I still prefer the .45 ACP.

[Adam Helmer]

I own and shoot many 9mm pistols, but the .45 ACP is my gun of choice in "gravest extreme." I think the Luger P-08 is the nicest looking 9mm out there, the Glock 19 was my duty gun for 7 years, but in a hot corner, I want a .45 automatic. Second choice is a .357 Magnum wheelgun.

Today I had a few Colt M1911 and M1911A1s at the backyard shooting bench. I shot Ball, Federal 190 grain JHPs and my cast 200 grain SWC bullets at 25 yards. Ball is not as good as a JHP or SWC round for reliable performance, according to articles I have read. My best accuracy was with the Federal loads and my SWC handloads. For a comparison, I shot an accurate P-38 and 147 grain JHP factory loads.

I cleaned and put the P-38 away and stoked up all the .45 magazines I had with better loads. The 9mm is nice for target shooting and has always been fun to shoot, but in "gravest extreme" I want a .45 auto, then a .357 because sometimes calling 911 is not an option here in the country.

Adam