M&P45 vs 1911

[ssteve]

I am in the 45 market and considering a m&p45, to go along with a kimber ultra that Ill be using for ccw. The full size 45 will be used for a sidearm when hunting and a fair amount of target shooting. I have not shot a m&p45 and dont have access to before purchasing, and havent played with a full size 1911 in a while, but have some frame of reference. I am wondering how the shooting characteristics compare? Recoil being a major one, as well as accuracy, reliability etc....

Both feel great in hand, and both will get a fair amount of aftermarket attention. The M&P45 with a full slew of apex parts is very appetizing, I just dont want to spend the funds and be let down, however Im sure Ill have a fair amount more into a 1911 before Im happy with it anyways.

[billybob_jcv]

Two very different guns that happen to fire the same round. Old School vs New School. Metal vs Polymer. SA vs Striker.

Any caring CGer would tell you that the right answer is: Both!

Sorry - I very much doubt there is going to be an answer to this one - just another 1911 vs Polymer fight...

[G60]

many serious 1911 shooters believe the m&p 45, especially with apex work is as close to a 1911 there is in a polymer gun.

They're very much fans of the m&p, no need for a steel v polymer debate.

[Sam]

I haven't shot a 45 version but the M&Ps are a very nice choice. Mine have been reliable, soft shooting and very ergonomic (which I think contributes to being able to shoot them well and fast).

[SDM44]

Without getting into arguments of why you should get one over the other (metal vs polymer, 1911 vs any other handgun, reliability issues, etc), here's what I think.....

I like to get guns that I like and will use. I also like to get a variety of different guns so it's always fun to shoot different things. That said, if you already have the Ultra then you may want to check out the M&P. If you really like the 1911 platform and would feel more comfortable sticking with that, then get the 1911. You said you would take it hunting with you, and not to get into an argument about 1911 reliability issues, but me personally I would trust a M&P or similar polymer striker fire gun over a 1911 if/when I had to depend on it. Others will disagree with this, but this is something YOU have to decide on what's best for you.

[biloutkast]

Go to the range and rent both pistols.

[Ron-Solo]

I have the M&P 45 and it is an amazing gun. I prefer shooting it vs the 1911, but for me it is ergonomics.

I have nothing bad to say about a 1911........ever.

The comparison is kind of an apples v. oranges kind of thing.

[wang949]

1911 b/c you already have a kimber ultra. transitioning between the two will be easier.

[9mmepiphany]

The M&P45, equipped with Apex Tactical trigger parts, that I have shot was just as accurate as a mid-priced 1911 (~$1k-$1.5k), had less felt recoil (even with the lighter polymer frame) and should be more reliable with less maintence. Plus it's magazine is easier to index at speed.

Apex Tactical now has their FSS trigger kit out, which I understand brings the feel of the trigger even closer to that of the 1911 trigger

[InGrAM]

I own an M&P9 and a 1911 in 9mm, apples to potatoes, nothing alike. I would choose a 1911 over the M&P but they are both wonderful firearms. Good luck.

[jcaoloveshine]

Shoot both, see which you like more.

Better than buying one and hating it.

For me, either gun works well in my hand. Both are ergonomic. M&P is a great gun, I would trust my life to it. APEX guts makes it smooth and easy to shoot. If its any use, Travis Haley runs an M&P in the Magpul Art of the Dynamic Handgun and it seemed to work great for what he was using it for (I don't worship Magpul, btw).

Just remember a 1911 is like a Porsche, M&Ps and Glocks are like Toyotas that are stupid simple, reliable as all hell, and much more affordable. 1911s need a bit more maintenance and some knowledge of its intricate parts (not saying they are unreliable, all the steel on steel contact just needs some more care), but if the gun is built right and tight you should not run into any reliability issues or accuracy issues. A well-built , well fitted 1911 with good parts and a CMC 10-round mag is a formidable combat weapon.

Personally, I feel that you get the most out of your money in the $12-1500 range for the 1911 platform, that is what I would look to spend for a 1911 that has the absolute reliability, customer service, fit & finish, and accuracy to last you a lifetime. Beyond that the diminishing returns on investment becomes very apparent. Not saying entry 1911s are bad, just that when you go four digits you begin to maximize your features without feeling like you are paying for nothing.

On a personal level, a polymer gun is more or less a tool to me. A gun like the 1911 just has that soul and class that goes beyond being just a workhorse (which they certainly satisfy), so I'd choose the 1911 just because it's got a lot more character and history behind it. From a practical point of view, either will serve you well, just depends on ergonomics.

[sholling]

many serious 1911 shooters believe the m&p 45, especially with apex work is as close to a 1911 there is in a polymer gun.

They're very much fans of the m&p, no need for a steel v polymer debate.

^ This ^ In my opinion the M&P is the closest anyone has come to making a striker fired polymer analog to the John Moses Browning's masterpiece. It's as thin, the ergonomics are nearly perfect, and the barrel axis is nice and low making it just as controllable as the heavier 1911. The only minus is the factory trigger. I have not tried the Apex kit because I had two of mine hand tuned long before Apex came out with their kit. As soon as the list goes away my very first purchase will be an M&P45c.

I'm also a huge fan of 1911s and despite the nonsense continually regurgitated by the plastic fantastic bigots the 1911 is not only a fine pistol pretty much untouchable for accuracy but it's a very reliable self defense pistol. You just have to be willing to put the time into keeping it clean and well lubed and feed it from quality magazines. If you're going to carry a 1911 and you can afford a good quality 1911 such as a Springfield Armory Loaded or Smith & Wesson then that's the route that I would go for a range toy/competition pistol and would have the trigger tuned to match your carry.

[Sam]

Sholling, ever think about using the single shot exemption to get a 45c?

[sholling]

Sholling, ever think about using the single shot exemption to get a 45c?

I think about it all the time but I'm not up on who around here can and will do it and how much they charge. Hopefully the roster will go away in the next 12-18 month.

[Sam]

I think about it all the time but I'm not up on who around here can and will do it and how much they charge. Hopefully the roster will go away in the next 12-18 month.

It is no more painless than buying a gun that is on the roster.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=383692