Accurate but not-too-expensive .45

Status
Not open for further replies.
Smaug

Smaug

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
1,815
Location
SE Wisconsin
I'm thinking of adding a .45 ACP automatic to the arsenal. In the past, I've had:
  • Ruger P90 - It was a good solid gun, but not super accurate. Cheap sights. Should've kept it.
  • (forgot the brand) "GI" 1911. This was ammo-sensitive; only fed round nose bullets well. Heavy trigger and not that accurate. Wasn't a Springfield.
  • CZ97 - I thought this was The One, but it was a Jam-O-Matic, no matter what I did
  • S&W 625 - I still have this one; love it, but want to add an auto
In the past, I've shot a Colt Gold Cup. Loved it. They were $1300 at the time but seem to be no longer made now.

I also shot an HK USP .45 and was shocked to find I shot it as accurately as the Gold Cup, even though it is more of a combat pistol.

I've shot a Glock 21 way back. It was accurate, but was hard for me to GET that accuracy due to the spongy break of the trigger. It was also too big for my hand.

I'm looking now at two H&Ks and a Springfield and am wondering if there's anything else I should be considering for around a $1,000. The Springfield would immediately need an adjustable rear sight, as this is probably going to be a range gun only.

The first HK I'm looking at is the basic HK45 with the two 10 rounders. It's ergonomic but doesn't have adjustable sights. I'd hate to have to pay almost $900 only to have to spend more on sights. LINK

The second HK I'm looking at is the USP45 Elite. I like the longer sight radius on this as well as the adjustable rear sight. I see that it has 12 round mags, which makes me wonder if it'll be too big for my hand, like the Glock 21 was. (I have a medium sized palm, but short fingers) LINK

The Springfield I'm looking at is the blued carbon steel Garrison model, w/5" barrel. Sight isn't adjustable, though. LINK

I'm leaning toward the USP45 Elite now. Is there anything else I should consider in this price range?
 
You are kinda all over the board on these pistols. Lots of apples to oranges to potatoes comparisons. Only consistent thing is .45 ACP and around $1000. Okay.

Id suggest you determine the platform. 1911? SA/DA? Striker Fired? Plastic? Metal?

Id also suggest deciding if you want an optic ready model or not…

There are lots of great .45’s out there, but they sure vary greatly.
 
1911 fan

I have had 2 Auto Ordinance Government Model. Shot everything I put in them. Not target pistols, but good accuracy.
Ruger 1911, beautiful, well built and accurate.

Buddy has a RIA, economy with outstanding value. I was impressed with it's reliability.
 
You said range gun only, but are you planning on shooting any competitions with it or just casual plinking? If there’s a decent chance you’ll shoot competitions with it, I would recommend also looking at what other competitors shoot and taking that into account.

Anyway, I like HKs but the USP never really worked out for me. You might want to take a look at the Sig p220. It has a good DA/SA trigger (which in my experience gets really nice after you’ve worked it in with a good amount of dry/live fire), but there’s also a SAO version that is supposed to be really nice as well (though it may be a bit more difficult to find).

And as a recent Walther convert, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the PPQ 45. I would recommend the PDP, but I don’t believe they have a PDP in .45 ACP yet.

I would also recommend looking into a model that is optics ready. Even if you don’t plan on adding a red dot, it is nice to have the option if you ever decide to add one in the future.


Smaug said:
I'd hate to have to pay almost $900 only to have to spend more on sights.
Click to expand...

That’s going to be something you’ll need to do with almost any gun you buy. Sights are a very personal thing and what might be good for one person could be completely wrong for another person. Even one person could want different types of sites for different situations. Some people want 3 dot tritium, front tritium black rear, fiber front black rear, or complete black.

That’s why most manufacturers just cheap out on sights because they know the end user is very likely to replace them anyway and it lets them have a lower price on the gun. The only exception I’ve really seen is on guns designed explicitly for competition where you’re more likely to get adjustable sights.

Look at it like any other extras you’d be buying for the gun, just like with extra mags, holsters, etc.
 
At just a little over $1000, you might want to look at a SIG P220 Elite. Many years ago I had a Browning BDA (aka SIG P220) .45 and even with fixed sighs it could go shot-for-shot with a Colt Gold Cup I also had at the time.
 
Smaug said:
Fair enough. How about this: Range pistol, chambered in .45ACP, not too ammo-finnicky. Should be able to shoot groups at 25 yards.
Click to expand...

Well, that clears up my confusion…LOL!

