What .45 For Self Defense?

There are a lot of good options. You need to narrow it down.
DA/SA or SAO? How about DAO or striker fired?
Polymer, alloy, or steel frame?
Budget?

I agree with your assessment of the G21/G21SF frame size being too large, at least for me.

I have a 1911 and an S&W 4506 that both work well for me. I do like the .45ACP round and would also consider the Sig P220, the Ruger P90 (out of production, but should be available used), the Ruger P345, the S&W M&P 45, and the XD 45. I find the FNP45 and CZ97 more "gripable" than the G21, but both still seem larger to me than the other's I mentioned.

Most pistols these days are pretty reliable. If you buy from a company like S&W, Ruger, or Springfield, even if it breaks, they will probably fix it for free and most likely even pay for the shipping.

Fisherman12 said:

I asked about the G21/G21sf earlier. But I shot it again yesterday and the grip is too fat and long (even the SF) for me.

But I'm seriously trying to get a tough, reliable .45 semi auto that can last a lifetime.

This is going to be a full size home defense and possibly CCW self defense firearm, so it must be absolutely reliable. I know machines can fail, but the point stands.

It needs to be a time tested, proven design that's well known for reliability and durability.

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

For the money, striker fire pistols are reliable, durable, accurate and well made:


I have shot my friend's Springfield XD Service 45 ACP. It is an excellent option. The XDM allows a change in grip sizes.

I have a Glock 30 which is an excellent option, also. It's a good balance of size, capacity/firepower, reliability, concealment with the ability to accommodate for the G21 magazines.

The S&W M&P is a solid pistol with similar features as the XDM, also.

I have 1911s but I only recommend mid-level and better, if you desire reliability:

Guncrafter No Name 1911
Ed Brown Special Forces
Mars Armament T.H.U.G. (Twight Hard Use Gun)

I'm also looking for a solid .45. I like the G21 but you are right the grip on it is THICK. You should check on the H&K .45 USP. This guy does a nice review on it in this video and compares it to the new HK 45. Both really look like great guns. In the review he makes the point that the USP is really a no nonsense fighting pistol and now having held it I have to agree. It's made for shooting and there is no doubt in my mind having handled it that it will last a lifetime and then some easily. They also make a compact USP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLLuF8SqO3E

I haven't handled an HK USP in a while, but they always seemed in the "too big" category along with the G21. That's the reason the HK45 came about, to give them an ergonomic, user friendly pistol.

My budget is $2,000

Click to expand...

Les Baer UTC

http://www.lesbaer.com/1911UltTact.html

True enough. Biggest difference to me is SAO and DAO require more practice.

Now there is always the P220 for steel. There's the Stainless Nitron, which is their black Nitron finish on stainless steel, and then there's the Elite Stainless with a stainless finish. The rest of the P220 line has an aluminum frame, I believe. They're right around $900 in my area, which isn't bad, given your budget.

I haven't handled an HK USP in a while, but they always seemed in the "too big" category along with the G21. That's the reason the HK45 came about, to give them an ergonomic, user friendly pistol.

Click to expand...

I agree with you that they are probably too big for most to carry but I believe that the OPs first requirement is home defense and not necessarily carry. This is also why I mentioned that the HK USP 45 also comes in a compact version.

For 2k you could get the Full Size and the Compact and have money left over and have 2 really great guns.

Oh, and while the USP is a 'big' gun in no way is the grip as thick as the G21.

Again, if you are looking for a life-time shooter you can't go wrong with a 'big' gun like the USP that has been battle tested. Going with a smaller design might be OK but i think it's hard to imagine a gun like the new Springfield XDs in .45 (Very small/compact/ and good for carry) lasting as long as a USP.

If you are open to a 1911 there are all kinds of options under 2k - but I generally think you will find that they aren't as reliable as an out of the box H&K or Glock but of course that's just my opinion. 1911 Options that I really like include Wilson Combat (A used CQB or X-Tac) or perhaps a new Les Baer Thunder Ranch. I'm not a big Les Baer fan but a lot of people have had great luck with his Thunder Ranch pistols.

Poly: Springfield XD
S&W M&P

Metal: CZ(Yes..they are that awesome)
Beretta
Stoeger Cougar

I cant recomend a 1911 personally as their hit or miss on the reliablilty scale IMHO.

If it were my money, a nice 1911 would be getting ordered.


