As you're posting this in the "New to handguns" area, I would assume that you are in fact, new to handguns. If such is true, I would strongly recommend the 9mm over either the .45 or .40S&W as far as "fist" handguns go in terms of center-fire pistols.

The 9mm typically has less felt recoil than either and costs less.

A lot of people that start with .40s and either A: Don't shoot enough. B: Don't seek out competent instruction. Or C: A&B end up developing very bad flinching issues with the .40 and when they move to something else, that flinch stays.

This is something I've been saying for years and I was quite happy to see a genuine professional state the same. As well as several other instructors I know of from various shooting backgrounds. Most of the professional instructors I know recommend the 9mm.

Now, as far as your two choices are concerned, I would opt for the .45.

But it really depends on what exact guns you're talking about. There are some guns I would prefer in .40, and others I would prefer in .45ACP.


Kahr - .40, preferably a K40
Sig - .45 in the P220 variants
Ruger - .45ACP in the SR1911
HK - .45 in the HK45 or 45C
Bersa - would have to go with a 9mm
Glock - .45 via the Glock 30SF
Colt - .45 (good luck trying to find a .40, they're out there but not easy to find)



I'd take a look at any "mid-size" 9mm.

Smith & Wesson M&P
Springfield XD/XDM
Glock 19
Sig 228/229
HKP30, P2000, USPC
CZ

Try and find a range that has rentals, shoot a couple of models, find out what you like and don't like, then start looking at holster selection. Beware comments that include "Choose what feels best in your hand" or "I carry _____"


Just be an informed consumer, do your research including hands on, live fire testing of makes/models and stick the the major brands and you should be OK.

Recoil is subjective, some people are more sensitive to recoil than the others. I suggest you rent some guns in each caliber at the local range to see which caliber you like best. I agree the 9mm is a good choice for beginners. I'm a .45 guy, btw.

I agree. Try out a 9MM (actually 9MM Luger/9MM Parabellum). Don't limit yourself to .45 or .40.

When it comes to recoil my Glock 30 .45 is just above a 9mm and it's accurate, plus it holds 10+1 rds

Originally Posted by T-55A5

When it comes to recoil my Glock 30 .45 is just above a 9mm and it's accurate, plus it holds 10+1 rds

Well, my commercial M9 holds 15+1 rounds. Plus it's a Beretta, so it's purdier. So, nah-nah-nah-nah-boo-boo!

The .45 recoils with less "jab," but only when fired from a full-size, full-weight pistol.
The .40 is usually found in the ranks of plastic "Combat Tupperware," which are somewhat lighter and therefore less moderate of recoil.

However, I have been told that Glocks seem to have an amount of built-in flexibility, and that, too, moderates recoil.

Find a range that rents pistols. Shoot as many different types and calibers as possible. That way you get to KNOW which one you can shoot the best and are more likely to practice with. There are many on here with vast experence and not a single one can say which you will be most comfortable with. Spend the money to try out and learn what will work for you. Also if you are new to handguns you can get a basic pistol course while learning what pistol you like.

It's all good, if new, i'd stick with VA's advice.

Get some training. Proper stance, grip, sight alignment, and trigger squeeze will enable you to shoot virtually any caliber. Shorter barrels, and lighter weights will result in more perceived recoil. Quite often, many shooters feel that the 9mm, and the .40 cal, generate more recoil than a 1911, simply due to the respective design, and physical attributes of a given gun.

Originally Posted by REDFISH

I an researching .40 and .45 cal guns to buy for defensive(ccw) and range shooting. I have had lots of advice but it all conflicts. heard the .45s have better recoil than the .40 cals. looking at
kahr sig ruger hk colt bersa glock and on and on. some one gimme a suggestion! thanks from the most dangerous city in the USA, St Louis

Redfish:

It is important to practice and that is why I decided on a Beretta Nano 9mm for ccw. The ammo is less than 380, 40 or 45 by a long shot and the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot +P JHP Short barrel for packing will more than do the job against any size human threat wearing multiple layers of clothing.

Check out youtube for 9mm Gold Dot 124 grain +P if you still have reservations going 9mm for ccw. The ammo I am carrying is used by several law enforcement agencies for good reason. Speer Gold Dot 124 Grain JHP +P Short Barrel based on what I have researched is tops for 9mm personal protection ammo.

I don't want to sound morbid but last week there was a home invasion in my state and the intruder was dropped in his tracks dead with one shot to the chest by the male owner of the home with a 9mm. Shot placement is everything and practice is key for good placement and 9mm is the cheapest round making range trips not so painful to the wallet.

