Posted: 10/15/2009 2:30:20 AM EDT
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Recently I have been looking at a bunch of different handguns.
My EDC is a Kahr P9 and I am very happy with that. I am planning on buying a full size/tactical 9mm in the near future for a Range/SHTF gun. I was also thinking a 45 acp, but my father in law doesnt think I will like one. He thinks because I have had 9mm so long and practice with that. He says the recoil is too much as a range gun and gets too expensive also. Anyone else run into this situation. |
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If we're talking about a full-size .45, the recoil will not be too much for you at all. Have you shot a 1911 or a HK USP45 or a SIG P220 or a Glock 21? I don't think any of these will have recoil that will bother you at all. However, .45 is more expensive to shoot. So, from the cost perspective, that's a choice you'll have to make.
Regarding a full-size 9mm that would be a good range/shtf gun: Glock 17 Beretta 92fs Browning Hi Power SIG P226 S&W M&P9 HK USP9 Springfield XD9 or XDm9 Any of these would be great choices. Have you shot any of these? Handled them? Sounds like you need a trip to the range to try some of these out. |
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your FIL is wrong.
.45acp is not much heavier recoiling than 9mm. The 1911 zombies will tell you that it has no recoil, but that is a different topic all together. In my experience, it is more "push" less "snap". But, unless you are going the 1911 route, 9mm offers you a lot more options and higher capacity. Take a look at FN. The FNP-9 is a really nice gun, but there is also the FNP-45 which is a real beast. I think it is 16+1 rounds of .45acp. Outside of that, I like S&W M&P for polymer guns and for steel-framed I like the BHP, CZ-75, and Beretta 92f |
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Glad someone said to also look at the CZ-75. To me it is one of the nicest feeling guns in my hand that I own. If you are going to stay with 9mm I would at least take a look at one.
Sorry, but I wouldn't listen to my Father in Law on his suggestion of staying away from the .45. Find someone that has one and go buy yourself a box of ammo and bang away....I hate to say this but more than likely you will be impressed. .45's have a stigma that is rightly earned. You'll probably find a new love...the mighty 45.:) My carry is a PM45 and the recoil is nothing to worry about. So.....go try one and then join the 45 lovers club. 
WW |
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You can't go wrong with:
HK FN Sig Glock XD Since its going to be a "range" gun I'd say get either an HK or Glock in 9mm as they both have 31(HK) and 33(Glock) round magazines available. Plus, if you get an HK USP 9mm Tactical you can put a suppressor on her as well
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Quoted:
.45acp is not much heavier recoiling than 9mm. The 1911 zombies will tell you that it has no recoil, but that is a different topic all together. In my experience, it is more "push" less "snap". lol 1911 zombie, to the OP, get a full-sized 1911 in .45acp. i believe that everyone should own at least one. after that, buy another 9mm. |
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I am actually a big fan of the 'full size/tactical' handgun. I own an H&K USP Expert and a Sig X5 Tactical in 9mm. They are both big handguns with long barrels and long sight radii. Negligible recoil, excellent accuracy, and high capacity. The downside is that they tend to be pricey. If I were on a budget, I'd probably look for one of the older Springfield XD Tacticals in 9mm, which can be found for about $600.
USP Expert 
X5 Tactical 
Another reason Tactical Sized 9mms are so much fun: 
Edit: Should also mention that a 1911 in .45 ACP is just about the most perfect iteration of handgun ever devised by mortals. My cranky pregnant wife and my 8 year old niece can both load and shoot a 1911 with little difficulty. .45 ACP is a low pressure round. Feels like a big, slow push instead of a snappy recoil. Very easy to shoot and very controllable. About the only reason I could see to stick with just the 9mm for everything is commonality of ammo. Costs a bit more to feed a .45, although not much. |
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The only downside to a .45ACP range toy is ammo is expensive unless you reload. If you do reload and really want a .45, go for it (I'd suggest a 1911 in your case). Other wise I'd say stick with the 9mm.
In 9mm, H&K USP Expert or a Sig X5 would be really nice. A S&W 952 would be nice too but not exactly "tactical". All those guns are really expensive and if you really want to break the bank, trying finding a Sig P210. On a more modest budget, I'd look at the Glock G34 or S&W M&P9 Pro or maybe an XD9 Tactical? |
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Quoted:
If we're talking about a full-size .45, the recoil will not be too much for you at all. Have you shot a 1911 or a HK USP45 or a SIG P220 or a Glock 21? I don't think any of these will have recoil that will bother you at all. However, .45 is more expensive to shoot. So, from the cost perspective, that's a choice you'll have to make. Regarding a full-size 9mm that would be a good range/shtf gun: Glock 17 Beretta 92fs Browning Hi Power SIG P226 S&W M&P9 HK USP9 Springfield XD9 or XDm9 Any of these would be great choices. Have you shot any of these? Handled them? Sounds like you need a trip to the range to try some of these out. This is a very good list. 
