.45 and .40 input please.

[kayaker]

I have a Glock model 22, full sized .40. For a short time I also had a Colt Commander .45. side by side the 2 guns were very close in length and height. The .45 was a little thinner but also heavier. I found the .45 to have more recoil, not softer, not "more of a push" just simply more recoil. I shot my nephew's Kimber, 5" .45 and it does feel a little softer, it's a bigger, heavier weapon. I sold my Commander, it was prettier than my Glock but I'd rather shoot the Glock.

[kayaker]

It would depend upon what your intended use is. A .45 ACP fills a lot of roles. It's a very accurate round. With target loads, it's very fun to shoot. It is every easy to carry in back country, especially while fishing. And it will work on CA black bear and lion should you have defend yourself.

Just my opinion of course but the .45 won't do anything better than a .40 and for large animals the .40 will have better penetration.

[Tarn_Helm]

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).

I agree ^.

I prefer to shoot .45 ACP.

[gunnut714]

i compare their qualities like earthquakes: the .40 is the sharp jolt type, and the .45 is the slow rolling type.

I think it depends on the brand/model of the gun. The glock 23 has more if a jolt vs. my sig p229 in .40. I think it has to do with the weight of the gun, since the sig weighs much more than the glock 23. The glock 22 has less of a jolt than the glock 23 in my experience. If you want less jolt, I guess the key is to put maybe a heavy flashlight at the end of a Sig p229 .40 w/ rails. That should lessen the "jolt" and make it more of a "roll". Also, the older I get, I think I prefer less jolt. Although the sig 229 has probably the least jolt of any .40s&w guns.

[Planetking]

I own P226 and P229 in .40, and the P220. Very similar weapons as far as frame and egonomics

The .40 to me, has a bit more "snap" as described by many others. The .45 probably has as much recoil, but again as previously stated, 'pushes' more than 'kicks'. Hope the description makes sense...

That being said, I thoroughly enjoy them all and would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. Although the P229 in my opinion would be the best CCW option.

[riderr]

P226/229 in .40 will be snappy due to higher barrel axis. Other guns with lower axis (like Glock or px4), can shoot differently

[skilletboy]

That means, with a 40S&W, you will generally end up shooting a ammo that is just as, and often more, powerful as 45ACP out of a gun that are generally dimensionally smaller and lighter. Considering most people who shoot 45ACP use 230gr standard pressure, most 40S&W combat loads are actually more powerful than that of 45ACP.

That can be good news to people such as myself, who wants to fire the most powerful ammo I can still manage out of a gun that is not bigger than average 9mm pistol dimensions. 45ACP/10mm pistols generally do not fit me well or have too low ammo capacity.

This is my opinion.

IMHO I think much of the desire for .45 is more of an "old school" thing. I've never liked .45 and don't feel much difference.

For me, I'd rather have more rounds than less. Of course all that changes if you're going to only use 10 r mags.

[InGrAM]

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.

^ This is the typical response I get when taking "lady friends" to shoot. They love my 1911's, especially the 9mm 1911 and they usually hate just about any plastic gun I let them shoot. My guess is that the single stack/thin frame of the 1911 makes shooting the 1911 more comfortable for them. But women, like men, are pleased by aesthetics so I am sure that has something to do with it lol.

[missiontrails]

Not sure why anyone would buy a .40 or 10mm over a 9mm or .45.

[Bill Steele]

^ This is the typical response I get when taking "lady friends" to shoot. They love my 1911's, especially the 9mm 1911 and they usually hate just about any plastic gun I let them shoot. My guess is that the single stack/thin frame of the 1911 makes shooting the 1911 more comfortable for them. But women, like men, are pleased by aesthetics so I am sure that has something to do with it lol.

I had heard the female affinity to 1911's for a while.

One day at a local range I was talking to the guy behind the counter and he mentioned how much the ladies preferred the 1911.

That evening happened to be ladies night and as I was packing up, the ladies started arriving to shoot for free. By the time I was walking out the door, many of the lanes were full of women and most had 1911's. I was pretty surprised.

This also reminded me of a day at another range. A guy next to me was shooting a Glock 23. He was a small framed guy, his hands looked like maybe he had a desk job. About every magazine or so, he would put the gun down and shake his hand like he was in pain. I sensed he might have preferred a .45 ACP pistol.

[yankee-pete]

I hate .40 as it is way to snappy and just a dumb in between caliber. Go 9mm if you want something easy to control or .45 if you want some serious power.

[JagerDog]

What part of Nocal?

I have a 220 (your SIG sig) if you can't find a rental.

[gunnut714]

I hate .40 as it is way to snappy and just a dumb in between caliber. Go 9mm if you want something easy to control or .45 if you want some serious power.

From many articles I've read, some regard the .40 as a more powerful round than the .45acp, not the other way around. I guess it all depends on which review/article you read. If you like the power of the .40, but dont' like the snappy feel, then I recommend you take a look at the Sig P229 in .40. It's the Lexus of .40's IMHO. Smooth like butter and you don't lose your target. It's no wonder many law enforcement agencies use the P229 in .40 as their officer's carry pistol.

[Nrai2020]

You guys are forgetting that these days .40 and 9mm ammo cost about the same... 45 is still considerably more expensive.

Also most .40 cal and 9mm pistols are about the same size, while .45 always just seem so much biggier pistols?

[tincankilla]

I'd also just look at whatever guns you like with a 10-round normal capacity. that means a small 9mm, a similiarly sized .40 cal, and a full sized .45acp.

of course, you could get a 10-round 10mm in a 1911 platform...