.40 or .45

[Bruce]

.45!

[rivviepop]

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.

...but on the flipside, for $400-ish or so you get a fantastic entry into the 1911 world that can rival the performance of a Kimber out of the box. It's kinda like when you get your first motorcycle - get something cheap but good, figure out what you like and don't like about it then go buy the expensive Good Stuff(tm) with some knowledge under your belt.

[M. Sage]

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.

.45 recoil is barely more than 9mm recoil. Considering the .40 can have more muzzle force than a standard-pressure (not +p) .45 ACP load, how would it have less recoil?

I've shot .45, 9mm and .40. I really don't see much if any difference between the three as far as recoil goes.

[GammaRei]

.45

- G

[NeoWeird]

TenSeven, you're just showing that you lack afull grasp of how those numbers work and equate in a real world scenario. By using those numbers, their 9mm +p load will have more energy and therefore do more damage than a .45 ACP, which we know is not true. Trying to equate muzzle energy to 'damage', especially at close ranges, is a good way to find out how strong your wall is. Besides, using that logic you'd be stupid to not get a 10mm as they can be safetly loaded within SAMMI spec to near 800 ft/lbs.

Also, as mentioned above, the .45 ACP opperates at much lower pressures than a 9mm, .40 S&W, or a 10mm. Many shooter, myself included, ENJOY the rather lengthy feeling recoil of a ,45 ACP while I don't particularly care for the 9mm and especially dislike the .40 S&W, considering the performance it offers. Follow up shots are faster with the .45 ACP for me and that's true for everyone I know.

...but on the flipside, for $400-ish or so you get a fantastic entry into the 1911 world that can rival the performance of a Kimber out of the box. It's kinda like when you get your first motorcycle - get something cheap but good, figure out what you like and don't like about it then go buy the expensive Good Stuff(tm) with some knowledge under your belt.

That's exatly why I said if he had the intention to modify down the line it's a bad choice. They are good guns, but not for those who want to make a custom piece of race gun later.

[jtv3062]

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.

[Snapping Twig]

Tarus PT-1911 perhaps?

[What Just Happened?]

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.

+2. The two options are very different. One's a single-stack, the other's a double-stack. One's all steel, the other's a steel / polymer gun. One's hammer, the other's striker-fired. Etc, etc, etc. Although they have very similar grip angles.

I own an RIA tactical and love it. I just need to get my reloading technique for it down so I can really start shooting it.

[tiko]

Every body should have a 1911 in their collection, that is a excellent target- competition gun. If I can have only one, that is a 1911, but you will have more and more..., for 45 cal, pressure 17000 CUP, for .40 pressure is about 33000 CUP so 45 guns will last longer than 9mm or 40SW guns.

[CaliGunOwner]

Seeing that I have at least half a dozen 45's in the safe & sold off all my 40's -- I'd go w/ the 45.
Big bullet, big hole -- and I can shoot it faster & more accurately than the 40

[ocg 03]

+1 for .45

I just shot my G30 for the 1st time in a year, I love that thing!

[GW]

All this 9 vs 10 vs 40 vs 45 is so much crap.
Find a caliber you like and run with it.
All of these calibers are available in a 1911 style pistol.
I have XD's and 1911's in 45 and fwiw, I prefer the 1911's but wouldn't feel at any disadvantage with the XD. It may be the exact opposite for the next shooter though and so it is for calibers as well.
Get out there and shoot 'em all till you find what YOU like. Renting guns can be expensive but unless you've got friend(s) with a variety of guns, it is the best way to find out what fits you best.
Good luck with your choice!

ETA +1 on the G-30-- A great gun.

[19114me]

You're going to buy a 1911 at some time anyway, so just buy it now.

If you are going to conseal carry, consider the .40 polymer gun. Otherwise, go with steel (and reread first paragraph).

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I'll go with GW on this one. It is all a matter of personal preference. If this were going to be your first and only gun I would go with the XD. 1911s are not beginner's guns. And Glocks, XDs and all of those like them offer simple, point and shoot simplicity out of the box. The caliber should be whatever you are comfortable with shooting.

But since it isn't your first gun, the RIAs are hard to beat. I have the basic model that I picked up last year. The aftermarket stuff all fits it with a minimum of hand fitting. I split the difference, and dropped a .400 corbon barrel in it. .40 caliber bullet, .45 case, 10mm performance. And even with the old mil spec style sights, it will still group under a foot, off hand, at 120 yards. I know, because I was using it to blast clay pigeons on the berm with it at that distance, and hitting them about 3-4 times out of 8 shots. It may be the ballistic solution to the question nobody asked, but I like it. The die hard .45 crowd will always say that .45 is the anwer to everything, and anything smaller is a waste of powder. And the 10mm cultists (both of them) have been sticking pins in their .400 corbon voodoo dolls for years. I don't care. I am happy. And I have a 1911 that shoots well, has plenty of power, and out-coolfactors just about anything else out there. Get the RIA, trick it out how YOU want to, and be happy. They are one of the best deals out there for 1911s.

-Mb

[sgl]

.45