While I’m finishing up my review of the Taurus 24/7 G2, here’s a little illustration of the leisurely muzzle velocity of the .45 ACP cartridge. We all love the .45 (okay, at least I do) but it’s no speed demon like the 7.62×25 Tokarev or the 5.7×28 . . .
This video is slowed down to 1/12th normal speed, and I wish my camera could go even slower. Either way, it clearly shows that I’m already bringing the gun down from recoil and moving on to the next target by the time the first bullet has hit its target just 10 yards away. Unfortunately that’s a fail-to-feed jam at the very end. Taurus did some work on the gun and hopefully the feed problem is gone, but I gotta give it up for the 24/7’s ergonomics. I’ve never shot a .45 that’s so mild and controllable, particularly one that only weighs 28 ounces naked.
With a velocity of only 850 fps, a typical .45 ACP 230-gr hardball takes nearly 50% longer to reach its target than a standard 115-grain 9mm. To land a hit on a walking target at his insane claimed ranges, Karl Lippard would have to lead it by meters…in case you wondered why we’ve been so skeptical.
I saw 5.7×28 and got excited until I read the rest.
Come on, Chris: Tap, Rack, Bang.
When I’m testing a gun, I’m in more of a data-gathering and diagnostic mode than a tactical proficiency mode. The Taurus had some problems out of the box (hopefully remedied now) and it got incredibly filthy during our shooting before it started stovepiping and double-feeding. I’ll have more details (and more video) about the malfunctions in the full review.
Try shooting a .45-70 with a black powder load (65 gr. of FFg) and a 520 gr lead alloy bullet at a 500-yd metal target. You have time to think “dang, must have missed”, when the bullet finally goes clang. About a 2 second flight time. The trajectory looks like a rainbow. Tell you what, though – when those large .45acp or .45-70 bullets finally get there, they are fairly authoritative.
Reminds me of Hickok45’s video using the Thureon Defense 9mm carbine.
He’s shooting at about 230 yards with iron sights and you hear the gun fire, the case hit the ground, then *tick…tick…* *DING!* when it hits the target. Priceless.
Typo? “… a typical .12 ACP 230-gr hardball”
The new .9mm?
All it needs is a shoulder thing that goes up.
The shoulder thing is illegal in MA.
It’s like a .12 gauge, just smaller. Text corrected.
I always recommend choosing a cartridge appropriate for the task before choosing a firearm to launch it. I like .45acp for defensive purposes. I also have a .357 lever action rifle for more speed and range. If I hunted, I’d go even smaller and faster like 7mm-08.
I remember years back me and a buddy were shooting my 1911 at the range and we could see the bullets too. It was after dark and there was powerful lighting from the rear that lit those big bullets up plain as day.
“With a velocity of only 850 fps, a typical .45 ACP 230-gr hardball takes nearly 50% longer to reach its target than a standard 115-grain 9mm.”
That’s still faster than something or someone can react to avoid the projectile. Unless you are the good or bad guy in a Hollywood movie
It’s pretty cool to see bullets in flight. I’ve seen a lot of .40 Smith 180 grain JHP’s en route to metallic silhouettes in bright sunlight, and they were allegedly going a bit over 1000 FPS.
I’be never been a fan of the “stopping power” of the 5.7, but I bet it would be great on squirrels.
“What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?”
“Well, yeah, Neo. If it’s a .45.”
Can’t wait to hear your review on the Taurus Chris I am seriously considering one. A .45 ACP no less. You want to give up any hints on how it it is going now?? 🙂
Not to be “that guy”, but your grip needs some (OK – a lot!) work… your right hand (strong hand) is significantly recoiling away from your left hand (support hand) every time. This is because your “thumb-wedge” grip (aka revolver grip) is inhibiting how much palm of your left (support) hand is actually contacting the frame of the pistol. If you switch to a true “thumbs forward” grip, the “J” between your left pinky finger and thumb would get near 100% contact with the frame and would allow you to control recoil even better.
For me, the thumb-wedge grip used to feel better, but after taking my first class with Rob Leatham, I switched (forced to switch 🙂 ) to a true thumbs-forward grip and never looked back.
see –> http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/17456/thumbs-forward-handgun-grip/
I had to go back and rewatch the video to see what you meant about his grip. Good observation!
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