45acp autoloader choices?

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Erief0g

Erief0g

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So I'm looking. I've been looking. I've got my 80% decision made but I'm unable to find the gun within any semblance of what I deem fair market value.

So. I have ruled out the original one I wanted which is the CZ97BD. I wanted to want it. I wanted it but had to hold it before I ordered it. Found it, held it, held it some more, manipulated it. Nope, doesnt fit my hand like I want. I've got the SP01 tactial and the shadow 2 but just couldn't go for the 97BD.

What I have currently decided and would have bought it if the price hadn't gone to $1299 plus ship and transfer. FN FNX-45 tactical.

What I want. Truck and nightstand gun. Very limited carry to no carry. Even a bigger gun will probably conceal on my 250lb 6foot fat a$$. I've got my "carry jeans" one size up so a bit loose, got a solid gun belt, and regularly carry my CZ SP01 Tactical in an urban carry IWB single clip holster.

45acp caliber.
not a 1911 as I have one.
Looking for higher capacity but 10+1 will suffice.
Threaded barrel with night sights (tall sights)
Red dot capable. Does it have to be precut optic ready? not necessarily but I would have a machine shop with good reviews on my radar before purchase. I plan on putting a Trijicon RMR 3moa dot on it.
Would like a rail for a light but not positive that will happen. I've never put a light on a gun ever but for nightstand I could see added protection.

Cost?.. subjective. I haven't bought a gun in well over a year and put $30 a week aside. My goal is gun, RMR optic, 3 mags, and light possibly for around 2k. No hurry though so gun comes first and we go from there.

What else is on my radar.
1. Walther PPQ. : I see walther has got into bed with a machine shop and offers side cuts "factory approved" I haven't fully researched the gun as I can't get my hands on one. Generally I've found Walthers to be very ergonomic and I am a fan of the paddle mag release. Hikok 45 has a review and a few others and it seems like the biggest "carry issue" is tha the trigger is almost to light. Need my hands on one.

let me be honest... this thread is to feed my own gun enthusiast needs. Immediate family is high risk and I've only fired 6000 rounds since February last year and they were ALL shot when we went on vacation over the course of 10 days... otherwise bang silent.... We are hoping to safely return to shooting in 3 months depending on the quality of my crystal ball.

Thoughts and musings appreciated.

I think I'll bounce over to HK's and Sig's site for a bit.
 
The Walther PPQ 45 is a M2 and doesn’t have a paddle release.

I had one. It was a very nice gun, but I sold it and bought a G21 Gen 4, which I prefer.

The XDm is another excellent choice. Rather long pre-travel on the trigger but nice break and reset. A Powder River Precision trigger helps a lot for the pre-travel. I had one..sold it...again...for a Glock. The XD is basically the same but different barrels.

I currently own two .45’s, both Glocks. But I am gonna buy a 1911 soon...for a safe queen and range toy.

Glocks sit by my bed. But I’d have no qualms with either a Walther PPQ or an XD.

M&P is another quality choice, but I don’t like the triggers. An Apex upgrade is a must IMO.

No input on HK’s or Sigs, as I’m not really familiar with them. Please don’t read that as negative...
 
I'd be on the lookout for a used 1st gen Smith M&P. I haven't priced guns in months, but before the market got crazy used ones were in the $350 range. Then I'd spend $120-$130 for the Apex trigger kit. I'd also prefer one with the manual safety, especially after installing the trigger kit. After the new trigger is installed you get a much shorter, lighter trigger pull. Much like a good 1911 trigger. With the standard factory trigger I'm OK with them not having a safety. With the Apex trigger I think it needs one for the same reason a 1911 needs one. Mine are every bit as accurate as my 1911's after the new triggers were installed.

The jury is still out on the M&P 2.0's for me. They have a much better trigger from the factory than the 1st gen's. But it still doesn't come close to matching the Apex trigger. And I've read that the Apex trigger for the 2.0's doesn't make as dramatic of a difference. If you order a replacement the 2.0 uses a completely different trigger than the original.

Smith makes a standard and compact. I have one of each, but if limited to just one would buy the compact. The barrel and slide length is the same on both. The compact has a shorter grip and comes with 8 round mags vs a longer grip and 10 round mags in the standard gun. But if you buy the compact you have the option of using it with 8 or 10 round magazines. And 14 round extended mags are available that will fit both. With the 14 round mags in the gun it is impractical for carry, but it makes a great bedside gun. With a mounted light my standard gun with a 14 round mag is my bedside gun. The compact is often carried with the 8 round mags and 10 round spares.
 
George P said:
Is the HK MK23 still around?
Click to expand...

