[bear71]

For a small collection of .45 ACP pistols, what five models would you choose? Try to select a variety rather than five different variants of the 1911. The reason I ask is that I'm kinda stuck at three, not quite sure which way to go next.

1911, P220, XD45. Definitely want a couple more differently styled models before I look into a Commander. Variety first, then I'll start doubling up.:rolleyes:

[Deer Hunter]

S&W 625 5"
CZ 97B
Dan Wesson 1911
Glock 21
Ruger Redhawk with .45 ACP cylinder.

[Dr.Rob]

Colt Government Model Series 70

Sig 220

HK P9S (good luck they are spendy)

Colt Commander Lightweight

not autos:

Colt or SW 1917 Military models.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Sig 220
Sig 220 Elite
Sig 220 Match
Sig 220 Carry DAK
Sig 220 Equinox.

[FireArmFan]

1. Any Quality 1911
2. Sig P220
3. HK USP
4. Springfield XD
5. Possibly the Smith & Wesson M&P .45, not sure if that's out yet.

[mrcpu]

Ed Brown 1911,
XD 45
S&W MP 45
Can't remember the taurus model, the millenium pro one...
And a Kimber RCP, although I'd really rather have the aegis,
but you said .45...

[longeyes]

S&W 1911PD

Glock 30

Glock 36

[Cousin Mike]

Wilson Combat 1911 (CQB)
H&K Mark 23 SOCOM
SIG P220 (ST or Equinox)
Glock 30
S&W 625 4"

Oh wait, this isn't a dream list... :neener: :o :D :evil:

Springer Loaded 1911, or any quality 1911
H&K USP .45
Sig P220
G30 & S&W 625

[pbhome71]

SA XD 45
Glock 30/36
Sig 220
1911 varience
HK USP 45 Compact/full size
Taurus 45ACP revolver

[Ala Dan]

Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911
SIG P220
Springfield XD
Smith & Wesson model 25-2
Smith & Wesson Air-Lite snubby model 325 PD

Then, I believe you would have all your bases covered.

[Bergeron]

Ned Christiansen 5" 1911
S+W 22
C. T. Brian Chopper
HK45C
S&W Bobtail Scandium Commander frame w/ Sig 4 1/4" slide

[GW]

XD 45
Glock-30
Taurus PT 145 Pro
A good 1911 This should be your 1st acquisition.
S&W 457 (I just really liked mine)

My personal experiences with the Sig P-220 and the H&K USP 45 weren't great.
I've owned them both, sold both and haven't missed them a bit
YMMV but for me there just warn't no love connection

[muscles]

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5880/132710968bo.jpg

[RNB65]

1911
XD 45
Sig 220
CZ 97
S&W 625 :D

[steveracer]

Colt 1911A1
Sig P220
Glock 21
HK USP 45
Smith 625

[Bill B.]

Add a S&W 4586 ...........one of the best DAO autos.

[strambo]

Well, I'm too late to add much to this...Kahr P45?:D

[FR Baseball]

Quality 1911
HK USP
Sig 220
S&W MP45

And dare I say it......

Ruger P90!

[Walkalong]

1911
XD
another 1911
HK
S&W Wheelgun

[BrennanKG]

-high end 1911 (Bergeron I'll be sure to post my NedC in 4 years when my wait is up!)
-Sig P220SAO
-HK USP tactical (or HK45 full-sized)
-FNP45 (looks very promising)
-Wilson KZ-45 (I consider wide-bodies to be a different animals than ss 1911s)


B.

[doubleg]

Colt 1911 series 70

H&K USP .45

Ruger P90

Sig Sauer P220

UZI .45 Pistol :what:

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Sig P220
Ruger P90
S&W M&P
Glock G30 & G36----full size Glocks never felt right to me.

[The Lone Haranguer]

SIG P220
S&W 4506
GLOCK 30
Colt 1911
H&K USP compact

[MrDig]

Are these safe Queens or Shooting Irons? Well most of the Collectable .45acps are 1911/A1's any way so that is really an irrelavent question.
Colt 1911A1
Ruger P Series
Taurus 945
CZ97
H&K or Springfeild XD

Not big on polymer frames, So I'm probably not the person to ask.
Can I just pick 5 1911/A1's please?

