I have fired the .45 (11.4 MM in Euro-talk) from a variety of platforms, and also the 10MM (which in American is a .40cal). The 10MM does have, shall we say, a bit "stouter" recoil. If this were to be a 100# person's first pistol, I'd say it could be a problem ... but the same might be true for the .45. Does anyone know the exact differences in ballistics between the two rounds? It seems to me the major point is that you can stack more 10MM in a magazine.
Various state police agencies used to start rookies off with .22 automatics, and when they could actually hit something on a regular basis, they would be moved on to heavier calibers. Whatever happened to that idea?
NATO obviously feels hitting something with one out of fifteen of their anemic 9MM loads is preferable to missing things with 7 rounds from a more manly weapon. Maybe after you can hit something with the 9MM, they should issue a .45 ... or at least issue real ammo for the 9MM?