What are my options in a NON-1911 .45ACP?

I'm talking an out-of-the-box, no extra parts needed, ready-to-shoot, fairly accurate piece. Now, I have heard that Ruger makes a fairly decent pistol in this caliber and so does Glock. I'm not looking to spend a fortune here. This doesn't have to be concealable, but not a brick on a stick either. Is this a tall order to fill? Help me out here. I want a shooter out of the box. I don't like tinkering. I guess I could find a 1911 already tinkered, but I just thought I'd see what my options are.

HK USP45. A little pricey, but its the best. The Glock 21 is okay, even larger grip than the USP, if it matters. SIG P220 is highly regarded, though overrated in my opinion.

You don't have to tinker with a 1911 - the new rollmark Colts are excellent, working right and feeding HPs right out of the box.

I've fired a SIG .45, can't remember the designation though. I wasn't impressed. It seemed a bit uneven, and tended to lock out of battery.

I personally carry a Wilson Combat CQB Compact, but I like almost anything that sarts with 45....

Sig P220 -- exc. DA/SA handgun, especialy the SS version - accurate with a great trigger...

USP 45 -- bulky, plastic, accurate, robust...personally, I don't like the magrelease or the controls on this beast...

Ruger P90DC -- a tank, very accurate, will feed anything, ultra reliable, inexpensive. I would carry one if the need came. Smooth DA/SA...

S&W 4506 -- nice trigger, big gun, accurate, tough...

CZ97b -- 10 rounder, accurate, tutonic, tough...not easy to conceal & you need big hands to wrap this fellow...

Glock -- no comment...


Good Luck


Dead

I'm very pleased with my Ruger P97DC and Sig/Sauer P220.

The Ruger KP-97, stainless upper, polymer lower, is the best value in the market for a .45 pistol... even more so thru Sep 30th, as they are offering a $40 rebate on new guns.

Mine is accurate, stone-cold reliable, and has proven quite durable as well.

I also own the Glock 21 and 30 models in .45 and think they are most excellent pistols.

No tinkering?

SIG 220, H&K USP, CZ97.

Shake

I'm on record as not liking Glocks, but I shot a Glock 21 with the finger groove frame for the first time today.

I have to say, I was very impressed.

You will need fairly large hands, though.

On a budget, it's hard to beat the plastic framed Ruger (model designation escapes me.)

Drifting,

I believe that Ruger model is the P97. I've also heard lots of good things about it and its a real bargain at that price. And by the way Welcome to THR. Its nice to have a new member. :D



The thing with non-1911 full size .45's are they are often quite chunky for avg sized hands. Many are double stack .45's. The H&K USP, Glock 21/30, CZ-97, and the S&W 4506 (though a single stack the DA reach might be long for some). My favorite .45 autoloader though is the single stack SIG P220ST. AT its current price I believe its an outstanding value.

If you don't want to spend a whole lot: Glock 21/30, CZ-97, and Ruger P90/97 are your best bets. There's also the Glock 36 but the recoil is more brisk than the double stacks. If none of these do it for you I'd go with a Colt M1991A1 or SA Mil-Spec (Parkerized or Stainless). They're quite good out of the box and worst case scenario you'll probably only have to do a minor mod like a new extractor or ejector which doesn't cost much ($20-40 tops).

CZ-97 is a nice, big gun.

As has been stated, lot's of good choices out there. I
will attempt to give you my take on a few non 1911
.45 ACP's:

GLOCK 21- excellent firearm; but like others
have said, its grip is big and kind'a bulky. Like all
Glocks its very reliable, and easy to maintain, and
"combat accurate". Striker fired, from Glock's "safe
trigger". Price could become a factor?



RUGER P90- probably the most underated
non 1911 .45 caliber ACP. Rugged, reliable, trouble
free, and economical. This firearm has a DA first
shot capeability.


SIG-SAUER P220- most likely the finest
DA/SA non 1911 .45 ACP to come down the pike.
Its "American" grip angle fits most people's hand
like a glove. Its utterly reliable; even in sub zero
conditions. Combat accurate, with excellent sight's.
Craftsmanship at its finest; but it is fairly expensive!
Another firearm that is easy to field-strip and
maintain.


Worthy of note, is the H&K USP. Variant 1 works
pretty much the same as the SIG P220; and the
remarks could be paralleled with that of the P220.
But, most dealers ask more for it than they do for
the SIG P220!





There you have three, that I have chosen to give
my opinion on. My take on the subject is this, if
you were limited to only one non 1911 .45 ACP;
then I would kick in the extra $$$ and get the
world famous SIG P220! I don't believe that you
would regret it one bit.

If you want accuracy you could try a .45acp revolver. They will shoot as well as a custom 1911 but won't break the bank. The S&W 625 is highly thought of but I have never shot this model. I'm sure others have and they could give the needed info.

If it has to be a semi-auto, the SIG 220 is probably the most accurate non-1911 out there.

