A 45 acp in a quality 1911 will out shoot ANY 40 S&W that I have ever seen. That is why they give you 13 or so rounds in a 9mm or a 40 S&W, you will need them to hit something. Every 40 S&W that I have been arround shoots patterns not groups. I have a Smith & Wesson 1911 Tactical Rail that will shoot one ragged hole, at 25 yards, my buddies Glock 40S&W shoots 3-4" groups at 15 yards. POS in my opinion!