.45 ACP...pistol
 

What is the biggest animal this cartidge could kill?? I am very new to pistols but I am in love with the 1911 look so I am thinking about getting one...what do you guys think or what do you think woul dbe a better first pistol??

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

With the right shot placemnet the 45 ACP would kill about any animal in NA. However this is not really their intended use. It is mainly a short range self defense cartridge and an excellent taget and match caliber. If hunting big game is what you have in mind then the 357 Mag would be my minimum choice and the 44 Mag would be better yet. For self defense and fun shooting though, the 1911 45 ACP is a very good choice.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

I agree with the above, not a very good hunting weapon and most likely not even legal in most places. A lot of states have minimum shell capacity and barrel length regulations.

Paul

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

Agreed. A great antipersonnel piece if that is what you need. Not the best hunter. Petrey10, you did not say what your intended use is. If you are a self trainer on pistol shooting, you *might* want to start out with a .357 magnum loaded with 38 special wadcutters. To be honest, the great M1911 intimidates people both in front of, and behind, the muzzle. Now if you have a decent coach, go for it.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

I want something that is fun to shoot...cheap to buy or reload...and be able to kill a coyote if I happen to run into one while on my 4 wheeler....what do you guys think??

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

The 45 would do that if you can hit him.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

I reckon the 9mm will do the job and ammo is a skosh cheaper. Easier to learn to shoot for the average soldier.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

9mm's are for people thinking about getting real guns later! Just kidding.

Seriously? I love the .45. I would definately recommend the Kimber. They make the best .45 hands down. Kinda pricey, but worth it.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

what would be the range on a coyote shooting the 45 and the 9mm...any difference? is the recoil unbarable on the 45

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

For those purposes a 357 mag would by my choice.

Paul

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

45s are easier to shoot well in heavy all steel guns, like a 1911.
I know in IL, semi autos are not legal for deer, but I think you can use anything for yotes. The deer caliber requirement for deer in IL is at least 30 cal, and 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. I guess you could use a hot 45 round in a 45 revolver made to take moon clips.

I don't think I would want to use a 45 on deer anyway, as a first choice. They still sometimes run after getting whacked by a 44mag.

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

Recoil is a subjective thing. What bothers some may not bother others. My parents used to have a colt 1911 when I was a teenager. I am a little guy, at the time I only weighed around 95 lbs or so. I had no trouble shooting it with two hands. My biggest problem was it was just large for my little hands. When I was older I got a Browning Hi Power and didn't have any trouble shooting +P loads out of it, or my brother in laws glock .40. And I was only about 110 lbs then.

Yet I have met 200 lb men that just can't take it. See if you can rent one first to see how you like it. I shot a 10mm once and didn't care for it all.

Paul

RE: .45 ACP...pistol
 

Ditto on the rental idea. Check around and see if anyone in your area is teaching the NRA Personal Protection course. This is a good, introductory course. Barring that, see what basic courses are available at the nearest range.

A lot of these courses will allow you to handle and shoot several different types of handguns, in several calibers. Having us tell you on the internet what it is like to shoot a given weapon, when you have no basis for comparison is not that helpful. Getting to shoot several yourself gives you much more useful feedback.

And because a post from me would be imcomplete without pimping my website :D, you may want to check out some of the DVDs available on the 1911, as well assome of the training titles available at HuntFlix.com.This title about handgunhunting will address some of the caliber suitability questions you have.



Okay, commercial over! Now a word of caution: Cracking off a shot at a coyote from the seat of your four-wheeler is probably in violation of several hunting and shooting regulations. COs get a little testy about shooting from or upon a vehicle, or while on a roadway!

-- FLIX