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View Full Version : Good choice for a .45 car gun?


Mokumbear
June 5, 2014, 06:15 PM
I am looking to get a gun to protect myself when in my car.

Currently, I just have my carry size Walther PPS in 9mm.

Not looking to go cheap, not looking to spend frivolously.

Any suggestions for a .45 semi auto for the car?
Not planning to use to use it for carry.

Reliability is my #1 concern.
Must go bang when the trigger is pulled.

I like the Ruger P90 but it has gone by the wayside with
the popularity of polymer frame guns.

Uncle Malice
June 5, 2014, 06:18 PM
Ruger SR 45, XD 45, Glock 21/30 are all good options.

redhawk45
June 5, 2014, 06:23 PM
I would think a Beretta PX4 would work well, 10 shots of 45. Mine has been very reliable and accurate.

jmr40
June 5, 2014, 06:28 PM
Used Ruger P-90's, P345's and P-97's are still out there. The P-97 would be the best of the bunch for me. If you want to spend a little more the Glock S&W offer offerings are good choices too.

Castle22
June 5, 2014, 06:40 PM
Glock 30. It's made to work. Plus, it's hard to argue about 10 rounds of .45.

geetarman
June 5, 2014, 07:19 PM
^^^^ Yep. The G30 is hard to beat.

tomrkba
June 5, 2014, 07:34 PM
I can think of a few: SIG P220, SIG P227, SIG P245, S&W M&P 45, S&W M&P 45 Compact, HK 45 Compact, HK USP 45 Compact, Springfield XD 45, Springfield XDM 45, Springfield XD 45 Compact, Springfield XD-S 45, Glock 21 Gen 4, Glock 30 Gen 4, Glock 36, Glock 30S, Ruger SR45, Kahr P45, Kahr PM45, Beretta PX4 45, FN FNX 45, and FN FNP 45.

I left out all 1911's. If you like 1911's, then Impact Guns has a bunch of Les Baer pistols.

(source: impactguns.com, click "Firearms" -> "Handguns" -> Search "Caliber")

Since you said "45" and not "45 ACP", you may also want to consider 45 GAP. This gets you a smaller package in the form of the Glock 38 or 39. The Glock 39 is like a fat Glock 26.

vladan
June 5, 2014, 08:05 PM
Another vote for glock 21/30... they are fairly inexpensive and hard to beat in reliability and durability.

Rmart30
June 5, 2014, 08:36 PM
XDM 45

Mystro
June 5, 2014, 08:42 PM
Another for a G30. They are cheap, ugly, handle neglect, and go bang. A pure utilitarian gun you won't mind leaving in the car. I have a G27 I leave in my ATV trunk. Don't care what it looks like as long as it is reliable. I call my Glocks my disposable guns because they are all the same and easily replaceable without any personal attachments.
A M&P Compact 45 would equally be as good.

TunnelRat
June 5, 2014, 08:51 PM
I wouldn't choose a 45 for defense in a car. At that point I imagine penetration would be key, both shooting through your own windows and shooting through the windows of others.

gyvel
June 5, 2014, 08:55 PM
From a practical standpoint, a Rock Island basic 1911 .45 would be a good choice for you. While they are not top of the the line, they are well-made, and reliable, and don't cost all that much in case of theft (or confiscation in case you have to use it). Also, you have the advantage of almost limitless replacement parts or upgrade parts if you so choose.

There are more expensive guns that you can choose but, if, as you say, it is to be a car gun, my consideration would be (a) it has to work, and (b) if it goes bye-bye for any reason, I'm not out that much $$$.

YMMV

jnichols2
June 5, 2014, 09:05 PM
I'm not sure I want to hear a .45 go off multiple times in an enclosed car.

MEATSAW
June 6, 2014, 01:51 AM
A car/truck gun means you don't have to worry to much about weight or size because the vehicle is carrying it , not you. As such I would recommend a full size model. Yet it has to be comfortable for you to employ effectively. I really like the capacity and feel of the Springfield XD, but I wouldn't look past an HK45 or a glock 21 , M&P 45.

kcub
June 6, 2014, 07:31 AM
I wouldn't choose a 45 for defense in a car. At that point I imagine penetration would be key, both shooting through your own windows and shooting through the windows of others.


Agreed. .357 Sig or .38 Super are best. Next is .40. Look at what highway patrolmen carry who are likely to have to shoot through cars.

lee n. field
June 6, 2014, 07:47 AM
Good choice for a .45 car gun?
I am looking to get a gun to protect myself when in my car.


