Looking for a semi-auto .45 ACP, somewhat affordable, first handgun

Kahr CW45.

S&W M&P. Feels much better than a glock or an XD. I'm sure they all shoot great, but this M&P feels good and is a shooter.

S&W 645 or 4506 or 4566, all traditional SA/DA .45ACP. All can be found at or under 500 dollars.

another vote for the XD

I'll vote for the XD. Great gun!

My first pistol was a EAA witness in 45 acp. It's done me well. If you go with a 45, invest in a some reloading equipment so that ammo is affordable.

How about you go and get the feel of a few and rent them if possible and see what you like for yourself. Go with feel first in my opinion cause if it feels good then you'll be comfortable with it therefor you'll have confidence practicing with it which in turn will make you a better shot if you get enough time shooting it.

gotta shoot them to know

It's funny that you don't like the looks of the 1911...I felt exactly the same while shopping for my first gun.

Now, a year later, I lust after them!

Anyway, since price seems to be a major consideration for you on the handgun, I'd reconsider the selection of .45 ACP as your caliber of choice. Over the lifetime of the gun, you will spend many times the cost of the gun itself in ammo. .45 cal ammo is not cheap, and unless you reload, it's about twice as much as 9mm, for example.

Just something to consider...there are already a lot of great suggestions for guns in the thread.

buy yourself a HiPoint and be done with it!

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Yeah, thanks...
Let's move on.

If you don't like the Glock trigger, you won't like the XD either. For the record, I have owned both and don't like either.

In full disclosure, I will say that I really like 1911s, but if you don't, that is your choice. Just trying to be honest.

Okay, all that said...my favorite non-1911 .45 acp carry pistol is the Kahr P45. Bought mine lightly used for $500. Mot going to say that it's the best $500 I ever spent, but it ranks in the top three. Lighter than the lightest alloy 3" 1911, and shoots every bit as accurately. No external safeties, 100% reliable, very high quality. I carry mine a fair bit, shoot it just as much, and there is no way you will pry it out of my hands.

I'd like to try it's little sister, the PM45. As soon as I get a chance, I will. But I think it will be an "in addition to" instead of a "replacement for" type of deal...

I bought my son an XD45C for just over $500. It is an excellent gun and a great value. Plus, you'll have good resale value when you move up to 1911s!

Ruger P97's are reliable, lite, soft shooting and accurate for ~$350. Used S&W 2nd and 3rd Gen .45's are wonderful full sized DA/SA .45's that can easily be found for less than $400.

You really need to check out the Bersa's.....I have two, the .45 Ultra Compact Pro is a great firearm.

Shoots well, recoil is light, and best of all, I paid $320.00 for it NIB....
Check them out BEFORE you buy something else!
Pud

Ruger KP90DCO .45ACP would be my first choice in you criteria. I have one that I have put about 7000 rounds through with 3 malfunctions.

The XD45 is nice too. It would be my second choice in your criteria.

Since the budget is $500, staying away from 1911s is a real good call.

I'd put in a vote for the FNP45 ... but they tend to be a little more than $500.

If you're looking at used pieces, you sometimes find used SIG P220s in your budget.
Like this.

Fnp 45

First Handgun

Learn to like.. err I mean learn to LOVE the 1911!






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Of course the 1911 is an outdated design. It came from an era when weapons were designed to win fights, not to avoid product liability lawsuits.

Like others have said, try some out at your local range. I usually set some criteria for myself (like you have) then let the feel of a gun sell me on it. I would say look at the FN FNP-45, I own the 9mm version and chose it because it is cheaper to shoot thus giving me the ability to shoot it more.

The first handgun I got was a 1911 due to how it feels in the hand and to shoot. BUT I wouldn't suggest a .45 as a first just because of the price for ammo. Around here 9mm goes for less than half the price for a box of 50. You can get a lot more practice out of a 9mm IMO.

Another vote for a Smith but in the 4516-1 form. Compact but not too small. The weight of the slide is perfect to handle recoil of .45 Great form and will last.......

"I don't like how the 1911's look."

HERESY!!! Blasphemy!!!

I don't buy into the "1911 is the be all and end all" notion, but to say that you don't even like the way the 1911 looks? Well, I like the way these look.

S&W 3rd gen 4506 or similar

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i was thinking this as well.

Springfield XD45

Great guns for the money.

I really like my XD45.........

M&P or XD