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Old September 13, 2012, 12:09 AM   #1
M1Rifle30-06
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Best .45 ACP Pistol?

I'm really having a hard time buying a .45 semi auto. I don't see what choices are left because:

-I've owned several 1911's, none were reliable enough to trust my life to

-I know 2 people who's Glock 21's kB'd on them. One was with factory ammo. That combined with the internet hysteria over it makes me more than hesitant

-CZ97b Doesn't fit me right and it doesn't impress me

-HK USP 45 REALLY doesn't fit me right. High bore axis and snappy recoil. I don't like it.

-XD has same problems as HK USP 45 for me

-Newer designs such as the S&W M&P, HK45, FNP45, Beretta PX4 .45, etc. are too new for me to really feel comfortable with. I know they're good guns but I want something that's been around for a bit longer.




I feel like I'm being too picky, but at the same time I feel that these are valid concerns. The Glock and 1911 both feel and shoot fine for me, but their respective problems are what holds me back from them.

Any advice?
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Old September 13, 2012, 12:42 AM   #2
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Hasn't the M&P been around for 6 or 7 years now? I thought it hit the market around 2005 or so. I never hear of any problems with them. The .45 is a pretty tame, low pressure round too. Not a lot of problems associated with pistols chambered in it in general. I think the M&P is a great bet. I also think the odds are in your favor with a Glock 21, but if you don't think you'd be comfortable with it then don't mess around with it.
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Old September 13, 2012, 12:49 AM   #3
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Ruger p90 sig p220
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Old September 13, 2012, 12:56 AM   #4
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The Sig 220 is sweet. The first time I shot one I didn't understand why the safety wouldn't go up, It shot so nice I thought it was single action. It was an older one and I didn't recognize it in the muggy indoor range.
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Old September 13, 2012, 03:52 AM   #5
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I'm looking to get a 45 acp handgun too. Anyone have an opinion on Rock Island Armory 1911? They seem really affordable, but I don't want to buy crap that constantly breaks down.
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Old September 13, 2012, 04:38 AM   #6
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Outside of 1911s, I have to say the Sig P220 is one of the iconic .45 pistols. Mine is a joy to shoot (it's a '89 West German) and it is my nightstand gun... I trust my life to it.
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Old September 13, 2012, 05:23 AM   #7
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I switched from a Springfield 1911 to a FNP45 Tactical and couldn't be happier with it's performance as a duty piece. It's been 100% reliable with all ammo I've tried, plenty accurate, has a decent single action trigger, has all the goodies - night sights, ambi everything, rail, replaceable back straps, optics and suppressor ready, etc. Plus, you can't beat the 15+1 capacity.

I still love my 1911s and compete with them and carry one off duty but if size isn't an issue for you and you want a great all around carry/range/house/whatever gun I suggest taking a good hard look at what FN has to offer.
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Old September 13, 2012, 06:12 AM   #8
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i agree with the sigp220. My dad is ex leo and range master for 20 years for that city. In the mid to late 80s he ordered 80 sigp220s which had 700 rounds ran through all of them. and out of all fired there wasnt 1 hicup or malfunction. He also said he ran them all through a degreasing machine which he used to clean out the factory grease and lube and replaced it with better grease and lube. said it lightned the pull on em.
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Old September 13, 2012, 06:19 AM   #9
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I love my Ruger KP345. I'm a huge 1911 fan, and have owned several different makes.

For reliability 'out of the box' and sheer accuracy, the Ruger tops them all. I don't know what it is -- fit, design, some unknown factor -- but it's the most reliable semi-auto I've ever owned. I can feed it light loads, hot loads, factory loads, and it just keeps going. Very easy to take down, and very easy to clean. For every day carry, there's nothing I like more. (And it's fun to shoot - very important).

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ight=ruger+345

Here's a range report I posted at The High Road when my KP345 was new, in 2004. This gun is still going strong and has many thousands of rounds through it. I trust it completely.

Last edited by bird_dog; September 13, 2012 at 06:24 AM.
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Old September 13, 2012, 06:41 AM   #10
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@M1Rifle30-06

With all the malfunctions you've had something tells me you're NOT doing anything right. It's all about READING and RESEARCH.
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Old September 13, 2012, 06:44 AM   #11
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SIG 220.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:04 AM   #12
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NH & MASS State Police went to the 45 M&P after extensive testing.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:18 AM   #13
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M1,

You say you have tried a number of .45 platforms and you don't find anything you like.

Others have said it and I agree, take a good look at a SIG P220 Elite. It is all stainless steel, heavy, accurate and reliable.

It does not have a safety, per se. . .it has a de-cocker.

You can carry loaded with a round in the chamber and have a pretty good double action first pull. Because of that, a failure to fire could be struck again with a double action pull.

