I'm thinking about getting a .45...

I graduate in three weeks, my personal 14-year odyssey to learn absolutely nothing and pay out the nose for it is nearly at an end. After it is over I am going to treat myself to a .45. Sounds like a good, solid plan, right? Well, here's the deal: I don't know where to start.

So, here's what I'm looking for: I want two consensus picks, one 1911 and one non-1911, for the best firearm below $1,000. I would prefer that they be compact or sub-compact, and they can be used, I just need to know what to look for and at what price range.

Thanks.

Kimber

That is pretty vague. I seriously recommend getting to a rental range and trying several.

This is not a trick question, and I am a shooter so I don't need to try a bunch of them, I'm soliciting your opinions on 1911 and non-1911 handguns with specific characteristics and price range.

This is not rocket science.

Do you reload?

If you don't I'd rethink 45. The two main cartridges below it in hollow point will do you fine...

HK USP sounds like it perfectly suits your needs and price range

I have been very happy with my S&W1911PD Commander with Laser Grips. Here's one without:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/11747

A little higher price:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/32908

My gun:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/15090

I wanted a lightweight 1911 for carry. If you want all steel, the Dan Wessons have a good reputation, and the added benefit of the bobtail grip:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_82/products_id/17999

My gun isn't that much fun for three to four hundred round range sessions due to the weight, but I have full size all steel 1911s for that function.

My pick for a 1911 was a S&W 1911PD. It's commander length so it's a bit shorter than a full-size gov't model.

My pick for a non-1911 would have been a Glock 36.

I like my 1911PD so much I'm starting to doubt I'll ever get a non-1911 .45.

Consider a revolver as well as an Automatic in .45 acp

I shoot a S&W 625 along with a Kimber 1911. Both have been enjoyable choices.

My 1911 is a SW, and it is a fine firearm. My non 1911 45 is the XD45, and it is head and shoulders above Glock, SW M&P, and FN, IMHO.

XD, if you go polymer.

Springfield, S&W, Kimber, or Colt 1911 (In no particular order) if you go that route.

Post a pic when you get it.

1911 - Springfield Loaded
non 1911 - Springfield XD 4" Service

^^^This

Glock 30.:)

Must ranges have rentals you can use, test some that you like the feel of them first, I found the Ruger 345. It fit my hand great, I love shooting it and sells for $450. and weights only 29 oz. I have owned it for 2 years. never a problem. I have bought other guns since. XDm 9mm, Ruger P95 9mm, Sig Mosquito 22cal
good luck.

1911 - Springfield, Colt, or S&W

Non-1911 - HK or XD

1911 - Springfield Loaded
non 1911 - Springfield XD 4" Service

+1

Have fun,
DFW1911

New guns?

IMHO

1911 - Springfield or Kimber with an internal extractor
Non 1911 - Springfield XD.

Dan Wesson CBOB and a Glock 30

So, here's what I'm looking for: I want two consensus picks, one 1911 and one non-1911, for the best firearm below $1,000. I would prefer that they be compact or sub-compact, and they can be used, I just need to know what to look for and at what price range.

Have you determined what you want your 45 to do? Will it be a carry gun, a range pistol or a collectable safe queen? Do you want something with a rail so you can hang "stuff" from it? Or do you want something uncluttered? And how often will you shoot it? Does the cost of ammo need to be factored in to the equation? (When I bought my first 45ACP, I loved the "shove" so much I immediately made plans to reload.) Could you give us a little more to go on?

Have you determined what you want your 45 to do? Will it be a carry gun, a range pistol or a collectable safe queen? Do you want something with a rail so you can hang "stuff" from it? Or do you want something uncluttered? And how often will you shoot it? Does the cost of ammo need to be factored in to the equation? (When I bought my first 45ACP, I loved the "shove" so much I immediately made plans to reload.) Could you give us a little more to go on?

No. I don't want suggestions based upon what you perceive my need to be. I want suggestions, based upon the criteria that I laid down, unencumbered. In other words, tell me what you would buy and how much I can expect to pay for it, new or used. I'll take care of the rest.

I graduate in three weeks, my personal 14-year odyssey to learn absolutely nothing...

It took you 14 years to graduate??? I hope you're in the medical field.

Anyways, get these:
Kimber 1911 approx. $1K
Glock 21 approx. $400-500...depending on your state.

It took you 14 years to graduate??? I hope you're in the medical field.

Nope, just a know-it-all 18-year-old who failed out and bounced around a bunch of jobs before joining the military, who is now 32 and is finally getting his degree after sitting through years of classes every bit as boring as he knew they would be.

Non 1911

CZ 97B
EAA Witness Elite Limited

1911

Dan Wesson Pointman 7 or Bobtail Commander

My CZ tends to show.......8-)

Springfield 1911-A1 Ultra Compact

I have a Springfield Trophy Match and it's the most accurate weapon I've used. I'd go for the Ultra Compact if I wanted a smaller 45.


Ruger P95 for the non-1911. My friend has one that I've used. It's had over a hundred thousand rounds through it and never a failure. Very accurate.

Great advice given previously to try some out at a gun range. That's how I made my decision. Nothing worse than putting down a lot of bucks and finding right out of the box that you don't like the feel of the weapon.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

I like either a GLOCK 21 or a SPRINGFIELD Armory as my two choices.

Kimber ultra series, for the compact, cause thats what I got, and love. $720-$1200:cool:

Non 1911 45, G36 if you like Glocks $550 Cause I got one of them too, great shooters, accurate, reliable, light weight, as small as it gets for Glock. I like the same trigger pull every time, so its SA or DAO for me.