Okay, if you are NOT looking for optics ready, I’d suggest a 1911. Lots of choices…if not a 1911, I’ll second the PPQ 45. Great gun!

Optics ready, and not Glock, then an XDm Elite OSP. I wish I could say Sig 320 but I’m just seeing too many quirks with that gun.

S&W M&P may have an optic ready model, not sure.

Just some free advice.
 
Smaug said:
I'm leaning toward the USP45 Elite now. Is there anything else I should consider in this price range?
Click to expand...

H&K Mark 23 [$$$].

SIG P220 [$$] - or its more expensive iteration, the X6 Level 1 [$$$$] (the older, non - hyperfenestrated "legacy" version!).

Glock "21L" [$]. There are lots of faithfully OEM - looking slides as well as aftermarket barrels that could get you a 6" Glock in .45ACP. Parts abound on eBay. You can fiddle with the trigger / connectors to set up a really nice trigger with some work. I personally have all the parts sitting on the shelf, waiting to be assembled on a Glock 21SF frame, just haven't gotten to it.
 
I have two SAR-USA K2 45 pistols. CZ75 clones. Excellent pistols!! I don't care for the CZ97 either. Lousy ergonomics IMHO. The SAR K2 45 and the SAR K2 45C (compact) are very well made and hold 14 +1 rds. I have medium sized hands and they fit well. They cost $600-$700 in Stainless. A little less in Black steel. I personally think the K2 45C balances better than the full size version. The "compact" version has the same frame as the full size just an inch and a half shorter in barrel and slide. Can't beat the price for an all steel DA/SA pistol of this quality!!
 
I’m leaning towards a 1911 recommendation. A good one is just a real pleasure to shoot. Sounds like that’s what you’re after.

Colt, Springfield, Ruger….. pick one with the features you like and go with it is what I’ve done and would also advise.
 
My Smith M&P's with an Apex trigger installed will shoot as well as any 1911 I've ever owned. Both of mine are 1st gen pistols that I picked up used and cheap. I have a full size and a compact.

The triggers on those were horrible from the factory. Adding the aftermarket trigger made a huge difference. The newer 2.0 versions already come with a much better trigger. It isn't as good as the Apex. But it might be good enough to make it hard to justify the added expense of an aftermarket trigger.
 
If I were in your shoes, I'd try to track down another Ruger P90; you already have experience with them and, while they are a little chunky, are widely agreed to be a quality piece.

Aside from that the Springfield XDM seem like a good value (I had an older XD .45 Service length that fit my needs perfectly, only one of 2 guns I truly regret having to let go) as well as S&W M&P line.

At last count there are somewhere in the neighborhood of eleventy billion 1911's for sale, surely you could find one of those that fit your needs.
 
I have had a Metro Arms 1911 for several years. I think I paid a little over $400 for. It has never let me down once.
 

Attachments

  • 20180423_174055.jpg
    20180423_174055.jpg
    101.3 KB · Views: 10
  • 20180428_092030.jpg
    20180428_092030.jpg
    66.8 KB · Views: 11
Probably a 1911. HK45 or 45c should, maybe, still be under a grand also. My HK45c is quite accurate and shoots as good as I can shoot out to 25 yards.

I think the non-legion 220s and the CZ 97 are discontinued unfortunately.

Glock 21 or 40 do shoot really well for me, but the grip isn’t for everyone. (Oops I missed you already tried the 21. If it was a 3rd Gen the 4ths do feel a little small. Spongy trigger is just a matter or practice)
 
I’d look at the PX4 storm in 45.

Never shot one but the barrel design and single action make me want to think I’d be pretty accurate. Not as expensive either, so a little extra for some target sights. But like I said, I’ve never shot one.

Also, depending on why you want to stick to 45 acp my 25-2 S&W revolver is the most accurate 45.acp I’ve ever seen. Not sure if that’s something you’ve thought of or would consider.
 
DeepSouth said:
Also, depending on why you want to stick to 45 acp my 25-2 S&W revolver is the most accurate 45.acp I’ve ever seen. Not sure if that’s something you’ve thought of or would consider.
Click to expand...

