I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, but...
Referencing post #7, I can only ask one thing?
At one time in your life did a .45ACP cartridge break into your home and slap you around before pouring sugar in your car's gas tank?:bier:
I recently switched from a 1911 to a HK 9mm, while the .45 is not for all, I think you're blowing things out of proportion,
...yet another .45 ACP pistol that bucks and snorts, offers reduced round capacity, pounds the hand, creates a flinch, yet it has not been proven any more capable of a defensive round in any objective measure of what a defensive pistol round is supposed to do.
Bucking and snorting? is this a bull were taling about? I've seen people shoot a .45 just as fast as a 9mm and just as accurate, it's all in how you train, likewise regarding causing the flinch, if you shoot it alot there is no flinch, that's why I liked the heavier 1911 for the round as opposed to lighter .45s like the HK USP, G21, even the Sig P220.
While it's not for everyone, I don't think talking about it like it's a monster coming to eat your kids is exactly on the level...
As for the Military issue, they either need to switch to 9mm JHP or back to .45ACP, lets face it, while we all know that handguns are poor stoppers, a 9mm FMJ round just won't cut it. If anyone here feels the 9mm FMJ is that great of a round, I'd like to ask you to remove the JHPs from you're mag and load up with full metal jacketed cartridges.
The .45 is going to be around for ever, as is the 9mm. As for the gun rags, that's an easy one, they are biased and don't care, they are going to write what sells.
You can't argue the history of the .45, it's been around for A LONG TIME and it's done it's job quite well.
IMHO there are three types of people that carry .45s:
1: People that are experienced with all calibers and just like the .45 and/or like the 1911 better than the other offerings.
2: People just starting out in firearms that buy the .45.
2a. Some people will realize it may be too much gun for them and trade it away.
2b. Some will shoot more, seek training, and learn to shoot it properly (slaying that evil, snorting, flinch causing beast)
3: People that are just flat out stupid and atually beileve that caliber means more than shot placement (re: any retard that udders the words: You shoot them in the arm and they're going to fly all the way to the moon etc. etc.)
Another reason is that the 1911 is nearing it's 100th year. There is going to be a lot of articels in 2011, just like when the 30-'06 turned 100 in 2006.
Are we going to knock the 30-'06 becuase it holds less ammo than a .223/5.56? Or becuase it has more "shoulder beating gonna' put you in a sling for a month
recoil? I think not.
Think of all the calibers that have fallen to the wayside (for the most part) .38 Super, 10mm, .45GAP (fading fast) .357SIG(wait and see).
The three constants I see today are the .45ACP, the .40S&W (10mm Retarded) and the 9mm (bet you thought I was going to say .380 Long :hand5
The 9mm is good becuase it does offer less recoil and more rounds, but if it's sooooo good, why are so many agencies using guns chambered in .40? If the .40 is so good why is it not being considered for the Military? Why is the .45 still being used by MOST *note I said most* special operations communiteis?
I don't think so much that the .45 is more popular per say, but I do think it's more.....reveared? Or more likely held in lore. As OK Shooter pointed out there is more 9mm produced in the US, but I have to wonder how much of that is under Military Contract.
On the whole I would probably guess that each of the main calibers is eually popular in certain crowds, and that no one caliber is more popular than another.
IE. The .45 caliber is more popular in the older Military veteran crowd, while most younger veterans prefer the 9mm.
Most LEOs I know like their .40s but would rather have a 9mm or .45.
Most die-hard revolver guys prefer the .357MAG.
And then you have the CCW community as a whole, I'm pretty sure in my lurking here that I spied a poll as to what (caliber) every one carries, I'm pretty sure that the 9mm and the .45 were just about equal with the .40 close behind.
There are different tools for different people, which is a good thing, just think how boring it would be if all we had were .38s:image035: