[Angelo]

I'm looking for a stainless steel .45 for fun at the range. I've handled ss guns and the extra weight doesn't bother me much. With any luck, I'd like to keep the price around $600. My main concern is reliablity. I know any gun from any company can, and probably will, have some issue or another down the road. What I'd like to do is avoid guns or gun designs that aren't very reliable out of the box. I like many 1911 style guns but from what I've read and what people told me they aren't exactly the best when it comes to out-of-the-box reliablity. Although, people have told me that Kimbers are good "as is" or with very little custom work done to them. I'm sure some of you will mention glocks but I'm not interested in them. Nothing against the company or owners, but I've tried out a few and found that don't like them. So what do you say, any suggestions?

Thanks,
Angelo

[Zak Smith]

Suggest looking at Kimber, Dan Wesson, Colt.

-z

[sm]

Just my opinion.

I'd spend a bit more, or find a used one.
Just watched $300 added to a $650 SS 1911 in work, parts, etc to get it to run and have features like a Series I Kimber, in SS. (for instance)

No, I won't divulge the brand of 1911 Work performed on.

$600 I'd find used, go with a blue(non stainless) be patient and carry cash, in case someone HAS to sell theirs.

ymmv

[Shane]

You might find a used Sig 220ST for around $600.


If you want a 1911 type pistol, Springfield and Kimber make decent stainless .45's, but especially Kimbers can be pricey. Again, you might need to buy used.

[Angelo]

Thanks guys! A friend of mine has a S&W 645 in ss he'll sell to me for $500. I've fired it before and enjoy it very much. I'm not sure what the original 645 had for features but his has a decocker (I believe that wasn't originally on that model), trigger job, smoothed out hammer (not sure what to call it), and other various things done. I know he paid $500 for it and that's what he'll sell it to me for. I think it's about 7 years old, but in good condition. Would I be stupid to pass this up? It's not a 1911 style like I mentioned but the price does seem right, at least to this newbie. I should have mentioned that, aside from 1911', I like the H&K USP 45. It's not ss but I really like it. There's just too many nice guns out there to pick one at a time:D Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to get more than one anytime soon:banghead:

[10-Ring]

I normally chime in w/ the HK USP recommendation, so....

Get the HK USP 45 :D You might still be able to find one in stainless if you really have to have stainless. Fantastic guns, fantastic shooters ;)

[Angelo]

Thanks 10-Ring, I really do like those guns! It's definitely among my top choices. I'm not 100% set on ss but it would be a plus. A lot of people post that H&K's finish holds up well, so it might not be much of a concern with them. I like stainless steel because there's no coating to wear off and it handles different levels of humidity well.

[Longbow]

Ruger P90/97!

[Ian11]

New Stainless Colt M1991A1, good to go right out of the box. The thing with 1911's is curbing the urge to modify it just because there are so many options out there. I've had my Colt M1991A1 for almost 2 years now and the only thing I've done to it is a trigger job, extended ejector (brass in my face), and different grips. Its been perfectly reliable.

If you can get a used SIG P220ST for around $600 I highly recommend them. Its based on a proven design and is more accurate than the standard P220 for most people (due to the fact the weight soaks up a lot of the recoil). The workmanship is the best I've seen on a production gun under $1000.

[guitar7272]

Another vote for the sig p220st. I have a P220 in duo-tone and I love it.

[1badmagnum]

I absolutely love my springfield 1911,I own 3 45 acp autoloaders and the springfield is the finest,most accurate,and most reliable.
the xd will be my next pistol in 40 s&w,glock just lost my business,cant pass up the xd.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-sub-compact.shtml

[Pendragon]

I would say - look at the S&W 625

That will be my next .45 purchase :)

[tlhelmer]

Sig 220

[Rob96]

Ruger P-90

[ruger357]

New Springfield stainless mil-spec.

[Angelo]

Thanks everyone, I'll look into the guns suggested and see what happens! I'm so happy to have found this site. After TFL closed I didn't know where to go. I was at 1911forums.com and saw a link to this great place:D

Ruger357: Are you the same person I talked to on TFL about D&L Shooting in RI? It was about 6 months ago, I think.

Angelo

[Skunkabilly]

Pre-owned USP45C.

Never shot a Cougar but if you're dead set on the .45 I'd get a Cougar just to use the mags in that Beretta carbine :D

[C. H. Luke]

If you don't mind DA/SA, P220 hands down!

SIG IS reliability!

[StressPuppy]

I have a Kimber SS Pro Carry and recommend it highly. It was flawless out of the box and very accurate. Has a couple thousand rounds through it and I have yet to have a problem. Nice finish, trigger, etc. But, yes, as some say, it is a bit pricey at $725. But I have never looked back and it will always have a place in my "collection" (read "arsenal"). If you try to find a used one, you will see that you won't save as much money as you will for some other guns. Kimber's seem to hold their value. I thought about buying used, but would only save $75-100 on one in very good shape, so I thought it worth it to get it new at that point.

Just my 2 cents.....

[agony]

My vote for the SIG P220ST.

[blades67]

Kimber Custom II, mine was $599.

[WESHOOT2]

For the money I personally would search for a used Kimber. IME they seem best-of-breed, both in reliability and accuracy.
I have some experience.

Your results may vary.

(With more money I'd buy a H&K Expert or USP Variant #9).

[DakotaSig]

P220ST!
I'm in the process of buying a NEW one for $655.00 incl. shipping.

Bachman guns, Dallas Tx.:D :D

[Kahr carrier]

Springfield Loaded 45acp.

[duncan]

Love my Springfield Armory SS Ultra Compact in 9mm.

Very relaibale. Can't see you going wrong with a full sized SA Loaded SS government model in 45 ACP.

Or a Kimber Classic SS.

Have both and they are equally good shooters for their purposes.

[Angelo]

Thanks a lot everyone! I went to my local gun shop yesterday thinking that the H&K USPc w/ss slide would be the one, but I'm not sure now. The reason why I'm not sure is the Sig 220ST! Man is that a sweet piece! The H&K is built rock solid and looks very cool, but the Sig is more comfortable in my hands. Even with the added weight of ss I like the Sig more for comfort. So now I'm here thinking...Maybe I should go with the the Sig since comfort is the only important issue between the two. What I mean is, they're both known for reliablity, right? Also, both are built to high standards, and look great. So I guess the main concern would be comfort and Sig wins that one in my case.

I'm going to do more thinking and a little more saving ($$$) and get one of them soon. BTW, would $749+ tax be a fair price for the Sig 220ST? I got quoted around $800 for the H&K, before taxes.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions :D

[StressPuppy]

Go for comfort!!!!!! Unless you plan on having it behind glass and just looking at it, how it feels in your hand is EXTREMELY important.

Not sure on the price, someone else might have that answer for you.

Regardless of which you get, you will be getting a great gun!

Have fun and be safe!

[gudel]

to angelo,
I got a new HK 45 USP, that's about the price I got it here in cali. It's a nice one, I compared it with the glock, but i like the HK grip better (cost $250 more).

[WESHOOT2]

If forced to buy a SIG, the ONLY version I would consider is the 220 in all-stainless.

(Based on its 'feel', I'd say you like it enough to buy it.)