Russ

P.S. A 9mm will have less recoil than a 40 or 45 from a pocket size gun making followup shots more manageable.

I suggest you rent some guns in each caliber at the local range to see which caliber you like best. I agree the 9mm is a good choice for beginners.

something no one else asked, do you have any experience with handguns, like hunting or target shooting, and how is your grip, large, medium or small. if you've carried a 44 magnum in the field or go target shooting with a 22 maybe you have more experience than you have let on. also, if you have larger hands, a springfield xd or glock will be comfortable, if you have small hands, kahr has some easy to grip single stack

.45 any day of the week and twice on Sunday

Just to his original question .45 is my first choice.

.45 and Welcome to the forum!

why make a decision? go shoot each at a range or two, and go from what you feel, or, if you can swing it, buy both. it what I did, :P

America's not metric, go with the 45.

I have a .40 and three or four .45's.

Tough call!

Do as some have suggested. Go to a gunshop with a range and shoot both.

Whole lot of good advice already been given so I will limit my say to, I prefer to carry the 45.

Originally Posted by REDFISH

I an researching .40 and .45 cal guns to buy for defensive(ccw) and range shooting. I have had lots of advice but it all conflicts. heard the .45s have better recoil than the .40 cals. looking at
kahr sig ruger hk colt bersa glock and on and on. some one gimme a suggestion! thanks from the most dangerous city in the USA, St Louis

i have found it is easier to get one of each than have the stress of deciding on one.

I have a 9mm, 40S&W, 45acp in semi autos. In revolvers 454, 44mag, 45lc, 357 mag/38 special. I just recently bought a glock 10mm, and it only took me 50 years to find the one i like best. The winner is 10mm .....G29

Kind of hard to pick just one caliber. I love a 9mm. Especially because I started off shooting .40s and .45s. I was amazed at how soft a 9mm felt. With so many good guns out there it is going to be hard to decide on a gun. Your best bet would be to try as many as possible. I normally go with a .40. It is a little snappier, but it doesn't take much to get use to it. The only reason I opted for a .40 over a .45 was the ability to purchase a different barrel and go to the .357sig.

Unlike what VaMarine said. You do need to factor in what feels best in your hand. If it doesn't feel good when you first pick it up chances are you will not like it once you start to shoot it. It isn't always the case as something may feel good before you shoot it and you won't like it when you do. I trust what may hand tells me. I have always enjoyed shooting what felt good in my hand from when I first picked it up. I have never held a gun said this feels good, then shot it and said I don't like this. However, that is just me.

I suggest you rent some guns in each caliber at the local range to see which caliber you like best. I agree the 9mm is a good choice for beginners.

Originally Posted by Brevard13

Kind of hard to pick just one caliber. I love a 9mm. Especially because I started off shooting .40s and .45s. I was amazed at how soft a 9mm felt. With so many good guns out there it is going to be hard to decide on a gun. Your best bet would be to try as many as possible. I normally go with a .40. It is a little snappier, but it doesn't take much to get use to it. The only reason I opted for a .40 over a .45 was the ability to purchase a different barrel and go to the .357sig.

Unlike what VaMarine said. You do need to factor in what feels best in your hand. If it doesn't feel good when you first pick it up chances are you will not like it once you start to shoot it. It isn't always the case as something may feel good before you shoot it and you won't like it when you do. I trust what may hand tells me. I have always enjoyed shooting what felt good in my hand from when I first picked it up. I have never held a gun said this feels good, then shot it and said I don't like this. However, that is just me.

I didn't say it wasn't a factor, what I said was

Beware comments that include "Choose what feels best in your hand"

While a gun needs to fit in someone hand properly, that is not the same as "feel" A pocket .380 may "feel" better in the hand than a mid-size 9mm that will shoot 10X better than the pocket gun. A nice DAO S&W revolver may "feel" great in the hand, but the DAO trigger may not be the best option for a new shooter.

Quite often that "choose what feels best: gets thrown out there with nut much additional information. A gun may "feel" great in the hand, but if the controls (trigger, safety (if applicable), mag release, slide stop etc.) aren't within easy reach of the users digits it may not be a good option. It may "feel" great but due to the shape of the gun it may point 3" low where natural point of aim is concerned.

There's a lot more to it than "feelings"

The Browning Hi-Power feels very good in my hand, but when I shoot it I get bloody.