New gun suggestion - 9mm or 45?

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Steve28105

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Hello! Thinking about picking up a new pistol... Currently I have a Glock 44, Glock 19x, Sig p365, and Ruger LCP Max. I'm an occasional shooter (mainly because I don't have invite money). Been considering either getting a Glock 17 or Glock 34 for more serious paper shooting or a 45 acp because why not? Only consideration is the added cost of shooting 45. What are your thoughts, buy into a new caliber or get the 17 / 34 and simply shoot more?
 
I would just stick to 9mm because then multiple guns shoot the same ammo. It's more efficient, especially if you can't afford to keep large stockpiles of both calibers on-hand.

That said, that isn't me saying that 45acp is *bad* because it's not. Just sticking to one caliber (especially the cheaper one of the two) is more cost-effective, and 45acp doesn't really give you enough extra to justify the extra expense when money is an issue.
 
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Gnash.Hyena said:
I would just stick to 9mm because then multiple guns shoot the same ammo. It's more efficient, especially if you can't afford to keep large stockpiles of both calibers on-hand.

That said, that isn't me saying that 45acp is *bad* because it's not. Just sticking to one caliber (especially the cheaper one of the two) is more cost-effective, and 45acp doesn't really give you enough extra to justify the extra expense when money is an issue.
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Thanks for the input! This is definitely the direction I'm leaning towards. With 380 / 9mm / 12 gauge / 556 I feel like I have enough calibers invested in to think about stockpiling something new. Fearful I'd get a 45 and never want to shoot for the cost factor. Kinda like my 380 since I don't really carry...
 
I don't see a practical reason to get a .45 unless you just really want one. Since you have a 19x(excellent pistol)I don't see a real reason to get a 17 unless you just want one. You pretty much have your bases covered, maybe you could take that money and use it to shoot more. I can't emphasize enough the value of shooting more. If you are just itching for a new pistol what do you think about a Glock 34? That might be a good addition to your lineup.
 
Jshrad said:
I don't see a practical reason to get a .45 unless you just really want one. Since you have a 19x(excellent pistol)I don't see a real reason to get a 17 unless you just want one. You pretty much have your bases covered, maybe you could take that money and use it to shoot more. I can't emphasize enough the value of shooting more. If you are just itching for a new pistol what do you think about a Glock 34? That might be a good addition to your lineup.
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Truthfully that is my number one. Mag interchangeability plus just a great target pistol and home defense pistol.
 
Everyone should have a 45. Preferably a 1911, but if that isn’t your thing get it in whatever floats your boat. You also didn’t mention whether you have a 22LR. That’s going in the opposite direction, but you can afford to shoot 22 a little easier than 45 or 9.
 
CZfool68 said:
Everyone should have a 45. Preferably a 1911, but if that isn’t your thing get it in whatever floats your boat. You also didn’t mention whether you have a 22LR. That’s going in the opposite direction, but you can afford to shoot 22 a little easier than 45 or 9.
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I have a Glock 44 which I love. Probably my most shot gun
 
I have two 1911s in .45 because getting them in any other caliber just seems wrong. But they are strictly fun guns, not something I'm going to stockpile ammo for. Maybe this is an opportunity to branch out and try something other than striker fired plastic (nothing against that, I have them too).

Otherwise I agree with the cost/efficiency points behind sticking with 9mm.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
Take the money you’d spend on a 45 pistol and get a case of ammo, a decent holster, and some mag pouches for the 19x. Then go find a USPSA or IDPA match. Or even a local range’s informal match.
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This is kinda my mindset. You have a great stable full of pistols already. A 17 is redundant with a 19x, 45 is fine obviously, but kinda superfluous.

Have you really worked your 9mms hard? Do you have a belt set up for matches and classes? Have you dipped your toes into the competition or defensive classes world?

I'd never poopoo someone's desire to buy a new pistol! But it's also great to invest in yourself and support/kit.
 
CZfool68 said:
Oh, didn’t know that was a 22. I avoid all thing Glock. Although I did sample a few once.

Get a 1911.
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1911 is on my radar as well as an option. Gravitated towards the Glock for the future fun potential of building a 45 AR that takes Glock mags but if I knew I was never going to do that the 1911 would be the way I'd go. I've shot them and love them!
 
