What would change?

[Hstanton1]

What would change for you if the price and availability of 9mm and .45 suddenly flip flopped? If you carry 9mm and don’t reload your own ammunition, would you switch to .45 for the increased availability of both practice and carry/duty use ammunition? Or would the capacity and shooting benefits (really just lower recoil/wear and tear) of the 9mm make the extra cost worth it to you?

I guess the whole question is long hand for: do ammo price and availability outweigh the shooting characteristics of the round itself?

[Cookie Monster]

I'd stick with 9, though I mostly carrying .380 now.

You do you.

[Velo Dog]

What would change for you if the price and availability of 9mm and .45 suddenly flip flopped?

If you're asking if I would choose a 1911 chambered in .30 Super Carry over one in .45 ACP, the answer is no.

[theJanitor]

I'm guessing this question doesn't apply to 45 users like me :cool:

[Velo Dog]

If you're asking if I would choose a 1911 chambered in .30 Super Carry over one in .45 ACP, the answer is no.

Of course, it is difficult to find a SIG P365 chambered in .45 Auto

[Hstanton1]

I'm guessing this question doesn't apply to 45 users like me :cool:

It still applies, would anything about your live fire regimen change?

I suppose it really only doesn’t apply if you load your own ammunition. Even then, as far as I know 9mm brass is cheaper than .45 brass if only by a little bit.

[Hstanton1]

Of course, it is difficult to find a SIG P365 chambered in .45 Auto

Now that sounds like it would not be a fun gun to shoot.

[YVK]

I guess the whole question is long hand for: do ammo price and availability outweigh the shooting characteristics of the round itself?

Shooting characteristics?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3hM8aURZRA


This is a 195 power factor out of a 1911. Intended to be Bill Drills except I apparently can't count when I shoot 45ACP. So I shot 5 rounds each time ;). There was one close C on that IPSC A zone between two runs, with time +/- 0.05 around two seconds.


I would most definitely shoot whatever centerfire caliber was more affordable, 9, 45, or 40. The only difference would be the attention to my elbows' health.

[Hstanton1]

Shooting characteristics?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3hM8aURZRA


This is a 195 power factor out of a 1911. Intended to be Bill Drills except I apparently can't count when I shoot 45ACP. So I shot 5 rounds each time ;). There was one close C on that IPSC A zone between two runs, with time +/- 0.05 around two seconds.


I would most definitely shoot whatever centerfire caliber was more affordable, 9, 45, or 40. The only difference would be the attention to my elbows' health.
Oh I certainly never meant to imply that you can’t shoot very well with a .45, but it just takes less mental and physical effort to shoot as well with 9mm.

But I agree, I’d shoot whatever was cheapest too. If that was .45 it would make getting into a nice 1911 that much easier!

[JAH 3rd]

Just shoot whatever caliber handgun you shoot best. Hits on the target is what we want. With the issues of ammo cost/availability, I'm sure some folks are either shooting less frequently or the same frequency but with less rounds shot per outing. I like to have a baseline of ammo on hand, then restocking after an outing at the range.

I did branch out to a Glock 20, 10mm, just to have an additional caliber available. I did this about a year or so ago. Gotta have options!

[YVK]

]
But I agree, I’d shoot whatever was cheapest too. If that was .45 it would make getting into a nice 1911 that much easier!

The biggest concern for me would've been competition. The 45 pretty much means Single Stack and I am not made for a long-term relationship with low-cap divisions. Probably would have to find a way to shoot 45 in the Limited.

[echo5charlie]

Probably.

A G21 Gen3 (followed closely by the SF variant) fits my hand the absolute best.

[revchuck38]

My PX4s in 9x19 are my favorite autoloaders to carry...narrowly edging out my M&P45s. Going to .45 ACP would generate zero heartburn on my part.

[Robinson]

I've gone away from a 5" Government Model for carry to a Commander, and I like 9mm in a Commander. But my bedside gun is a light-equipped Government Model 45. So I use and practice with both 9mm and 45 regularly. The scenario described in the OP probably wouldn't change that.

[psalms144.1]

I reload both calibers, so price isn't an issue. Even if it were, price would NEVER drive my caliber choice. Maybe is .45 ACP was the only ammo available on the market I'd look for options in .45, but that's a very unlikely scenario.

With the developing arthritis in my hands and wrists, I've pretty much shelved the .45 for any purpose at this point, and am focusing exclusively on the 9mm.

[Vista461]

Well I’d shoot my 45 Shield more, and I’d also use it as an excuse to finally get a 1911. :D