Deciding on the next gun: 45acp

[hemiram]

I can think of about a dozen that aren't 1911's that I would think about. They look nice, but I don't own a single one anymore. Last one was like 30 years ago, and I still remember what a joke it was.

 

[jmr40]

I've owned a dozen or more 1911's in my life. Everyone needs to at least give one try. If you like it great, if you don't that's OK too, but everyone should have that experience to decide for themselves.

I gave each of my kids one several years ago and sold my last 2.

I have two of the original M&P 45's. A compact that takes the shorter 8 round mags as well as 10 and 14 round mags and a full size that takes 10 and 14 round mags. Both of mine have the 1911 style safety. The originals didn't have a particularly good trigger and I replaced it with the Apex trigger kit. The 2.0's have MUCH better triggers and may not need to be replaced.

With the aftermarket trigger both of mine are every bit as accurate as any 1911 I ever owned. Plus they are easy to mount a light on, have 10-14 round capacity and are lighter than my old 1911's. They are simply better in every way but nostalgia.

The full size one has a 14 round mag in it with a light mounted and is kept within reach of my bed. The compact is carried with 8 round mags and a 10 round for a spare.

 

[JDeere]

Of the 3 you posted I would leave the 2.0 and pick one of the others. Most likely those 2 will be fine out of the box. There is a reason the Sig cost more. Commander size 1911s are a fine choice...

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a 1991-A1 which is about Commander size. It shoots well and carries well. I also have a Springfield Armory XDs in 45. It is lighter, but with the double recoil spring system they use, it actually has less felt recoil than the the Colt. May be worth your while to try one and see what you think. I have wn M&P Shields in .40, and if you go with the S&W, you can't go wrong either. Mine has been flawless. Yes, I know the Shields is not a Compact. Just speaking to S&W as far as reliability.

 

[S.Crockett]

I’m looking for my next gun. I want it in 45acp. I’ve narrowed it down to these 3:
(No order of preference)
- Colt Commander 1911 ($1k ish?)
- Sig 1911 Fastback Emperor Scorpion Carry ($1300 at my local shop)
- Smith M&P 2.0 compact w Thumb Safety ($460 at my local shop)

They all feel good in my hands (except I haven’t had a chance to hold a Colt yet).

This will be primarily used for occasional carry, home defense, and some camping trips. I have other guns in multiple calibers, so no need to go into what caliber is better for the above

I wonder if I’ll get the value of 2-3x the price of the Sig and Colt vs going with the M&P.
They sure look good though!!

My list of priorities:
1) Reliability
2) Ease of maintenance
3) Looks

4) Colt.

Priority #4 on the list will hold value much longer than the others, especially if one day you decide to sell it or gift it to a family member.

Not saying the Sig and S&W aren’t good pistols but a Colt 1911 will always exude the panache of being a Colt, the original .45acp gun.

 

[JR24]

Commanders aren't all that heavy.

They aren’t that much lighter than governments. My VBob is about 43 oz loaded, that’s a chunk on the belt and too much for my back to handle all day anymore, sadly.

 

[Anchorite]

Well, lots of opinions already, each has merit. For ease and dependability, it’s just hard to ignore the polymer models. The 1911 will probably have some ammo sensitivity. It will also be heavier like the Sig. The M&P has a good track record, and is darn near impervious to the conditions of daily carry and occasionally woods carrying. It’s probably cheapest too.

I routinely carry a G30 in the woods during hunting season. My 1911s are all regulated to range use anymore.


In the end, you can’t go wrong with any of them. But to my way of thinking you’ve listed an F150, a GMC Denali, and a Toyota Forerunner. You figure out which is which. Good luck!

 

[hk940]

I bought my Colt Combat Commander (.45) in 1977 for 172.00. I carried it off duty for 8 years then when I left the PD I could not carry in NJ for almost 25 years.
when I moved to WV I got my CCW permit as soon as I could, by that time I think my wife shrunk my pants so I needed a owb holster for my Glock 30s.
Now I live in NC and have a CCW permit and carry a 30's in an owb holster now.

 

[nettlle]

They aren’t that much lighter than governments. My VBob is about 43 oz loaded, that’s a chunk on the belt and too much for my back to handle all day anymore, sadly.

An (my) aluminum framed Commanders weigh about the same as a comparably sized plastic fantastic. That's quite a bit lighter than a Government.

 

[JR24]

An (my) aluminum framed Commanders weigh about the same as a comparably sized plastic fantastic. That's quite a bit lighter than a Government.

