9mm, .40, or .45 from 3.25"....and why?

[Bscman]

Just wondering what you would choose, and your reasoning why.

Consider usage as 80% plinking/casual target shooting, 20% personal defense.
It won't be a CCW pistol, but more of a night-stand/backpacking/back-country fishing sidearm.

The pistol in question has the same overall dimensions, the same 3.25" barrel, and similar weight.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the .45acp.

[DOUBLELUNG]

If it's not for CCW, strongly recommend .45ACP in a longer barrel length.  I have a 3" barrel AMT backup in .45ACP, great CCW weapon but BRUTAL to shoot.  You won't shoot a 3" barrel .45 for casual plinking and fun.  I also have a Colt M1911A1 with a 5" barrel, it is a joy to shoot.  That said, if you can put a box of ammo (50 rounds) through the 3.25" barrel .45, and still want to plink with it - go for it!  I have the little .45 for hot weather, shorts and t-shirt concealment, plus it is very smooth and unlikely to hang up on clothing.  It has NO other advantage over the 5", and if I had to, it is one of the first firearms I'd sell in a pinch.

I also have a Beretta M92 in 9mm.  Both the 9mm, and the .45, you can find mil surplus ball ammo fairly cheaply for plinking.  For that reason, I'll set aside the .40 - though I've shot them, and they have respectable ballistics and power, they have nothing over the .45.  Hi-cap 9mm are fun to shoot, but for the other 20% purpose - and the most important - it's a bit light. 

[jeff100]

Hmm.  If I wanted a lightweight pistol for backpacking, I'd find a lightweight compact aluminum framed 9mm.  Another great choice for backpacking IMO would be a Bersa Thunder in .380.  It's a Walther PPK clone, and many people I know and respect think it's as good or better than the Walther.  Better in the sense of price I believe.  But it's a very well made gun. 

For personal protection & CCW, I like something with more power than a 9mm, although I'm not discounting the 9mm as a defensive caliber.  I carry concealed a LOT and I prefer the .40 S&W caliber for personal defense.  My most often carried carry weapon is a CZ75 Compact in .40 caliber.  The CZ75 Compact in 9mm is a very nice weapon and much smaller than the CZ75 Compact in .40 caliber, I highly recommend the CZ75 Compact in 9mm for your compact carry gun and a backpack gun.  The CZ pistols are also a great value for the money as well, but don't let that make you think they're not a well made firearm, they are one of the best on the market worldwide. 

Why are you leaning towards the .45 cal for a 'plinking' firearm?  A 9mm will be cheaper to shoot, which means you can shoot more, which means you'll eventually get better at shooting.  Nothing against .45's.  It's just that lead is getting expensive, and .45's shoot HEAVY bullets...for plinking/target shooting I agree with the other poster that a longer barrel is going to be easier to shoot and easier to shoot accurately.  A Taurus PT92 in 9mm would be a good choice.  I assume you're not interested in wheel guns, or I'd recommend a Ruger Blackhawk in .357/.38 (in stainless) or a Ruger GP100 in .357/.38 special (also in stainless).  Speaking of revolvers, another one of my favorite carry guns is a Taurus 605 (2" bbl) in .357 magnum.  In stainless of course.  It's a handful with magnum loads but fairly pleasant with .38 special loads.  I carry and train with the magnum loads and it's very accurate handgun, a lot of power in a very compact package makes for a great city gun.

Lastly, I would advise buying a handgun in stainless steel for ease of maintenance.  That doesn't mean no maintenance, it just doesn't require as much maintenance as a blued handgun takes.

Oh, I forgot the nightstand.  My nightstand weapon actually leans against the wall alongside the nightstand.  It's a Remington 870 pump shotgun with 16" barrel, loaded with 2 -#6 loads followed with 2 - #00 buckshot in the magazine and four more in a ammo carrier on the buttstock.  Why?  If I shoot and miss (not likely, but possible) the #6 loads won't go through my walls and through my neighbor's walls possibly tragically wounding or killing someone unintended.  If the #6 loads aren't effective against the perp, the heavy artillery (buckshot) is backup.  The possibility of a shot going through walls also must be considered with handguns as well.  I highly recommend you consider a frangible bullet if you choose a handgun for your nightstand.  Most quality hollowpoint bullets are somewhat frangible....

Good luck with your search for the perfect weapon....Jeff

[300rum]

If it is a house gun i would lean towards the smaller caliber, for our house anyway, because my wife doesn't like shooting bigger calibers and I want her to be comfortable more than me with the house gun.  Actually, for our house gun it is a .38 with semi-wadcutters but you didn't mention the .38 as a choice.  So if the wife needs it I am going with something she is more comfortable with.

When carrying, it is either a .38 in the summer and occasionally the .45, always the .45 in the woods.  the .38 is just more comfortable at the mall and I have two kids I am always trying to keep up with.  In the truck, and camp trailer the .40 sits.

If I could only have one, I would go with the .38 because I want my wife to be able to use it more than me.

