.40 or .45

[dbbspider]

If you had to choose a pistol in .40 or .45, which caliber would you choose? That's a decision I have to make before xmas. Thanks for your opinions. If you want to know which pistol, it's between RIA Tactical 1911 (.45) and SA XD in .40. They are about the same price. I fired them both and they shoot really well. Also, I cannot afford to own one of each, at least not right now.

[Ronco]

I'm no expert.

I have both and if I had to choose... I'd go with the XD40. Ammo is a little cheaper, the mags hold 10 rounds instead of 7, and SA offers XD gear for it free.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/gearup/

On the other hand the 1911 is a steel frame (vs polymer) and will probably last generations.

[jtv3062]

If the .40 was a Glock I would go with the Glock. Otherwise the RIA would be my choice. I'm going to google RIA.

And thats my opinon

[hawk1]

Between those two, the RIA Tactical. With no hesitation.

[Beelzy]

Get one in .45!

The .40 was created for those limp-wristers that kept jamming guns in .45!!

Don't believe anything anyone tells you to the contrary. The 10mm was an
error and they needed something to do with all those .410 bullet molds after
folks and the 10mm guns couldn't get along.

[rivviepop]

I'd say figure out what *type* of gun you like better, the 1911 camp (which is more a lifestyle ) or the double-stack world. The caliber (while important) matters less than diving into one gun type or the other, since you can only afford to own one right now it would make sense to figure out which type of gun would be more fun for you to own for a bit of time.

In your situation I would probably choose the RIA - it has more soul right out of the box.

[dbbspider]

I owned a Glock 23 (.40) for over ten years. It was fine and I shot well. I am much more accurate with my SA 1911 and I dont really care much about 10 vs 7 rnds in the mag. Look like I will pick up the RIA Tac. Thanks everyone.

[M. Sage]

I'd say figure out what *type* of gun you like better, the 1911 camp (which is more a lifestyle ) or the double-stack world. The caliber (while important) matters less than diving into one gun type or the other, since you can only afford to own one right now it would make sense to figure out which type of gun would be more fun for you to own for a bit of time.

In your situation I would probably choose the RIA - it has more soul right out of the box.

What he said.

[Slayer]

.45 FTW

[jumbopanda]

.40 because ammo is cheaper, and you can get hollowpoints for about the same price as fmj rounds. .45 self defense ammo is quite expensive.

But the 1911 is a great gun and you should get one eventually.

[Captain Evilstomper]

what are you going to do with it?
punch paper, compete, HD?
i would go with the XD, ammo's cheaper, it you reload, you can always find 40 brass at the range, most people wth a 40 don't reload it, and the component prices are slightly cheaper.
screw it, get a glock 20, 10mm, and then get a lone wolf barrel chambered in .40, 2 guns for the price of one! or do that and also get a barrel chambered in .357 sig, 3 guns for the price of one!

[asheron2]

The 40 because of Springfields warranty. Had my finish on my XD redone about 3 times and they also replaced a tritium site for me because it fell off. They have great service.

[odysseus]

I am partial to .45ACP.

Saying this too, I think about ammo. Performance and budget wise the delta between the two is minor in my book, though some here will split hairs and declare. So I will simply choose .45 so I don't need to stock .40 in platforms all available to me in .45 I like to shoot.

.

[CSACANNONEER]

.45acp

[xxxx]

Depends, do you want to shoot your self in the foot or walk around all day saying Hooyah? I prefer the latter.