What's out there for a DA/SA .45 ACP under $600?

Well, the HK45, if used, isn't going for too much more than $600. Cz97b is right around there as well, but a new da/sa 45acp handgun from a decent manufacturer for less $600 in the current situation would be hard to locate. The Bersa Ultra Compact 45 would be one candidate, good gun, a bit chunky for my hands.

Ruger, Glock, and Kahr come to mind.

TTv2 said:

I've had a .45 semi auto on my mind for years and the thought crept back in recently and for the longest time the Hi Point was the one I'd get if I couldn't think of a better .45 that interested me. The S&W M&P with the threaded barrel had been one I considered, Ruger SR45 too, but in the past year I've really grown to like DA/SA pistols.

With that increased interest in a DA/SA, I'm left wondering what's a good one that's not crazy pricey like the H&K's? I've thought about the Ruger P90 and like that it's all steel, but have heard that DA trigger is tough. The Beretta Px4 has me interested, but I'd rather have one of those in 9mm. The S&W 4500's would be cool, but they're getting out of my price range.

Those are the DA/SA .45's I know of, if I missed some that aren't pricey, please inform me. Other than that, if you had to choose one of the ones I mentioned, which would you go with?

Click to expand...

Pretty much out of luck if you want DA/SA new. Now if used is OK then yes the old P90 by Ruger will work. The P series trigger is "different" for sure but normally not bad so to speak, just different. Should still be a lot of the old P90's kicking around in your budget. If you have not shot a P Series I would try to find one you can handle first. All the P Series had that same trigger so if you handle one and can live with it? They were very well made pistols.

TTv2 said:

I've had a .45 semi auto on my mind for years and the thought crept back in recently and for the longest time the Hi Point was the one I'd get if I couldn't think of a better .45 that interested me. The S&W M&P with the threaded barrel had been one I considered, Ruger SR45 too, but in the past year I've really grown to like DA/SA pistols.

With that increased interest in a DA/SA, I'm left wondering what's a good one that's not crazy pricey like the H&K's? I've thought about the Ruger P90 and like that it's all steel, but have heard that DA trigger is tough. The Beretta Px4 has me interested, but I'd rather have one of those in 9mm. The S&W 4500's would be cool, but they're getting out of my price range.

Those are the DA/SA .45's I know of, if I missed some that aren't pricey, please inform me. Other than that, if you had to choose one of the ones I mentioned, which would you go with?

Click to expand...

The P90 is aluminum framed.

They are bulky and unrefined, but both of mine were accurate and 100% reliable feeders.

The P90 is aluminum framed. If I were interested in Ruger I'd also look at the P97, essentially the same gun but with a plastic frame. They were a little more refined looking and a little lighter. They use the same mags as the P90.

ruger p97 - Bing images

Ruger also made the P345 briefly. There is also a plastic framed 45 but is far more refined than either. Most people really liked the ergonomics on this pistol. The best shaped grip of any Ruger pistol IMO. But Ruger designed them so they wouldn't fire with the magazine removed. It was really a weird design. With most guns that do this the hammer simply won't fall if the mag is removed. On the Ruger the hammer falls, but they used the firing pin block to prevent the gun from firing without the magazine.

ruger p345 - Bing images

It was a minor design flaw that Ruger didn't figure out until after the guns were released. If you dry fired the gun with no magazine in it you'd damage the firing pin block and eventually the gun simply wouldn't fire even with a magazine and chambered round. Ruger even recommended dry fire practice in their owners manual. People started sending the guns back to be repaired. When Ruger returned the guns they came with a revised owners manual and a letter from the factory stating that dry fire was still OK, but you MUST insert an empty magazine in the gun.

They've long been discontinued, but are a good pistol. You just have to know not to dry fire unless you use an empty magazine. Or remove the firing pin block. It isn't hard to do.

That $600 number is going to be a tough one if you're looking for a new gun. Even the PX4 in .45 would be expected to be above $600.

I don't know what the EAA/Tanfoglio's cost, but they have several options for DA/SA guns in .45.

https://eaacorp.com/product/tanfoglio-witness-elite-match/

I was going to say the FNX45. I looked at them some time ago, but the non tactical one is up to close to $800 now, I think.

I had an FNX9, and it was a well build DA/SA gun that could also be carried cocked and locked if that's your jam.

At the $600 mark...thats a toughie. I like the .45 too, but all of my .45 guns are either a 1911 or striker. Good luck

I picked up a used P220 a few years ago for $500. I don’t know what they’re selling for now, but mine’s been great.

ms6852 said:

Ruger, Glock, and Kahr come to mind.

