2018 prices. And back then, I shot my 45 with little regard to cost.

So at least for me, I probably don't shoot my 45 ACP guns as much bc of sensitivity to other factors: economic instability/concerns (inflation, just coming off covid ammogeddon pricing, where the economy is GOING to go, job security, personal finance, etc).

I haven't bought 45 ammo during the last few years and just burned up my old stock. I recently purchased 1000 rounds of S&B and it was about $400. I definitely wasn't shooting 45 when it was closer to $1 a round during the peak of the craziness.

[naz]

Kind of curious where people think .45 is going.

my $0.02 is it will stay where it is today (niche caliber) and be kept alive by enthusiasts who love the 1911 platform

[Zenderfall]

.45 ACP costs more than 9mm.
.45 ACP is heavier than 9mm, so fewer rounds per same weight.
.45 ACP diameter is larger, so fewer rounds per given magazine, in same gun platform (Glock 21 holds fewer rounds than Glock 17)
.45 ACP recoils a bit more than 9mm (in same gun platform)
Besides some PCC's, most new handgun designs chamber for 9mm and .40 S&W.

All of these reasons contribute to .45 as a niche round, mostly used by 1911 shooters. And even then, there's some 1911 shooters who opt for 9mm chambered 1911's.

[rodralig]

Though most of my handguns are chambered in 9mm... There a few circumstances when/where I use 45ACP.

• My primary HD pistol is chambered in 45ACP
• When I got to tactical/defensive classes, I more than naught, use 45ACP as a "training handicap." 9mm is too light for me...
• When I warmup for live fire practice, it is with 45ACP.

YMMV.



I enjoy the caliber! It is a fun one...




_

[Kilibreaux]

There's one thing the 1911 .45ACP can do that no 9mm, 40, nor 10mm can. It can be readily converted to 460 Rowland, putting 8-10 rounds of genuine magnum power in one of the most ergonomic, compact, full-size handguns ever designed! With the V2 recoil system a 38 ounce 1911 can run an 11 pound reaction spring, retain normal dwell timing, less strain on the ammo during chambering, and even less recoil than with the heavy spring systems.

There is absolutely zero reason to carry a 45ACP chambered 1911 when one has the ability to shoot 45ACP, 45Super, and 460Rowland all from the same chamber with no spring changes (thanks to the V2 recoil damper).

[Full Clip]

Reloading .45 is only marginally more expensive than 9mm.