I want a .45? Which .45? HELP!

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I own a P226. It shoots well, and so far has never encountered a problem. I like it. Its a smooth weapon. I'm thinking about adding a .45 to my collection. Would you offer opinions as to YOUR 'top pick' in a .45 semi-auto?

No off the wall, unheard of $400 OR $4000 winners, please. Just a solid, easy to find, not TOO expensive great performing, well-known and trusted handgun.

(price=between $500 and $1500).......
Thanks for helping...



I have a S&W Chief Special J-Frame .357 , a Beretta Tomcat .32, and the P226 .40S&W. The 45 will round out my handgun group.
 
More information needed, please~? Do you want a SA 1911, DA-SA such
as a SIG or H&K, striker fired such as a Glock, Springfield Armory, or S&W
M&P. Lots of choices out there, make sure you get the one that is right
for you; by test firing as many as possible~! :scrutiny: ;)
 
more info

probably a DA-SA, smooth and soft, edges cut to a minimum. My .357 J-frame is a little tough on my hand, and I know its the size and config of the weapon, but its a good weapon, and hits the target. I want a Cadillac.....something that barks over here and bites over there, without a lot of pain to the handler. And something that finds the target, and never needs anything but care and cleaning.
 
HEY ... Ala Dan

everything seems to be compared to the SA 1911. Is it just simply the 'gold standard?' Which exact weapon are you (et al) referring to? There are compacts, ect. Which one would you recommend? Are they ALL single action only~have to be hand cocked to fire?
 
I'm a big fan of commander sized 1911s and the Springfield XD. If you like your SIG and your hands are big enough, a .45ACP SIG seems like a good idea. There are so many good options - for me and my smallish hands, grip size plays a big part in what I like.
 
I'm a 1911 man, through and through. That said, I read an article about a new Sig that is a single action, but at the moment is only 9mm. I'm in trouble if they come out with a .45 in that thing. Maybe the SA XD would be something for you.
 
I know I sound like a broken record, if anybody cared, but....

Cat,

I recommend the FNH USA FNP-45. I have done so multiple times (search my posts). The FNP-45 meeets all your so-far-stated criteria and the price will be a pleasant surprize compared to SIG-Sauer pricing. This is a "service size" pistol, so not great for carry, but possible. 14-rnd double-stack mag std, 15-rnd available. Smooth recoil, butt-simple field strip, etc., etc., previous posts, etc.
 
Which exact 1911? I have a S&W 1911 5" in Stainless STeel. Nice features with the novak sights, beavertail, etc. great customer service not
that my 1911 has any issues. S&W1911s run well out of the box for the
most part. Next one, will be a Colt '70 Series, probably a re-intro as a
project/build gun and it's pretty close to the ones I carried in
the USN on DUty/Watch.

Did you state what you want the .45 for? Range/Target,
HD/SD or ?

Randall
 
Not sexy. Not cool. Doesn't cost enough money. Just reliably shoots whatever you feed it where you point it. That would be a Ruger P90.
 
I'd have to echo what some of the other members have said. If you already own a P226, then the P220 would make the most sense. Similar manual of arms, etc. They are great pistols IME.

Jason
 
I have to think you'd like the P220 also.

Having 3 Para 1911's already, my next addition I'm looking at a P220 (or possible an XD45)...
 
another vote for 1911, springfield or Kimber. Great way to get introduced into the world of 1911s.
 
which 45

I own a Glock model 30 and think it's best for what I wanted.

Reasons for deciding upon the Glock 30 are as follows;
1. Glock reliability. Glock tough.
2. Fits my hand well, very well.
3. 10 rounds in magazine + 1 in chamber = 11 - 45 caliber rounds!
4. Small for a 45 and suits CCW extremely well.
5. Price, very reasonable especially when compared to Sig; HK; 1911 and such.
6. Extremely accurate right off the dealers shelf.
7. Center of gravity & design make for small "kick" that's far more intense in 1911 and other 45 caliber firearms.

I can continue but hopefully my point is made. Glock model 30 all the way!
 
A good 1911 if you want a gentleman's toy or a match gun.

An XD45 if you want a really practical defensive tool, but with less emotional attachment than you might feel for a fine 1911.

If you want to be different, I also like the CZ 97, but I can't say when I last saw one for sale.

I don't like the Glock grip angle. Some do, some don't. I don't. I also don't buy into their claims of having a complete safety system. If the things pointed well for me, I'd consider one. Still, the XD's grip safety does offer a good deal more assurance that the gun will fire in my hand, but not elsewhere, no matter what the Glock zealots may claim.
 
We all seem to migrate to a 45 & try several before we purchase our first -- personally, I like the HK USP, Colt & Glock -- YMMV. The HK was the first that really worked well for me, the Colt fits & works so well & the Glock. Plus for you, since you've already become accustomed to the manual of arms of the SIG, a P220 should be given a look to ;)
 
I own a P226. It shoots well, and so far has never encountered a problem. I like it. Its a smooth weapon.

You have already answered your own "I wonder..."
If you have a P226 and like the way it shoots and the location of the "controls", by all means try to find a P220 that you can lay your hands on. If it fits nicely, then look towards buying one, NIB, CPO or used. I have 3 Sigs and that is what appeals to me about each of them. I own a P220 Compact and recently discovered a P239/357sig that everyone else was overlooking because it wasn't a 9 or 40. (And there I was, looking specifially for a Sig chambered in 357sig.) And remember, even a NIB is used after just one shot.
 
The single-action 1911 is the "gold standard" by which all other's are
judged~! With that said, I own four of 'em; from a budget priced G.I.
model from Springfield Armory, to a high end Les Baer Custom Thunder
Ranch Special. In betweenm I have a moderately priced Kimber Ultra
Carry II and a 5" Smith & Wesson, both in stainless steel. Also, I own
one of the best duty weapons ever invented, a West German SIG-
SAUER P220A; as well as a striker fired Springfield Armory XD service
model.

FWIW, for most applications the S&W 1911 shoots as well as the much
more expensive LB Thunder Ranch Special~! I do not care for the FNP-
.45 ACP as this is a HUGE firearm. The new H&K .45 would also make
for an excellent choice for personal concealment or duty use~! :scrutiny: ;)
 
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