Well, yeah, aluminum frames are considerably lighter, you didn’t specify a lightweight commander.

Still a bit heavier than a plastic, but very much more manageable. I’ve been carrying a lightweight CCO lately and it’s nice.

 

[Old Dog]

Sticking solely to the three that the OP said he'd narrowed down to as his choices (unlike many other respondents ), I'd go with a Colt Commander (Lightweight, preferably, pre-Series 80, preferably) with the SIG (I am fond of the Emperor Scorpion carry, strangely, I like a good bobtail, those grips and that bronze-ish finish) a close second.

I also like the M&P 2.0 Compact series, but I just like a 1911 trigger much more when it comes to .45 ACP.

 

[CapnMac]

That's quite a bit lighter than a Government.

And the trade off being they are a bit more 'lively' in the hand while shooting. Can be six of the one and a half-dozen of the other.

 

[JR24]

And the trade off being they are a bit more 'lively' in the hand while shooting. Can be six of the one and a half-dozen of the other.

As a generality I’ve found that plastic .45s, especially the Glock 21 and HK45c, handle .45 ACP recoil better than lightweight 1911s. Less snap and muzzle jump for me, less pop in the hand and more pleasant to shoot (not that I find any of them unpleasant).

Heck, I think both the Glock and HK shoot nicer than a full size metal 1911. In my opinion, of course.

Less picky about ammo too.

 

[Cornhusker77]

If I had to stick to the OPs list, I'd go with the Sig.

 

[someguy2800]

As a generality I’ve found that plastic .45s, especially the Glock 21 and HK45c, handle .45 ACP recoil better than lightweight 1911s. Less snap and muzzle jump for me, less pop in the hand and more pleasant to shoot (not that I find any of them unpleasant).

Heck, I think both the Glock and HK shoot nicer than a full size metal 1911. In my opinion, of course.

Less picky about ammo too.

I agree. I have a Kahr CW45 and a Star model PD, which is an aluminum frame pistol about the size of an officer 1911, picture stolen from the internet below



And of course I’ve had several flavors of 1911. The Star weighs 25 ounces unloaded and the Kahr is only 19.7 ounces. The Star is a bit of a handful to shoot, but the lighter kahr feels to me pretty similar to a full size 1911 to shoot.

For as much as I love and admire the beautiful design of the 1911, none of them seam to remain in my possession. 45 acp is expensive to plink with and I just don’t really have a practical need for a gun that heavy that hold 7/8 rounds of 45.

 

[Hole maker]

I’m looking for my next gun. I want it in 45acp. I’ve narrowed it down to these 3:
(No order of preference)
- Colt Commander 1911 ($1k ish?)
- Sig 1911 Fastback Emperor Scorpion Carry ($1300 at my local shop)
- Smith M&P 2.0 compact w Thumb Safety ($460 at my local shop)

They all feel good in my hands (except I haven’t had a chance to hold a Colt yet).

This will be primarily used for occasional carry, home defense, and some camping trips. I have other guns in multiple calibers, so no need to go into what caliber is better for the above

I wonder if I’ll get the value of 2-3x the price of the Sig and Colt vs going with the M&P.
They sure look good though!!

My list of priorities:
1) Reliability
2) Ease of maintenance
3) Looks

I bought my first 1911A1 45acp, a Tisas Service Special and love it, so far only 63 rounds fired but it fed 185grn hollows and 230grn ball flawlessly, the gun just feels right in my hand -med fingers wide palm-, the sights could be better but they are a copy of what they are supposed to be, I paid $429 and have no regrets, you can get better sights on a different model for a little more and I am sure I will do so, nothing wrong with 2 1911s is there?, Ron.

 

[br549arkie]

I bought my first 1911A1 45acp, a Tisas Service Special and love it, so far only 63 rounds fired but it fed 185grn hollows and 230grn ball flawlessly, the gun just feels right in my hand -med fingers wide palm-, the sights could be better but they are a copy of what they are supposed to be, I paid $429 and have no regrets, you can get better sights on a different model for a little more and I am sure I will do so, nothing wrong with 2 1911s is there?, Ron.

I'm up to 5 1911's now. Frankly I've found good quality firearms a better investment than most things. I've got some guns that today will bring 4 to 5 times what I paid for them and in fact I don't think I have any that I've had at least 4 years that won't bring more than I paid for them and I got to enjoy them as well.

