Looking for a .45 CCW under $400


PDA






Ukraine Train
June 21, 2006, 11:15 PM
I got a .45 Taurus 24/7 Pro about a month ago and I like shooting it (when it works:rolleyes:) but once chambered you cannot decock it and I don't want to carry with the safety on. I'm nervous about carrying it cocked/safety off so I think I'll be selling it. So I guess what I want is a DA/SA gun with a decocker or exposed hammer so I can manually decock it after chambering. The other thing I like about the 24/7 is the lack of a bobtail because the one on my Arcus always prints. XD's might be an option but they're cocked when chambered too, right? Or is it like a Glock where it's only half cocked?

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MAGNUMMAN
June 21, 2006, 11:53 PM
Ruger P90 of course.

Ukraine Train
June 22, 2006, 12:13 AM
I've shot a couple 9mm P series Rugers and I wasn't all that pleased, though I hear they are reliable. It just felt too bulky and unrefined.

ARTiger
June 22, 2006, 12:15 AM
Just saw a Glock 36 Slim line - 6+1 single stack. That's a lot of firepower in a real small package. May need to bump the budget a bit though.

Shweboner
June 22, 2006, 12:34 AM
Well in that price range, you may want to look at the Taurus PT145 or if you want a traditional SA/DA look at the Taurus PT945.

Although slightly above the $400 mark The XD sub-comp or service size pistols will work nce. Not sure if the sub-comp is available in .45 or not??? But I carried a 4" XD in 9mm and never ad any problems and I concealed it pretty well and I am not a very big guy either.

CHeck those out. See what you think

Euclidean
June 22, 2006, 12:40 AM
The XD is in fact cocked when there is a round in the chamber as it is a single action pistol. However, it is physically impossible for it to fire unless #1 The trigger is deliberately pulled straight back with sufficient force and #2 Simultaneous with #1, the grip safety is depressed.

However I don't think this is the type of manual of arms you're looking for. Ruger P345 maybe? They've got manual safety and decocker versions last time I checked.

Ukraine Train
June 22, 2006, 12:53 AM
I'll have to give Rugers a closer look but man I just can't get used to that cinder block look they have. Same with Glocks haha. I'll play with both at the gun show this weekend. What I'd really like is a Para 1911 LDA but they're out of my price range.

wardog
June 22, 2006, 01:03 AM
Look for a used SIG P245. I found one for $425 in near perfect condition. Love it. Make sure it fits your hand first though.

djwdjw
June 22, 2006, 01:10 AM
You might want to consider a Taurus Millenium Pro PT745 Stainless. It's nearly identical to the PT145, but single stack, slightly lighter, etc.

The fit/finish is mind-boggling at this price point (barely > $300). Essentially the same size as a Kahr P45 (i.e. one of the smaller .45 ACP) but over $200 less expensive. I have both, and the Taurus' reliability has been perfect so far, not so the Kahr.

LanEvo`
June 22, 2006, 01:44 AM
I guess what I want is a DA/SA gun with a decocker or exposed hammer so I can manually decock it after chambering.Why would you want to manually lower a hammer on a chambered round? That's the recipe for a negligent discharge. If you're uncomfortable with "cocked and locked" (for whatever reason) and you don't want DAO, then you should be looking for a de-cocker equipped gun.

The other thing I like about the 24/7 is the lack of a bobtail because the one on my Arcus always prints. XD's might be an option but they're cocked when chambered too, right? Or is it like a Glock where it's only half cocked?If you want an inexpensive, reliable, and accurate DA autopistol chambered for .45ACP you'll have a hard time beating the CZ 97B. But it's a VERY big gun. Ditto for the S&W 4506. Maybe check out some of the smaller, alloy-frame Smiths chambered for .45ACP. Used examples are generally under $300.

airborne19822003
June 22, 2006, 09:42 AM
I know this is the auto-loader section, but I would say that you are describing any of the DAO snubby revolvers, which will be much easier to find in your price range. I personnally would go get the SIG P220, but its a little bigger than most consider a "CCW".
I am also going to say that if you aren't comfortable carrying "cocked and locked" then you may not want to carry for the sake of carrying. Anyone, IMHO, should be 100% confident with their ability to be safe with ANY firearm if you are going to carry any firearm. I know that may rub some people wrong out there, but the simple fact is that anyone I have ever met who carries on a consistant basis would be safe with any type of firearm that is in their hand.

