New to gun ownership! (suggestions welcome)

[R45]

Hello!

I moved to Maryland a year ago from the west coast and am loving it here. I haven't mingled a ton with the gun community and am eager to join any clubs that are looking for members. I recently finished the required HQL process and am waiting to purchase my first handgun. So far, I am pretty married to the idea of an m1911 (specifically, Springfield) but would love some suggestions from anyone that is more experienced. If I was to go with the 1911, I kind of want a 45 ACP but 9mm ammo is significantly cheaper on the wallet for target shooting. Any advice on this important decision would be awesome as well. More specifically, I was leaning towards the 45 ACP for home defense and would appreciate any insight on whether the higher caliber is significant enough in your opinion.

Sorry for the ramble and thanks for having me!

 

[Moonlighter]

Welcome, Roarke. I have a two SA 1911's, both in .45ACP. Ronin and Marine Corps Operator. They're well made and accurate. Best caliber for home defense is going to spur a lot of sarcasm and opinions will vary. I'm no expert by any stretch but one of the big factors seems to be shot placement. Having a .44 magnum as a home defense firearm isn't a good idea if you're not proficient with it. Best advice I can offer is to go to a range that rents the weapons you're considering, shoot all of them, and go with a firearm that you feel comfortable with.
Good luck!

 

[Ammo Jon]

I’m a fan of capacity and caliber. I’d rather have a 9mm with 50 rounds than a 45 with 6 rounds.

 

[Roksfr]

As has been mentioned before here on the forum, go to a range where you can rent time and try out different pistols. Get a feel for how they shoot, how quickly you get back on target after shot, and then make a decision.

 

[R45]

Welcome, Roarke. I have a two SA 1911's, both in .45ACP. Ronin and Marine Corps Operator. They're well made and accurate. Best caliber for home defense is going to spur a lot of sarcasm and opinions will vary. I'm no expert by any stretch but one of the big factors seems to be shot placement. Having a .44 magnum as a home defense firearm isn't a good idea if you're not proficient with it. Best advice I can offer is to go to a range that rents the weapons you're considering, shoot all of them, and go with a firearm that you feel comfortable with.
Good luck!

Moonlighter!

Thank you for the thoughtful welcome and reply. Love to hear that you enjoy your Ronin and Marine Corps Operator models. The Ronin model is what I am salivating for currently; what a beautiful piece! Thank you for the advice about going to a range and trying it out myself. I'm planning on doing just that sometime this week (I've shot both a 45 and 9mm prior but couldn't tell you how they actually differ from memory).

The history snob in me makes me feel obligated to get a 45 (ha) but your advice on actually trying it out seem right on the money. Very excited to be here and appreciate the time you've given me.

Hope you had a great 4th!

 

[R45]

I’m a fan of capacity and caliber. I’d rather have a 9mm with 50 rounds than a 45 with 6 rounds.

Jon,

Thank you for your reply! Yeah I hear you on that, especially because I am a novice ~ha.

 

[R45]

As has been mentioned before here on the forum, go to a range where you can rent time and try out different pistols. Get a feel for how they shoot, how quickly you get back on target after shot, and then make a decision.

Roksfr,

Thank you for your reply! Definitely will take your advice and go to a range this week; always happy to have an excuse to go shooting! Thanks for your time and hope you had a great 4th.

 

[brianns]

Welcome aboard! I 2nd the advice to rent some different pistols. The Machine Gun Nest in Frederick and Continental Arms in Timonium have rentals. Must be other places but those come to mind.

 

[R45]

Welcome aboard! I 2nd the advice to rent some different pistols. The Machine Gun Nest in Frederick and Continental Arms in Timonium have rentals. Must be other places but those come to mind.

Brianns,

Thank you for the welcome and kind advice! I'll definitely look into your range suggestions as I still have a lot of areas to explore in Maryland. Pumped to be here; hope you had a great 4th.

 

[K31]

You definitely want 45 because a 9mm is a high caliber gun that will blow someone's lungs out.

 

[R45]

You definitely want 45 because a 9mm is a high caliber gun that will blow someone's lungs out.

K31,

Ha! Point taken, thanks for the input. Hope you had a good 4th!

 

[Sundazes]

Take the basic pistol NRA class if this is your first firearm.

 

[Moonlighter]

Heritage in Frederick is an awesome range that has a literal shit ton of firearms to rent. Not sure where in MD you're located, maybe providing a city would help narrow down the suggestions.

 

[R45]

Take the basic pistol NRA class if this is your first firearm.

Sundazes,

Thank you for the recommendation. I will look into this; hope you had a great 4th!

 

[R45]

Heritage in Frederick is an awesome range that has a literal shit ton of firearms to rent. Not sure where in MD you're located, maybe providing a city would help narrow down the suggestions.

Moonlighter,

I've heard of Heritage; good to hear they have a shit ton of arms! I live in Baltimore so not far at all. Excited to go visit; thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Archeryrob]

What is the purpose of the gun?

If you want to shoot, and a lot, get a 9mm.
If you want a a defense gun get a 45 acp
If you want a carry gun, get a light and small one
If you want a gun that just around the house, get a heavy one that is comfortable to you.

My family shoots 9mm and I struggle to shoot well with one, myself. The girls like light guns and I prefer heavy guns. Light guns are easy to swing, but recoil a lot more. I shoot 200 and 255 grain slugs on an converted 1858 in 45 colt and it is heavy, but it is steady and I can hit a pie plate at 40 yards with it. It is the same with hunting. You get light guns to carry all over and shoot once in a while. But waterfowl hunting I like my tank like Baikal because it always works and the weight reduces the felt recoil.

 

[LGood48]

Greetings!
Not a 1911, but the SA XdM .45 is solid, accurate and carries 13 +1.
As noted, for home only heavy doesn't hurt. For carry, small and light.

 

[Virgil Co.C]

1911, 45 is definitely expensive to shoot but has more substantial stopping power than a 9. Like others have said if you plan on shooting a lot get a 9 which you can still get in 1911, there is a lot of 9 mm ammo ( hollow point) that is very capable for defense . But no question when the bad guy gets hit with a 45 I feel there is way much more kinetic energy transferred to the target . Jmo

 

[jrumann59]

I’m a fan of capacity and caliber. I’d rather have a 9mm with 50 rounds than a 45 with 6 rounds.

Carry both

 

[Bullfrog]

Welcome!

If your only concern with the 1911 for home defense is the 8 round capacity, they can be found in double stack models from several manufacturers.

Make sure you handle one before purchase, the grip is understandably larger than a single stack .45 or double stack 9mm. Hand size matters in this case.