What are some of your favorite non-1911 .45 acp handguns?

[DZcarry]

My husband and I are thinking about getting a .45 for recreational use. We love the 1911 platform. We've been sorting through the options and have pretty much identified a major contender so far as 1911s are concerned.

Now we'd like to look at some non-1911 options, but aren't quite sure where to start. So, what are some of your favorites? What should we take a look at? Why do you like them? What makes/models should we stay away from (lots of known issues, recalls, etc.)? Ideally we'd like to stay in the $600 range, but might consider spending a bit more for something truly spectacular.

Anyway, let me know what you think.

NB: No need for the "get the one that fits you best" comments. We're just starting the search. We're just trying to get a sense of what makes we should be looking at.

[aroundchicago]

Here is a list of the best non-1911 .45ACP's....in no particular order.

SIG P220 or P250
CZ 95
Glock 21, 30 or 36
FN FNP45
Smith & Wesson M&P45
Heckler & Koch 45, USP45 or Mark 23

I'm probably missing some but these are the best IMO.

[LordTio3]

AroundChicago: Those are some great suggestions.

You really can't go wrong with the USP, USPc in .45 auto.

Another great contender is the Springfield Tactical xD45. It's got a great grip angle and points and handles very well.

Smith and wesson makes the 4506 besides the M&P, but it's very 1911-ish. the 4563 is a little smaller and very cool.

Walther makes a P99 in .45 ACP if you're looking for something a little different.

Also, have you considered purchasing a revolver in .45? They are very fun to shoot, as I assume this will not be a CC weapon.

In your price range and the "very fun" category are:

Blackhawk by Ruger
or a little smaller
Vaquero by Ruger

Beretta Stampede .45

Model 25 by Smith and Wesson N-Frame.

All great guns. Good luck on your purchase!
~LT

[Mike Irwin]

Last year I picked up a 1988 or so vintage S&W 4506.

I REALLY like that gun.

[Strat]

Please try a Ruger P-90.

[vladan]

If you like 1911 you should get 1911, 1911 was designed for .45
Now that being said I have Tanfoglio (EAA) Witness in .45ACP imported by EAA with .22 conversion I enjoy as much as my 1911. It is clone of forementioned CZ97, very accurate, great ergonomics and for training or recreational shooting you can swap the top in 10 seconds for .22LR and plink with cheap .22
You can buy this set with conversion for about 550-600 bucks

[rickyjames]

as for the 45 acp i never thought i would want or need anything other than the 1911 platform after all you can get it in 3 different sizes. i did get a new taurus pt-145 that has turned into my FAVORITE non-1911 semi auto handgun of any caliber.

on a different note, if you are branching out you might try a saa revolver in 45 lc. i have 3 uberti cattlemen western revolvers but there are other makes as well. after the 1911 i believe these revolvers are the natural pointing, easy to use point and click handguns available and surprisingly accurate with just notch sights. if you have never fired one you should give one a try in 45lc. they are a blast!

[aroundchicago]

Yeah, I knew I forgot some as LordTeo3 pointed out...specifically the Springfield XD. I was not aware the P99 was available in .45. I thought it was only 9MM and .40. One other I neglected to mention was the Kahr P45, PM45 and CW45. Now the H&K's and some of the Kahr's are above the $600 mark the original poster had mentioned but I figured I'd mention them anyway.

[DBAR]

Sig P220 SAO is by far my favorite "non 1911" .45 handgun; and believe it or not. I actually like my Glock 36 for it's simplicity, reliability, and concealability.

Both of these are very accurate, and reliable.

DBAR

[.357SIG]

HK USP is my favorite, even over the 1911.

[DZcarry]

HK USP is my favorite, even over the 1911.

HKs are seriously pricey guns. What makes you like it over a 1911?

[more forty fives]

There's a new XDM in 45ACP on the way from Springfield.

[Tommy69Z]

Ruger P90, if it fails, you can beat the **** out of them with it

[worth]

You should look at a Browning High Power before buying anything else. You don't want to be one of those who say "I didn't know about these, wow they feel great in the hand".

[RT]

My favorite .45 is the Glock 21 SF.

[AcridSaint]

The FNP-45 is too big for my hands. I don't think my wife could even hold it. If you are looking at double stack 45s, grip size will be something to consider.

[SVO]

Sig 220 match Elite - It rocks. May be the best 45 ACP caliber pistol I've ever shot.

[RickB]

Smith & Wesson Model 22. There are a number of different versions. I got the 4" Thunder Ranch model, but there's a M1917 that looks pretty sweet.

[radioflyer]

I've had two non 1911 .45 guns. Both i liked for different reasons.

Jericho 941: (with custom grip) Very ergonamic and it's huge weight absorbed reecoil VERY well. Super short/tight single action trigger is very similar to the 1911 in travel and sensitivity. The downsides (and reason i sold it) were it's hard-to-grip slide, uber-heavy DA trigger and sledgehammer weight.

HK45: The "bigger brother" to the P30. Nice erganomics and extremely good relaibility. Shoots very soft for it's weight thanks to the recoil buffer system. I'm curreently having the trigger worked on to make it even better.

[cwok]

John Browning was brillant.
His design of the 1911 remains a masterpice.

However, there is just a possibility that the stock 1911 has a rather coarse, abrupt, almost nasy, feeding cycle from the magazine to the chamber.

The CZ97 (or its clone the EAA Witness mentioned earlier) seems --- to me --- to have a smoother feeding cycle.
For me, it feeds flat points. hollow points etc even eaiser than most 1911s.

Its still a .45 acp.
The grip angle isn't that of a .45 but I haven't heard any complaints about it.
Its DA/SA, but it can be used as Traditonal SA without a problem.

Its worth looking at.

[Melissa5]

Glock 30sf or 36 for size and simplicity.
S&W M&P for a nice feeling grip.

I carry a Glock 36 with factory night sights.

[rsxr22]

some guns listed are good options but some people arent thinking very much with their comments.

HK's are not necessarily pricey if you buy used. Buying used is one of the best ways to save some serious coin on guns. You should be able to get a used HK from 550-650.

BUT

If your husband and you are going to be sharing this gun, then i would almost automatically cancel the HK USP, Ruger P90, and FN 45, and Glock 21 out. These guns all have extremely large frames and unless you have some big hands you will not be able to hold this weapon comfortably.

Out of the other options i think the two best non 1911s for both of you would be the Sig 220 and CZ. I personally do not care for CZ's because of the small slide, but it is a personal preference. I personaly would never take any of these guns over a 1911, but if i had to it would be the Sig 220. Very comfortable to shoot, reliable, and proven!

[87samurai]

I prefer the M&P45fs and 45c. Handles, conceals, and shoots better than the Glock 45s I had.

[DZcarry]

These guns all have extremely large frames and unless you have some big hands you will not be able to hold this weapon comfortably.

I'm tall and I've got big hand for a woman. 'Twas a constant source of abuse while I was in school...

[thinkingman]

SW 625