As in, a gun you are going to leave in your car? High Point.

jmr40
June 6, 2014, 07:54 AM
I'm not sure I want to hear a .45 go off multiple times in an enclosed car.

A 45 would be no worse than any others and much better than many. You have to make a decision ahead of time, do I risk losing my hearing, or my life? Any gun fired in an enclosed car is going to be painful. I know of at least 2 LE officers forced into early retirement after firing 357 mags in an enclosed area. They could no longer pass the hearing test on their physical.

loose_holster_dan
June 6, 2014, 09:25 AM
mine is the xdm 45. lots of capacity.

eldermike
June 6, 2014, 09:35 AM
GI 45, very used. Cheap and built for the task.

Rogervzv
June 6, 2014, 09:46 AM
Any Colt 1911

The Ruger SR45.

The SR45 is astoundingly accurate and for the money you will not get a better shooting .45 pistol.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a331/Roger54/Gun%20Stuff/Gun%20Stuff%202/Pistols/SR45-4_zps17d61389.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/Roger54/media/Gun%20Stuff/Gun%20Stuff%202/Pistols/SR45-4_zps17d61389.jpg.html)

weblance
June 6, 2014, 11:53 AM
Ruger P97 or P345. They can be had in the mid $300 and are an excellent value. Utterly reliable, and blazingly accurate. What more do you need?

jr24
June 6, 2014, 02:32 PM
The P90 is pretty hard to beat. Rugged, reliable, and probably cheap if you can find em. SR45 would work too. I'd probably go with a Glock 21, myself.

smee78
June 6, 2014, 03:05 PM
For a full size 45 I went with a G21, plenty of 45acp on tap and I agree with everyone else that I have no personal feelings towards tupperware guns. I admit I like the fact that they go bang everytime and are good guns but like a hammer. A good used Ruger will work also like a P345, I would hit the used gun section looking what I could get a deal on and then decide.

Mokumbear
June 6, 2014, 08:12 PM
The Glock 30 is significantly more expensive than the Ruger SR45.

Is it really worth the extra money for the Glock?

I also noticed that there are several varieties of the Glock 30 available.

Uncle Malice
June 6, 2014, 08:15 PM
The Glock 30 is significantly more expensive than the Ruger SR45.

Is it really worth the extra money for the Glock?

I also noticed that there are several varieties of the Glock 30 available.

It's smaller. It's been around longer. Maybe a little more 'proven'. The SR45 is a good gun, for sure.

If you go with a Glock 30, I'd say to go 30SF or Gen 4. The 30S is thinner in the slide, but recoils a good bit harder.

A used 30SF would be a great option.

jr24
June 6, 2014, 09:05 PM
The Glock 30 is significantly more expensive than the Ruger SR45.

Is it really worth the extra money for the Glock?

I also noticed that there are several varieties of the Glock 30 available.

I'm wondering why grab a compact for a car gun, I'd go full size regardless of the brand if its job is to sit in the car.

The SR45 will be MUCH thinner in the hands though, so unless you get the 30SF, or 30S, or a Gen 4 G30... AND you happen to have small hands (like I do) you may find the grip too fat.

tomrkba
June 6, 2014, 10:24 PM
I wouldn't choose a 45 for defense in a car. At that point I imagine penetration would be key, both shooting through your own windows and shooting through the windows of others.

We shot car doors, wood doors, cinder blocks and car glass in the last F2S Consulting Carbine course. I shot 45 FMJ and JHP and neither had any trouble penetrating the door and hitting the cardboard. All rifle rounds (5.56x45mm and 5.45) penetrated with ease.

The trick with cinder block is to know how it is constructed. It is divided into thirds and you shoot in the spaces on the left and right. A three round burst with either 9mm or 45 ACP (FMJ and JHP) will penetrate all the way through. It's really not that big of a deal. Figure out where a man's torso would be standing near the door, hold over and blast away.

45, 9, 40 and 357 Magnum are all just fine for car defense.

I'm wondering why grab a compact for a car gun

Easy: the dimensions of the compartment will dictate the size of a gun. My friend uses a Kahr PM9 because that fits in the door while allowing the gun to be easily accessed. My old Acura's glove box could only hold a Glock 19.

If the OP has a small glove box, then the Springfield XD-S 45 or Kahr P45 may be just the ticket.

Dirty_Harry
June 6, 2014, 10:41 PM
I have an MP 45, and it is a nice gun. Trigger sucks, but it goes bang every time.


To be honest, I wish I would have gotten a Glock 21. Thats my recommendation.

Even better, a Glock 20. Thats my real recommendation, and I have one of those.

