.45 and .40 input please.

[Barang]

Never fired a 45 so I'm very interested in comparison to 40. Is the difference between these two are like 40 to 9mm?
1-How strong is the recoil? 2-How strong is muzzle flip?

I'm considering 45 as an addition to the family so would very much appreciate any help you can give. Thanks and Merry Christmas everyone.

[Bad Caselaw]

180gr. .40 is very similar to 230gr. .45 ACP in similar (Glock 23/36) pistols.




Caselaw

[RedFord150]

I like .45acp much better than .40.
Some people feel the .40 is 'snappy'. The .45 is big and slow (lower velocity in .45).
The guns I own are steel. I have shot the polymers in the 3 major calibers. Other than 9mm, I do not remember the specific feel of the polymers.

[ruddogg]

.40 has a more "jerky/sharp" recoil.
.45 is not necessarily less recoil, but "softer" recoil...like "round edges" vs "sharp edges"

hope that makes sense...hard to describe. just goto the range and rent a couple .45 & feel it yourself. that's the best way

[Barang]

Oh WOW! 180gr. 40 is what I use. So if it's similar to shooting 230gr. 45, then next year's 45 purchase is good to go. Also, It's interesting to hear that 45 is softer and less snappy. Thanks!

[GoatLovin]

My Sig 229 is what turned me to love .40. I don't notice much of a difference in .40 vs .45 in full size guns. Just a hair more snap.

[Old4eyes]

If you do go and do a range rental comparison try to do so with similar guns such as glock vs glock with same barrel length and weight. Comparing a 40 cal in a plastic gun vs say a 1911 might not give you a "fair" comparison. I've got Springfield XD 5" in 45 and it feels a little softer than a steel 1911. A friend who shoots competitively likes 40 for a faster cycle time on the slide but prefers the lesser muzzle flip (albeit with a slower cycle time) of .45.

Cost of ammo may be a consideration as well in the decision.

[Souper]

I like the recoil on my 45 better than my 40. Like others have said, the 40 is more "snappy" while the 45 has more of a "push".

Sort of like getting your hand slapped vs punched (by a girl).

[canative]

I have a G22 and a Ruger SR45. The Glock has more of a snap to it and the Ruger to me, I can get quicker follow up shots.

[Barang]

Funny you mentioned P229 in .40 because for 2 months I was considering of getting one but because I don't have .45 in the family yet, would like very much to bring her home. But hey! a hair more snap and gettig slapped and punched by a girl is what sold me to get .45 next year.
I'm going with metal frame, Didn't like polymer the first time. Too light for me plus I like the full rail. Thank you all.

[GoatLovin]

Funny you mentioned P229 in .40 because for 2 months I was considering of getting one but because I don't have .45 in the family yet, would like very much to bring her home. But hey! a hair more snap is what sold me to get .45 next year. Thanks.

I will say 155 grain .40 is annoyingly snappy. I can easily tell the difference between 155 and 165.

[2meterB]

I have an XD40 and a 1911.
The .40 definitely feels snappier.
Wife greatly prefers the 1911 for recoil feel, if that helps.

[Leadingall]

Depends on the gun and the shooter, both have pros and cons

[Deimos887]

Most will find .40 to be snappier (sharp muzzle flip) while .45 relays that energy into more of a "push".. hard to explain.

They really have about the same amount of felt recoil, just different characteristics in the way its induced, and similar energy output (when comparing relative loads between the two).... talking kinetic energy what .40 lacks in .45's weight it makes up for in its speed.

muzzle energy in ft/lbs is determined by:

Weight x Velocity x Velocity (velocity squared)
= "X"
divide "X" by 450390 (industry established constant)
= foot/lbs of energy

.40 & .45 are very similar in that regard.

And considering Newton's Law "Every action will have an equal and opposite reaction" when comparing relatively simlar loads they will both produce similar recoil force.

Its just the way in which it is felt/percieved that is different.

With the majority of shooters from novice - seasoned finding .45's "push" more pleasant than .40's "snap".

Personally Ive shot @ least double the amount of .40 as I have .45 (or 9mm for that matter) over the years (lot of law enforcement in the family/Dad's round of choice)... and Im typically faster back on target & more accurately with a .40 than a .45 in similar platforms (say Glock 22 vs Glock 21)... but I'd chalk that up to simply being more experienced/used to .40's recoil impulse.

And like I stated earlier 90% of people seem to believe/feel a .40 recoils harsher than a .45. Although technically its about the same, just differing characteristics.

If you handle .40 suffiencently you can handle .45 as well.

Disclaimer: Not meant has a "caliber/cartridge debate". I and im sure 95% of CGN already know the reality of pistol cartridge terminal ballistics... just info on percieved recoil & energy figures. /

[trigger945]

OP, try renting guns if at all possible. I personally find .45 ACP more pleasant to shoot. But then again I just picked up a .40 cal gun for variety.

I think adding a .45 caliber gun to any collection is a good thing