Posted: 2/9/2012 7:00:10 PM EDT
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I'm in the hunt for my first .45. I have .380, 9mm, .40. I need a .45 to add to the mix. This pistol will mostly be a night stand/ camping-hiking weapon. I might use it for work every now and the (armored truck). I'm looking very hard at a gen 4 G21. I get the LEO discount so I can get one with trijicon NS and 3 mags for $500 out the door. Plus, I already have two Glock platforms. (9&40) but I really like the idea of a 1911. Also heard great things about the sig P220 and hk. Now I know the Glock will eat any ammo and be flawless out of the box. Are there any 1911 like that? I heard the Springfield loaded is good. Here's the catch, it needs to have a rail for a light, and I don't want to spend more than $600-$700. Now I am in the military so any ideas on which manufacturers give military discount?
After all that, what would some of you guys do? |
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S&W M&P .45 and FNP .45 should also be under consideration. I currently own these two and have divested myself of large bore Glocks and HKs for the foreseeable future.
You won't find a bigger 1911 fan than me, but I don't like them as a nightstand gun due to the limited capacity. Doublestack? Sure, if you can spend enough money *cough*STI*cough* to do it right. For the same reason, I don't care for the SIG P220. Taurus and Rock Island are two railed 1911s at or under your price point. I would personally select the Rock Island over the Taurus. |
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Not a huge fan of Sigs even though I have owned three, but have zero today.
I love 1911's, Glocks, and M&P's and own each. My 1911's and M&P are all .45 and they are a lot of fun. I think S&W gives a military discound on new guns. I was able to get my M&P 45 midsize used for $400 from a local shop and had them put in the APEX sear kit so I was out the door for $500 and it's an awesome gun. Great ergo's, polymer frame, striker fired, and in .45ACP While I love Glocks, I have never liked how the .45's felt in my hand, but I have medium sized hands and their compact .45's you have to have the mag in the gun to complete the grip, I don't know, something about those I just don't like. Suggestions: G21 SF M&P 45 mid size or full size Springfield Mil Spec, Range Officer |
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Quoted:
I'm in the hunt for my first .45. I have .380, 9mm, .40. I need a .45 to add to the mix. This pistol will mostly be a night stand/ camping-hiking weapon. Now I know the Glock will eat any ammo and be flawless out of the box. Are there any 1911 like that? I heard the Springfield loaded is good. Here's the catch, it needs to have a rail for a light, and I don't want to spend more than $600-$700. Now I am in the military so any ideas on which manufacturers give military discount? After all that, what would some of you guys do? First, I know of no 1911 that is guaranteed flawless out of the box with any ammo at under $700. 1911's can be picky about ammo. At $700 you may get one that's perfect, or you may get one that needs work. The rail is problematic at that price as well. You've been given a number of good choices in (mostly) polymer guns. However, you mentioned it being a camping-hiking weapon. I don't know what part of the country you live in, but if I'm looking at a semiauto for hiking/camping, I'd seriously consider a 10mm instead of a .45ACP. Lots of guys like the Glock 20 for the 10mm. Given what you've outlined, I'd look there - certainly before a 1911. |
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I'll vote for the Glock, with one provision- try holding one before buying one. They are BIG and, if you have medium-sized or smaller hands, it will probably be too big for you. I'm just a hair away from being able to palm a basketball and it's just right for me. Most people who try mine have trouble because it's so big. Of course, mine is a 2nd Gen, the SF and Gen4 should be a little better in that regard.
With the Glock, you get proven reliability and durability, as well as MASSIVE parts availability and armorers practically everywhere in case of problems. You get easily available and reasonably cheap 13 rd mags, too. While they aren't quite as accurate as, say, a well-set-up 1911, they are capable of very good accuracy with good ammo that it likes. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Bub75 |
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Quoted:
S&W M&P .45 and FNP .45 should also be under consideration. I currently own these two and have divested myself of large bore Glocks and HKs for the foreseeable future. You won't find a bigger 1911 fan than me, but I don't like them as a nightstand gun due to the limited capacity. Doublestack? Sure, if you can spend enough money *cough*STI*cough* to do it right. For the same reason, I don't care for the SIG P220. Taurus and Rock Island are two railed 1911s at or under your price point. I would personally select the Rock Island over the Taurus. I agree completely with Ken. And as a Glock fan, I would look at the Gen 3 21SF over the Gen 4, but that's just my preference. |
| I don't think your 700 price point would allow for a stone dead reliable railed 1911. the RIA as mentioned above would be the best budget 1911 in that range. You pretty much can't buy an American made railed 1911 until you go over a grand- the colt rail gun has been favorably reviewed for the most part and is right at 1k. There are some Springfield rail guns probably under 1k but not by much, and for a hundred or two more I personally would prefer to buy American,but that is just me- SA gun generally have a very good reputation. |
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I have an HK USP45F SA 1911 Loaded and M&P45F, have trigger time on the Sig P220 and have owned and sold an XD45 Tactical.