[Bofire]

45, say expanding ammo gets really hard to get, a 45 is more effective with hardball than the other two. and a century of proof it works.
I don't find it harder to shoot than 9 or 40. stainless Kimber pro carry II 4 inch is my prefered.
Carl

[PA BEN]

44 mag. mountain gun. Good all around gun.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmoke/0612/

[demontang]

I would go with 45acp, I have been carrying a kimber ultra carry and barely know its there. It shot well for a short barrel, has great stopping power and ammo isn't that bad. For a home defence weapon a 45 is hard to bet, the studies show that they penetrate less though walls then a 9mm due to the bigger bullet going slower and even if you hit some one in the arm its probably going to put them to the floor. As for a backpack gun I would go 45 again it has the power to stop anything around here, I use to carry an 9mm but have switched to a 45acp or 44mag. My wife is little woman at 5'3" and maybe 120 can shoot the 45 kimber just fine but likes my full size 9mm because it fits her hands better. The ultra carry I have is actually my mothers extra carry piece.  

[Bscman]

I've been through an L.E. academy and a CCW course, and have passed quals for nat'l parks LE rangers, WSPRC, WSP, Sheriffs, etc. I'm a proficient shot (though I can obviously still improve). This isn't my first handgun by any means.

I have a 9mm, 9x18, .357 and 40, the .45 would be something different.

As for cost = not an issue.
I reload for every caliber I own (except 9mm and rimfires). Looks like I can load hard-cast for ~$7 per box, and $12-14 for jacketed.

Overall, I'm still leaning .45acp...but may try a few 4" and 5" models.
Thanks, and keep 'em coming.

[thinkingman]

First, if it's not for CCW, what's the point of a 3.25" barrel?
You lose velocity, accuracy, and recoil control by going with the short barrel.
No benefit that I can see.
Second, unless you are looking at a double stack, why not revolver?
I have 1911's, Kahr PM9, and when in the woods, carry a revolver.
Simple, effective, and mine is titanium, so it's light and weatherproof.
I like 45ACP alot...soft shooting and effective.
I like 9mm too, soft shooting and effective.
If I reloaded for 40SW, I might like it by loading it down to reduce recoil.
HTH.

[Gobble]

I would go with the .45. It makes a huge hole in someone. Is slow enough to do great damage, and is also slow enough that it won't go through too many walls if you had to shoot in a house with kids or other people.

[CP]

You need a few, not just one: 

plinking/casual target shooting - .22 Auto
Personal defense – 9mm or .40 cal
night-stand   -  12 gauge with #4 buckshot
backpacking/back-country fishing sidearm - .357 mag
Hunting sidearm - .357 or .44 mag with a 4” barrel (so it’s legal to shoot BG)

[Bscman]

You need a few, not just one: 

plinking/casual target shooting - .22 Auto Got it-Ruger MKIII
Personal defense – 9mm or .40 cal Got it, XD40 Service
night-stand   -  12 gauge with #4 buckshot Got it, 870 Police Mag
backpacking/back-country fishing sidearm - .357 mag Got it, Ruger Security Six
Hunting sidearm - .357 or .44 mag with a 4” barrel (so it’s legal to shoot BG) Got it, see above

Looking for something smaller and lighter to take up less space.
Yes, It would be double stack 10-11rnds.

Pretty much set on a .45 in a compact frame. Just needed to hear the idea from a few others.
Thanks fellas!

[jeff100]

You're last post is a long way from your original question IMO.  The more you write, the less I understand what you're really trying to accomplish.  The first thing I thought when I read your original post was, there's no such gun that fits your criteria, whatever you choose would be a compromise.  I figured maybe you could only afford one gun.  OK.  Then I find out you already have all these other guns.  What the hell???

So...what is it that you're intending to use this weapon for?  Is it for protection from bad guys on the trail?  Or is it for the possible run in with a hungry bear?

If it's the latter, I would NOT choose a .45.  I carry a Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag (4" barrel) or my Ruger Blackhawk in .44 mag (4-5/8" barrel) for possible bear encounters when I'm hunting varmints by using distress calls.  In fact those two revolvers are my carry gun in the back country, period.  In my opinion, a .45 ACP doesn't have enough velocity to discourage a bear that's truly intent on dining on you.  Course, if you wait until it's right on top of you and you shoot it in the eye, probably OK.  I have a hell of a lot of professional training in combat handguns, but I still don't want to have to deal with a possible jam in a semi auto while fending off a hungry bear or cougar.  Bad idea IMO.  Wild animals are a heck of a lot more tenacious than people are.  .45 ACP effectiveness on people is legend.  On wild critters, different story.

Oh, and BTW, double stack .45's are generally not smaller and lighter.....

[ABMGENERAL]

Hes trying to get us to talk him into or out of the .45 he really wants . I have had or own all the calibers. i love the .45 in a commander size 1911. that being said i also like it in XD. and a couple others. if you load up some .45acp +p or supers you are in .44 territory.

[12Gauge]

Consider usage as 80% plinking/casual target shooting, 20% personal defense.
It won't be a CCW pistol, but more of a night-stand/backpacking/back-country fishing sidearm.

You can go with a 9mm if you plink/ target shoot 2 or more time a week for cost savings reasons.  If you go once a month or less then go with the .45acp.  I would go with .45acp in a 1911 gov model or commander.