[Fawkes]

Kimber Compact
Kimber Custom
Para P14.45
S&W 625
Glock 36

[Gixerman1000]

Colt 1911A1 / 1991A1
Sig P220
HK USP45 to Mk23
S&W 45xx to PC945
G21

[fastbolt]

Hard call, and mostly simply subjective, unless you have some specific criteria or requirements involved ...

Me?

I've handled, examined and fired a rather long list of different makes & models of .45 ACP pistols over the years. Lots. Great ones, expensive and inexpensive ... as well as not-so-great ones in both price categories.

What it's come down to over the years is that I own a number of variations of 1911's, a 4513TSW, CS45 and a Ruger KP90DC ... and a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" .45ACP/Colt convertible revolver. It really wouldn't bother me to eventually trade off either the well-used, early model Ruger, and/or the CS45 ... but there really aren't any present production .45 pistols which interest me enough to serve as replacements. I may well find myself remaining with 1911-style models and the 4513TSW (since I prefer the TDA trigger in many of my non-1911 'working pistols'). I keep the P220 variants in the back of my mind, from time to time. Being a Sig Sauer pistol armorer I understand the quality and the design, but there are some things which always make me stop short of spending my own money on one. Oh well. Maybe for the RIGHT price, someday.

I might, or might not, eventually pick up a M&P 45 someday. More likely not, since I have 'enough' polymer framed working pistols as it is (4 of them), but would still like a couple of other 1911-style variations.

Yes, there are a lot of other high quality .45's not on my short list ... but simply being a high quality example of a .45 caliber handgun (whether in, or out of, production) is no longer sufficient reason for me to desire owning one. I've come to understand my own interests, desires and needs ...

[five0]

HK P9S (good luck they are spendy)
One went on gunbroker recently for $1475, eye candy:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/1215/hkp9sa4kq.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8995/hkp9sb8lq.jpg

[Plink]

I can't come up with 5, but I do have a suggestion as to one to add to your "look into" list and one potentially to avoid. Bersa's Thunder UC/Mini-Firestorm (same gun) is an outstanding little gun. Light, accurate, reliable with superb ergonomics that make it so controllable that you won't believe it's a mini .45.

One to avoid is Springfield's P-10/Warthog series. It's the only gun I've owned that I literally couldn't wait to get rid of. Jammy and unreliable, hard to shoot well with, and poorly thought out as far as fit. The gun literally ate my hand like trying to grasp a spinning sanding drum. Multiple trips back to the factory never got it shooting reliably. It was almost impossible to rack the slide all the way because the spring stacked right at the end of the travel and the slide wouldn't retract fully. After I got rid of it, I heard that many others were having problems with them also.

[Eightball]

Kimber Eclipse II

Sig 220 Match

CZ 97B

HK USP Varient 3

S&W wheelgun

[HiroProX]

M1911/A1
M1917 .45ACP Revolver
Ruger P90
SIG P245
Star Firestar .45ACP

[.357 magnum]

1] Wilson Tactical Carry Pistol (KZ-45)- Very Awesome-costs you some bucks.

2] SIG-Sauer P220- Excellent gun-moderate price.

3] HK Mark 23 -quite expensive.

4] Springfield XD Tactical- Great gun!-Have two of them- Very affordable

5]Taurus 24/7 OSS-Very affordable-Awesome gun-Taurus has not released it on the market just yet.

The Best to You and Yours!

Frank

[lev83]

Colt S70 1911 Gold Cup National Match
Colt S80 1911 Gold Cup Trophy
Colt S70 1911 Combat Commander
Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded
Smith & Wesson 1911 PD

[varoadking]

Sig 220 Carry DAK

Check

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/varoadking/DSC03092.jpg

Any Quality 1911

But not just any quality 1911

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/varoadking/YoBo.jpg

Add a S&W 4586 ...........one of the best DAO autos.

Don't mind if I do...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/varoadking/4586before.jpg

You can keep the other 2...

[hexidismal]

I'm surprised there were so many P90 suggestions, but no P345 .. I love the P345 so much more than the P90.

[five0]

The P220 seems to be on everybodys list.

