.45 and .40 input please.

[romadant]

.40 in my G22 felt snappy - I guess. .40 in my P226 does not at all. Much heavier gun though.

.45 always feels about the same to me strangely, whether in a polymer or metal frame.

[CK_32]

Questioned the same thing my self being I now own all 3...

Shooting one after the other I noticed.....

9mm, slight recoil, 40 felt the same as in muzzle rise but felt a slight more force in my body going backwards than the 9mm, the 45 fest just in between the 9mm/40 in recoil or push impulse but the flash was much greater.


Note these were shot with a Glock 17 - 9mm, Glock 23 - 40s&w and a SA 1911 in 45ACP

Take into account these were factory reloads so they were not as hot as HD ammo, the flash is subject to powder being used same as recoil, also gun weights play a factor so Im sure if they were all out of the same size gun and weight they would be almost about the same.

My biggest note again was I noticed the 40 again had more of a push I expected from he 45 as in a rock backwards of my ody weight than muzzle flip twards the sky as everyone refers to.

I, my buddy and my cousin did 2 shots each and all agreed we felt the same.

I had a video of me shooting the 3 back to back but it wont upload. Ill check back in if I figure it out.

[Canucky]

Your sig states 229? Is it in 9mm. 229 was designed for the 40cal. Location OP maybe someone around your area could let you try their 40's/45's.

[TheFlash]

I have a steel frame 1911 and have shot a friend’s .40 SIG several times.

As others have mentioned, the .40 is quite a bit more snappy. The .45ACP does have recoil, but it indeed feels ‘softer’ than the .40.
Also as others have mentioned, I seem to be able to get back on target faster with the .45ACP than I can with the .40.

Definitely add the 45ACP to your line-up and enjoy!

[Icypu]

I think the reason why .40 S&W feels a bit more snappy is the pressure. That being said, like to shoot .40 better than .45. I think the ergonomic effect makes a huge difference in my controllability. With a .40 gun the grip is smaller, so I have a more confident grip, with the 1911 .45 its a thin but long grip. USP .45 and Glock 21 when I shot those my small hands had more problems with it.

[Gemini Effect]

I believe Glock makes 10-round magazines for .45 but are 10-round magazines for other makes of pistols popular or readily available?

I have an XD and I believe there is no such thing as a 10-round magazine in .45 for the XD. I think it jumped straight to 12 or 13 rounds which of course is illegal in CA.

[jkonquer]

It all really depends on the platform. Combination of metal or polymer, recoil springs, texture of the grip and etc. i found thats glocks have very soft shooting 45's, where as their 40 was not so great. And guns like HK USP 45 vs 40 have very similar characteristic of recoil. Some people dont like usp recoil due to its rough texture on the front and back straps of the grip, but thats all "felt" recoil.
Like everyone said shoot the exact gun before you buy it.

[tbc]

So you have decided to get a 45 next year. Get a 1911.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[LBDamned]

.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

good analogy... I usually describe as snappy (.40) vs warm (.45)...

your round vs sharp edges is a good description...

[18Dmedic]

To get an honest assessment you should try the .40 and .45 in the same kind of pistol etc...so if you want the sig, you should try the P220 and P229 and see how you like each. If you try Glock, for example, it will feel different than the Sig.

But honestly, with the technology available in ammo today, you won't go wrong with either. I personally prefer the .45 over the .40 caliber. I have an issue (however unfounded it may or may not be) with the over-pressurization in the .40.

[Deimos887]

Yeah I like ruddogs "sharp/round" analogy too.

And I agree with the other poster, get a 1911!!!!

[Barang]

Solid info guys! Your similar assessment of both calibers solidified my decision in getting .45 next year. I really thought that .45 had a monster muzzle flip and recoil. It's nice to know that's just in my head. Thank you all for chiming in.

By the way, my 229 is 9mm but the .40 is 226.

[BakoJ]

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.

In my experience, the type of frame you're shooting makes as much or more difference as the round caliber. My 9 year old lives to shoot my pistols. He has trouble shooting my polymer-framed M&P9, with limpwristing causing stovepipes and FTEs. When he shoots my 1911 in .45, he has no hangs, nor trouble of any sort. The steel frame of the 1911 is more forgiving and cushions more recoil.

You could easily get a steel framed .45 and shoot it more accurately, with less felt recoil. You're giving up the weight advantages and compact size of a smaller caliber but you'd shoot the .45 better.

[Ritchie8719]

I really thought that .45 had a monster muzzle flip and recoil.

Fatter, goes slower, less snappy than .40. Start saving for ammo now.

[Souper]

Solid info guys! Your similar assessment of both calibers solidified my decision in getting .45 next year. I really thought that .45 had a monster muzzle flip and recoil. It's nice to know that's just in my head. Thank you all for chiming in.

By the way, my 229 is 9mm but the .40 is 226.

I took my 110 lb friend shooting and she hated the recoil on my 9mm Glock and 40 cal Sig, but liked shooting my 45 cal 1911 and then hated my friends 45 cal Glock, but not as much as my 40 cal Sig.