I think they are still in production but they seemed to be on the overpriced side for what you get. I think the fact that the military contracts they hoped would follow that firearm didn't really pan out hurt production and hence the high cost.

On paper the gun looks good, but at the pricepoint it needs to cover every base 100%
 
I have the FNX Tactical and it’s a great full size gun. I also have a Springfield XD-45 4” service model and it’s a great gun. I carry it a lot. The PPQ series (mine are in 40 and 9mm) is a great gun as well.

So many choices right? I’d honestly put the XD-45 as my #2 in .45 just below my Kimber 1911
 
Except for the price, it seems to touch what he listed, except for maybe the optic - but it can most likely be accommodated
 
jmr40 said:
Smith makes a standard and compact. I have one of each, but if limited to just one would buy the compact. The barrel and slide length is the same on both.
Click to expand...
If you're still talking about the M&P 1.0 in .45, there are (were?) three sizes, a full size with a 4.6" barrel and 10 rounders, a mid-size with a 4" barrel and 10 rounders, and the compact with 4" barrel with the 8 rounders.

The 2.0 models are available with 4", 4.6", 5", and 5.6" barrels (I'm less confident about this information as their website is less intuitive than it used to be and I haven't followed the M&P line for a while)

https://www.smith-wesson.com/products/pistols?filters=.filter-caliber-45-auto
 
Lennyjoe said:
I have the FNX Tactical and it’s a great full size gun. I also have a Springfield XD-45 4” service model and it’s a great gun. I carry it a lot. The PPQ series (mine are in 40 and 9mm) is a great gun as well.

So many choices right? I’d honestly put the XD-45 as my #2 in .45 just below my Kimber 1911
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of Springfield Armory as well. My first EDC was a Springfield XDS. Carried that for years and I'm pretty sure I've got 8-10 thousand rounds through it. Great shooter! Surprisingly short lead on the barrel and my reloads are usually setup for that gun or my shadow 2, both of which are very short depending on bullet profile.

Bet it's a bit of time before the next Springfield "GEAR UP" promo comes around.

I also wonder when they will come out with their "ELITE 45" which I bet is on the horizon.
 
Erief0g said:
So I'm looking. I've been looking. I've got my 80% decision made but I'm unable to find the gun within any semblance of what I deem fair market value.

So. I have ruled out the original one I wanted which is the CZ97BD. I wanted to want it. I wanted it but had to hold it before I ordered it. Found it, held it, held it some more, manipulated it. Nope, doesnt fit my hand like I want. I've got the SP01 tactial and the shadow 2 but just couldn't go for the 97BD.

What I have currently decided and would have bought it if the price hadn't gone to $1299 plus ship and transfer. FN FNX-45 tactical.

What I want. Truck and nightstand gun. Very limited carry to no carry. Even a bigger gun will probably conceal on my 250lb 6foot fat a$$. I've got my "carry jeans" one size up so a bit loose, got a solid gun belt, and regularly carry my CZ SP01 Tactical in an urban carry IWB single clip holster.

45acp caliber.
not a 1911 as I have one.
Looking for higher capacity but 10+1 will suffice.
Threaded barrel with night sights (tall sights)
Red dot capable. Does it have to be precut optic ready? not necessarily but I would have a machine shop with good reviews on my radar before purchase. I plan on putting a Trijicon RMR 3moa dot on it.
Would like a rail for a light but not positive that will happen. I've never put a light on a gun ever but for nightstand I could see added protection.

Cost?.. subjective. I haven't bought a gun in well over a year and put $30 a week aside. My goal is gun, RMR optic, 3 mags, and light possibly for around 2k. No hurry though so gun comes first and we go from there.

What else is on my radar.
1. Walther PPQ. : I see walther has got into bed with a machine shop and offers side cuts "factory approved" I haven't fully researched the gun as I can't get my hands on one. Generally I've found Walthers to be very ergonomic and I am a fan of the paddle mag release. Hikok 45 has a review and a few others and it seems like the biggest "carry issue" is tha the trigger is almost to light. Need my hands on one.

let me be honest... this thread is to feed my own gun enthusiast needs. Immediate family is high risk and I've only fired 6000 rounds since February last year and they were ALL shot when we went on vacation over the course of 10 days... otherwise bang silent.... We are hoping to safely return to shooting in 3 months depending on the quality of my crystal ball.

Thoughts and musings appreciated.

I think I'll bounce over to HK's and Sig's site for a bit.
Click to expand...
Love My 45 XDM with a Powder River Trigger Upgrade. The trigger Upgrade took this gun frome Being My Least favorite Gun to My Most favorite gun. Only pistole I own that seems to shoot itselfe. Easiest Pistole I have ever Shot. I have the 4 1/2 inch barrel Model. My Brother has the 5 1/4 with fully adjustable sights. Like mine better ecpecially for IDPA. Seems to Move better with that length Barrel.
 