10 mm kicks ass.

jr24
June 7, 2014, 12:37 AM
Easy: the dimensions of the compartment will dictate the size of a gun. My friend uses a Kahr PM9 because that fits in the door while allowing the gun to be easily accessed. My old Acura's glove box could only hold a Glock 19

Great point. I guess when I think truck/car gun I think of using those safes that you can chain/bolt to your frame. I would be all kinds of uncomfortable just keeping one in the glove box full time. I'll put my EDC in there when I'm going to the post office or such, but overnight/all day wouldn't be for me.

To each their own.

kcub
June 7, 2014, 05:00 AM
So what if it penetrated cardboard after going through barriers. That does not equate to good performance after barriers. A BB will penetrate cardboard just fine.

Model12Win
June 7, 2014, 05:26 AM
I'd get the Glock 21 gen 4.

gyvel
June 7, 2014, 08:33 AM
I'm not sure I want to hear a .45 go off multiple times in an enclosed car.

In a stress situation, you won't even remember hearing the discharge.

ritepath
June 7, 2014, 08:59 AM
Hands down the SR45....accurate, affordable, reliable.

It may out shoot my p220...

Off hand @100 yards I can ring the gong 2 or 3 times in 10 rounds...

On the bench at 35 yards with the crappy "combat" sights it's easy to keep 10 rounds in a 12" plate sized target.

AT 25 yards I can eat up the plates.

7-10 yards will net me 3-5" groups and I can't shoot that well.


For 389 bucks it can't be beat....you can leave it in the vehicle and if it's stolen only your conscience will bother you, not your wallet.

Laz
June 7, 2014, 09:26 AM
Since you mentioned the P90, I'm assuming you like no frills, tough, hammer-fired pistols, so I'm going to suggest looking at the Sig P250 which is reasonably priced and comes in a full-sized, compact, and sub-compact version. It is DAO so there is a very simple manual of arms, which I think is good for a car gun.

WESHOOT2
June 7, 2014, 03:18 PM
Ruger.
P series, or 345.

Garycw
June 7, 2014, 04:07 PM
I use a PT745 because it's chambered, no safety DAO and it fits perfectly in a easy reach latching compartment. It's actually hard to even know the compartment is there if not familiar with the type of car. It's the only .45acp I own that will fit there.

tomrkba
June 7, 2014, 04:13 PM
So what if it penetrated cardboard after going through barriers. That does not equate to good performance after barriers. A BB will penetrate cardboard just fine.

I agree that we do not know is the velocity of the bullet after it exited the door. It likely would have caused a wound, which is the point of the exercise. The problem with the thinking displayed by many people about barrier penetration is that they do not consider the break down of the barrier as bullets are fired into it.

Therefore, I would fire a burst in the same location--one or two of those bullets will not be hindered by the door at all and those in the middle of the burst will lose less velocity than the first bullet or two. This is one reason why we practice burst fire (the other is to end the fight as soon as possible).

tomrkba
June 7, 2014, 04:20 PM
Hands down the SR45....accurate, affordable, reliable.

It may out shoot my p220...

Off hand @100 yards I can ring the gong 2 or 3 times in 10 rounds...

On the bench at 35 yards with the crappy "combat" sights it's easy to keep 10 rounds in a 12" plate sized target.

My SIG P220 can do seven or eight out of nine at 100 yards if I hold over properly. I'm still trying for nine out of nine! One day I'll get it!

There is much to be said about a sub-$400 pistol shooting hand sized groups at 25 yards. You certainly won't cry if it's lost or confiscated after a self-defense encounter.

kcub
June 7, 2014, 05:40 PM
45 will not penetrate a ww2 era helmet.

WildBill45
June 7, 2014, 06:39 PM
A revolver makes for a good car gun, S&W 325, for an auto the SR45 and Glock 41 make a nice full size response piece when in a bad spot!

ronl
June 8, 2014, 10:09 PM
I carry a .45 as my truck/car gun. Para Ordnance P14. It is extremely accurate and has proven totally reliable. I like the weight of it and it makes the second shot almost too easy. Having 14 rds. of .45 isn't a bad thing either.

thedudeabides
June 9, 2014, 12:03 AM
I use a Colt CCO.

Gary L. Griffiths
June 9, 2014, 08:07 PM
My car gun is a SAR K2 with Viridian X5L laser/light. 15-rds of .45 ACP, conventional double action, heavy but accurate and easy to shoot. :cool:

jr24
June 10, 2014, 04:00 AM
The Glock 30 is significantly more expensive than the Ruger SR45.

Is it really worth the extra money for the Glock?