[10-Ring]

45's in my collection are:
HK USP 45, Expert 45, Colt XSE (semi custom) and a Dan Wesson CBOB...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/10-Ring/P1020712.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/10-Ring/P1020711.jpg

I'm not sure what I'll be getting for number 5, but I'm sure I'll enjoy the quest! :D

[Tezcatlipoca]

The P220 seems to be on everybodys list.


Because they are the best out of the box 45 ACP available.

[Loanshark]

1. Ruger P90 (the only pistol that I own that has never had a malfunction)
2. Glock 21
3. Norinco 1911
4. Bersa Thunder
5. P220

The rest of you were all wrong.:neener:

[Geronimo45]

SA 1911 GI 45
S&W Model 22
Webley Mark VI
HK USPc .45
Sig 220

[Scorpiusdeus]

The only one's that would tickle me Elmo are:

Sig P220
XD 5" Tacticool
S&W M&P
A SA Operator
S&W 4516

If I could add a sixth, I'd go with a wheel gun.

[SharpDog]

Glock 21 + 2 extra mags
Glock 30 + 2 extra mags
S&W 625 5" + 3 full moon clips
Para-Ordnance LDA Carry 12 + 2 extra mags
Para-Ordnance LDA Tac-Four + 2 extra mags

[Glockfan.45]

Glock 21
Glock 30
Kimber Eclipse
HK Mark 23
HK USP

[clang]

Just in case there are some revolver fans:

S&W 1917
Colt 1917
S&W Model of 1950 Target .45ACP (became the Model 26)
S&W 625 (3", 4", or 5" barrel)
Ruger Blackhawk Convertable (45ACP/45Colt)

[lashlaruhe]

S&W 4506
Colt 1911
Norinco 1911
CZ 97B
Witness Full Size

[History Prof]

Bersa Thunder UC 45
HiPoint 45

<ducks for cover> JUST KIDDING FOLKS!

I really do own the Bersa, and like it, but not as much as these:

USP45
UPS45Expert
XD45
ParaOrd 14-45 LDA (SWEETEST trigger I've ever felt on a DAO)
1911A1

I'd love to test fire the new M&P 45 before I decide to buy. Need to go into the city when it comes out and rent one.

[TIMC]

I have 5 handguns in .45acp but I didn't stray too far from what is good just because I wanted different. IMHO there are a lot of great varients just in the 1911 to build a nice collection.
My 5...
HK USP
Colt 1911 WWI issue
Springfield 1911A1
S&W 1911
Para C-645 Carry
I wouldn't mind making it 6 with a Sig 220

[Sniper X]

Kimber tac cus II
Kimber tac ultra
Para P14.45
S&W 625
Glock 36

[Baba Louie]

I like the .45 acp round, have since I was a kid, probably always will, don't really know why. Just do.
Limited to 5 autos you say? Well, here's what I did on my .45 journey so far...
Started w/ the 1911 Colt Gov't, made sure it's reliable. 5" or 4.25" as one choice. (for some reason I've got more 1911's than any other style or caliber in my meager menagerie)
Next I picked a Glock 21 and a 30 but as before, I'll leave this as one choice.
I liked Taurus' 945 when they first came out, DA/SA or C&L so I got one. Nary a problem to date.
Bought a S&W 457 'cause I'm cheap. Price isn't always reflected in value as this one taught me, even tho it points low in my hands and the trigger pull is loooong, it makes me look like I can shoot a little, ya know?

So that makes 4 types of .45 that I've bought over the past 20 some years and leaves me with one more choice to complete my five .45 pistols (yeah right) not counting revolvers ('cause this is the H:Auto section).
Hmmm.
HK USPc45?
CZ 97?
SIG 220 SAO?
SA XD?
S&W MP45?
Ruger 345?
Or another 1911? :D

Ah. Stuck in a rut.

[bear71]

Great post, baba, you really understood and read the question I posed. Thanks for "grouping" the models, makes sense to me.

The USP is a little thick in the grip for me, and the CZ97 is pretty heavy. Neither would be perfect but both appeal to me regardless.

I love the .45 too, but need to be very selective in the next two or three because I want to have a sample of every model that really appeals without owning ten different models, I'm thinking 6 tops before I double up with variants amongst the specific models.

