Single Stack Caliber Choice

[diverjes06]

To all of the more expierienced USPSA/IPSC shooters,
What is the most common caliber of gun used to shoot Single Stack? I know/have read about shooters using either 45 or 40 caliber.
Thanks for any info.

 

[VERT]

All of the Single Stack guns that I have seen at South Central have been 1911s in .45ACP. A couple of people have talked about shooting 9mm but keep in mind it would be scored as minor. I actually have a 9mm 1911 and will probably drag it out for a match once I buy a couple more magazines.

 

[Russellhjoy]

I was wondering this myself not too long ago. 45 is the way to go unless you want to save a little bit of money on reloading supplies or already load 40 or really prefer 40 over 45. Otherwise, 45 will be the better option because single stack 40 mags (as far as i know) only hold 9 rounds so if you wanted to shoot minor you would still be short a round of max count (minor single stack = 10 max per mag allowed, major = 8 max per mag allowed). I hear 40 single stacks can have feeding issues and the selection of 45 single stacks will be much greater, so you would most likely find a better deal or cooler gun in 45. I dont know if there is a difference in the slide weight but I doubt it would be enough to justify buying 40. 45 punches bigger holes too. Also, if you reload, 40's can tumble if something isnt correct but ive never seen a 45 tumble, ever, no matter how you load em. I think 45 is considered to be slightly more accurate, not like it really matters for USPSA but whatever. That's all I can think of, maybe someone else has some better points but im pretty sure you want 45.

 

[Killion]

I agree with Russel the love muscle. If you want to shoot 9mm minor, shoot production. If you want to shoot single stack shoot .45. .40 is for those limited guys.

 

[Coach]

.45 is the way to go in USPSA. Major scoring and the feeding issues of .40 is avoided. Many .40's don't run very well at all.

 

[CB45]

Most common by a large margin .45acp.

Those who are sporting .40 1911's are generally high volume shooters who want to use the same ammo for limited and SS.

9mm 1911's are so fun to plink with!

.40 1911's have a bad wrap for being finicky. .45 1911's can be just as bad. I've seen my fair share of .45 1911's not work.

 

[romack991]

I shot 9mm SS all last year and it wasn't too bad. Just have to get your hits. I switched to 45 this year and I do like major better. Worst thing about 45 is that there aren't many people shooting it at a match. Most people are shooting 9 (production & open) or 40 (limited). So you're almost always loosing brass, where as 40 is all over the place. I was surprised to see quite a few 40 SS when I worked the Prod/SS/Rev match this year. I have no personal experience with 40 in SS and how they run but I am thinking about getting one for next year. (Or maybe just a limited gun)

Big 45 holes are nice though when it comes to scoring.

 

[Leo]

This is a sideline for the 1911's chambered for the .40. If you reload using Round nose bullets and load them long, like 1.250" they will be more reliable. The 1911 chassis was designed for a longer, round nose cartridge than a normally loaded .40S&W



If you are having trouble, this experiment doesn't cost anything

 

[sv40sw45]

I must disagree. My 40 Trojan has been 100% from the get go. 40 brass is easy to find and cheap. Don't have to change the 650 primer setup to Large pistol. I have seen several 1911 stock 45 not run and be very picky about what ammo they like. Just my view.

 

[Rob377]

45.

40 1911s that actually run are like bigfoot. There are stories and occasional sightings, but good luck finding one.

 

[Killion]

Rob you are hilarious!

 

[Coach]

.45's that don't run usually just require a little oil, or to stop limp wristing.

 

[rhino]

I must disagree. My 40 Trojan has been 100% from the get go. 40 brass is easy to find and cheap. Don't have to change the 650 primer setup to Large pistol. I have seen several 1911 stock 45 not run and be very picky about what ammo they like. Just my view.

You have the only one, Max! For every .40 single stack that functions well, there are 10 or 20 or more than won't and never will.

Sure there are .45s that don't work, but the percentage is much, much lower than with .40.

 

[sv40sw45]

HUH seems everyone uses 40 in 2011's and P16 Para's with no problem. AHH --same top end, same barrel , same extractors, same firing pins, same ejectors-- so I guess it must be the mags ???!!!! I have not seen a 1911 or 2011 yet I could not make run, OPEN, LIMITED or SINGLE STACK 40. Just my opinion.

 

[rhino]

HUH seems everyone uses 40 in 2011's and P16 Para's with no problem. AHH --same top end, same barrel , same extractors, same firing pins, same ejectors-- so I guess it must be the mags ???!!!! I have not seen a 1911 or 2011 yet I could not make run, OPEN, LIMITED or SINGLE STACK 40. Just my opinion.

I think it has a lot to do with the magazines and the height at which the top round is held with respect to the chamber. The feed angle is different with the widebody guns, with a straighter path to the chamber (similar to a Glock or SIG). With the single stack guns, the round hits lower on the ramp (or frame) and essentially bounces into the chamber.

 

[Russellhjoy]

I think we could argue all day whether the 45 is actually more reliable but it's not very helpful. The truth is a little magazine lip filing/polishing and ramp polishing(don't forget the top of the chamber) will be needed for most competition guns to run 99.99% anyways.

The bottom line is, 45 is the better choice or at least equal for shooting major single stack. So, unless you have a reason to not shoot 45, get a 45.

Having said that, if you find a gun you really like in 40, I wouldn't be afraid to buy it. I think pistol reliability is like a dog's behavior, it's all about how you raise it.

 

[riverman67]

I have an STI Trojan in 40 and from the factory it was a worthless piece of ****.
It works now,most of the time. But it took a pretty good smith a little while to figure it out.
If I decide to get another single stack in 40 it will be a one off build by that particular gunsmith.
I don't think I will ever buy anything from STI again. Their customer service sucks