I am looking into purchasing my next gun. I will likely get one in 40 S&W or 45acp(leaning to a P90DC if I can find one). I have a lot of 40 brass and 45 mostly small pistol(I have separated sp and lp). My question mainly is what are the pros and cons of 45 with small pistol primers? And I will be reloading for what ever I buy. Also any recommendations are welcome on the gun and/or caliber. Thank you
40 S&W or 45 acp
- Thread starter cigargod
- Start date
WESHOOT2
Hunter
Either cartridge is fine.
The small primers 45 cases pose zero issues; load as normal.
The small primers 45 cases pose zero issues; load as normal.
dwayne
Single-Sixer
For me, I'd pick the 45 ACP. With the right loads it has "softer" recoil and it can be very accurate in the right gun. 40 S&W, to me, is snappy. And, I just like big bullets.
LaneP
Single-Sixer
I would go .45
It's a very forgiving pistol round to load for and it's very easy to find accurate load combos right out of the gate without exhausting experimentation.
It's a very forgiving pistol round to load for and it's very easy to find accurate load combos right out of the gate without exhausting experimentation.
Buckhorn150
Bearcat
Hands down 45 acp for me. I have loaded hundreds of 45 with small primers and do not notice any difference between either small primers or large. Just takes some extra time sorting.
If you can handle the recoil, go with the tried and true 45 ACP. I've read that the 40 was initially used because Police agencies had trouble teaching non shooting officers to shoot a 10mm or 45 ACP due to recoil. I own two 45 ACPs and 2, 9mms, but never shot a 40, so my opinions may be skewed, I just don't see much need for something between the 45 and 9. I can reload my 45 ACP from fairly mild to heavy hitters, light bullets and up to 230s...
Small primed 45 ACP cases are generally only a problem when the cases aren't inspected, mainly for progressive press users. Some may dump a bunch of cases in the hopper and when a small primed case gets to the priming station, it'll jam the press, stopping the operation until the "bad" case is removed. Reloading data is the same.
Small primed 45 ACP cases are generally only a problem when the cases aren't inspected, mainly for progressive press users. Some may dump a bunch of cases in the hopper and when a small primed case gets to the priming station, it'll jam the press, stopping the operation until the "bad" case is removed. Reloading data is the same.
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
No suprise that the 45 is getting all the nods but the 40 is nothing to sneeze at and no different to reload for than any other round.
A lot to me would depend on what model of pistol is finally decided on. No caliber is going to matter if you decide you want brand x and it doesnt fit your hands...you wont shoot it well enough to matter if its a 40,45,or a 22.
Im probably one of the few that doesnt care for the 1911 which im sure most that are recommending the 45 are shooting it in. I tried and tried...even had a Colt Gold Cup for a while...never could warm up to them completely. All of my 45's have since gone on down the road and I have stayed with the 40. Been shooting one since they came out and have reloaded quite a few rounds too. I get great results with Blue Dot and Power Pistol.
My go to pistol has been a Sig P229 for about as long as the 40 has been around also. The one I've had since the early 90's was just made for me and my hands. And I cant say this about the 45's I've had , even the Gold Cup , it has not had a single hiccup ever...no ftf , no fte...zero malfunctions! It doesnt matter that its not a 45 when it goes bang every time and 12 rounds as fast as i can pull the trigger at 7-10 yard tagets have all 12 in a circle the size of a baseball to a softball...
A lot to me would depend on what model of pistol is finally decided on. No caliber is going to matter if you decide you want brand x and it doesnt fit your hands...you wont shoot it well enough to matter if its a 40,45,or a 22.
Im probably one of the few that doesnt care for the 1911 which im sure most that are recommending the 45 are shooting it in. I tried and tried...even had a Colt Gold Cup for a while...never could warm up to them completely. All of my 45's have since gone on down the road and I have stayed with the 40. Been shooting one since they came out and have reloaded quite a few rounds too. I get great results with Blue Dot and Power Pistol.
My go to pistol has been a Sig P229 for about as long as the 40 has been around also. The one I've had since the early 90's was just made for me and my hands. And I cant say this about the 45's I've had , even the Gold Cup , it has not had a single hiccup ever...no ftf , no fte...zero malfunctions! It doesnt matter that its not a 45 when it goes bang every time and 12 rounds as fast as i can pull the trigger at 7-10 yard tagets have all 12 in a circle the size of a baseball to a softball...
contender
Ruger Guru
As a long time USPSA shooter, I will say the 40 S&W enjoys a large following & has proven to be an excellent caliber. However, it also seems to be a bit more sensitive to pressures due to seating depths etc. More like a 9mm than the 45 acp.
As such, along with the many other reasons above, I'd give the nod to the 45 acp when all the factors are weighed.
As such, along with the many other reasons above, I'd give the nod to the 45 acp when all the factors are weighed.