I'm okay on the stock trigger on the XDm. The texture is old school, like they did the high traction textures before modern shark skin took over. The rounds rattle in the magazines quite loudly.

It is a bit annoying that Springfield did not include .45 into the Elite refresh, so there's no factory optics cut.

The Px4 is a very strong contender, but there's no threaded barrel version. It uses a rotating barrel mechanism, so you'd need an equivalent of a Nielsen device anyway, like what they use for Boberg (Bond Bullpup). These devices are an absolute unobtanium, and a Catch-22 with Px4 threaded barrels. Rotation isolators are rare because nobody makes threaded barrels, and threaded barrels are rare because nobody can use them without rotation isolator anyway.
 
Erief0g said:
I think they are still in production but they seemed to be on the overpriced side for what you get.
Click to expand...

Yes they are still in production and come to the US in batches just like most HK products.

Its likely the most over engineered handgun in history, and you believe its over priced?

However, if your hands didn't fit a 97BD it pretty much rules out a MK23.

FNX Tac, Optic ready out of the box, Is what I would look at.
 
Erief0g said:
I think they are still in production but they seemed to be on the overpriced side for what you get. I think the fact that the military contracts they hoped would follow that firearm didn't really pan out hurt production and hence the high cost.

On paper the gun looks good, but at the pricepoint it needs to cover every base 100%
Click to expand...
MK23 is a tank. Extremely stout gun and factory ready for .45 Super if you so choose. But it’s big and heavy.

HK45 would be a better option IMO.

https://hk-usa.com/hk-models/hk45/
 
I recently got a non-Tac FNX-45, and I'm quite fond of it. I find it surprisingly comfortable to hold and shoot, and you really can't beat it for capacity. I looked hard at the Sig 227 when i decided i wanted more rounds in a gun the size of my 1911, but that's a big spend for 2 extras (since rumor was they never got the 14rd mags reliable and discontinued them). So, 15+1 in roughly a 1911 sized package, with safety/decocker that also allows for condition 1 is hard to argue with. Since i don't own a can, and don't plan to need a red dot, i figured the extra $400 for the tactical version would be pretty pointless.
1023201106_HDR.jpg

She's a shooter, too.
1103201316_HDR.jpg
 
Regarding the HK Mk23...
Rumor has it there's a joke among special forces guys that it's "the world's only crew-served handgun," and that it's rather unpopular, as once it's fitted with a suppressor and light/sight module its almost as bulky as an MP5 or other PDW type weapon. As a civilian purchase, my personal opinion is that the appeal starts and ends with "it's that cool pistol from the video games."

Now, the USP, on the other hand, while still spendy, is much more practical and ergonomic, if one has an HK thing. And in fullsize .45, its has 12+1 capacity, IIRC.
 
Hit three more stores.

Nothing yet but the xdm 45 is creeping up there. Found a few slide milling companies that look promising if I go that route.

Found a few places with the rmr type 2 3.25 dot in stock at 489-499 shipped.

Hands on the glock. I can't put my finger on it but just didn't give me the feeling.. wasnt it but not specific.
The 97b wouldn't work due to my thumb joint. My first joint at base of thumb only has about an inch range of motion. Picture shows it fully bent. This action is needed more on the 97 due to the distance from the back strap to front strap. The safety model i couldn't even manipulate. The xl to XXL glove sized hand didn't overcome this.
20210125_211015.jpg
 
Go with the BD decocker and dont worry about no safety.
Ill take my 97 over the FNX and P220 any day of the week, with the FNX in last. IMO, the only thing going for the FNX is the round count, I'll take ergos and trigger quality.
CZ also just released the P10 series in 45 acp, so far I believe its only in the F model or full size.
 
Driftertank said:
Rumor has it there's a joke among special forces guys that it's "the world's only crew-served handgun," and that it's rather unpopular, as once it's fitted with a suppressor and light/sight module its almost as bulky as an MP5 or other PDW type weapon. As a civilian purchase, my personal opinion is that the appeal starts and ends with "it's that cool pistol from the video games."
Click to expand...

Yeah the joke has been around forever..
Here is my 2011 on top of a MK23. Aside from the extra inch out front and enormous trigger guard, it's really not all that much bigger. That said the 2011 is lighter and is 15+1 compared to 12+1 butt costs more than 2 x the 23.

20210126_091628.jpg

I'm the wrong age for video games, but do occasionally play them with my kids and grandkids. So I cannot say I've never.
 
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