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Excaliber wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

Excaliber wrote:

carlson1 wrote:

WildBill wrote:I realize I am late to this post, but the caliber argument for me hasn't been much of a decision for me.
I am not sure exactly why, but I have never been able to shoot a .45 ACP as accurately as I would like.
That is why I have carried .38 Spec +P and 9 mm.

Truth is we all have something we can't shoot as well. I shoot the .356 Sig fine, but not the .40. I like .45 and revolvers.

I don't direct this at anyone because I was this way when I left LE for years. I thought I had to carry two guns and back up mags for both and a revolver on my ankle to go to Kroger's and get milk. I realize bad things can happen anywhere, but I finally "matured" out some I guess because I try real hard not to go to places I need to take my gun safe to.

That pretty much describes exactly how I "evolved" and arrived at my current carry practices too.

Me too. It must be an old COP thing.

Chas.

Or it could just be the fact that great minds think alike!

I am just grateful to just be in the mix of great company.

WildBill wrote:I realize I am late to this post, but the caliber argument for me hasn't been much of a decision for me.
I am not sure exactly why, but I have never been able to shoot a .45 ACP as accurately as I would like.
That is why I have carried .38 Spec +P and 9 mm.

Truth is we all have something we can't shoot as well. I shoot the .356 Sig fine, but not the .40. I like .45 and revolvers.

I don't direct this at anyone because I was this way when I left LE for years. I thought I had to carry two guns and back up mags for both and a revolver on my ankle to go to Kroger's and get milk. I realize bad things can happen anywhere, but I finally "matured" out some I guess because I try real hard not to go to places I need to take my gun safe to.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:I have a digital food scale to use for weighing guns and related gear. Here are some weights that you may (or may not) find interesting. All weights are in ounces for a fully loaded handgun.

• Gov't Model 1911 .45ACP (8rd mag. +1): 45.39 oz.
  Stainless Commander 1911 .45ACP (8rd mag. +1): 43.28 oz.
  Light weight Commander 1911 .45ACP (8rd mag. +1): 36.79 oz
  Officer's Model 1911 (all steel) .45ACP (7rd mag. +1): 39.43 oz.
  Kimber Untra Carry 1911 (3" barrel) .45ACP (7rd mag. +1) 30.33 oz.
  CZ75 Compact PCR (aluminum frame) 9mm (14rd mag. +1): 33.72 oz.
  
  8rd .45ACP mag with 230 gr. JHP: 8.28oz.

Just to show how chasing the lighter weight gun can exalt form over substance, the weight difference between a Gov't (5") model and a lightweight Commander is just slightly over the weight of a loaded 8rd mag.

Chas.

Well I went an ordered a Comp Tac for my government model. I didn't realize there was such little difference in the weight of the commander and the government model. That said my commander has a bobtail and it is easy to conceal and feels better on my palm. I am taking a 1911class Friday and I will see how well the government model works out.

WTR wrote:I was also told in the early 70s by the head of the local PDs "TACTICAL TEAM"....now SWAT that he did not recommend the High Power I carried in 9mm even with the superior capacity.. He said that a 9 will eventually kill a perp, but a .45 thumps them and puts them on their backside and he can go on to a different perp if need be. The gang task force guys I knew all to a man carried some variation of the 1911 in .45 ACP.......same reasoning.

When I entered UC Narctotics is when I went with the 1911 because our Sergeant said, "carry what you want to." Way back then it was obvious to me if I was going to stop someone on PCP with a handgun I had a better chance with a .45 than the 9mm. There were no 10mm and .357 Sig in those days.

rentz wrote:I've been debating a 45 for carry but most of them tend to be too bulky for my liking
My Hk45c would likely be my top choice for 45 carry out of what I have now due to its weight savings over 1911
But the new shield 45 has me thinking things over again because I shoot my shield 9 better than any other carry gun I own

I went back to a Commander months ago, but I recently got the Shield .45. I have not changed anything on it, field stripped it, added a little gun butter to it, and began shooting. It is a great shooter and it is not much bigger in size than the Shield 9mm.

Thanks for the posting Mr. Cotton. As you and I have talked about recently that is the very reason I went back to my 1911. I had these two thoughts.
1. I am not responding to dangerous situations anymore.
2. All guns run out of ammo sometime so just carry extra magazines.

Recently I competed in a match (it has been many years since I have) and I used my 1911. It was funny because on one of the sets the instructor said about one of the hits, "this counts because the hole is larger and if you were using a 9mm it would have not counted." I know it was just a paper target, but I have to admit I like the bigger holes in paper.