HK USP45/HK45 - If you can swing the $, HK makes a hell of a handgun. My USP is a tough, reliable, durable and accurate pistol. Having said that, I'm not that big of a fan of DA/SA anymore. I understand you can get the LEM trigger option for HK's. I have no direct experience on this trigger setup, but I've it's the closest thing to a Glock type trigger they offer. I've fired the HK45 a few times and it's recoil signature felt like the twin of the USP. I find the USP very accurate to begin with. I understand the HK45 has an O-ring on the end of it's barrel to get more consistent barrel/slide lockup. It's supposed to be more accurate than a run of the mill USP. I'm a huge fan of the mag release setup that the USP pioneered. If HK ever made a striker fired USP or HK45, I'd be all over that. M&P45 - I picked up mine used a few months ago and added an Apex sear and polished the internals. I also have an M&P40F and the M&P45 feels a little longer in the grip going from backstrap to trigger face. For me, the pistol is OK, but nothing great. Reports of accuracy are supposedly very good. I haven't shot it enough to attain that accuracy that a lot of folks speak of. I've had 2 FTE's in 250 rounds on it as well. I plan on selling it as it doesn't do "it" for me. Running the pistol feels like I have to work more w/ it relative to other pistols. XD45 Tactical - The grip is very long top to bottom. It is accurate, rather I found it easier to be accurate on vs. the M&P45. I also felt, I really had to work to get that accuracy. Pistol was reliable in the 750 rounds or so I put on it. Trigger left a lot to be desired. Very vague feed back in the trigger, but, like the M&P, I understand there are some good aftermarket options for it. Like the M&P45, I thought the XD was OK and nothing special. The guy who bought mine already had 9 of them, w/ the one he bought from me being his 10th. He LOVED the pistol. Like the M&P, the XD is available w/ the thumb safety option. I don't know much about the XDM's. Sig P220 - Probably the most accurate .45 I've shot. My buddy has 2 of them and it used to be his primary. His wound up having a broken trigger return spring at one point. Always reliable though and very accurate. I see the P220 as a more modern flavor, in an 80's sense, of the 1911. Single stack .45, but instead w/ a DA/SA trigger. They are nice pistols, but not my 1st choice for an HD pistol. G21 (SF and or Gen4) - I shot a G21SF a few months ago and I really really liked it. I thought accuracy was as good or better than it's contemporaries, but it had the SOFTEST recoil signature I've ever felt on a .45. Excellent handling characteristics. I have medium sized hands and thought this fit was good. Years ago, I handled a G21 (non SF) and thought it was massive. Massive to the point of where I couldn't grip it properly. I've read nothing but great things on the Gen4 G21. I have a GSSF purchasing coupon that is burning a hole in my pocket. It's going to be used for Gen4 G21 purchase. If you like a Glock type trigger and want a high capacity, in mind the G21 SF or Gen4 is "it". 1911's - W/out a doubt, the best trigger you can find is, in my mind at least, to be found on a 1911. For those that dedicate themselves to the platform, it is an excellent handgun. For me, I love the 1911 as a range gun, but think it has limitations as an HD type pistol. My 2 biggest gripes w/ the 1911 are A.) capacity and B.) reloading it. It only has 7-8 rounds versus 13 rnds for a G21/XD, etc. The magwell on the 1911 is very narrow and for me, not nearly as easy to reload as the gaping maw provided on a G21 or USP. I don't mind the grip safety and thumb safety, but some do. I've only had a couple of FTE's on my SA Loaded 1911. I understand if you want a "good" 1911, you're spending north of $1200 or so. |
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I have the same dilemma. I am looking for a full size .45. I have a couple of HK's in 9mm but the mag prices are ridiculous. I had an FNP but it was a massive gun. I have an M&P9 but I'm just looking for something a little different.
I just might try a G21SF but I have never desired a Glock. Not based on ever owning one, just never been a fan for some reason |
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not an expert but love to shoot.
i got a S&W MP 45 last year as my first handgun purchase and my only regret is that i didnt get the FN (either .45 tac or the FiveSeven). dont get me wrong, i love the Smith, just do some minimal trigger work and you will love the results. Stock out of the box, the gun shoots incredible, a firm and long trigger pull, but very nice. either way you end up going, enjoy 
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