Jason

I would check with police efforts in this area. A double stack 45 ACP is too big for many people.

Before I would give up on the Glocks, I would look into the grip you use when holding it. The Glock was ergonomically designed and I had to be shown the right grip.

Also, the Glock 36 is single stack and easier to carry. It might be an option.

Another option is to reconsider the 45 ACP as many police agencies. Other options are the 45 GAP, 40 S&W and 9mm. They all work if you don't miss.

I have an alloy frame Stoeger Cougar 8045 and an polymer XD45 Service 4". Both are excellent 45's. The Cougar is about $450 new and the XD is around $550 new. Both well within your range. I also have an excellent Nighthawk Talon 5" 1911, well above your range. While the Nighthawk is an excellent 45, good quality 1911's can be had for alot less money. The Cougar and Nighthawk hold 8 rounds. The XD holds 13 which was the main reason I bought it and I've been pleasantly surprised what a nice gun it is. I'd recommend all three but if you're looking for something for home defense and possible carry I'd go with the XD45. Quality gun with great capacity.

Glock is my default 1st choice. I think they are that much better and anyone with all but the tiniest hands can make a SF framed gun work. If it is still too big I'd still get a Glock, but in the smaller framed 40 or 9mm. Their simply isn't enough difference in actual perfomance to worry about with todays best ammo in any chambering.

If it absolutely had to be 45, and I absolutely could not make a Glock work, I'd go with the Smith M&P 45.

G 30, for home defense and carry . Best money can buy. THe big guns are for the range and home.

I've carried a full-size M1911 for longer than I care to remember. My current carry gun is an early Kimber Classic (ca 1995) in a tuckable holster of my own design.

The single stack Glock 36 is much smaller in the grip area, but you can get the full-size Glock 21 or Glock 30 slimmed down quite a bit with the Robar grip reduction, if you need a full-capacity magazine in a Glock .45ACP.
http://www.robarguns.com/glock.htm

1911. There are many good companies out there, but like another poster said, Les Baer makes an excellent 1911. Glocks have their own cult following, but I can't get on board with a gun that doesn't have an external safety (revolvers excluded, of course). Whatever you decide on, I would spend around 1200 of your 2grand on the gun, and spend the rest on ammo. you'll have everything you need in a $1200 gun, and you can never have too much ammo.

I also hear good things about STI's, but the only brand I have any experience with is Ruger's version of the 1911, and I never looked back. Great gun, and it didn't cost me 2000 wing-wangs

JTQ said:

Les Baer UTC

http://www.lesbaer.com/1911UltTact.html

Click to expand...

Agreed. If you want the ultimate in reliability and accuracy on a budget then the Les Baer is it imo. It is still a 1911 benchmark to many.

Fisherman12


Your right, I should narrow it down.
To be honest, I don't care if it's DA/SA, SAO, DAO, or striker fired. Each have their advantages and I've shot them all.

As far as material, I've always been a "blued steel and walnut grips" fan, and that is my preference, but I understand that that's not the standard now and times have changed. All I can think of that's all steel is the 1911 and CZ, but I'm not sure.

I don't really like aluminum frames, I think I'd prefer a good polymer frame with the slide riding on steel inserts.

Click to expand...

I'm not saying it's "THE" way to go, but it's the way I'm going, in a tuckable holster. The Colt Government model 1911. It's been reliable right out of the box. Over 1k of ball ammo and 150 rounds of Federal HST, no failures so far.

I'm a blue steel/wood grips kind of guy, myself.

I have a S&W M&P 45 Compact. Very nice for the money and you can use leftover funds for about 4-5 more magazines and ammo. That's what I did. Shoots every bit as good as a Glock 30 or USP Compact. It isn't quite as accurate as my Sig 220ST but that thing is magical..and heavy.

There are plenty of 1911s suitable for the job, at that price point I'd certainly reccomend a Baer, I'd also be tempted to look at a STI eagle the 2011s are top notch.
as to non 1911s I have a Sig p220 and a FN FNP45 I sleep fine with either in the nightstand.
The FNP is there right now.

any US made fullsize 1911 in 45 auto

For $2,000? You Could get the ATI 1911, the RIA 1911, and the Umarex 1911, and comparison test them!
(Or, just get a nice basic Kimber Custom II, several McCormicks, and a LOT of range ammo)