guns question

[best45auto]

Hi everyone just a question about guns what's better gun for target shooting, plinking,home defense and carrie a 45 1911 or a 9mm glock I like both but I can afford only one need help deciding witch one to get I know for some people this is easy for me when I have them in my hands is really hard any opinions are appreciated thanks

[grammaton76]

If you're looking at carry, I'd recommend a compact 1911. The Glocks tend to be wider, which presents more of an issue when concealing it.

[Librarian]

... or a .45 Glock, they come in 3 models (21, 30, 36), or a 9mm 1911 (Springfield has 3 models).

What have you tried? How well do you shoot those? What fits your hand? How many can you afford to buy?

Longer-barreled versions tend to be better for target shooting, since they have a longer sight radius. Shorter barreled versions are usually easier to conceal. It's possible your desire for one gun for three purposes will not produce a gun 'best' for any of them.

[pilotimb]

Full size, compact, or sub-compact glock? Same thing for the 1911. Both guns are available in several sizes. Also you prefer a certain round, say 9mm but want a 1911 there are 1911's chambered in 9mm and vice versa for .45's and glocks.

I love my 9mm 1911 but it would be a horrible carry piece since it is full size with a 5 inch barrel. I'm looking at a sub-compact glock that will disapear on my body but is not a gun that would be a first choice plinking at the range due to it's short barrel and decreased sight radius.

[Fjold]

The real thing is how well do you shoot either cartridge? The best handgun for target shooting and self defense is the one that you can shoot accurately and have confidence in.

You also live in Contra Costa county, so you're not going to be carrying anything legally so get a full sized pistol, they're easier to control the recoil in..

[guimus]

If you can only afford one handgun, you'd better consider ammo price and range fees also. The best handgun is the one that you can use effectively, and the one that you can use effectively is the one that you practice with frequently. 9mm blasting ammo is significantly cheaper than .45.

[kurac]

If its your first handgun I would go for the 9mm. Its easier to learn with and the ammo is cheap which means more learning time.

[boogak]

a glock 17 would be nice. 9mm ammo alot cheaper then .45
also the glock is a lil lighter for carry

[Moonclip]

Get both! Of the two choices though I'd say a Glock 19 would be easy to learn on, not too bad to carry, and cheaper to shoot. Are you experienced with guns at all?

[Greg-Dawg]

Glock 9mm.

[CA357]

I'll offer my 2 cents worth. Try out the 9mm Glock 19. It's a good size and ammo's cheap. You can load hollow point for a home defense round and practice with cheap 9mm luger ammo.
I like a 1911, but it's really a horse of a different color, not to mention the ammo costs more.

[1911su16b870]

...target shooting, plinking,home defense and carrie a 45 1911 or a 9mm glock I like both but I can afford only one...

Low Cost
Target shooting .22, 9mm
Plinking .22, 9mm
Home Defense/Carry 9mm with 115gr P+ or +P+

Higher Cost
Target shooting 45 (my colt commbat commander with match barrel rocks).
Plinking 45
Home Defense/Carry 5" 45 acp with 200-230 grain JHP

Just bought 1000 9mm at 180, 1000 45ACP would be 300

If your a new shooter, I recommend the 9. I like the XD9 and Glock 17, 19, 26.

[zippo]

I'll offer my 2 cents worth. Try out the 9mm Glock 19. It's a good size and ammo's cheap. You can load hollow point for a home defense round and practice with cheap 9mm luger ammo.
I like a 1911, but it's really a horse of a different color, not to mention the ammo costs more.

+1 ......... for Glock 19 is best deal for you and 9mm ammo is cheaper then 45 acp about $2-5/box
and Glock have less problem then 1911 .

[PistolPete75]

if you want the best bang for the buck, go with a 9mm. glock, sig, hk. buy reloads for plinking, and use hollow points for self defense.

[dwightlooi]

IMHO, the main reason for the 9mm Luger caliber was the compact dimensions of the round allowing for high ammo capacity -- initally 13 rounds in guns like the FN High Power and later 15~17 rounds in more modern designs. Unless, you plan to and have access to high capacity magazines one of the biggest reasons for the caliber is nullified by legislation. The other reasons to go with 9mm is its availability in slim and/or compact firearms -- HK P7s and KAHRs come to mind. To me guns originally designed for 13~17 rounds but used with a constipated 10 rd magazine makes little sense.

The 9mm recoils differently compared to a 45. Despite what many people think, I won't say one is easier to shoot than the other. The 9mm recoil is a sharp, short rap. The 45 is more of a blunt, long push. I personally find the short-sharp recoil of the 9mm easier to shoot faster, but some people feel that the opposite is true. In my experience it has NOTHING to do with the amount of muscles or shooting experience either.

The 9x19mm caliber is a much more efficient round compared to the 45ACP. This is because it operates at a more modern 35000 psi vs 21000 psi of the 45ACP. The highest performance 9mm +P ammo packs about 460 ft-lbs of energy, the best 45 ACP loads churn out about 570 ft-pounds. This is much less of a difference than the size of the rounds tends to suggest, but the difference is nonetheless there. In terms of effectiveness, the 45 ACP is a much more effective round when both are shot with FMJs. With a good JHP, both are comparable IF the hollowpoint expands and/or fragments. The problem is that this sometimes do not happen due to impacts through heavy clothing and/or at sub optimum velocities. IMHO, if you use a 9mm stick with a light and fast bullet with a flying ashcan style HP cavity. These have the best expansion/fragmentation records. The Corbon 90 and 115 grain JHPs come to mind, but there are others of the genre. At the end of the day, shot placement is much much more important than caliber whether you choose the 45 or the nine.

If you really want the most favorable ballistic performance, maybe you should look at calibers like the .357 SIG. The problem is I don't like calibers where I cannot easily buy el cheapo practice ammo for!