Nightcrawler
Member
I'm kind of bored, and since I'm considering picking up another .45 pistol this year, I thought I'd look over what's out there. I'm interested in maybe a double stack polymer .45, so I'll go over the options with you guys. I'm not considering all of the options; I simply don't like the grip frames on Glocks, for instance. But if someone else is going through the same considerations as me, perhaps this thread will be useful. I'm looking at the full sized pistols presently. All will be in .45ACP. I admit to having a preference for hammer fired guns.
So...
Glock 21
Capacity: 13+1. This is one of the first double-stack polymer .45s. As I said, I find the grip to be incompatible with my hands.
Fabrique Nationale FNP-45
Capacity: 14+1. This one is new from FN, just released this year. I am very fond of the FNP pistols, though I've never fired one, and am happy that it has ambidextrous controls.
Springfield Armory XD-45
Capacity: 13+1. This one made a splash when it appeared last year. I don't like the placement of the slide release lever personally, but for a righty it wouldn't matter.
Smith & Wesson M&P 45
Capacity: 10+1. Another pistol that debuted at SHOT Show this year. The M&P line is fairly new but seems to be well-regarded. Capacity seems low for a pistol of this type, but it may have a slimmer grip frame.
Heckler & Koch USP-45
Capacity: 12+1. This pistol has been around for a long time as well. It had a rail for mounting a light before having one became cool. It's proprietary, but there are lights that fit and adapters for those that don't. Despite HK's overblown reputation for Superior Teutonic Engineering I actually like this gun. The flipper magazine release takes some getting used to, though, and they're expensive.
European American Armory Witness Polymer
Capacity: 10+1. Essentially a CZ clone, the Witness is made by Tangifolio of Italy and is imported by EAA. These pistols can be had new for very low prices, and some have had very good luck with them. Unfortunately, EAA's reputation is one of the worst in the industry when it comes to customer service and repairs. It's possible they've gotten better, but I'm hesitant to do business with them personally.
Taurus PT 24/7 Pro
Capacity: 12+1. This pistol received a "Handgun of the Year" award, and seems to have made quite a splash. Many variants are available now. The only 24/7 I've handled was a 9mm, but it had a very nice, short trigger pull.
Beretta PX4 Storm
Capacity: 10+1. This one is new, another SHOT 2007 introduction. I don't know much about it, as even pictures of it are hard to find. Beretta hasn't put it up on their regular website yet.
Kimber Ten II
Capacity: 13+1. This is a polymer framed, double-stack 1911 clone. I believe it uses the same magazines as most double-stack 1911s, and those are available from multiple sources. I'm not especially interested in a 1911 type presently, though, as I already have one.
Wilson KZ-45
Capacity: 10+1. This gun was introduced during the Ban years, and uses a proprietary ten round magazine. The upshot is that Wilson claims the frame is no wider than a standard M1911 one, but you get two more rounds in a flush fitting magazine. Being a Wilson, it's bound to be expensive. I wish they made it without front cocking serrations.
Honestly, that's all I can think of right now. If there's anything I missed, bring it up and I'll edit my post to include it. Hopefully this thread will be useful to folks looking into this class of handgun.
Just for fun, I'm going to throw up a poll. If you had the choice of any of these guns (in full sized format), which would you choose?
So...
Glock 21
Capacity: 13+1. This is one of the first double-stack polymer .45s. As I said, I find the grip to be incompatible with my hands.
Fabrique Nationale FNP-45
Capacity: 14+1. This one is new from FN, just released this year. I am very fond of the FNP pistols, though I've never fired one, and am happy that it has ambidextrous controls.
Springfield Armory XD-45
Capacity: 13+1. This one made a splash when it appeared last year. I don't like the placement of the slide release lever personally, but for a righty it wouldn't matter.
Smith & Wesson M&P 45
Capacity: 10+1. Another pistol that debuted at SHOT Show this year. The M&P line is fairly new but seems to be well-regarded. Capacity seems low for a pistol of this type, but it may have a slimmer grip frame.
Heckler & Koch USP-45
Capacity: 12+1. This pistol has been around for a long time as well. It had a rail for mounting a light before having one became cool. It's proprietary, but there are lights that fit and adapters for those that don't. Despite HK's overblown reputation for Superior Teutonic Engineering I actually like this gun. The flipper magazine release takes some getting used to, though, and they're expensive.
European American Armory Witness Polymer
Capacity: 10+1. Essentially a CZ clone, the Witness is made by Tangifolio of Italy and is imported by EAA. These pistols can be had new for very low prices, and some have had very good luck with them. Unfortunately, EAA's reputation is one of the worst in the industry when it comes to customer service and repairs. It's possible they've gotten better, but I'm hesitant to do business with them personally.
Taurus PT 24/7 Pro
Capacity: 12+1. This pistol received a "Handgun of the Year" award, and seems to have made quite a splash. Many variants are available now. The only 24/7 I've handled was a 9mm, but it had a very nice, short trigger pull.
Beretta PX4 Storm
Capacity: 10+1. This one is new, another SHOT 2007 introduction. I don't know much about it, as even pictures of it are hard to find. Beretta hasn't put it up on their regular website yet.
Kimber Ten II
Capacity: 13+1. This is a polymer framed, double-stack 1911 clone. I believe it uses the same magazines as most double-stack 1911s, and those are available from multiple sources. I'm not especially interested in a 1911 type presently, though, as I already have one.
Wilson KZ-45
Capacity: 10+1. This gun was introduced during the Ban years, and uses a proprietary ten round magazine. The upshot is that Wilson claims the frame is no wider than a standard M1911 one, but you get two more rounds in a flush fitting magazine. Being a Wilson, it's bound to be expensive. I wish they made it without front cocking serrations.
Honestly, that's all I can think of right now. If there's anything I missed, bring it up and I'll edit my post to include it. Hopefully this thread will be useful to folks looking into this class of handgun.
Just for fun, I'm going to throw up a poll. If you had the choice of any of these guns (in full sized format), which would you choose?
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