[Guest]

Hello,

It seems that .45 is always more accurate than 9mm...or is it just me? I have own a few 9mm pistols and never got to "master" them. I shot fair groups but never as tight as I wanted to. Since I picked up a .45 Kimber my groups have improved significantly. I doesn't matter what 9mm pistol i shoot..I always tend to get poorer results than with a .45.

So is there any *real* difference in the cartridge accuracy potential???

 

[Guest]

There's no question among those who have read my posts that I am NOT a fan of the 9mm. That said, with quality ammunition, I would THINK that the difference has more to do with the firearm than the caliber. Remember, the 45 cal, especially in the 1911, has been refined for target punching for most of a century. The 9mm was never considered a target weapon, so we're comparing service grade pistols, not tack drivers.

With what's been learned shooting targets with the 45, service grade pistols in that caliber have a little bit of an edge. And the 1911 platform is easy to make reliable AND accurate. Most of the other platforms simply have not had the refinement.

 

[Guest]

Other platforms ARE getting the development and 9mm is turning out to be about as accurate as .45 with less recoil. Accurizing methods for the Beretta have been figured out and pictures from Camp Perry show a lot of them being shot in Service Pistol. The S&W PPC-9 guns are doing very well in that event and according to the catalogs and magazines, the 1911 shops are trying to catch up.

 

[briand]

The venerable Jim Watson is once again spot-on. Think it was the latest American Rifleman magazine that showed some Beretta 92s all tricked out for Camp Perry. Big ol' honkin' adjustable sights, aftermarket barrels and so forth. The kind of gear that would be needed for 25 and 50 yd/meter shooting.

I'm guessing that the barrels have faster twist for heavier bullets? Like 147gr. or so perhaps?

Or are they going the other direction for the sake of recoil reduction?

 

[Josh Smith]

Hey Petri,

I believe that the 9mm actually has a bit of an edge in the accuracy department. It used to be popular to modify Lugers to outshoot modified 1911s. I don't remember the specifics however.

Here is the best 25yd combat group I've gotten out of my service grade auto:

This group was shot using my Taurus 92, manufactured in 1991 (a pre-decock model). This was done rapid fire, 25yds.

I've not shot a .45 for groups, just killed a few tin cans.

However, I do believe there is some inherent accuracy with the .36 calibers. The Smith and Wesson M19-3 I had (and foolishly traded) would, with one chamber, cut 1/4" rope at 25yds if I did my part. The other chambers came very close as well.

Josh <><

 

[Guest]

Brian,
You have to shoot service ammo in Service Pistol competition. High quality but still 115 or 125 grain FMJ. If they are using Barsto barrels I think all his are 16" twist.

 

[jimhigginbotham]

My experience sort of mirrors parson's, When used in weapons of similar quality/fitting the 9mm is plenty accurate.

That said, the 9mm is famous for being manufactured by a host of makers who sometimes are not too diligent about dimensions - most American and many quality European makers do not fit in that category.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[Guest]

Personally, the 9mm and .45 probably have the same accuracy levels in "tweaked" weapons. Then again these are not combat pistols

Either, generally provides good combat accuracy.

The only real difference I can see is which is your preference or may be mandated.

The paper punchers liked the .45 because it had been well developed, had match history, AND they felt the larger caliber gave them an edge when it came to scoring. A close hit with a 9mm might be the next higher value due to the larger diameter of the .45.

Perhaps it's a curse, but I like both...

Wes