OP already has a S&W 625
 
Wow, there are a TON of good options here that I had not considered; thanks guys!
Here are some of your suggestions and my responses. If I rule out a suggestion, please don't be offended or feel like I didn't listen to you:
  • Beretta CX4 Storm - For a Beretta, it's not very pretty, is it? It's out because it's ugly to me. I shot one once in 9mm and it was wonderful; couldn't believe how accurate and soft-recoiling it was, but I just kind of make the "yeesh face" whenever I look at it. I really like that they were willing to do something besides Browning's old tilting barrel arrangement!
  • K2 45 - Never even heard of this brand before, but I sure like a CZ75 and wanted to like my CZ97. This, to me, looks elegant and I like the full steel construction; it would be a nice light-kicker. This one's at the top of my list. It even has an adjustable sight right out of the box. Not optics-ready, but I could always put a laser on the Pic rail.
  • Glock 21 (Gen 4 MOS) - This has the modular back straps, so I'm sure I could find one that would fit my hand. While it doesn't have the adjustable sight, it is set up for low profile optics, which I'd probably use. Nice long sight radius, too, with the long slide. The fact that it is ugly and will never have a "nice trigger" is offset by being the only one in this group that's optics-ready. (Where are the other optics-ready options?) - This one is out. I'm not willing to do the Glock trigger again. I had a G34 back in the day and never could shoot it well.
  • Ruger SR1911 Target - This looks pretty much custom made for what I specified above. Full 5" barrel, nice sight radius, adjustable sights. Price is just over a grand, too. This one's out too now. I just don't think I want to deal with the whole 1911 stuff, when a modern gun can be just as accurate.
  • S&W 1911 Performance Center Pro Series - This one is beautiful, but I'm not sure it's worth 70% more than the Ruger. Thoughts? Also, it blows my budget into the weeds at $1700.
  • Sig Sauer P220 Elite Full Size - This is a good-looking gun too. I shot a P226 one time and it (like the H&K) had a nice soft recoil and great accuracy. I don't like the looks of it as much as the HK's though. Kind of too chunky in the slide...
  • Walther PPQ - Doesn't seem like they make this in .45 ACP any more? I bought my girlfriend an original P99 back in the day; paid nearly $800 for it. Even then, the trigger was great. Break was a bit heavy, but it was crisp. I wonder if Glock has taken note. Walther makes some nice guns, and lots are optics ready, but none are .45. :-(
  • Sig Sauer P320 Compact - This is the only one on their website that shows being available in .45. I don't really want another compact gun, so this one's out right away.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: md7
Smaug said:
Wow, there are a TON of good options here that I had not considered; thanks guys!
Here are some of your suggestions and my responses. If I rule out a suggestion, please don't be offended or feel like I didn't listen to you:
  • Beretta CX4 Storm - For a Beretta, it's not very pretty, is it? It's out because it's ugly to me. I shot one once in 9mm and it was wonderful; couldn't believe how accurate and soft-recoiling it was, but I just kind of make the "yeesh face" whenever I look at it. I really like that they were willing to do something besides Browning's old tilting barrel arrangement!
  • K2 45 - Never even heard of this brand before, but I sure like a CZ75 and wanted to like my CZ97. This, to me, looks elegant and I like the full steel construction; it would be a nice light-kicker. This one's at the top of my list. It even has an adjustable sight right out of the box. Not optics-ready, but I could always put a laser on the Pic rail.
  • Glock 21 (Gen 4 MOS) - This has the modular back straps, so I'm sure I could find one that would fit my hand. While it doesn't have the adjustable sight, it is set up for low profile optics, which I'd probably use. Nice long sight radius, too, with the long slide. The fact that it is ugly and will never have a "nice trigger" is offset by being the only one in this group that's optics-ready. (Where are the other optics-ready options?)
  • Ruger SR1911 Target - This looks pretty much custom made for what I specified above. Full 5" barrel, nice sight radius, adjustable sights. Price is just over a grand, too.
  • S&W 1911 Performance Center Pro Series - This one is beautiful, but I'm not sure it's worth 70% more than the Ruger. Thoughts? Also, it blows my budget into the weeds at $1700.
  • Sig Sauer P220 Elite Full Size - This is a good-looking gun too. I shot a P226 one time and it (like the H&K) had a nice soft recoil and great accuracy. I don't like the looks of it as much as the HK's though. Kind of too chunky in the slide...
Click to expand...

From your list I’d go with the Ruger 1911 or Sig 220. Plenty of happy owners on both sides
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
45 is getting expensive
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
conan
C
F
  • Locked
A new .45 acp
Replies
6
Views
620
JTQ
J
brutus51
  • Locked
Contemplating a new 1911 target pistol.
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
horsemen61
H
HOLY DIVER
  • Locked
S&W MP accurate?
Replies
16
Views
806
kd7nqb
K
Edcnh
  • Locked
45 Target Pistol
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
robertg5322
R
Back
Top