.40 or .45

[HowardW56]

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.

.357 and make every shot count

[C.G.]

With whichever you can hit the target better!

[NeoWeird]

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.

Talk about being wrong. The 10mm was such an OVER success that they HAD to neuter it down to what the .40 is now. When a cartridge offers better performance than the top two widely debated cartridges in a similar package, it doesn't mean it's an error because some pansies didn't like the recoil or the fact that it can punch through both sides of a car, killing the person inside and still being lethal behind the car - it means it's not suited for police and other agency type personel. Just because commercial reloaders still don't load it to it's designed spec doesn't make it an error. The truth is the 10mm is probably the best semi-auto handgun cartridge on the market today.

And if it were my choice, I'd go with the XD but in a different caliber. In my personal opinion, I HATE the .40 S&W round. It's the Jetta of the firearms world. Don't get me wrong, it has it's place, but its place is NOT with me. I'd personally get the XD in either .45 or 9mm, depening on personal preference and intended use. If it's just a range gun to have fun or if its for someone smaller weaker and/or newer to shooting, go with 9mm, if it has the potential to be used for self defense by a shooter, go with .45 ACP. If you're handloading it doesn't matter either way so go with a 10mm.

Both are nice but not great. Just a side note, RIAs are notorious for not being 'mil-spec' so most after market parts, even 'drop in' parts, will need some modification OR won't go at all. They're kind of like Springfields in that regard, but worse from what I have heard. So if you're getting the 1911 with the intention of customizing it later, get a different frame. Then again, if you just want a steel pistol or a factory spec 1911, then it will fit your needs fine.

[M. Sage]

It's the Jetta of the firearms world.

Harsh.

[NeoWeird]

Harsh.

Yeah, well the truth hurts.

[Artery]

People talk about .40 vs .45 and make it sound like the .45's higher recoil is a good thing, as if its badass to have more recoil. When you need the second shot to count, I don't know how badass it looks to be dead because you couldn't get your second shot on target fast enough.

Don't get me wrong, I love 1911s, and enjoy shooting large caliber weapons (its fun!), but how 'manly' a gun is should never be a consideration when talking about something your life depends on.

[kakpataka]

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.

[technique]

.45acp

[TenSeven]

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection Ammo:


.45 (230gr part # 23966)

Muzzle Velocity: 890fps Energy (Muzzle): 404lbs


.40 (155gr part # 23961)

Muzzle Velocity: 1200fps Energy (Muzzle): 496lbs



The speed of a 9mm and more energy than a .45...


Hmmm... Interesting...


I will never, ever disparage what the .45 has done in its 100 years of service, but there are are other (Gasp... better??) modern options available that are very effective.

Yes, I quoted the above directly from the Speer website and know these are "muzzle numbers" (aka: ... what? about 5-15 feet?). But who gets into handgun battles at greater ranges??

[tmuller]

+1 NeoWierd

I can't stand .40S&W and will not own another ever again. That being said, get what you like..........

[hawk1]

People talk about .40 vs .45 and make it sound like the .45's higher recoil is a good thing, as if its badass to have more recoil. When you need the second shot to count, I don't know how badass it looks to be dead because you couldn't get your second shot on target fast enough.

Don't get me wrong, I love 1911s, and enjoy shooting large caliber weapons (its fun!), but how 'manly' a gun is should never be a consideration when talking about something your life depends on.

You talk to some weird people.

[Beelzy]

The 10mm was an error on many levels and I am sticking to it. Just like the
.41 mag.,9mm mag. and the .32 mag.

The caliber answers to the questions nobody asked.

PS. The FBI and the development of the 10mm was a farce. IIRC they had Wonder Nines and not .45s. in that disaster.

[Gunaria]

get the 4 to the 5

[PorkLover]

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.

fortay-five......

[pottymouth310]

I've been shooting .45 for a long time both in single stack and double stack configuration. I've owned a XD in .40 too, it seems to me the .40 is a bit more snappier to me than the .45. I didn't like it, I traded mine for a XD45.

Both have their strong points but both 1911 & XD are totally different style of gun, it's like choosing a Harley vs rice rocket, it's strictly your choice. Choose on what YOU like don't base it strictly on the cost of ammo.