I also noticed that there are several varieties of the Glock 30 available.

It is much smaller, holds the same amount of ammo, has the ability to hold more ammo through G21 mags and extensions, doesn't have safeties.

That said, I'd be perfectly happy with a SR45 for a truck gun.

Mokumbear
June 10, 2014, 05:38 PM
Riddle me this...

Do you think a 9mm would make for a better car gun?

Would a 9mm more easily penetrate car glass than .45 ammo?

kcub
June 10, 2014, 06:09 PM
Best car gun
357 sig, 38 super, 40, 10mm

jr24
June 10, 2014, 06:49 PM
Would a 9mm more easily penetrate car glass than .45 ammo?

It is my understanding that heavier is generally better for glass. Bonded over non bonded. At least that's what the internet has told me, I'm sure there are others on here much more knowledgeable (maybe with actual experience).

Best car gun
357 sig, 38 super, 40, 10mm

Care to elaborate on the why? I'm guessing... velocity? Me, I like big, fat and slow.

kcub
June 11, 2014, 07:01 AM
Texas DPS uses .357 Sig and has nothing but success including winning gunfight against shooters up high in the cab of an 18 wheeler.

Many other highway patrols use .40. Ten mm is even better.
38 Super duplicates .357 Sig in many loads.

Turning the question around, why would you choose 9 or 45 when better options exist for high probability need for barrier penetration?

joe-lumber
June 11, 2014, 09:47 AM
I went out yesterday and shot my Sig 227. It has taken me 4 boxes of 50 to get better at targets. Now I think I have it down to master the added recoil and accuracy with a 45. It can be shot double action on the first shot and single action after that so it can be carried hot. Most of my other guns were 9mm and now the 45's are feeling great to be shooting.
J

Mokumbear
June 12, 2014, 05:05 PM
Nice photo, Roger.

I own both the Ruger P89 and P90.

I am too fond of them to keep them in the car.
I believe the P series was the last that Mr. Ruger was personally involved in. :cool:

DBH45
June 13, 2014, 01:09 PM
I would carefully consider a full size Colt, not only are they reliable but the ones they are producing now are the best they have ever made. IMO in years to come they will be a highly sought gun.

The Obvious Is Often Over Looked

Wyosmith
June 13, 2014, 01:23 PM
ANY good 45.

The car makes no difference. A good one will work even when there is no car near it.

rickmelear
June 13, 2014, 04:59 PM
If its in your car size doesn't matter, Glock 21 or any large capacity would suffice. Same as a HD handgun.

dontcatchmany
June 13, 2014, 07:29 PM
I have an FNX 40 in one vehicle and a Bersa 45 UC Pro in a second vehicle....the Bersa is excellent, but it is soon to be replaced by a FNS 40....and if I can ever get .357 Sig barrels for each of he FN pistols, I will put em in both pistols.

Other pistols and/or revolvers (45/357 mag/9mm/38 spcl)are in spots around the house and also carried owb/iwb.

EvilE
June 15, 2014, 01:25 AM
LOVE my Ruger P90!!!

bedbugbilly
June 15, 2014, 02:40 PM
Ruger SR45 would get my vote . . . .

kilimanjaro
June 15, 2014, 02:48 PM
Along with a car gun, gun the car and leave like a beaver.

mavracer
June 16, 2014, 08:41 AM
Off body carry, like a car gun, is the one time I prefer a traditional DA/SA for safety reasons. Since I mostly carry autos that are compliant with my 1911 safety sweeping draw stroke, I prefer decockers or frame mounted safetys on my DA/SAs.
I had a P97dc that was a good serviceable pistol, functioned 100% but did cause a bit of hammer bite, I would think the P345 would be better in that reguard, I ended up selling the P97 when I found a Sig P220 LEO surplus gun at a great price it's 100% reliable and IMO more comfortable to shoot.
There are plenty of good guns ot there to chose from though.

WildBill45
June 16, 2014, 08:57 PM
Remember, almost important as the gun is the holster you wear in the car. The seatbelt gets into the way, locks in your holster/gun or catches on your belt, or other things on your bat-belt. I learned as a cop, a job where shooting from a car is a reality everyday, you have to learn to move your body, shift your hips to get clearance to clear your gun. If you are a civilian or off duty, a cross draw holster is good if you travel in high crime areas. Learning to shoot left handed ... every cop did that in the day ... is good, as your left hand has more latitude and range since you are not crossing your body, and it is closest to your target(s)!

Most folks forget that their best weapon is their CAR! Leave space behind every car and give yourself a chance to run, or run at, the bad guy. He will be too busy ducking the front end of your Humvee to take a proper aim!!!

