New .45

• HK45c—I’m really tempted by the HK45, especially the compact model, but they’re really expensive for polymer semiautomatics, especially considering how much the magazines cost; however, HK has a $200 promotion coming soon that might move the HK45 into my price range. One of the problems that I have with HKs is that none of the ranges around me—as far as I can tell—rents them, so I don’t have the chance to fire one.

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True, HK's are expensive. But their build quality and reliability are fantastic. I really love my HK45. The trigger is stiff, but serviceable.

If you don't want to spend that much, I'd look at the XDm series. Beretta PX4's are nice too.

There are a lot of options though.

M&P45 F. Mine is the Midsized 4" barrel. Great ergonomics, easy on recoil and accurate.

Xdm 45 and the m&p45 are great guns. I would also try the fnx45 its a awesome guns only thing kills the deal is the mags are expensive and hard to find even though they come with 3 mags when you buy the gun. Also the sig 227 seems to be a great buy even though its just a sig 220 with a more ergonomic grip and two more rounds in the mag.

The HK45C is indeed an awesome gun. However the rebate does not apply to that model, just the USP line (USP, USPc, Tactical, Expert), the P30 line (P30, P30L) and the MR line of rifles. However, the USP45 and USP Compact 45 would be superb options. The USPc in .45 ACP is more or less a polymer 1911. You can get an almost-match trigger, it can be carried cocked-and-locked and will run like a raped ape with any ammo. It's also very versatile. You can change it from V1 to V3 or V9 in about two minutes with just a screwdriver or other flat implement. If you prefer you can also have the gun configured with the LEM trigger (light or heavy) with or without safety.

The USPc is mid sized, pretty suitable for CCW if you can carry a medium gun. However, if you want it mostly as a home defense gun the USP45 full sized is a great gun. No, an awe inspiring gun. Very accurate, moderate recoil. Same modularity as the USPc. One advantage of the full sized is that it will accommodate the Match Trigger kit. My USP45 Tactical with Match Trigger is about as good as you will find short of an actual 1911. The USP45 can fire .45 Super ammo without any modification to the gun! It also holds 12 in the mag for 12+1. That's a lot of 230gr ammo!

The USPc is a little bit smaller through the grip with a shorter reach to the trigger if that's important to you.

Right now I have three USPs, one x full sized and two x compacts. Even though I carry my VP9 and P30S a little more I'd hate to be without a USP.

BTW, the proprietary rail thing is a non-issue IMO. You can get a rail adapter to use a standard pic mount light for $20-$50, plus there are brands made for the USP/USPc. Will you actually mount a light? I keep an Inforce APL on mine with a GG&G rail adapter and it works great.

I'll also add that if you are patient and shop carefully the HK45c can often be had for the $850-$900 range in pricing. I think it's an artificial distinction to have a different price expectation for different materials. Steel is pretty cheap too, it's purchased by the ton. Consider the lifetime warranty of an HK vs the one year warranty of a Glock. I'd rather have a top shelf polymer sidearm than a middle of the road steel one like a Kimber. I've had more FTFs in one range trip with a Kimber TLE II than I have in two decades of shooting HKs.

Between the three I would probably go with the SIG P220 or P227. It's the best fit for me ergonomically and I already have a P229 (and a STL900 laser/light module), so the familiarity with both guns would be addressed as well.

I would give a very very hard look at the S&W M&P45. They are every bit the equal of the Glock. Any time someone is looking at one, I think it behooves them to look at the other, as those two, and the XDM lineup from SA are all comparable.
For me, the ergos of the M&P fit my hand much much better than the other two.

whatever I purchase next will need to be reliable and rugged, something that I do not regret scratching or abusing

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Would you consider buying used? If you are looking into Sig 220, then you obviously don't mind a metal frame. The S&W 4566TSW is IMHO one of the best .45s ever built, and is the definition of rugged and reliable.

As an owner of an HK45C, I'll add my two cents. Yes, it is expensive for a polymer gun. I own handguns from all of the major manufacturers and the 45 ACP is my favorite caliber, hands down. The quality of my HK is superb and it is the best shooting 45 in my collection. I don't think you would be disappointed at all with this choice.

After owning four handguns for a few years now, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to consolidate my collection so that I spend most of my time practicing and eventually training with a single handgun. Right now, I find myself trying to practice with three different actions and models, and that has prevented me from mastering any of them.
I have a Ruger LCP that serves as my EDC

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So are you selling everything and just focusing on 1 new model?

Your EDC is an LCP do you have a back up? I believe LCP should be the focus of your practice and your new gun action matching the EDC (just in .45acp) makes sense to me.

The HK45C is indeed an awesome gun. However the rebate does not apply to that model

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Are you sure about that?? I have read differently including the link below.

http://www.hkpro.com/forum/hk-specialist/207823-wts-hk-pistol-rifle-rebate-200-see-list-links.html

^ I love my LCP as it suits my needs but I also want to add a plastic .45acp for CC so that choice will be a Sig P-250 when I have the cash.

Smith & Wesson 4566.

Ruger SR45.

I have two of the three, the Sig and HK . What type of trigger system do you prefer? In DA/SA i like the 220 over the hk45c slightly. If you want a external safety go with the HK. If you like a constant trigger pull every shot (non da/sa) the 30s would be better or you could go DAK in the Sig or LEM in the HK. All three are going to be reliable guns that will last a lifetime.

To me you are comparing three completely different guns, 220 is full size HK45c is compact, and the 30s is a subcompact (or at least smaller that the 45c). If this is going to be a HD gun i would say the 220 is the way to go. Or maybe a p227, HK45, or G21.

I’ve also read that the bore axis on the 220s is not optimal.

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It isn't. But that doesn't mean the P220 isn't a fantastic pistol. It's just unbelieveably accurate or at least mine is. You mention that the newer models seem to not be as well made a the older ones. There's a fix for that. Get an older one. It's not like they wear out. They are built to last longer than their owners.

I also like my XDm but it's a .40. Still SA has a reputation for building a good .45. I have come close to buying one of those several times because of their capacity mainly. I bought the .40 because I learned that that caliber has seemingly the best of the .45 and the 9mm in a single package. Large bullets moving really fast is a good combination.

But the .45 I own that really surprises me is my Taurus PT-145 Millennium Pro. It's a compact model but it holds more rounds than my Sig. It holds 10+1 in a package that looks like a single stack 9mm size gun. And it is super accurate to 25 yards. Plus mine has never failed to function correctly. And I swapped the sights on it in addition to adding a laser to the rail it comes with. It really is an amazing gun especially considering the price I gave for it. I paid $320 for it brand new. I paid a lot more than that for a used Sig.

But I would be happy with either of these guns in a pinch. If you do want to consider the Taurus make sure it's a Generation 3 model. The earlier models had some minor problems like the mag release was too easy to push. It resulted in mags dropping to the ground at times when it was unexpected. But they fixed those problems by the Gen. 3 edition.

My carry pistol is a XDm 3.8 chambered in .45acp. I find it ergonomic for those with average-sized hand such as mine. With the Pearce grip extension (+0, just a pinky rest) it's a perfect grip for average hands. 9 +1 of .45acp in a pistol that size is impressive as well, IMO.

I could be wrong about the HK45/HK45c not being on the rebate. I've also seen the form but perhaps I'm remembering incorrectly. It would be sweet if the rebate applies to them!

I see it does apply to the HK45, didn't see anything about the hk45c but I wouldn't be surprised. Very cool!