A quality 1911 platform is really something to feel and shoot. The trigger on a good one is really something.

You might look around and see if you can find a third generation Smith and Wesson 4506. That is a big gun with double action first pull and definitely reliable.

Police trade ins can be found under $500 or so.

The bottom line is you probably will never find the perfect gun, but you can find one that does most of what you want. In the end, you alone can decide what is right for you.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:34 AM   #14
kraigwy
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Go find a used Series 70 Colt.

Don't bubba it up and you'll have all the reliability you want.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:34 AM   #15
Skans
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Quote:
I'm really having a hard time buying a .45 semi auto. I don't see what choices are left
There have to be more .45 choices in the US than any other format. Just about every gun manufacturer makes some version of the 1911, and then there are those that only make 1911's.

Outside of 1911's, Glocks, and other plastic .45's, I'd look at the S&W 645, 4506 and similar guns. Other than that, you can check out the EAA Witness .45 or the Limited Pro 45. Or the Sig P220.

If you need a higher capacity .45, then check out the STI 2011 frame guns. If you want a pocket 45, then look at the AMT .45 Backup (be prepared to do some polishing and install a Wolf spring to make it reliable).

Last edited by Skans; September 13, 2012 at 07:40 AM.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:40 AM   #16
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Sig P220 again. Great pistol, accurate and reliable.
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Old September 13, 2012, 07:44 AM   #17
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Quote:
-HK USP 45 REALLY doesn't fit me right. High bore axis and snappy recoil. I don't like it.
The newer Hk45 is a really nice refinement of the USP line and gets my vote, followed up by the SIG P220 and then the FNP45.

My USP45 Expert is that most accurate hand gun I own, followed up by the Walther PPQ.
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Old September 13, 2012, 08:11 AM   #18
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IMO the best non custom .45 ACP pistols would be the SIG P220 and the HK45/HK45C.
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Old September 13, 2012, 08:57 AM   #19
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If the Glock fits your hand I'd say go for it.

'Internet hysteria' I think was a good phrase to use. The Glock is a SERIOUS self defense gun that has lots of pluses going for it. *Lots* of police departments use them although I don't think many go for the .45 caliber. If Glocks were really Kaboom machines I believe Glock would be out of business by now.

Personally I like 1911's better for shooting at the range and revolvers for self defense but that is just a plain old personal prejudice and should be considered as the quirks an old guy developes over time.

My 1911's have been older ones and IMhO have been very reliable. This includes buying several $5 magazines at gun shows (most worked fine - some didn't and got tossed) and my own handloads. While working up the handloads some worked and many had problems but I always figured the 1911 itself had to be reliable with its tremendous history of use. Of course your experience with your guns may be different.

For anybody looking for a 1911 I always recommend the Springfield Range Officer:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/19...ngeOfficer.htm

just because I really like the looks of it and the price.
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Old September 13, 2012, 09:04 AM   #20
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Quote:
The Glock is a SERIOUS self defense gun that has lots of pluses going for it. *Lots* of police departments use them although I don't think many go for the .45 caliber. If Glocks were really Kaboom machines I believe Glock would be out of business by now.

I think you are right. I have a G21 and G30 and there is not a thing wrong with them.

I have some pretty nice 1911s that I like a lot.

The OP said he did not like the CZ97, that gun really flys under the radar.

It is big however and some might have a problem with size. It is accurate and reliable.
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Old September 13, 2012, 09:15 AM   #21
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My G30 ....NEVER.... glitched.

I think I'd get the 36 now though as it's slimmer.
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Old September 13, 2012, 09:21 AM   #22
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Another vote for Sig 220.

btw, I had an M&P 45c and liked it a lot, it was just too small for my hand. Had I gotten the M&P 45 FS, I'd probably still have it
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Old September 13, 2012, 09:25 AM   #23
PeterGreg
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When I decided to get a .45acp sidearm I wanted all steel but not a 1911 so I started looking for a 4506 when I found a 4566 in a LGS I snatched in up and I'm very pleased with it.
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Old September 13, 2012, 09:27 AM   #24
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S&W 4566. All steel construction. Durable, accurate and bet your life reliable. Eats everything that can be stuffed in the magazine.

Weight is about the same as any full size 1911. Magazines are MUCH better constructed and readily available.

The 4566 has been made with a safety and with decock only. Also made in very limited numbers with a Melonite finish.

As the 4566 is very underated they can usually be found LNIB for less than $500. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI
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Old September 13, 2012, 10:11 AM   #25
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I agree with the SIG P220. I'm getting one eventually. Sometime this year.

However, the "high bore axis" you say you felt on the Hk and the XD. You make say the same on the P220.

Hope not.


Anyways, my vote is the SIG P220.
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