I love .45 acp but it is a bit pricey and difficult to find at the moment. At least in my area. |
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Quoted:
If we're talking about a full-size .45, the recoil will not be too much for you at all. Have you shot a 1911 or a HK USP45 or a SIG P220 or a Glock 21? I don't think any of these will have recoil that will bother you at all. However, .45 is more expensive to shoot. So, from the cost perspective, that's a choice you'll have to make. Regarding a full-size 9mm that would be a good range/shtf gun: Glock 17 Beretta 92fs Browning Hi Power SIG P226 S&W M&P9 HK USP9 Springfield XD9 or XDm9 Any of these would be great choices. Have you shot any of these? Handled them? Sounds like you need a trip to the range to try some of these out. +1 This right here covers most of them. Also the CZ75 and variants thereof. I prefer the M&P 9, as I can shoot it well and conceal it well. You'll have to go with what you like best, which means: yes, you will have to shoot them all. You've got lots of guns to shoot, so get to it! Oh, forgot the FN. And i tend to agree about the .45: not the recoil, so much as the price. You'll be able to practice a lot more with a 9. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
.45acp is not much heavier recoiling than 9mm. The 1911 zombies will tell you that it has no recoil, but that is a different topic all together. In my experience, it is more "push" less "snap". lol 1911 zombie, to the OP, get a full-sized 1911 in .45acp. i believe that everyone should own at least one. after that, buy another 9mm. 1911's are nice but there are plenty of guns that perform just as well that don't cost near as much. I have a Kimber Pro Raptor II and even though I like it if I could find someone to give me a decent price for it I would sell it and get 2 G21's as I have big hands and they fit me better which would allow me to have a backup gun. 2 is one 1 is none. I'd go Glock 17/19 if it is comfortable as parts are available and cheap otherwise Springfield XD9 or S&W M&P9 Pro. I have an HK P2000 and even though I like it I just don't shoot it much as it is just too different from the Glocks I carry for me to remain proficient with them if I shoot the HK too much. Plus with the LEM trigger I find myself hitting to the left with it until I moved the sight over. I have since moved it back as I believe it is my shooting technique with this gun and the LEM that makes me hit left even though I don't with any other gun I own. |
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I went with a 9mm XDm for a full size and when I wnet shopping for my edc, since they haven't graced us with the XDm compact yet, I have had to go with the xdsc 9mm that is an absolute blast to shoot.
If I was able to do so though, I'd go Sig X5 all the way. Great guns, no comparison almost to anything else I've shot in it's class. If you want polymer though, the Springfield custom shop has come out with a new XDm custom that is very very nice too. You shouldn't go wrong with any of them. Daniel |
| I'd also look at 4 inch barrelled 9's. I've got a Sig 225, 2022, CZ-75 compact, and G19. They are almost as accurate from a range gun standpoint, and good for concealed use in a pinch. I've also got a browning HP, nice. I own a SA XD, but it's in .45. Also a nice gun. .45 does recoil a bit more, I find it harder to shoot quickly, but am only slightly slower with my .45's on follow up shots. I find that the shorter lenght of barrel and slide actually generates less felt recoil for me in 9mm than 5 inch barrelled guns like my HP or the 92's I've owned in the past. I attribute the percieved difference due to the fact that you have less mass recoiling along the axis of your grip. This may just be my perception, but it's been pretty consistent for me across 9mm, .40 and .45 cal handguns. |
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Quoted:
I am actually a big fan of the 'full size/tactical' handgun. I own an H&K USP Expert and a Sig X5 Tactical in 9mm. They are both big handguns with long barrels and long sight radii. Negligible recoil, excellent accuracy, and high capacity. The downside is that they tend to be pricey. If I were on a budget, I'd probably look for one of the older Springfield XD Tacticals in 9mm, which can be found for about $600. USP Expert http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/hkpistols/usppairb.jpg X5 Tactical http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/x5sale/x5e.jpg Another reason Tactical Sized 9mms are so much fun: http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/x5sale/x5c.jpg Edit: Should also mention that a 1911 in .45 ACP is just about the most perfect iteration of handgun ever devised by mortals. My cranky pregnant wife and my 8 year old niece can both load and shoot a 1911 with little difficulty. .45 ACP is a low pressure round. Feels like a big, slow push instead of a snappy recoil. Very easy to shoot and very controllable. About the only reason I could see to stick with just the 9mm for everything is commonality of ammo. Costs a bit more to feed a .45, although not much. Don't want to hijack and don't want to start a shit storm here... There is apparently still disagreement as to whether or not pregnant women should shoot. I've seen credible info that says, aside from the lead exposure, that the noise is NOT good for the baby. You may or may not have already looked into this and made your personal decision...I just want to make you aware of it in case you haven't. It is something I would recommend you look into. When my wife was pregnant we decided that it was best that she give up shooting. Better to err on the side of caution in these matters in my opinion. Not all shooters agree with my conclusion, YMMV. |
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First of all, if you are with child, you should not be shooting. I did a lot of reading on the subject and feel that it is best to give shooting for the 9 months and not risk and issues with your child.
now that I have covered that issue I have my .02 for the OP. The 45 and the 9mm are not that different in shooting. I would say my .40sw are actually harder to control than any of my 9mm's or 45's. If you are looking for a .45acp you should really look at 1911s or a Sig P220 If you want a 9mm the G17 is hard to beat. I have a lot of rounds through mine and I have to say I have never had a problem with it. my duty weapon is a G22 but I can actually shot my G17 a lot better. good luck, happy shooting, AP |