Which .45 ACP? - AR15.COM

Posted: 9/26/2004 9:23:29 AM EDT

One of the great things about this site is the wealth of knowledge and the breadth of opinions. You can get everything from information to entertainment when you ask a question.

I'm wanting a .45 ACP pistol for defensive purposes. Reliability is a bigger factor than laser-like accuracy. Of course, being able to hit the target is important, but a bang is much more comforting than a click in a tactical situation.

Being able to carry more than six rounds in it would be a plus.

So, in the $500-$600 range, what would be a best choice?

Let the opinions fly!

Posted: 9/26/2004 9:48:26 AM EDT

[#1]

Well, depending on your experience, a decent 1911, a Sig 220 or a Glock of some sort would work and fit your budget.

Posted: 9/26/2004 10:12:15 AM EDT

[#2]

If you like Glocks, then one of those should work fine for what you want.

If not, a Sig P220 would be a good choice. Great reliability and accuracy.

I had an HK USP/45F once, and it worked great. I preferred the P220's grip, so I stayed with the Sig and sold the HK. The HK performed fine though.

I have an EAA Witness, which is 10rds, and so far has been 100%, but I haven't shot it enough to recommend it for defense. It is a VERY accurate gun. I was quite suprised at how accurate. It has a VERY comfortable grip as well.

I've never had a problem with my Colt GM enhanced.

If you don't mind six rounds, it doesn't get much more reliable than a S&W .45ACP revolver.

If I were to choose from my battery of .45's, I'd have to go with the Sig P220. I've shot it the most, and it's never failed to perform. Police trade-ins are available for $379 from CDNN. They're certified by Sig, and gone through inspection and any fixing that needs to be done. I think that's probably the best bang for the buck out there in .45ACP right now.

Ross

Posted: 9/26/2004 10:35:38 AM EDT

[#3]

I've always been a big fan of 1911 45s. I also like Glock, Springfield XDs etc. However, I recently picked up a used Ruger P97DC at a price I could'nt pass up. The 97 DC is a stainless 45 with decocker. I put about 400 rounds through it and was amazed how comfortable it is to shoot. My Glock 22 has been put back in the safe and the Ruger is now my house gun.

Ruger just came out with a new 45 called the 345. Lots of used P97s are hitting market at good prices because of that.

Posted: 9/26/2004 11:28:47 AM EDT

[#4]

either a used P220 or 1911A1 that fall in that price rangeshould serve you well.

Posted: 9/26/2004 4:15:05 PM EDT

[#5]

I'm partial to the 1911, however you can't go wrong with a P220.

Posted: 9/26/2004 4:24:50 PM EDT

[#6]

Go with a Kimber 1911.... you can do no wrong with it.

Posted: 9/26/2004 4:29:39 PM EDT

[#7]

I love my Sig P220,

But the 1911 you can find parts for allday long and cheap too.

Posted: 9/26/2004 7:01:27 PM EDT

[#8]

H&K USP45F.

Posted: 9/26/2004 7:09:20 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Go with a Kimber 1911.... you can do no wrong with it.

Try finding a Kimber in his price range.

Personally, I would buy a SA Mil-Spec.

Posted: 9/26/2004 7:16:46 PM EDT

[#10]

You should be able to find a used S&W SW1911 (their 1911 clone) in that price range. I come across about 1 a month for $550 or so.

Posted: 9/26/2004 9:04:59 PM EDT

[#11]

You can get a really nice NRM Colt 1991A1 for that

Posted: 9/27/2004 2:45:55 PM EDT

[#12]

You could try a Mauser M2. VERY accurate, reliable, DA, backed by SIG, and cheap (think my buddy got it for around $460). Springfield's Mil-spec is HIGHLY recommended based on my personal expierience. Great starter 1911 and many aftermarket parts if you want to customize to your needs, as opposed to what the manufacturer thinks you want.

Posted: 9/27/2004 4:10:01 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
You could try a Mauser M2. VERY accurate, reliable, DA, backed by SIG, and cheap (think my buddy got it for around $460).

So somebody DID actually buy one of those? Cool!

Call me old-fashioned, but I think the perfect first .45acp is a 5" 1911.

Posted: 9/27/2004 4:19:01 PM EDT

[#14]

I like the 1911 route...but it could get expensive...once you get one you will find that it needs a companion. Soon you will be in 1911 Anonymous.

Hi My name is Brohawk and I haven't purchased a 1911 in 4 days....

MT

Posted: 9/27/2004 10:46:56 PM EDT

[#15]

Hal9k- Yeah, he bought it despite my screaming of how the 1911 was IT. He ended up with one of the first to hit the market (still had the brown finish slide) and had to have SIG polish out the striker assembly (light primer strikes). The later models already had the mods done to them. After I ribbed him good about the reliability of the Mauser, he smartened up and got a 1911. Since the Mauser's been back, 100% reliable, low recoil (locking bbl.), and very accurate. Of course, you see what I HIGHLY recommend in the last half of my post

.

Posted: 9/28/2004 3:01:40 AM EDT

[#16]

80% of the time I am packing a Colt 1991 Commander. The newer Colts are very good. For several years they have been using a dimpled throat barrel that will feed about anything. Makes for a good combat weapon and with the thin 1911 frame and slide, they hide very well.

And out the door for $579.