Big4Freedom
June 17, 2014, 02:49 PM
I'd go with something inexpensive that wouldn't flip you out if stolen while not in car. Kahr CM45, msrp $460. Could probably pick one up $375ish. No giant loss if swiped and small enough to keep anywhere handy in car. I keep a CM40 in mine for that reason. Other one than being on me, ya won't find my sig's or whatever nice handguns I own in my car...I've also been known to leave an lcp tucked somewhere handy in addition for the same reason...never know when ya might need to throw it in a suit coat pocket or shorts while your at a shady convenience store after dark.

If you do go that route, take the cm45 to the range for a few hundred rds, first, to ensure reliability. I had to send my cm40 back for repair after buying new (ugh!) and now it runs perfectly!

HKFan9
June 17, 2014, 03:45 PM
My choices would be 1911, HK45, Sig P220 P227, XDM 45, M&P 45... or a Glock 21/30 IF they fit your hands.

Sorry but the Ruger SR45 has a major issue.... the magazine releases break VERY easily. I already had to replace 6 of them.. I even broke the mag release shooting the demo model with the Ruger Reps last summer.

I am honestly shocked there isn't more buzzing about it seeing at the alarming rate it has happened around me. SIX different customers and one demo gun to make seven SR-45's with the same issue... I won't trust them.

True Grit
June 21, 2014, 06:51 PM
Mokumbear -

I assume you're referring to a .45 ACP, and if so, I'd recommend the very reliable full-size Colt Gov't Model 1911. It looks and feels like a lot of gun and I love it. It's had over 1000 plus rounds through it with never a malfunction.

True Grit

Boncrayon
June 22, 2014, 03:10 PM
A 1911 would be dandy and most intimidating. I'd suggest a Dessert Eagle with 8 +1. Around $800, it is affordable for many, well built and serves me accurately on the range at 10 yds. with accuracy. However, a 9mm Beretta is also intimidating. Given the ammo, you would not need to shoot more than 2-3 rounds in a typical assault situation, given it is only one assailant.

A 40 PX4 however has more energy than the 9 for going through a car window or windshield. I'd always have a full jacket first in line, followed by Hornady Critical Defense rounds to follow.

kcub
June 22, 2014, 06:08 PM
Wilson Combat - because they stand behind its use with .45 Super ammo which is the only 45 adequate for a car gun if you have to shoot through it

CWKahrFan
June 22, 2014, 06:50 PM
How about a good-condition used S&W 4506?... Stainless, uber-reliable... Looks simultaneously elegant and "bad". Mine is my most-trusted gun... I think of it kind of as a "double-action 1911". (Purists don't get in a wad about that phrase!...)

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_4500_pistol_series#Smith_.26_Wesson_4506

HKFan9
June 22, 2014, 09:18 PM
Wilson Combat - because they stand behind its use with .45 Super ammo which is the only 45 adequate for a car gun if you have to shoot through it

If you are driving a 60's era muscle car that may be true, in which case I am jealous.

However car construction today is fairly easy to shoot through even with smaller calibers. Instructors will often refer to a car as a concealment option vs hard cover. Unless you get down behind the engine block or wheels, there is not a while lot of material in cars of today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYBd9p3b8M

Now .45 wouldn't be my first choice for shooting through barriers, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it from or into a car.

kcub
June 23, 2014, 09:20 AM
You're ok with .45 not making it through plywood after the door every time per your link?

Thanks for making my point.

HKFan9
June 23, 2014, 10:24 AM
If you watched the entire video... 1... ONE .45 Hollowpoint didn't make it through the plywood backer because it fully expanded and hit the metal wind shield handle. The rest (including the 2nd bullet he shows) went through both and he dug that one out of the dirt.

1 out of many I could live with. I don't keep a .45acp in my car, but I see nothing wrong with doing so. In a real life situation you are not going to fire 1 round at an attacker. There are also rounds like Speer Gold Dots that are designed and tested against windshield glass.

The door in the video is even a bad example of modern car construction, its a 88 Dodge Caravan I think he mentions. Cars these days have less metal and more "crush-able" panels. If you loose sleep over it, there are still plenty of other rounds I would take over a .45 Super if penetration is what you want to achieve, you mentioned some already.

Ufgatorz82
June 23, 2014, 10:34 AM
I'd suggest a G30 if you have to have a 45acp semi-auto.....but I like the idea and HAVE a Taurus Judge in mine (2 rounds of 45LC and 3 rounds of 410 PDX Defender). :D