The SIG P220 SAO looks very interesting to me, that one might be a must have.

[ripcurlksm]

Can I just pick 5 1911/A1's please?

+1

[crebralfix]

SIG P220 SAO
SIG P220
Colt World War 1 Repro
Kimber Warrior
Springfield XD

[mjb]

Colt 1911 Stainless Commander
Colt Officers ACP
Ruger P97
Glock 36
Sig 220

[jAK-47]

Glock 36
Glock 30
Ruger P345

[Euclidean]

XD45ACP Service or Tactical
Government Profile 1911
625 or M 1917
Sig 220

For the fifth something smaller/compact probably...

[Black Majik]

Ok ok...if I can choose any 5:

1) Les Baer 1911
2) Nighthawk 1911
3) Ed Brown 1911
4) Wilson 1911
5) Rock River 1911

Since I'll go by your request and diversify:

1) 1911 (Les Baer Custom Carry 1.5" if we're picky)
2) HK USP .45 Expert
3) SIG P220ST
4) S&W 625
5) Glock 21

[BrennanKG]

Black Majik,

LOL...that would pretty much be me too if I didn't diversify.
-Ned Christiansen custom
-Model1 from Guncrafter Industries
-Ed Brown Special Forces
-Nighthawk Custom Talon
-Colt Delta Elite


B.

[bear71]

Thanks fellas,

While your diversification is killing you, I greatly appreciate it.;)

[SolaScriptura139]

1. Springfield XD-45 (Service 4")
2. Taurus PT-1911
3. Springfield GI-45
4. Glock Sub-Compact (can't remember number off-hand, Glock site isn't working)
5. Kimber Grand Raptor or Springfield Leathem Legend (in my dreams)

I tried to keep the list in my feasable price range, except for the last one.

[pancrase]

Any Springfield 1911.

[Dodger02WS6]

Kimber Grand Raptor
Beretta Cougar 8045
SA XD .45 Service (4")
S&W M&P .45
Dan Wesson CBOB

:D

[Tbu61]

H&K P9S
Colt Gold Cup

[BUGS]

Sig P220
HK P9S
PC S&W Shorty .45
1911 variants
HK USP Compact

[SuperNaut]

This isn't just a hypothetical exercise for me, I just finished up doing it over the past year.

I broke it down into five categories:

Poly
Single-Stack
Double-Stack
Wheelgun
Carbine

I handled a ridiculous number of firearms in each of my categories and ended up with:

XD Tac
STI Spartan
Para-Ord Nite-Tac
S&W 625
CX4 Storm

Now there are plenty of people who would argue with every-single one of my decisions ('specially all the Sig guys :)). But, that is the beauty of it all, each one of these firearms works for me, but they may not work for you. Also the carbine obviously doesn't fit in with your requisite 5 pistols, but WTH ;). In the end, I think you should try as many as you can.

[mljdeckard]

Glock 21
sig p220
your favorite 1911
Ruger p345
Thompson sub-gun

[BsChoy]

G30
G36
G21
M&P 45 (hopefully)
P99 wasn't a bad design just hated the trigger

[The Hound]

SW 1911
Glock 21
SW M&P45
HK USP 45
SW99 .45

[hexidismal]

Rather than just restate the same obvious answers as many before me, I'd simply recommend you take a look at a Ruger P345 when building your choices. I consider it an often overlooked and highly under-rated gun.

[koussevitzky]

In no particular order:

1. SigArms P220 Match
2. HK USP 45 Tactical
3. Glock 21 SF
4. Wilson Classic Super Grade
5. Kodiak Precision Custom Gun with a Caspian 6" damascus slide, Strayer-Voight frame, Schuemann AET barrel, all put together by Don Golembieski himself.

Now the reasons.

The Sig and the HK are maybe the most accurate and reliable guns out of the box. Period.
The glock is as dependable as it gets, is a masoquist weapon, and have a fairly good capacity, and before you start with the xd45 thing, I like the feel of the glock, yes the grip feels different, but it allows you to have you hand closer to the chamber, and somehow gives you more control, at least for me.
I think no explanations are needed for the last 2 weapons. I started with 1911's and they are almost perfect.