Entry Level Target Gun in 45 ACP

DMW1116 said:

I’ve been looking around for an entry level pistol to use for target shooting to cover the requirement of a 45 caliber. I’d like to keep price below $750 if possible. I’ve checked out some Girsan and RIA target models but haven’t really jumped on anything.

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I have been down this road. A couple of suggestions - Practice a lot. It's the indian, not the arrow. Holding the 9 ring (5.5") on a B-8 target at 25yards is a reasonable goal and should score enough points to get near the Master classification. Holding the 10 ring (3.3") is challenging. Try to find a Springfield Armory 1911 with adjustable sights. SA 1911s are a great base to build a bullseye competition pistol. You will have to use lighter recoil springs if you are making target loads. Finding a bullet that likes your barrel and a powder that likes that bullet will go a longer ways towards smaller groups than a ton of upgrades. Well, that and lots of practice.
The reason I suggest Springfield 1911s is that they are usually well made, don't require proprietary parts to do upgrades and generally have decent triggers out of the box. Plus, the better 1911/22 conversions work on SA frames.
2 upgrades worth doing down the road, a trigger job and fitted bushing, combined with LOTS of practice would be the next step. Match barrels are nice when you are searching for the Xring.
Spend some time at the Bullseye-L forum. Lots of good insight there. It's easy to get stuck in the money trap of competition/bullseye pistols which, IMO, doesn't need to be done to be a good bullseye shooter. A decent trigger, sights that work for you and ammo the barrel likes and lots of practice goes a lot further than expensive pistols.
If I haven't mentioned it - Practice a lot.

kidneyboy said:

... I suggest Springfield 1911s is that they are usually well made, don't require proprietary parts

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... firing pin...

JTQ said:

... firing pin...

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It's my understanding that Springfield doesn't use a 'proprietary' firing pin only a lightweight one to pass drop test standards that some states (California) require.

All the dimensions are standard, just a different material.

Y-T71 said:

It's my understanding that Springfield doesn't use a 'proprietary' firing pin only a lightweight one to pass drop test standards that some states (California) require.

All the dimensions are standard, just a different material.

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There are three normal firing pin sizes, the standard size for .45 Auto guns, the size for 9mm/38Super guns, though many makers use these for all their 1911's, and the size Springfield uses.

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...911-firing-pin-prod26865.aspx?avs|Make_3=1911

Available in three diameters; select the diameter that provides just enough clearance through the hole in the firing pin stop of your gun. .068 normally fits Colt and Caspian 9mm/.38 Super/.40/10mm. .075 fits Springfield Armory 9mm/.38 Super/10mm/current-production .45 ACP. .093 fits most .45 ACP,

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Hmm...what do you know.
Never heard of that.

I knew about 9mm/.38 super being different from .45

Thanks for the info!

DMW1116 said:

I’ve been looking around for an entry level pistol to use for target shooting to cover the requirement of a 45 caliber. I’d like to keep price below $750 if possible. I’ve checked out some Girsan and RIA target models but haven’t really jumped on anything.

My requirements somewhat limit options. 45 caliber, adjustable sights, and ambidextrous or left handed.

I plan to hand load and can usually find a load that works pretty good. Obviously at this point I’m not looking for a 3/4” @ 25 yard pistol. 2”-3” should do until my skills catch up. Going from rested to unsupported my group size will more than double. At least my point of aim and point of impact aren’t changing as much going from rested to unsupported. That used to move by more than the group increase.

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First you need to decide what "platform" you want a 1911 or conventional da/sa or striker fired.

Most decent brands will shoot better then the person buying them. You do not need adjustable sights, (just something to break or fiddle with) (advice form CZ custom when I bought one of their 9mm)

Yes the SA XDm is a great gun, very accurate

https://outdoorempire.com/best-45-acp-pistols-reviewed/

Y-T71 said:

All the dimensions are standard, ...

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Regarding 1911's in general, not Springfield specific, "standard" is a pretty broad window.

The old saying regarding 1911's is "there are no drop in parts on the 1911" is pretty accurate.

JTQ said:

Regarding 1911's in general, not Springfield specific, "standard" is a pretty broad window.

The old saying regarding 1911's is "there are no drop in parts on the 1911" is pretty accurate.

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True, but I didn't realize that their firing pins were outside of even that broad "standard"

For a Bullseye gun? Check the used market. +1 for the Bullseye-L list, and add the Target Talk BB. Ask around on both boards, you'll be surprised at what turns up for a new shooter.

FWIW, if you don't have a good .22, that should be your priority. Get that nailed down first.

Tip: A lot of people use dot sights. Partly because American-made adjustable sights are made with such wretchedly narrow rear sight notches. Take a file and open those up, and your groups will tighten considerably.

I had a Taurus that would hang awfully close to my Gold Cup but let my #2 grandson talk me out of it. Darn grandkids. I would have a lot more money if I didn't have any. Just kidding as I wouldn't trade a one f them off. I can't speak to the parts interchangability as I never had to do anything to it and my grandson hasn't either as I would know because he would have shown up asking for help with if he did. Gun problem, all the kids come to grandpa. It makes me feel good that they do. It just proves that some think geezers still know a thing or two.

drband said:

I’ll play… you might consider a SW625 revolver. A used one should fit your budget and they are absolutely “tack drivers!”

Handloads with SWCs are perfect for target shooting. Light loads are accurate and fun to shoot.
.45acp rounds in a moon clip load and unload faster than a semiautomatic.
Great sights (gold dot front/I changed mine for F/O HiViz, and adjustable rear)
Nice selection of grips available (SW n-frame)

Heavy enough to handle any .45acp recoil.

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You could possibly find a used 625 for under 1K but you better hurry. Discontinued I hear. I have one and a Colt Gold Cup. I prefer shooting my GC.