SGT M
Mosul, Iraq

m0ntels
June 22, 2006, 09:57 AM
Bersa/Firestorm Thunder 45

Randy

Ukraine Train
June 22, 2006, 10:01 AM
It's not that I'm "uncomfortable" with C&L, I just prefer not having to flip the safety as I'm drawing. I've always carried condition 2 and don't really want to reteach my reflexes.

xingr8
June 22, 2006, 11:24 AM
+1 on the Bersa Thunder 45/Firestorm Mini 45. Great DA/SA trigger. Safety/Decock lever. Owners love them.

http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/detail_bersa45.php
http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/minispecs.htm

das028
June 22, 2006, 11:30 AM
Check out the S&W 457

JDGray
June 22, 2006, 11:52 AM
Ruger P345, best grip feel of the Rugers. If you dont like the magazine disconnect, its a 10 min. job to eliminate.

Essex County
June 22, 2006, 12:04 PM
If you can't live eith a 1911 ( my first choice ) go for a P90. The Ruger s built like a tank and feeds just about everything. Trust Me....You CAN lear to love it.............Essex

mdao
June 22, 2006, 12:52 PM
If you want an inexpensive, reliable, and accurate DA autopistol chambered for .45ACP you'll have a hard time beating the CZ 97B. But it's a VERY big gun. Ditto for the S&W 4506. Maybe check out some of the smaller, alloy-frame Smiths chambered for .45ACP. Used examples are generally under $300.

The S&Ws that you'd be looking at are the 4516, 4513TSW, and 457. All are DA/SA with decocker/safety. They're single stack, reliable, flat, and very easy to conceal IWB or OWB. The 4516 is stainless steel framed and heavy for a gun that size. It has great controllability though. The 4513TSW is aluminum framed and of more reasonable weight. The 457 is the budget version of the 4513TSW.

The 4516 is ~ $300.
The 4513TSW is ~ $450-600. (I did get mine NIB for $375 a month ago.)
The 457 is ~ $350-500.

mrmeval
June 22, 2006, 01:21 PM
Taurus 24/7, it got Handgun of the year from one NRA mag. A friend has one and it's damn nice.

modifiedbrowning
June 22, 2006, 02:57 PM
Another vote for Bersa.

SSN Vet
June 22, 2006, 03:21 PM
the 24/7 (not the PRO, but the original DAO version).

You said "when it works" ... have you had ftf/fte problems?

curious cause I haven't heard many complaints about the newer Taurus semi-autos.

30 cal slob
June 22, 2006, 03:23 PM
I've got a Kimber Eclipse Pro II in very good shape (a few scratches on frame) I could part with for $400 + 1/2 shipping? :D

silhanek
June 22, 2006, 05:45 PM
I have a PT145 and carry it with 10+1 and safety off. Isn't the 24/7 similar design? DAO? I don't think there is anything you need to worry about. It won't fire unless you pull the trigger.

Ukraine Train
June 22, 2006, 06:06 PM
In regards to the 24/7, The PRO version is DA/SA and the non-PRO is DAO. It seems that mostly the .45's are affected by problems. I think they can mostly be attributed to the magazines. The rounds tend to nosedive and won't chamber, the slide doesn't always lock back after the last round, and I think I've had some FTE's with it. Also, sometimes if you're ejecting a full round it'll get stuck in the ejection port with the primer pressed against the ejector. Here's a pretty extensive thread about it: http://www.tacapp.com/?p=53

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