Best 45 Auto? Kimber, S&W, or Sig Sauer?

[Ala Dan]

Updating My Post From 15 August of 2003~!

Folk's- times are good~! I now own not only my previously mentioned
West German .45 ACP SIG-SAUER P220A; but a Kimber 3" Stainless Ultra
Carry II in .45 ACP, as well as a brand new Smith & Wesson 1911 .45ACP
[product code #108282]. Even, a NIB Springfield Armory 5" MIL-
SPEC as well.

I'm here to tell you good people, I have not had a problem from any of
these .45's; nor from my 2x Springfield WW-II G.I. models, or from my
Springfield XD 4" service model .45 ACP. Its just something 'bout these
guns (and caliber) that works for me; and ultimately keeps me coming
back~!

On a recent range trip in early January of '07, I ran the S&W 1911
against my relatively NIB Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special .45 ACP
1911. Honestly speaking, I was just as easily impressed with the
S&W as I was the Baer firearm. Both are excellent in their own
right; with the Smith costing just a fraction of what the TRS
cost.

Just too make sure of this fact, I had my 30 year old daughter
with me and we took turns shooting both weapons. Both of us,
using both weapons were able to shoot ragged three hole groups
dead center of the X-ring in a standard B-27 target from the
15 yard line~! Needless to say, I'm very pleased with both of
these purchases; and commend my friend Mr. Joe Hatley
for the recommendation of the S&W.

Not too be outdone, we threw a Springfield XD 4" service model
.45 ACP into the mix as well. It too performed flawlessly, but
with just a bit more muzzle flip and recoil than the 1911 style
firearms.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Kimber and ParaOrdnance LTC for me.

 

[Gixerman1000]

I own a PC945, two P220 (one an ST) and an early high-end series 1 Kimber (Custom Shop Gold Combat), the best guns for you depends on what you want to do with it, if it’s for carry I would go with a standard P220, if is for range work I would go with the 945 and if you just want a good 1911 then get the Kimber.

The PC945 is the smoothest shooting and most accurate 45acp I own and it’s just as reliable as it’s well proven sibling the 4506. IMO you would have to spend $3000 or more on a custom 1911 before you would find anything that would exceed or even equal it’s performance and craftsmanship. (I feel the same way about my PC952-2 if we were talking 9mm's)

The P220 like other have stated is one of the best service 45autos you can buy, stone cold reliable and very accurate with a great over all size and weight to allow it to be at the very least acceptable in just about any roll you could a 45 in. the ST is a very soft shooting but also very heavy (even heavier than the 4506 or 945) and while I would rather carry a standard P220 the ST is great for home defense and range use.

My Gold Combat has been extremely accurate and for the most part totally reliable, Kimbers are very good 1911’s but are really just another option in a sea of very good 1911’s. A friend of mine has a series 2 custom stainless and while it been a good gun for the most part it has had a few FTF.