Looking for a hi-cap 45

[corruptone]

I own the FNP-45, FNX-45, and recently sold an XDm 3.8. I bought the FN's to be my bedside gun and I have only one gripe about them and that is magazine availability and price of magazines. The FN's have the softest felt recoil of any .45 I've shot and I've shot my fair share. I also really like the trigger and safety/decocker arrangement on the FN's. I own somewhere around (8) 1911's. I have smallish hands and even though the FN's look like bricks, they fit my hand just fine.

I bought the XDm 3.8 to be an alternative EDC but I simply could not shoot it accurately. I know it was me and not the gun as others could shoot it just fine. This surprised me as my EDC is a Glock 23 and I shoot it 'ok'. The recoil of the XDm 3.8 was less than I thought it would be honestly.

If you think you will be carrying IWB, then I would recommend the XDm 3.8. If on your hip, then the FNX-45.

 

[Buzznrose]

Conceal carry won't be it's primary function. I'm not overly concerned with the weight or concealability. Reliability and performance are my primary concerns.

I owned both the XDm 4.5 in .45 ACP and the Glock 21 Gen 4.

I've since parted ways with both pistols...mainly didn't like their size, much like the fact that I prefer my G19 over my G17. And I prefer my G19 over my XDm 3.8 9MM.

I currently have a blue label G30S on order...not an XDm 3.8 .45 ACP

I am pretty much a Glock person. I like the way I can tear them down to parts easily and put them back together just as easy. The XD's are not so easy.

I've seen lots of good stuff on the S&W M&P's, and would consider one of those before an XD, but not before more research on taking it down to pieces.

FWIW, if you treat your guns like crap, I'd go Glock for sure...

http://theprepared.com/content/view/90//administrator/

YMMV. Best wished however you go...

 

[Coal Dragger]

Torture tests like that are meaningless and prove nothing other than confirming that some people are too stupid to own firearms. Put 50-100,000 rounds through it under heavy use but don't abuse it and tell me how it does. That is more meaningful. What parts break, what springs wear out, does the slide crack, Glocks are known to do this, does the frame crack, on a polymer frame do the slide rail inserts work loose etc.

Dumping a pistol in the sand or mud or water etc is frankly not very interesting, and most any decent service auto will put up with it.

 

[tarosean]

Torture tests like that are meaningless and prove nothing other than confirming that some people are too stupid to own firearms. Put 50-100,000 rounds through it under heavy use but don't abuse it and tell me how it does. That is more meaningful.

+1


Todd G at Pistol-Training has tested a few... This kind of info is more meaningful


Springer 1911 (Current Test Gun)
43,274 rounds 13 stoppages, 0 malfunctions, 3 parts breakages


HK P30 LEM
91,322 rounds 13 stoppages, 0 malfunctions, 5 parts breakages
test ended at: 91,622 rounds


Gen4 Glock 17
71,260 rounds 19 stoppages
(+1 w/non-LCI extractor), 0 malfunctions, 3 parts breakages

 

[ku4hx]

Just yesterday we put a couple hundred rounds (combination of cast, JHP and plated) through my wife's XDm 45 3.8. I really like that gun. With the 9 round magazine it's "compact" and with 13 round magazine it's "full size". Pearce grip extensions make the "compact" version very pleasant to hold and shoot. Performance was flawless.

I like my Glock 30SF, our two KP90s and my 1911, but this gun impresses on many levels.

 

[weblance]

I have an FNX-45 and cant find any down side to it. Its simply a great pistol. 15+1 rounds of 45acp is amazing. You can carry cocked and locked, or hammer down safety off. The safety lever also is a decocker. Comes with 3 magazines in the box. Soft recoiling, and very accurate. Easy decision I think.

 

[Girodin]

If ten rounds is sufficient I'd get the HK 45 (or even the 45c and use hk45 mags). If reliability and durability are of primary concern, I can't think of a better gun.

In the above mentioned Todd G test the HK 45 out performed anything else I've seen him test.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/2741

http://pistol-training.com/archives/4027

The gun was cleaned only 7 times in 50K rounds. At one point it went over 10k round between cleanings. It averages over 7K rounds between cleanings. Most folks don't shoot that many rounds in a year if even in the life of a gun.

From the article:

Reliability: There’s almost no way the HK45 could have proven more reliable. Only twice in 50,000 rounds did the gun fail to go through its entire cycle of operation, ready to fire again with nothing more than a trigger pull. Once was a light primer hit, the other was a broken trigger return spring. That’s a Mean Rounds Between Stoppage of 25,000 rounds… ten times the industry standard.

Larry Vickers' and Ken Hackathorne's thoughts on the HK 45

http://pistol-training.com/articles/hk45-interview-with-ken-hackathorn-and-larry-vickers

 

[Girodin]

If ten rounds isn't enough, I'd give the fnx45 a look. I don't think it has the durability or reliability of the hk. It does have a 15+1 capacity. Early on it had issues with trigger pins walking. I don't know if those were straightened out or not. I think it is a gun worth giving a look.

 

[wgp]

I have a Para Carry 12 that might fit your bill, although you were concerned about price. The LDA trigger is fine by me and the pistol is compact, although heavy. Perhaps you can find one used at a more favorable price.

 

[Hanzo581]

If I didn't already own an XD45 which suits my bedside gun needs fine I would buy the FNX45. It feels great in my hand and while two more rounds isn't earth shattering I'd take all I could get. That said I have no complaints about my XD45, rock solid reliable, feels better in my hand than a Glock and is plenty accurate at self defense ranges.

 

[bdickens]

Why do you need high capacity?

Rob Pincus does the math here:

http://video.personaldefensenetwork...tanding-the-need-for-high-capacity-magazines/

 

[ew2x4]

Hanzo- I think the Glock is out of the running. I'm with you. The XDM 45 and the FNX 45 are better feeling for me. I'm still very hesitant on the lack of FNX-45 magazines. They are expensive and difficult to find.

bdickens- Nobody needs anything but food water and shelter. This is something I want. That's a pretty good video, though. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

If you've liked a 1911 in the past than Hso is correct, you'll really like something in the XD family. My XD 45 Compact has been 100% reliable, comfortable to shoot and accurate. In some sort of trouble, it would be my go to handgun.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Glock 30 gen4
Comes with three 10 round mags/beavertail backstrap attachments/and all the added benefits of the Gen4 series (larger mag release/slimmer grip/aggressive grip stippling)

You can carry it concealed, or mount a light and use a G21 mag for home defense.

 

[David E]

Hanzo- I think the Glock is out of the running. I'm with you. The XDM 45 and the FNX 45 are better feeling for me.

Don't dismiss the Glock until you try the 21-SF version.

 

[ew2x4]

I went to another gun shop in town and picked up the xdm 45 4.5" for $600 even. Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Now to find a holster and some night sights!