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Cole_McD said:
This is kinda my mindset. You have a great stable full of pistols already. A 17 is redundant with a 19x, 45 is fine obviously, but kinda superfluous.

Have you really worked your 9mms hard? Do you have a belt set up for matches and classes? Have you dipped your toes into the competition or defensive classes world?

I'd never poopoo someone's desire to buy a new pistol! But it's also great to invest in yourself and support/kit.
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I do have a couple thousand rounds of 9mm and have put many down range when I was shooting regularly last year. I do confess I need to shoot more though. Classes to come but probably not in the next year due to funds.
 
I would say…..get a 10mm, shoot 40sw (with a barrel swap or not up to you) cheaper than 45, and if you reload you’ll open a whole new world with a 10mm.

not dissing the 45 it’s a fine round but why? High capacity 9 or more power out of the 10mm.

But if you want a 45 go for it, it serve you well.
 
Take a class with what you have or go .45 just to have one. Don't have to stockpile ammo for it, but just something fun to shoot on occasion that's different from all the blocks, uh I mean glocks
 
.45 is a totally different recoil. Have you shot any/many .45acp? Try it before deciding. That said, stock up o. 9mm ammo or another .22. Love me some .22 and are cheap to shoot. Good trainers.

Ruger 1911 is a pretty good value. If you like your glocks, they have a couple good options.
 
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Sp00ks said:
.45 is a totally different recoil. Have you shot any/many .45acp? Try it before deciding. That said, stock up o. 9mm ammo or another .22. Love me some .22 and are cheap to shoot. Good trainers.
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Perhaps a Ruger LCP lite to compliment my Max
 
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Sp00ks said:
.45 is a totally different recoil. Have you shot any/many .45acp? Try it before deciding. That said, stock up o. 9mm ammo or another .22. Love me some .22 and are cheap to shoot. Good trainers.

Ruger 1911 is a pretty good value. If you like your glocks, they have a couple good options.
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I've shot several Rugers and 1911s loved them all - all full size of course.
 
THE PUNISHER said:
I would say…..get a 10mm, shoot 40sw (with a barrel swap or not up to you) cheaper than 45, and if you reload you’ll open a whole new world with a 10mm.

not dissing the 45 it’s a fine round but why? High capacity 9 or more power out of the 10mm.

But if you want a 45 go for it, it serve you well.
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I don’t own a 10mm, but this is a solid idea.
 
I have 3 9mm pistols and 2 45s. I mostly carry the 9s, but 45 is just a great caliber. Of course, one is a 1911 which I love ( and occasionally carry), and the other is a S&W M&P Shield 45 which is a great reasonably priced shooter. I like having alternatives.
 
If you like plastic, but want a 45 the HK 45c is a decent option. And they have different trigger configurations so you can get pretty much what you want.
 
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I thought the 9mm vs. 45ACP debate was mythical...only the stuff of legends and memes. And, yet, here we are.
 
Steve28105 said:
Thanks for the input! This is definitely the direction I'm leaning towards. With 380 / 9mm / 12 gauge / 556 I feel like I have enough calibers invested in to think about stockpiling something new. Fearful I'd get a 45 and never want to shoot for the cost factor. Kinda like my 380 since I don't really carry...
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No problem. :) I second the guys saying take what you would have spent on a new gun, and put that towards training and ammo. Apex Defense Group is doing 20% off courses for 2023 and the rest of 2022, if you sign up for them this week. If you're thinking about Black Friday deals, that's probably your best investment if you haven't done the courses yet.

Even better, Apex sells great ammo at better-than-online-retail pricing to "Pack" members, so the training investment leads to better ammo prices too. :D
 
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Twenty years ago I was reminiscent of 9mm or 38 super, these days I am more .45 acp. That being said, .45 acp in todays market is expensive to shoot. I am down to only two 45's and I never shoot those due to cost of replacement ammunition. I would go with a .22LR. Even the 9mm is freakin outrageous. At .33 to .44 cents a round, I have cut my range visits in half.

From reading some of the post earlier in the thread it would appear you already have a decent collection of calibers. I think you have a good handle on what your plan is. I would say run with what you already know.
 
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