I can't think of a hammer fired 45 under $600 that I'd recommend. There are several that have made, but unless you get lucky and find a used one not much under $600 that I'd feel good about. The FN is the one that appeals the most to me.
If you don't like Glock I can understand that, but I don't understand why it has to have a hammer. Not all striker fired guns are the same. About a month ago I found an original Smith M&P 45 used for just over $300. I paid $125 for an Apex trigger kit and have well under $500 in the gun. The trigger is now better than my 1911's, and the gun is more accurate than any of my 1911's.
It has the same 1911 style safety and came with 10 round magazines. I have added 2 additional 14 round mags. They are long, and not suitable for carry, but for home defense the Smith holds more rounds than Glock, with a smaller, more comfortable grip. And it accepts a weapons mounted light that my 1911 won't. Functionally it is identical to my 1911's with several advantages. And I consider losing the exposed hammer to be one of those advantages.
If you don't like Glock I can understand that, but I don't understand why it has to have a hammer. Not all striker fired guns are the same. About a month ago I found an original Smith M&P 45 used for just over $300. I paid $125 for an Apex trigger kit and have well under $500 in the gun. The trigger is now better than my 1911's, and the gun is more accurate than any of my 1911's.
It has the same 1911 style safety and came with 10 round magazines. I have added 2 additional 14 round mags. They are long, and not suitable for carry, but for home defense the Smith holds more rounds than Glock, with a smaller, more comfortable grip. And it accepts a weapons mounted light that my 1911 won't. Functionally it is identical to my 1911's with several advantages. And I consider losing the exposed hammer to be one of those advantages.