Posted: 9/28/2004 4:45:04 AM EDT

[#17]

first choice is a 1911, second would be a Sig P 220

Posted: 9/28/2004 5:00:57 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Go with a Kimber 1911.... you can do no wrong with it.

Try finding a Kimber in his price range. Personally, I would buy a SA Mil-Spec.

I bought my Kimber Custom II NIB for less than $600 a little over a year ago. You just have to look. That said, I also have a Mil-Spec and agree it is a one to consider. I just don't care for the hammer bite it sometimes gives me. Overall, I like the Kimber much better though.

Posted: 9/28/2004 6:36:56 AM EDT

[#19]

Brohawk,

A Bersa Thunder 45 does everything you are looking for and you will have a lot of money left for ammo to practice with. You will hear some say a Bersa is a POS, if it was I wouldn't use one for car/carry.

The Bersa Thunder 45 is compact, reliable, accurate, lightweight, holds 7 rounds, and it didn't cost an arm and a leg. I gave $250 for it and it hasn't let me down. What do I carry it in? I have spent as much on holsters as the Bersa cost me, I use a Ken L. Null Gibson Covert and an Alessi CQC-I. Lastly, I prefer IWB holsters for daily carry.

Regards,

Richard:D

Posted: 9/28/2004 4:46:40 PM EDT

[#20]

If you can go a bit above 6 you should search long and hard for a Kimber Custom II. They are simply the finest 1911 pistols around....short of a Wilson Combat of course

Posted: 9/28/2004 10:54:42 PM EDT

[#21]

My grandfather has a colt defender...nice little gun.

Dad has a S&W chiefs special 6 round mag.

Both shoot well for compact .45s but I like the colt better. I plan on getting a glock...since future plans involve wearing a police uniform...

Posted: 9/28/2004 11:20:57 PM EDT

[#22]

I just went through this myself.

I ended up going with a Taurus 945. Single stack, 1911 grip angle, beretta-esque action, ported and double-action.

Superb ergos, almost like a 1911/M9 hybrid. Good sights, light and a decent trigger. So far, it shoots as well as my 1911's and Sig220 ever has, and best of all it was only $399 at my local dealer. I have close to 1000 rounds with no hiccups at all, none. Eats everything, which is more than I can say for my Kimber....but that's another story of buying a name tag instead of a gun.

Posted: 9/28/2004 11:22:26 PM EDT

[#23]

A vote for the USP45f, although the Sig P220 is good and so is a nice 1911.

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:38:08 AM EDT

[#24]

I'm going to break from the norm and suggest the G21. You can find them all day long in that price range and still have cash left over for a couple 13 round mags and some ammo!

Email Steve @ ADCO for some pictures and opinions of his G21. I think you'll be impressed at the amount of abuse his has suffered

Posted: 9/29/2004 6:48:16 AM EDT

[#25]

1911

if not, then I'd try USP 45F. USP seems to be bigger than G21 but it fit my hand better.

Posted: 9/29/2004 9:30:57 AM EDT

[#26]

Lately I have been drooling over an S.A. GI!

Posted: 9/29/2004 12:29:10 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Lately I have been drooling over an S.A. GI!

+1

seem pretty well put together

Posted: 9/30/2004 11:30:40 AM EDT

[#28]

I throw in:
Colt Defender

I tried carrying a P220 concealed but it was such a pig I got tired of lugging all that iron around in my pants he
If I remember correctly my P220 cost me over $800 a couple of years ago - not sure what they run now ...

Best thing you can do is make a short list of pistols you're interested in and then go find somebody or someplace that will let you shoot a few rounds through them. You'll figure out pretty quickly what model you want

Posted: 9/30/2004 12:01:14 PM EDT

[#29]

USP45f or P220. You can find either in good condition for less than $600.

Posted: 9/30/2004 12:07:03 PM EDT

[#30]

I suggest the following (all used)

HK USP45
Kimber Series I
Sig 220

Posted: 10/4/2004 5:27:27 AM EDT

[#31]

I would consider an

HK USP .45
Sig 220ST (I have one and love it!)
or a 1911

Use what you're more comfortable shooting. Go to a range that rents guns or find a friend with a gun your interested in and try a few out.

Personally, I am a sig fanatic, so I love my sig, but to each their own. There are plenty of good gunmakers out there.

Also, if you're not too familiar with 1911's they can take some getting used to with the safteys and what not. That's why I like the DA/SA. Anyway good luck!

Posted: 10/4/2004 7:16:48 AM EDT

[#32]

Beretta 8045 Cougar...

Posted: 10/4/2004 10:14:31 AM EDT

[#33]

CZ97B

Posted: 10/4/2004 12:23:29 PM EDT

[#34]

The glocks are hard to beat in that price range (brand new, reliable, etc.), but my preference would be a Kimber (lightly used, same with Sig in that price range). Sig's are nice weapons, but for me, it would come in 3rd.

Posted: 10/4/2004 4:16:39 PM EDT

[#35]

I paid 525.00 for a used, unfired, HK USP45. I giggle every time I look at it. I put 300 rounds through it the first time I took it to the range (I took 1000 but, I ran out of time) without a single hiccup.

Posted: 10/4/2004 4:37:17 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
I paid 525.00 for a used, unfired, HK USP45. I giggle every time I look at it. I put 300 rounds through it the first time I took it to the range (I took 1000 but, I ran out of time) without a single hiccup.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which .45 ACP?

Handguns » Handgun Discussions

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us