Gone to the "Dark Side"...shot my first 45ACP

[PCRit]

Yes, I know, what took so long to try this caliber, just never had the opportunity. I shot a Glock 21 and at 7rds everything was under 2.5", with 1 flyer:eek For me, it seems like a natural round very managable in my hands. I shot the G21 more accurately than I ever shot my G19, G26, G27, G32 or G33.

I need to find something in 45ACP or 45GAP. I don't like 1911 style or striker fired, or cocked/locked carry. Since this gun will be for CCW mainly, any suggestions?? I've just started looking and like the size, feel and DAO of the Taurus PT145MilPro. Any suggestions along the lines of a PT145 for comparison would be appreciated. I'd buy another RAMI in 45GAP, don't know how long it will be before these come out.

 

[WonderNine]

Maybe a Beretta Cougar? I don't know if there's going to be any in .45GAP, but they're available in stainless now through a couple distributors.

 

[Marshall]

Para

 

[hnm201]

Look at the Bersa Thunder 45. It's one of the most underrated guns ever. Too bad you don't go for striker fired mechanism, because the G36 hits the sweet spot for concealed carry, if you ask me.

 

[dairycreek]

Give Para Ornance a look.

I don't like 1911 style or striker fired, or cocked/locked carry.

Then, by all means give Para Ordnance a good look. The LDA in 45 ACP sound like it may be just what you want. http://www.paraord.com/pages/index.html

Good shooting

 

[PCRit]

Thanks for the input so far. I was actually looking at the Para-Warthog. I could get used to the 1911 style. The Glocks are fine guns, but I never could get used to the grip angle

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Adapt and overcome.

You apparently shoot the 21 just fine. You can adapt to the grip angle. I did just fine.

Glock, easy to maintain, no rust (ever), very easy takedown, very easy reassemble, combat reliable. 21 is 13+1 (I carry a 21C). G30 has a capacity of 10. There is a huge following for the 30 for carry. G36 is real slim. I have huge hands so the down-sizing is not for me.

 

[wally]

I was actually looking at the Para-Warthog

I've got its predacessor the P10. Make sure you can handle the "two finger" grip. The short grip length is a virtue for CCW, the double stack thickness isn't.
Also the Warthog is significantly lighter (empty) another minor virtue, although adding 10+1 of 45 ACP tends to swamp the difference.

Mine has been reliable since I've adjusted the extractor, although it seems much more sensitive to powder fowling than my average 1911s (I shoot "dirty" ammo -- Wolf and lead reloads with Unique).

The Warthog has Para's "new" Power Extractor. Time will tell if its a real improvement or not.

--wally.

 

[Bainx]

As 7.62 eludes to.....what ever you do, do not try a G30.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Sig, P145, if you haven't already. It's the gun that shoved the Para out of my hand and said, "no, no, your hand wants me!".

 

[rappa]

Any suggestions along the lines of a PT145 for comparison would be appreciated.

Check out the S&W 4513. The current ones have a rail but you can find the older ones without it (IMHO are more suitable for CCW).

The SIG P245 is one to consider.

After I got my CWP, I wanted a .45 for carry also. I went with the Glock 36. The more I shoot it, the happier I am with it!

The Glock 30 is a Glock fan favorite. It's an excellent package (11rds of .45 in a compact size). If you can accomodate it (which I could not IWB) it's a great choice.

I know you said you don't like striker fired (even though you liked the G21) but the Glock 30 and 36 can't be ignored!

 

[Domino]

.45 GAP

Please don't do the .45 GAP thing, while having no experience with this round myself I do strongly feel that it's just making a somewhat obsolete cartridge worse. Come on, shortening the .45 ACP are they crazy? It's already as short and fat as it can get, I mean you can only put like 5 or 6g of powder en em' (Although 45 ACP cartridge does have great takedown power with the use of modern day hollow points you can get great performance out of smaller cartridges and still maintain much better penetration than the .45 ACP). I really do like the idea of those Para's, I would like to get something like that as a carry gun. Not a super big fan of Glocks, I shot my friends .45 Glock the other day and I hated it, it just felt sluggy and cumbersome. They just haven't really impressed me much, I would rather use my 1911 any old day over one of those. But I have shot a glock in 40 SW and loved it.

 

[hnm201]

Dominio wrote

Come on, shortening the .45 ACP are they crazy? It's already as short and fat as it can get.

You like the .40S&W but you don't like the idea of shortening the .45? Did you know that the .40S&W is a 10mm Short? (sort of)

And btw. The .45 cartridge may be fat, but it's not short.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Domino v Dominic. HBO pay-per-view.

I like the .45 JMB style.

 

[PCRit]

Thanks for all the suggestions, it helped me narrow my choices. Although I really like the feel and size of the PT145 and they seem to have corrected the early ('01, '02) frame problems, I'm leaning towards the Glock....again
Two-hand grip is no problem, so I'll see how the 9rnd mag on the G30 feels.

I'd really like to have something that's fun to shoot at the range, AND be easy to conceal like the RAMI 40......I know..that's asking a lot.

I'll compare the PT145, G30, G36, and P245 side by side and see which one follows me home.

My thanks to all.

 

[rljan]

You made good choices to pick from. If price is a consideration then Glock is the way to go. If you aren't in a hurry, Glock will be announcing the G38, a compact (G23 sized) .45 GAP. It will reportedly be available this fall. You might also want to add the Para CCW, with the LDA trigger to your list to try.