Best .45 for California? Help a newbie out...

[CPS1]

Hey everyone, I'm moving to Cali, and I'm looking to buy a nice .45 when I get there (or maybe I'll purchase before I leave, and ship there, either way). I was hoping you all could help me decide what to spend my hard earned on... I've been saving up for a while and money isn't too much of a concern. This is going to be my only handgun out there so it has to be both fun enough for range work, and reliable enough for home defense. Concealed carry really isn't a big deal for me so the size of the pistol doesn't matter too much. The handguns I'm currently looking at:

HK USP (will this be discontinued/backseated when the HK45 comes out?)

HK45 (Will this make it to Cali pretty soon?)

Nighthawk custom GRP

Sig 220 Combat

Any other really high quality 45's you might recommend?

AND....
I've always wanted a HK SOCOM... Been my dream gun...Does anyone still make non-threaded barrels for it? Or if I red locktite a thread guard to the front, would that count as getting rid of the threads? If I could somehow find a way to make this one legal without jumping through tons of hoops (and voiding the warranty) it would definately be my first choice. I know it's not practical, but I just love the way it looks.

Thanks very much!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

How about the SIG P220 SAO? This is a nice gun; I almost bought one but decided on a Revolution Carry instead. The P220 is a proven design. The site says it is CA compliant.

 

[GunNut]

Out of your choices, i'd pick the Nighthawk or another high quality 1911.

You won't have to feel slighted by using 10rd mags when everyone else is using hi-caps(HK USP) and you'll have a gun that will last for your life.

Steve

PS: If on a tighter budget the Sig P220SAO would be a great gun too.

 

[10-Ring]

I've only seen 2 SOCOMs in CA...one had a barrel w/ the threads cut off :banghead: and the other was a registered assault weapon They pop up every blue moon..
But really, I'd go w/ the USP 45 or one of its cousins. I do plan on seeing the HK45 about a year after the rest of the world sees them
Welcome neighbor!

 

[Smithers]

Forget about getting the HK Socom, you can't buy it in any configuration nor can you buy one and bring into the state.
I don't believe the P220 Combat will ever be sold here...

Out of your list, I'd buy the GRP. Nighthawks are good guns. Although I prefer Ed Browns (but their customer service sucks.)

Make sure you check this website to see what handguns you can purchase in California:

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

If it's not on this list, you can't buy it, new or used.

Welcome to the Democratic People's Republic of California, comrade.

 

[Control]

If you are looking for something high-end, I would recommend Ed Brown. He has 3 Cali approved guns: The Executive Target, the Kobra carry, and the Special Forces.

Second on my list would be Wilson Combat's CQB or CQB Compact. Both are Cali approved.

The HKs and Sig you mention are not in the same league as Ed Brown or Wilson Combat guns. However, if you are looking for something cheaper and more utilitarian, the HK USP .45 is probably your best choice as far as I know.

I have never held or fired a Nighthawk Custom gun so I can't provide any first hand knowledge. I don't have enough experience with the P220 either. The HK45 will probably be a while before it is approved and I would shy away from new designs anyways until they have been out for a year or so.

Good luck.

 

[Mandirigma]

Since you listed it, I got to put one in for the Nighthawk Custom.

Got mine in JUL06, GRP w/Diamond Black coating and its been through roughly 6500 rounds. Not a single blurp or stutter with anything I've fed through it. Only thing I haven't run through it are reloads (no experience reloading, and my normal ranges don't allow them anyhow). Crisp trigger, excellent workmanship (Have compared it to a few friends high end 1911's Wilson's, Baer's, and Kimber's)

I couldn't/didn't want to wait for the build time so I bought mine ready made. Paid a little more, but it was delivered to my FFL within a week. If you are interested in where I got it PM me. Its pretty close to Cali.