Convince me to shoot .45ACP

Sleazy P. Martini

Sleazy P. Martini

With a battle cry, go forth
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I had two .45ACP 1911s for a short period of time, but they've moved onto other owners. They were nice to shoot, but I already own several 10MM 1911s, so they were a bit redundant in my eyes.

I told myself I was going to stick with 9x19 and 10MM for handguns. Nevertheless, I have *a lot* of .45ACP brass (>50 pounds) and a press with .45ACP dies that I'm not using.

My major attraction to .45ACP is shooting suppressed. I can already shoot 9x19 suppressed using my 147 gr. reloads. Still, I think something like an FNX45T would be pretty fun to shoot even if it serves no practical purpose (though, to be fair, my 10MM guns fit in the same boat).

I'm tempted to sell the brass and press for relatively cheap and stick with my current cartridges, but getting into .45ACP also opens me up to things like .45Super down the line.

So, in honor of Friday night, let's start a caliber war. Convince me to get a .45!
 
I shoot 45. It's my favorite because of size and the history of the 45. I wanted 10mm but it's another caliber to feed.
 
Why convince you?

Just buy what you want. If you want to shoot bullseye or bowling pins, .45 is great.

If it’s just to make noise and shoot suppressed, a subsonic cartridge is a subsonic cartridge. You just get fewer with a .45.
 
JRV said:
If it’s just to make noise and shoot suppressed, a subsonic cartridge is a subsonic cartridge. You just get fewer with a .45.
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I feel like my 147 gr. reloads (using Longshot) definitely have slower slide velocity than my 124 gr. (supersonic) reloads do with a suppressor. I feel like a .45 could move the slide with some "oomph" that my 147 9x19s simply can't.

Keep in mind that I already have basically everything I need (except projos) to load ~5,000 rounds of .45. It's not like I'm going in from scratch. I'm experiencing some serious sunk cost fallacy since I already have the brass and press.
 
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I LOVE 45. 1911, 45 revolver, Kriss Vector all in 45 ACP and 2 guns in 45lc and 1 454 casull. I cast my own bullets and .452 can be used in 45ACP, 45LC, and 454 all of which I have and shoot so being able to cast with 1 mold and the bullet can be used in 6 of my firearms is priceless to me. Reloading 45 also makes it so you can get a gentle round that lets you back on target fast while still shooting tight groups at 50 yards with a 1911. You’re welcome to swing by the farm and shoot some of it if you like.
 
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SINNER said:
Reloading 45 also makes it so you can get a gentle round that lets you back on target fast while still shooting tight groups at 50 yards with a 1911. You’re welcome to swing by the farm and shoot some of it if you like.
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The low pressures of the .45 are attractive. I saw an article where someone loaded and shot a piece of .45 brass around 50 times without major issues. The fact it's easy on guns is also nice. I suspect my 10MM 1911s are on borrowed time until they get a frame crack unless I spring the hell out of them.

I've have to take you up on that offer eventually!
 
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I never carry anything in 45 auto but absolutely love handloading the cartridge. It’s just a pleasure to shoot and cost savings to reload it are significant. SPP brass is even better for cost savings. The cartridge is just silly accurate like @JRV notes.

If I didn’t handload 45 auto I’d never shoot it. But having a pile of economical 230 gr loads and a 1911 just never gets old for me, and I’m not a 1911 aficionado.
 
Gaston said:
I had two .45ACP 1911s for a short period of time, but they've moved onto other owners. They were nice to shoot, but I already own several 10MM 1911s, so they were a bit redundant in my eyes.

I told myself I was going to stick with 9x19 and 10MM for handguns. Nevertheless, I have *a lot* of .45ACP brass (>50 pounds) and a press with .45ACP dies that I'm not using.

My major attraction to .45ACP is shooting suppressed. I can already shoot 9x19 suppressed using my 147 gr. reloads. Still, I think something like an FNX45T would be pretty fun to shoot even if it serves no practical purpose (though, to be fair, my 10MM guns fit in the same boat).

I'm tempted to sell the brass and press for relatively cheap and stick with my current cartridges, but getting into .45ACP also opens me up to things like .45Super down the line.

So, in honor of Friday night, let's start a caliber war. Convince me to get a .45!
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Don’t do it…you’ll regret it! Just saying…
 
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Me. said:
Gaston, when you want to play with 45 Super, give me a call.

I probably have around 900 unused cases.


I did a bit of playing a while back.

View attachment 753423


We can head down to Wake Firearms Training range and throw fireballs out of 1911’s.


Although, since you have 10mm, you really don’t need anything more to have a Magnum Auto.
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I would have thought you’d want a slower powder than bullseye or clays for 45 super.
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
I would have thought you’d want a slower powder than bullseye or clays for 45 super.
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Universal Clays isn’t Clays. Clays is lightning fast. Universal is kinda slow. It’s closer to HS6/Accur. No. 5 than Clays and Bullseye.
 
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John Travis said:
So, get a lighter spring.
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Yeah, definitely a good option. My primary suppressor gun is an MR920 and I'm pretty sure Shadow Systems sells lighter springs for suppressor usage.

Well, I think I'm going to hang on to the .45 stuff for now. Still got to decide which .45 to get, but the brass and press will just sit in my attic until then. I'm thinking a Glock 21 since I'll be able to find threaded barrels for a good price and I'm already used to Glocks.
 
Gaston said:
I had two .45ACP 1911s for a short period of time, but they've moved onto other owners. They were nice to shoot, but I already own several 10MM 1911s, so they were a bit redundant in my eyes.

I told myself I was going to stick with 9x19 and 10MM for handguns. Nevertheless, I have *a lot* of .45ACP brass (>50 pounds) and a press with .45ACP dies that I'm not using.

My major attraction to .45ACP is shooting suppressed. I can already shoot 9x19 suppressed using my 147 gr. reloads. Still, I think something like an FNX45T would be pretty fun to shoot even if it serves no practical purpose (though, to be fair, my 10MM guns fit in the same boat).

I'm tempted to sell the brass and press for relatively cheap and stick with my current cartridges, but getting into .45ACP also opens me up to things like .45Super down the line.

So, in honor of Friday night, let's start a caliber war. Convince me to get a .45!
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You just convinced yourself, you do not need our help. :) BTW, plenty of G21 police trades available.
 
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I was doing some research into .45 suppressors and came across this video:

I know I'm fickle as hell, but the brass and press may be popping up in BST soon. Don't hate me. 🫣
 
Choose 45ACP if you prefer heavy, lower capacity, & more expensive options. If your wallet bulges so that you're walking funny, a 45 ACP handgun on the other hip will balance you up.
 
Difference in Stopping Power is waaaaay down near the bottom of my list of considerations on this topic. Not gonna argue if it is or isn't more powerful. I just don't care.
 
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