Everyones just gonna tell ya to get what they got:neener::D

Everyones just gonna tell ya to get what they got

That's exactly what I'm looking for.

In the past I have not been fond of 1911-type weapons, but I'm warming up to them. That's what I mean by "I don't know where to start", because I've ignored an entire popular segment of the market.

As it stands I have somewhat of a grip on the non-1911 .45 market, but I still want to hear what you guys have and why you like it.

For the record, I have a SIG P239 in 357SIG, a Glock 27, and a Springfield XD-9, so I'm familiar with the variety of weapons out there (and I've fired a good selection of the rest). I won't be caught unawares if I don't go to the range to test them.

So, keep them coming. I assure you that I am not weighing any weapon more than the rest, I have no immediate inclination. I'm simply looking for a good cross-section of ownership and some justification why I should go that direction.

XD..

HK45

HK USP45 (x2)

HK P9S

Colt Combat Commander, or 1991A1 Commander, or XSE Commander.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/XSE.asp

The Combat Commander is pre-80 and might be found used. The 1991 is current production and has a standard thumb safety, no front serrations, standard sights. The XSE is current production and has an extended ambi thumb safety, front slide serrations, "combat" sights. Also, and for concealed carry this can be important, the XSE is available in a lightweight version (aluminum frame.)

I believe the quality of the two current production Commanders is similar, but the 1991 is less expensive.

I'm happy with an old Combat Commander and a 1991A1 Commander. I don't like ambi safeties, so if I got another (expensive) 1911, it would probably be a Les Baer TRS. Here's a link from a discussion on another forum -

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=208769

If you're going to get something special to remember graduation, I'd seriously consider the Les Baer TRS. A step up from the Colts.

I only have full size 1911's. Can't comment on compacts. My comment is Springfield's Customer service is excellent. Any problems are dealt with asap. Also, their custom shop is real good and priced fairly well if you want to refine or upgrade. That's is worth a lot
However my 1st pick on 1911's is always a Colt.

1911: Colt

Non 1911: HK USP, HK 45

my 1911 choice would be anything from s&w, take your pick according to size/what you need the gun for. mine is the black performance center model and it runs like a dream, ive never shot a gun that runs as smooth as this one, and totally accurate too. i guess thats what those extra couple hundred were for. ive also shot their other 1911s, and i have always been impressed. great handling, great groups, no malfunctions. for a 1911 under $1000 with excellent customer service (or so the word is) i would look at s&w, and possibly springfield as i've heard theyre right there with quality and CS, ive just never owned one of their pistols, though i certainly would if the opportunity ever presented itself. non-1911 i would say glock 30-i love this gun. i dont own it but i hope to soon. really a do-it-all type gun in a small package that can be carried without much of a problem. its a little bit fat, thus its 10 rnd capacity, but it can still be carried pretty easily. a g36 would also work well, and is much thinner, but only holds 6 rnds. the only reason i have not bought a g30 yet is i cant figure out if i should buy that or a s&w commander-sized 1911, but one of them is going to be a christmas present to myself!

As poster #2 said..."Kimber"...

I agree with water-man and dfw1911:neener:

Well, I got one.

I picked up a Kimber Tactical Ultra II for a pretty good price. I've loaded it with 200-grain Cor-Bon +p JHPs. Of course, now I have to test that load to make sure it works, and I have to check the springs to make sure that they're in good shape because I don't know how old they are or how many rounds have been through the gun. Still, for the price it was a good buy.

If I ever get out to the range (I'm thinking Wednesday) I'll let you know how it's working.

You will like it. I had one but gave it to my nephew. I missed it so much I bought a CDP II Ultra (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=54227&d=1172878665). I have 200 Gr +P Gold Dots in mine. I bought 100 of them to load up and shoot through the gun before I carried it with them. Narry a bobble, nor has it ever bobbled with various SWC's, Golden Sabers, XTP's, Zero JHP's, etc. Great little gun.

Now all we need is the mandatory pic. :D

...

A new or nice used SIG P220/45 Carry model..

An excellent 45, pure dependable, reliable, accurate, and one of, if not, the easiest guns to disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble, out there, bar none.


Ls

I'm selling a very nice S&W 457 (non-1911). It is a pleasure to shoot, reliable and accurate. I'd recommend any 3rd generation S&W to be honest.

Great choice, let us know what you think.

...who is now 32 and is finally getting his degree after sitting through years of classes every bit as boring as he knew they would be.

Perseverence is great! Congrats.

I have 1911 experience with:

1. Springfield Ultra-Compact, the BEST CCW gun I've ever owned
2. S&W 1911SC, Commander (mid-size) frame, AWESOME gun, only slightly less perfect than the Sub-Compact Springer mentioned above due to size
3. Springfield full size, loaded package, great gun

Non-1911 .45's? Don't know, never owned one, probably never will. The 1911 design fits my hand, has a natural pointability as though it's an extension of my arm, and it just plain WORKS!!!! How many other handgun designs are still going strong and gaining in popularity after "almost" a hundred years of model life? Lot's of my shooting friends have Springfield XD's and love them though.

I second everything Lonestar49 had to say. Plus, the 220 Carry carries better than any full-sized pistol that I've ever tried-and that includes my favorite 1911. A smooth, uncluttered slide/frame, coupled with the single stack grip makes for a very comfortable, concealed carry.