Click to expand...

Glock and Kahr are both single action only.

Taurus made several SA/DA pistols in 45, but doesn't any longer. They should be under $600 on the used market. (Or they would be in normal times. Currently, who knows what crazy prices they might be going for?!?!)

Edit:
There's a Taurus PT845 (poly frame, double stack) on Gunbroker right now. The current bid is $110.
Also a three listings for PT945 (steel frame, single stack). One, the bidding is up to $400, one has a starting price (no bids yet) of $425 and one is priced at $550.

EAA Witness (Tanfoglio) has (had?) some affordable .45ACP DA/SA pistols even polymer ones.
Beretta Px4 Storm (not sure about the price and availability).
Grand Power P45 (not sure about the price).
A used CZ 97B.
A used SIG-Sauer P220.
A used HK USP.
A used Ruger P series.
A used S&W SW99 .45ACP.
A used Stoeger Cougar 8045.
A used Taurus.
A used Star Megastar.
Maybe Sarsilmaz makes some DA/SA .45ACP pistols.
Canik?
Tristar?
Tisas?

Ditto the P220. I picked up a rather nice one for a little over $600 about a month ago. $600 now is probably going to be on the low end for one of these.

The CZ-97B is also one heck of a pistol, but I doubt you'll find one in your price ballpark.

Not here to start a taurus bash but taurus does actually produce a reasonably decent 1911. They can still be found new for $600 if you look.

on a popular auction site you can check listing 886032516 as an example. Not mine, and for reference purposes only.

A used/good condition H&K USP .45 shouldn't set you back more than six bills.

bersaguy said:

Well, the HK45, if used, isn't going for too much more than $600. Cz97b is right around there

Click to expand...

5-SHOTS said:

A used SIG-Sauer P220.

Click to expand...

These would be the top of my list.

Actually, my entire list.

You'll have to buy used to meet your price point.
Look for:
CZ97B or BD (steel frame)
Tanfoglio (polymer & steel available)
Bersa (a little hard to find but good quality)
SIG
FN
HK
Maybe an old Ruger.
You can find what you seek if you are patient.

If you can find one, a new CZ 97B currently lists for $729.00, if you can find one for close to this price, that would be a pretty good deal.

I paid a little over $600 for my HK45 used a few years back but it came with 4 mags.

A decent used Sig P220 under $600 would be a screaming deal these days.

A Smith & Wesson 2nd Gen (3 digit model no.) or 3rd Gen (4 digit model no.) in decent condition with extra mags would also be a good choice.

Our current market spoils everything, pricewise.
My West German P220 was only $475 out the door.
You might eyeball the Taurus Millennium as an option.

JDR said:

If you can find one, a new CZ 97B currently lists for $729.00, if you can find one for close to this price, that would be a pretty good deal..

Click to expand...

They may still be on the website, but I don't think they're making them, and haven't for at least a couple years.

I have a Baby Eagle compact (Israeli CZ derivative) in 45 ACP and couldn't ask for a better pistol.

Googled to see if they're still being made, and Magnum Research put out a press release on August 13th 2020 that they've resumed making them (https://www.magnumresearch.com/magnum-research-announces-the-return-of-the-baby-eagle/). They were selling in the high 600s at retail, but of course any pistol is tough to find now.

There's quite a few P220's on Gunbroker. Most are priced well over $600, but there are a number of them still being bidded on which are under that.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Pistols/search?Keywords=p220&PageSize=96&Sort=4&View=2&Ch-manufacturerName=Sig Sauer&Ch-Caliber=.45 ACP

Picked up a used HK USP45 with 3 12-round mags for $450 about a year ago.

Even with today’s inflated prices, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one for around $600 if you look hard enough.

I had a little shoot-off today between my CZ-97B and my Sig P220 Carry, to decide which to put into long-term storage. The shoot-off consisted of: 5 rounds each for warm-up; <new targets - one for each gun> then (switching off): 1) 5 rounds each own target at 25 feet SA two-handed; 2) 5 rounds each own same target SA single-handed; 3) 5 rounds each own same target DA two-handed. I've had the CZ longer, so not really fair, I suppose, and I think it won pretty clearly:

View attachment 960897

I think the CZ just fits my hands better, and I seem to pick up the sight picture faster. The advantage of the P220 is the de-cocker, if that's a decision item. It's also easier to field strip and clean.

Neither holds a candle to my Springfield 1911 Milspec-A1, so that stays in the shooting rotation along with the CZ, and the Sig will go into storage.