I have both a Glock 21 and a Beretta 8045, carry both the Glock is very accurate the beretta is heavy.:D

supposedly springfield will have a .45 caliber XD out eventually....that would be sweet

HK USP45 in full or compact size.


Way pricey, but worth every cent of it. ;)


Honorable mentions : SIG220, CZ97, that is, if you have really 'huge' mitts :D

There's also the Taurus all metal PT945 you might want to check out.

http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_945B4.jpg

I've never read anything yet that would assail its functions and reliability. But most importantly, it's not a 'Taurus' polymer (I just had to bring that up) ;)

CZ 97B. Possibly the most accurate out of the box 45ACP pistol currently on the market.

DL

Please buy one of these so I can see if it works.

I had a Ruger P97 for a while.
It was very accurate, fed anything, and a value at $350.
Now, with the rebate, you can get one for around $310.
(I think through August, but you should check if you are interested.)
The recoil was a little stiff, until I added a Hogue slip-on grip sleeve.
It was a pleasure to shoot, but I was looking for something a little easier to carry, so I traded it.

I now have a S&W 457.
Alloy frame, single stack, 7+1, compact size, DA on first shot, then SA.
I've got over 200 rounds through it so far.
FMJ and JHP, no problems at all.
Recoil is not bad, it is very accurate, and it needs no mods, in my opinion.
I may add night sights at some point. Mine is blued, but there is a stainless version too.
Around $450 for the blue.

Also, in the $350 range, the Taurus Millenium Pro may be worth checking out. I had the old version, and if they have solved the frame cracking problem, this would be a nice option.

Remember, the hunt is half the fun. :D

My favorite non-1911 .45, S&W 4526 (though I could live without the trigger guard hook):

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pac809999d3677d092cfd89d4db416527/fc4d002d.jpg

S&W 457. It is a compact model (3 3/4 in barrel), (7+1), DA/SA and relatively easy to conceal. Mine has had several hundred rounds thru it. It is very accurate and eats about anything.

I have found that I can actually rapid fire this piece more accurately than I can my 1911A1's - it seems to come back on target faster.

Other than nite sights, there are not a lot of mods to do to it.

I think they run about $450 new - so a pretty good value for the buck.

I use it for my summer carry due to the lighter weight and shorter grip than my 1911.

I would say my top three non-1911 picks would be either the Sig P220, CZ 97B, or the USP.

But a lot of other good choices as well.


~Michael

Let's see, in the non-1911 45 acp pistol, I've owned a S&W 4506, Glock 21c, SIG 220, and a couple HK's. The ones I have left are the HK USPs. The USP is consistently the nicest pistol available today ;)

Sig

Beretta

Taurus

HK

S&W

EAA

All make .45 semi-autos that follow patterns other than the 1911.

Of the lot, the best is the Sig, in my opinion, not overrated at all, but highly UNDERrated.

Especially when you stand next to someone spewing effusions of praise for the one, the only, GOD'S choice in handguns, the 1911. :D

My vote goes to the Ruger KP-90. Alloy frame, matte finish Stainless uppers, 8-round mags. 3500 rounds through mine, with only 3 issues, one operator induced (lock in the mag, DOH!) and 2 bad ammo. At my local gunshop right now $440 + tax. Blue-steel version is a bit less.

Only thing added was the Hogue 'wrap-around' grip...less than $20. Came with white 3-dot sights.

Mine is the 'manual safety' model, not the Decocker or DAOnly.

slightly bulkier than a single-stack 1911, though

Sir Galahad:

I've owned a S & W 645 and currently a CZ-97B. Both guns never had a problem with reliable feeding and shooting. The S & W was bought used and the CZ was bought NIB. I've had experience firing the Sig P-22O, Glock 21, and Glock 36. All went bang as they should and are excellent pistol IMO. The posters have given a wide variety of pistol choices and price ranges. It all depends on how a particular gun fits, feels, and shoots for you. Start by looking at those in your price range that have features which appeal to you and try them out. Make it a process of elimination. That's what I did with my last .45 acp purchase. I wanted a non-1911 that was basically the same criteria as you with the exception of a pistol with a minimum 10 round magazine. It came down to the Glock 21 and the CZ-97B. The CZ was about $ 60.00 less than the Glock which wasn't a big deal, but the CZ fit better in my hand than the Glock. I have not been disappointed in my decision. The CZ's trigger is becoming quite nice after 500 rounds and dry firing about 1,000 times. Not as nice as the Sig P-220, but getting there.

you won't go wrong with the ruger p-97dc. accurate, never fail, feeds everything. one of the best kept secrets out there. mcole

Thanks to everyone who replied. I sure do appreciate your advice. I've decided on a Ruger P97!:D

ruger has a $40 rebate on all the p series pistols right now. buy from a authorized dealer and they have the coupon. send it in and ruger will send you a check for $40. now is a good time to buy. you won't regret the p97; it is really a great gun. mcole

I agree about the new-rollmark Colts. If you don't mind some sharp edges, they make sense for you.