I know the budget is $750 but I don't think that's realistic for a good target pistol. Colt or Springfield would be my entry level choice. If you look hard enough you could possibly find a Springfield RO within your budget. Colts won't be in your budget.

DMW1116 said:

I have a decent 22, a S&W Victory. With ammo it likes it will put multiple shots into a 1" circle at 25 yards. Even off a rest I still pull one now and then, but that's not the guns fault. As stated above, I've not done a proper ammo test with it at 25 yards to see what it likes. I tried at 10 yards but couldn't tell any difference. I'm close to being able to keep all my shots in the aiming black at 25 yards with the 22. I'm considerably further off with the centerfires I've tried. View attachment 1105487

View attachment 1105488

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Rather similar groups for 2 entirely different guns. Both favoring the left side of the targets may be a grip issue.

DMW1116 said:

The Springfield is sweet but out of my range unless guns aren’t going for MSRP anymore.

Is a 1911 the way to go? Would a Glock 21 or 41 or XD series in 45 do the job?

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Really the only choice you have in that price range for a dedicated adjustable-sight target gun in .45 ACP would be a budget RIA or SA 1911 target model or to use a fixed-sight polymer or 1911 model for target purposes, which is honestly also fine.

The Sig 220 almost certainly cannot be had for that price, although at this point the budget RIA and SA 1911s would also likely be a bit of a hunt to find at that price.

DMW1116 said:

My goal is to keep all my shots inside the black of an NRA 25 yard timed and rapid fire pistol target with a centerfire pistol.

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A new unknown gun will not get you there.


You practicing and matching your guns there preferred ammo
if your truly looking for accuracy there is no budget!

DMW1116 said:

I had a Ruger SR1911 Target under consideration but then they all disappeared.

How about a Sig P220 if not Glock or XD?

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Sig P220 would hang, but not a Glock or XD. MECHANICALLY, they will, but the trigger can't be made good enough.

drband said:

I’ll play… you might consider a SW625 revolver. A used one should fit your budget and they are absolutely “tack drivers!”

Handloads with SWCs are perfect for target shooting. Light loads are accurate and fun to shoot.
.45acp rounds in a moon clip load and unload faster than a semiautomatic.
Great sights (gold dot front/I changed mine for F/O HiViz, and adjustable rear)
Nice selection of grips available (SW n-frame)

Heavy enough to handle any .45acp recoil.

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↑ I've found most of that to be true. I have a 625 and had a 1911. A fellow would have to be PRETTY fast reloading the 625 and PRETTY slow reloading the 1911 for it to be true. It's not slow, though! (lot faster than speed loaders)

zaitcev said:

I have an XDm .45 and it's quite good. Not sure if it's match-winning good though.
Sadly Walther stopped making PPQ in .45 when they switched to PDP.

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I have an XD-45 Tactical. I like it and it's good, but the trigger's the limiting factor. It just doesn't have that crisp, surprise break than a 1911 trigger does.

Tallball said:

A fancier RIA would be fine.

I don't think that CZ makes 45's anymore, but Tanfoglio probably still makes them.

The 1911 and the CZ75 are my two favorite "platforms".

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I had the CZ-97. It was a good, accurate gun, but needed the full power 230 gr. to feed reliably and was too big for my hand.

SAR makes a couple of nice CZ-type 45s now. This would be a good option, and something you don't see every day:
https://sarusa.com/product/k2/

Reading a bit more, they're the same guns that used to be imported by EAA, but now there's a US-based SAR company that's doing it.

I almost bought one, but went with the XD-45 Tactical instead. (SAR would probably be a bit more accurate in SA mode)


In the end though, I think if your goal is target shooting, you'll end up with a 1911 sooner or later. I think you'll save money in the end if you just start with something like a Colt Gold Cup. Save your pennies, sell stuff you're no longer using or will no longer use once you get this. Heck, put one on layaway or charge it.

CZ 97 was discontinued Jan 22, so good luck finding one.
Tanfoglio makes several 45 pistols.

>Link to site discovered as a Scam has been removed.<
(May the fleas of a thousand camels infest their armpits, as their their landlord throws their worldly possessions into the street!)


Seriously though, 1911s.

Demi-human said:

Seriously though, 1911s.

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This thread has me revisiting my former obsession with 1911 target pistols. Yesterday I picked up a Springfield Armory defender series 1911 for $550. It has fixed 3 dot sights, a decent trigger, the barrel is well fit to the bushing and it locks up tight. This, IME, is a good base for a target pistol and will be the this years winter project.

Demi-human said:

Here is one in stock today.
https://sigmagunstore.com/product/cz-97b/

Seriously though, 1911s.

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Add gun to cart, try to buy.
Only payment is zelle
It's a scam site

sevt_chevelle said:

It's a scam site

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Dang it! That torques me. I didn’t go that far on that site. I’m editing my post to remove the link, and I hate editing my previous posts!

(Angry rant about how everything is a lie nowadays, and how the FBI should be thwarting this as work, instead of harassing parents of school children, has been redacted.)

My apologies gentlemen.

DMW1116 said:

The Springfield is sweet but out of my range unless guns aren’t going for MSRP anymore.

Is a 1911 the way to go? Would a Glock 21 or 41 or XD series in 45 do the job?

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The 1911 is probably a better target platform, but you can certainly make a Glock, XDm, or PPQ shoot small groups.

If you had a G21/41, you can add the Timney trigger for excellent performance

https://timneytriggers.com/alpha-competition-for-glock-large-frame/

The RPR trigger is a great upgrade to the XDm and I’ve put several in but not as good as the Timney is for the Glock IMO:

https://powderriverprecision.com/