Handgun Calibre
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by Lazy K
Been thinking, what is the best handgun calibre. Not best handgun. Best calibre for say target and combat.
For target work, the .45 acp is one caliber that was MADE for target work. Incredibly accurate.
For combat work. . . . drum roll. . . .ta-da. . . . .45 acp!!
The 9mm is a decent round. (A little anemic, but, it's o.k.) The .40 S&W is coming on strong, but I'll take the .45 acp any day.
My 2¢.
Keith
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
Originally Posted by Dave S
!
CCW Answer: Find a nice .40 in a compact package. Personally, I'd avoid the Glocks loaded in .40 simply because they have a track record of coming apart.HTH,
Dave
CCW Answer: Find a nice .40 in a compact package. Personally, I'd avoid the Glocks loaded in .40 simply because they have a track record of coming apart.HTH,
Dave
here we go, another leap to an inaccurate conclusion based on incomplete information. a few years back there was an entire lot of "hot loaded" .40 cal. ammo from federal in the "hydrashock" line. since the hydrashock cartridge was one of the most used cartridges for law enforcement and personal protection and the glock is the handgun used by more LE agecies than any other handgun made alot of these rounds and pistols came together thus causing problems. the failures where not a glock pistol problem but a hot load problem, many many other guns that digested a steady diet of these rounds had failures. it was just that are so many glocks out they got most of the press. these "bad loads" can be identified buy an " F C" stamp on the casing
of federal hydrashock .40 cal ammo. the newer, properly loaded cartridges will say "FEDERAL" on the case.
i carry a 9mm glock 19 for CC because of its size and capacity. if i where to carry a gun professionally it would be a glock 22 in .40 cal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,002
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From: peggs, oklahoma
ive shot a few pistols in my day. The 9mm Glock, 357 magnum, 38 special (both six shooters) 45 glock, 1911
I like the 9mm glock...fast accurate and the sites where neato..The ones that are white.
Theres a big accesory market for the 45 acp (1911) and 9mm glock.
But i suggest for self defense..fragmenting rounds...if theres ever a person in your house and your forced to shoot...a 357 magnum will hav ethe chance of going through your house and hitting somone outside or a neighbors house etc.
Fragmenting rounds turn into a sand like substance upon impact..it still goes into the target but it doesnt go through. Those us marshals carry em on planes...
I like the 9mm glock...fast accurate and the sites where neato..The ones that are white.
Theres a big accesory market for the 45 acp (1911) and 9mm glock.
But i suggest for self defense..fragmenting rounds...if theres ever a person in your house and your forced to shoot...a 357 magnum will hav ethe chance of going through your house and hitting somone outside or a neighbors house etc.
Fragmenting rounds turn into a sand like substance upon impact..it still goes into the target but it doesnt go through. Those us marshals carry em on planes...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
IMO - Take a 9mm to the range to learn and practice with. Carry it for a while and get proficient. Then move to a .45 ACP. I personally carry a Kimber Pro Carry .45. If I have to burn 8 rounds of .45 +P's - I should never have been in that position to begin with. If someone keeps coming after I hit him with 8 rounds of .45 +P's, the next thing I hit him with will be the Explorer... 
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
I hae a .45 Colt and a 9mm, I sleep next to my .45. My fiance' is getting me a Springfield 1911 for a wedding gift and that will be my new bed side companion!
The 9mm is fun to shoot because it is a semi auto vs. a single action revolver liek the .45, but the .45 has a 5 1/2" barrel and packs alot of whoop-butt with very litte recoil!
The 9mm is fun to shoot because it is a semi auto vs. a single action revolver liek the .45, but the .45 has a 5 1/2" barrel and packs alot of whoop-butt with very litte recoil!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA; Tyler, TX
.357 Mag for me. Wide range of guns for hunting, CCW, target, and anything else, tons of reloading and factory loaded ammo options, and can fire .38 Spl as a practice round. Both are very accurate cartridges. .357 has power galore. Plus not only are revolvers just plain badass, it's also just plain cool to say you're packin magnum heat.
Used to be a 9mm and .40SW fan but for some reason can't get into the semi-sutos anymore.
Used to be a 9mm and .40SW fan but for some reason can't get into the semi-sutos anymore.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 1
From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'm seeing a lot of .45 ACP folk. Of which I'm one. Has anyone tried, or know anyone that's tried, a Glock 37 chambered in the .45 GAP? I'm told it's easier to grip and far more manageable in rapid fire than the Glock .45 ACP's and the M1911.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: SW Arizona
It was my husband who first took me out handgun shooting just before we married. His opinion was a woman should be able to fire as large a caliber as any man can. So he took me out and introduced me to the 45 ACP (with halfmoon clips) in the Mark VI Webley. Learned to roll cans out of sight with it. To him, anything less is too small...unless it is a .44. He introduced me to blackpowder pistol shooting with .44 1860 Army Colts reproductions too.
With a modern revolver, it is either 45 in his Webley or the 44Mag/44spl Ruger Blackhawk. I picked up a Webley for myself, some years back. Have a Charter Arms .44 spl. I have shot the .357/38 but find the larger calibers more fun. 9mm is nice to plink with though.
With a modern revolver, it is either 45 in his Webley or the 44Mag/44spl Ruger Blackhawk. I picked up a Webley for myself, some years back. Have a Charter Arms .44 spl. I have shot the .357/38 but find the larger calibers more fun. 9mm is nice to plink with though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
Originally Posted by EnviroCon
I'm seeing a lot of .45 ACP folk. Of which I'm one. Has anyone tried, or know anyone that's tried, a Glock 37 chambered in the .45 GAP? I'm told it's easier to grip and far more manageable in rapid fire than the Glock .45 ACP's and the M1911.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
I carry a Beretta 96 .40 S&W when size doesn't matter (its big) and I need capacity...
otherwise I carry my Beretta 8045 Cougar in .45 ACP when I want something a little smaller and still packs a punch, like when I'm at the movies or walking around in the mall.
I handload for both calibers and shoot them a lot at the range... the .45 costs $.02 more per round than the .40
otherwise I carry my Beretta 8045 Cougar in .45 ACP when I want something a little smaller and still packs a punch, like when I'm at the movies or walking around in the mall.
I handload for both calibers and shoot them a lot at the range... the .45 costs $.02 more per round than the .40
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a 50 caliber, Smith & Wesson Model 500, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk? 
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
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From: colorado
Originally Posted by sierraben
I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a 50 caliber, Smith & Wesson Model 500, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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I will have to declare my hand here! I own a Colt 1911 in .45ACP, a WW1 Luger in 9mm and a revolver in .22rim. Yes the .45ACP is super for target but will not penetrate steel plate as well as the 9mm. The .22rim is probably the most widely used calibre in the world for target and sport. The 9mm is probably the most used military handgun cartridge in the world-even the U.S. Army uses it now. However I feel the U.S. Army had very good reasons for choosing the .45ACP in the first place. The .38Special-possibly the favorite choice of law inforcement around the world? How about the Colt.45, the gun that won the West? Or the .44-40 the calibre that probably did more to win the West? The list is long. Any more thoughts.