The CZ-97 is nice, but my understanding is that it does sometimes need some help to feed JHPs.

The extremely accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced SIG P220. Here a two tone shown with a WWII Remington Rand M1911A1.
http://www.capinc.com/files/p220_m1911a1_rs2_s.jpg

Sig 220 or Glock 30 :)

Cant go wrong with a Sig and the Glock is small and very accurate.

Why not a 1911? Well, maybe you already have one and want a little variety. We'll let you slide, mmmkay?


Good suggestions so far. I'd throw my vote in for the CZ97. I don't own one, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night! The frame is close to the same size as the 75b, which is close to the Beretta 92 or BHP. I've heard the 97b is crazy accurate and pretty easy on the recoil as it's kinda heavy. Probably less expensive than the Glocks, HKs and Sigs, to boot.

My next pistol will be a 75B, but sometime after that, I want to get a 97B to be it's big bore brother.

The P97 is a great choice, it's not quite as big as the P90 and lighter but, still just as reliable and a great value to.

I love my Ruger 97DC, but it IS very large. Don't know if you'd call it a brick or not....

This is probably not the answer you are looking for, but my vote goes for the Smith 625 revolver. It's the most fun you'll ever have shooting .45

Buy one in a 4" barrel and you immediately qualify for a bunch of different competition sports.

Robert

Sig P220ST; HK USP Expert; Smith & Wesson 945; CZ 97B

Thanks to everyone who replied. I sure do appreciate your advice. I've decided on a Ruger P97!

Excellent choice... do let us know how the two of you get along. :D

** Pain Puts on his Flame-proof Vest**

Aside From the Frame Cracking Issue Which has been Fixed...3000 rnds Plus, without any further problems. For the Money (350.00) The PT-145 Millenium has been a Great Handgun in My opinion. It's Small easily concealable, Holds 10+1, DA, Lightweight, and accurate within the distance parameters I might be in, in a self defense situation. In other words I don't require it to be perfectly accurate over about 30 yards, because If I do ever have to use it, most likely it will be closer than that range, Unless I'm In some "hollywood movie" Style shootout Ducking Behind Cars and trading shots back and forth. Could happen but I doubt it. I did'nt buy it for target practice, I bought it for personal defense, of which it is very well suited for. Sure there are nicer guns out there, but they cost Alot more. Something of which I could'nt justify spending at the time when the Taurus had all the options I was looking for and left me a little extra left over to Buy the Wife something to smooth her over when she Finds out I just ( in her eye's Blew 350.00 for something that is made of Plastic . Maybe someday ( And I have been looking) I will Get a Colt Defender, Or the S&W Tactical .45. But Every one I find Is Outrageously Priced. I found a defender about 2 months ago for 535.00 I passed it up. I wish I had'nt because Now all the ones I find, Even the used ones are 700 and UP. I guess I have a few More amplifiers to build before I get me one. Im Fine with the Taurus, I feel i got my Money's worth.

Someone tell me it's not true. Someone actually makes a .45 acp that's not a 1911 platform? Blasphemy!!!

clubsoda, I spoke with a Springfield rep today, and he said there are "presently no plans" to bring the XD out in .45 (or 10mm - whaddya expect) - but I agree that would be very very sweet if they did. Just don't get your hopes up. He says the European market doesn't buy .45s - the Europeans think the .40s&w is a massive bigbore, and can't imagine the need for anything bigger. I didn't bother to ask him what the H E double toothpick does that have to do with it, since Americans buy a hell of a lot more handguns than Europeans (don't we?). Of course, this particular rep may not know what the heck he's talking about. He did assure me, thankfully, that the XD WOULD eventually be out in a subcompact (3") in .40s&w, BUT it will be a year or more away - they're too busy - he says if they stop taking orders today on the subcompact nines, they wouldn't catch up on production til next summer.

And BTW, have you all forgotten, or did you just never learn, that friends don't let friends buy Ruger? One good way to ensure that the "industry" is on board behind all the gun bans is to give your money to those scum sucking traitorious @#$%-stains. Ruger does more to destroy your gun rights before 9am than S&W ever thought about doing in a decade. :fire: If you're going to get something big like that, get a real gun - get the CZ or the HK or Sig.

I have to also go with the Smith M25/625. These revolvers will shoot right along with any pistol as far as acuracy is concerned.

Sir G;

I've got two suggestions that meet your criteria. The H&K USP compact and the Ruger P90. I own a compact, but in .40, utterly reliable, no problems whatsoever, at all, none. Same for the P90. The P90 is larger, has a poorer trigger & costs a lot less.

The USP trigger is not a paragon of excellence, I've got other .45's with much better trigger feel. Both of these triggers are certainly acceptable, just rating them one to the other. And at the price difference between the two, that's understandable.

900F