Best .45 for HD

[private snowball]

I am looking to pick up a .45 for HD. Ideally I would like reliability to the primary characteristic. If I were to go the 1911 route it would have to be a mid range ($700) price point. I have smallish hands so I am little apprehensive to go the full bore Sig p220.

I don't mind if it is heavy as I don't intend on carrying it. Any ideas from the well informed?

Thanks Guys!

 

[Hunter125]

For HD I would think you would want uber reliable and way better capacity than a 1911. I would shoot for a striker fired polymer like a G21, XD or XDm .45, or M&P .45.

 

[private snowball]

I was thinking about going the all metal route as I don't need the weight advantage polymer provides. I like the idea of a heavy .45 for HD.

 

[TIMC]

For HD I would still like high capacity. I love my 1911's but my choice for HD would be my HK USP or the FNP45. I find both of these guns to be reliable and extremely accurate, the FNP has 15 round capacity which is nice insurance. These both can be had in your price range.

 

[jfrey]

I would go with a medium price range 1911 and a 10 round Wilson mag. When you get it, take it out and shoot it. Don't just put it beside the bed and hope you never need it.

Have you considered a shotgun instead?

 

[private snowball]

I have considered a shottie. I like the idea of it but there is no real practical place for me to keep it. I have little kids and I can't figure out a place to keep it that is easy to get to when needed, but safe from little paws.

Come to think of it, it would be nice to have someone knowledgeable about such matters take a peak at my house and make suggestions on where to keep a shotgun safe yet accesable.

 

[moxie]

S&W M&P 45 or Glock G21. Whichever one feels best in your hand.

 

[private snowball]

TIMC- What do think about the FN for someone with smallish hands?

 

[private snowball]

Moxie- Can you get a Gen 4 Glock 21 and use a tungsten guide rod?

 

[private snowball]

Opinions are fine. I am hear to learn from people more informed than I. Let's hear it Tardevil!

 

[orionengnr]

Nobody has asked you what you shoot well, or what you like.
That is, to say the least, a consideration.

The chances of you meeting 30 bad guys at once is remote; the chance of you surviving such an encounter is negligible.

You may extrapolate the scenario as required...and make your decisions accordingly. There is no such thing as too much ammo, but on the other hand...there is no reason to carry 100 rounds into battle against six (or 16) aggressors. If you are Bruce Willis, you will prevail. But reality is not a movie.

So...make your decisions based on reality. It becomes less a matter of what holds mega rounds, as what you can shoot well in extremis.

 

[private snowball]

I would tend to agree W/ you orionengnr. I don't see a protracted gun battle erupting at my house. That is why I want something simple, heavy and reliable. 7-10 rounds should suffice. What about a Sig P227?

 

[Sam1911]

Personally if I was looking for a full-size .45 right now, I'm almost certain I'd have the xDM .45 at the top of that list. A very good pal picked one up recently and that's a very nice shooting machine.

Grip is the same as my own xDM 9mm, and my 11 year old daughter is practicing up to shoot IDPA next year with that gun, so I'd imagine you could handle it just fine!

Loaded it will be as heavy as you really want. Handles recoil quite well.

There are probably 50 choices which would all work just fine, in .45 alone if that's a requirement. They'll all do the job. Your task is to practice with WHATEVER it is until you are truly proficient.

 

[private snowball]

Hey Sam, How is the recoil?

 

[Sam1911]

About like 'most any other .45, perhaps tempered a bit by the polymer frame.

Meaning to say it sure won't hurt you. .45s give a nice easy push. Almost comforting, in a way.

 

[private snowball]

Thanks Sam. I appreciate the help!

 

[Texan Scott]

A milspec-ish 1911 that goes bang every time. If you have smaller hands, a hi-cap 45 just flat out may not work for you. Still, 8 rounds of 45 sounds better than the 5 rounds of 38+p or two shells of 000 buck I rely on.... learn to use what fits your hands, and learn it well. You'll do fine.

 

[private snowball]

I am not going to use it as a range gun, so (not to open a can of worms here) what about a G38 or 37? They have a little more heft because of the heavier slide and I could put a tungsten guide rod in. Just a thought..

 

[private snowball]

Texan Scott, It you had to pick a 1911 with a max price of $700 to stake you life on, what would it be?

 

[Sam1911]

To answer for Scott out of turn, whichever one I could put 1,000 rounds through without a malfunction. Unfortunately, there's no magic choice that guarantees you'll get that kind of reliability, even for considerably more than your $700.

 

[Sam1911]

G37/38? Well, those are .45 GAP. Gotta make sure you're totally on-board with Glock's proprietary orphan cartridge there if you want to go that way.

On the other hand, you can pick them up cheap ... (since they've proved less than popular).

 

[Walkalong]

I'd have the xDM .45 at the top of that list......................Grip is the same as my own xDM 9mm

Interesting, I sure like my 9MM XDm.

Picking a gun for someone else is pretty tough. We can give you an idea as to grip sizes etc, some info on triggers as far as we like them, but all those things are fairly subjective. I love 1911s, while some think they are antiquated junk. I like my XDm more every time I shoot it. I love my CZ97 (About as large a grip as my (Mediumish) hands can handle well), and while I find it big for carry, a house gun does not have that limitation. It holds 10 rounds and is worth considering, but it sounds like it may be on the big side for your hands.

The best bet is to handle as many as you can, and shoot as many as you can. If you have a range where you can rent different guns that would be a great way to do it.

 

[TimboKhan]

Man, it pretty much depends on what YOU like and feel comfortable with. There are a number of good guns out there in your general price range, and none are necessarily superior to the others.

For me, I have a Ruger 1911. Having had fantastic luck with Ruger .45 now and in the past, I would also consider a SR45. I personally have an XD in 9mm, so no reason not to consider one in .45. I also really like the new FN line.

But, that's just me. You have to figure out what you like, not what we like.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Want reliability, opposed to P220 grip area, prefer a certain frame material, and have a set price point. Personally, sounds like you are looking for a 1911. Can not speak for their reliability (durability). But at your price, an R1, SR1911, or one of the low end Sig Sauer 1911's should be a good starting point. These models are subject to availability/price local to you or your willingness to buy online. Other more well rounded folks here might be able to suggest more options per your wants.

 

[TIMC]

TIMC- What do think about the FN for someone with smallish hands?

It will definitely be a handful but manageable. My wife can handle the FNP with no issues and can shoot with decent accuracy. She says it is uncomfortable for her but she can manage, both the FNP and the USP are large handguns. I would say for what you will be using it for it would work and there is never too many bullets in a gun fight!