 

[Spats McGee]

I’m looking for my next gun. I want it in 45acp. I’ve narrowed it down to these 3:
(No order of preference)
- Colt Commander 1911 ($1k ish?)
- Sig 1911 Fastback Emperor Scorpion Carry ($1300 at my local shop)
- Smith M&P 2.0 compact w Thumb Safety ($460 at my local shop)

They all feel good in my hands (except I haven’t had a chance to hold a Colt yet).

This will be primarily used for occasional carry, home defense, and some camping trips. I have other guns in multiple calibers, so no need to go into what caliber is better for the above

I wonder if I’ll get the value of 2-3x the price of the Sig and Colt vs going with the M&P.
They sure look good though!!

My list of priorities:
1) Reliability
2) Ease of maintenance
3) Looks

Of the ones listed, for the purposes listed, I'd go with the S&W. I do love 1911s, but: (1) it's lighter; (2) it's got a good reputation for reliability; (3) it's cheaper; and (4) holds more rounds. With the money saved, you could buy ammo, a small cleaning kit to take on the camping trips, etc.

 

[cackalak]

Thanks much for the replies. All appreciated. I’ve considered a few options, including the excellent alternatives mentioned. This is what I’m going to do:

1) Pick up the M&P 45c now.
2) Then look for deals for a Colt Commander or Govt. I just can’t stop thinking about a Colt 1911. I’m hoping to come across a deal, especially during the upcoming holiday season. Slower market should mean good deals. Hopefully.

So ideally, I’ll end up with 2 45’s.

Like my daddy used to say…

 

[WVRJ]

I have 2 of the M&P 2.0 pistols and they're very dependable and accurate.One is a .40 out of the Performance Center and it's more of a target/range pistol.I also have one in 10MM and it's my in the truck/carry gun that is with me more than any of my other pistols.The M&P design is lightweight and feels good in the hand.Open the action on one of them and lock it back.Insert a loaded magazine and look at what a straight shot the cartridge has going into the chamber.They will shoot almost any type of bullet without a problem.I love the 1911,and it's the classic 45,but the M&P is a very underrated pistol,at an affordable price.I bought the P.C. 40 lightly used for $550.The 10MM was also used and I paid $500 for it.The 45 M&P would probably be in the same price range.The grip design makes even full throttle 10MM handloads tolerable.I was kinda wondering how such a light,compact pistol would feel under recoil,and it's not bad.Mine are the Compact models.Nice guns,worth a hard look.

 

[Buckeye63]

I used to be all out on 45 acp ..
Im down to two 45 acp handguns at this time
30S & Charter Pitbull

 

[halfmoonclip]

Cap'n Mack already cited the 'liveliness' (ahem!) of an alloy framed Commander in .45 ACP. It just gets mighty bouncy for a long day at the range. If an alloy 1911 is really what the OP wants, consider one in 9mm.
SIG makes a dandy 1911, but it's hard to argue with one with a prancing pony. Series 80 ignition isn't the issue it once was, in any case.
Moon

 

[JR24]

If it’s just a fun gun and you’re fine with a government barrel length, the Colt Competition seems to be the best reasonably priced Colt with modern features, IMO.

But, again, I’d still pay less for a Springfield or Ruger.

 

[tdbmd]

I’m looking for my next gun. I want it in 45acp. I’ve narrowed it down to these 3:
(No order of preference)
- Colt Commander 1911 ($1k ish?)
- Sig 1911 Fastback Emperor Scorpion Carry ($1300 at my local shop)
- Smith M&P 2.0 compact w Thumb Safety ($460 at my local shop)

They all feel good in my hands (except I haven’t had a chance to hold a Colt yet).

This will be primarily used for occasional carry, home defense, and some camping trips. I have other guns in multiple calibers, so no need to go into what caliber is better for the above

I wonder if I’ll get the value of 2-3x the price of the Sig and Colt vs going with the M&P.
They sure look good though!!

My list of priorities:
1) Reliability
2) Ease of maintenance
3) Looks

I have a M&P in .45 with thumb safety. I like it very much. Sold a Kimber 1911 to purchase it and it is sitting here in my backpack next to my desk as I type this. M&P just feel good in my hand. I don't care about looks but more on ergonomics and shoot ability.

 

[CapnMac]

I’m hoping to come across a deal, especially during the upcoming holiday

Holidays can be a good season for haunting gun shows, if your location is blessed with decent ones. Fort Worth Gun Sow (Premier no Lone Star) is where I got my TISAS tanker at a great price.