Shot a .45 for the first time.

[Grumpa72]

Imo, to be able to accurately compare how two different calibers feel when shooting, one must use similar guns. For instance, my Sig P226 in 9mm and my P220 in .45 acp share the same size frame. They do feel different with the 9mm having less perceived recoil than the .45 acp. Just my two cents.

[mrnyman]

Actually very few .45's operate in the 21.000 cup range, most are 15,000-19000.

I like the recoil of the .45 above all handgun ammo, very smooth and accurate.

[thejeanmachine16]

The first time I shot a .45 I was completely taken back.....

I thought it was supposed to be this hand cannon than no newbie was ever allowed to shoot

[Mpurcell]

.45 is the way to go.

[Bruce]

Actually very few .45's operate in the 21.000 cup range, most are 15,000-19000. [...]

If you're talking about ('factory') .45 Auto (or ACP) ammunition (and not the firearm itself), then you're absolutely right here.

As I previously posted in this thread: if you are shooting 'standard' commercial 'factory' ammo - chances are very good that the 'standard' commercial 'factory' ammo is generating no wheres near the SAAMI maximum rated pressure (which is 21,000 psi, for .45 ACP) in the chamber.

However, all .45 ACP firearms can/will safely 'operate' with ammunition generating chamber pressures up to 21,000 psi. Unless, of course, the pistol is "broken" (worn out, overly fatigued, 'gots some serious problems').

Some "+P" rated ammo 'may' exceed SAAMI (which is, again, as I posted previously, basically - the accepted 'industry standard') maximum chamber pressures.

The higher the chamber pressure of your ammunition - the faster you will wear/fatigue the firearm. Constantly using exceedingly high pressure ammunition (ie: some certain "+P" or "+P+" ammunition, and/or 'very hot' handloads) may lead to a catastrophic (potentially dangerous) malfunction (ie: 'rapid disassembly' - or, more simply put: your gun may 'blow up').

If regular, routine maintenance and proper cleaning/lubricating is preformed, most any high quality .45 ACP (and even most 'average' quality ones) will last (seemingly) 'forever', needing only minor repairs and 'gunsmith' adjustments over very looong years (lifetimes, in fact).

Heck, there are a good number 1911 .45 ACPs that made it through a frikkin' war (WWI, WWII, the Korean War, et cetera) that are still out there and that still shoot just fine.

However, a steady diet of high pressure ammunition (such as 23,100 psi or higher) will shorten the "lifespan" of your .45 Auto dramatically.
.

[WVBob]

The .45 ACP got the cannon rep when most people were shooting .32 and .38 S&W or black powder 90 years ago. It's not as bad as people think. As said, it does have a lot of "Push" but not the snap of others. It's a much softer shoot than a 10MM or .40 S&W.

[625]

S&W 625 is one of the sweetest guns to fire the beloved .45 ACP. It's what turned me into a proud gun nut.

[CHEMICAL]

.45 is definitely a pretty mild round. It operates at pressure less than 9mm. 21,000 psi compared to about 34,000 psi. A lot of people are thrown off by how mild it is to shoot.

My girlfriend can handle my S&W 457 (.45) but won't touch any of my .40s (considered by many the harshest of the three)

and then you have the .357 Sig!..

[Spishack357]

I've heard the .45 can't even break skin past 20 yards, no wonder its recoil is a kitten...

[625]

I've heard the .45 can't even break skin past 20 yards, no wonder its recoil is a kitten...

In fact, Rep. Eric Massa and his "pals" shoot each other with this caliber during their tickle fights.