Need a new .45ACP: your recommendations with the following criteria?

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SpeedAKL

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My 1911 .45 has sadly been taken permanently out of action. I have a bunch of .45ACP ammo sitting around the house that is not getting used and I want to pick up a new gun. It can be either a 1911 or other semi-automatic.

The criteria:
1. Preferably under $750 or so
2. SA or SA/DA trigger
3. Either full-size or a larger compact; I'm generally not a fan of overly small handguns
4. Highly reliable - this gun will not be a primary HD gun but will need to do some CCW time and slip into an HD role if necessary. I need to know that it will go bang.
5. Accurate - it doesn't have to win the Bianchi Cup out of the box, but practical, repeatable accuracy is a plus.
6. Good sights, preferably a modern 3-dot system
7. I am willing to buy used, so the aforementioned price cap can include guns that would be more expensive new

Some options I've been considering:
1. FN FNP-45
2. Beretta PX4
3. H&K USP45
4. RIA Tactical 1911A1 - I had the base model and was pleased with it
5. SIG-Sauer P220
6. Para Ordnance 1911 GI Expert
7. Para Ordnance PXT
8. Smith & Wesson SW1911

Any input would be appreciated!
 
For the money the FNP45 is the way to go. IIRC there is a $50 rebate on them right now. You can get a USG model from CDNN with 3 mags, shooters pack including kydex holster and mag carrier for under $600.

The USG can be carrier cocked and locked or DA/SA.

The FN is huge so no worries about the small gun here. That said for its size it is really compact in the hand IMHO.

29.gif
 
Best .45

You didn't list it but I always reach for a Ruger P90 when I want to know it will go bang. My second choice is a Sig P220. I like the way both operate and mine have been 100% reliable. Should pick up my new Taurus 24/7 OSS Tactical tomorrow and hope it will be a keeper. It will bring me to 5 .45ACP handguns and there isn't a 1911 type among them.
 
Used (it will have to be as they are discontinued) S&W 4506 or 4566. Your other choices are good, save that I have no love for P-O. Also, the SIG P220 is available in a single-action version.
 
HK USP 45c

Fits all your requirements (price may be a little higher). Great shooter, can be carried and is crazy accurate. This is 8 shots from mine last week. I just bought this pistol a few weeks ago and it has quickly become my favorite. Good luck!
 

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Beretta or Sig

...

Having both:

I would steer ya towards either a Beretta Px4 45 DA/SA G model/decocker only or if you can only get an F model, safety/decocker in-on, they can be quickly, no cost, parts wise, converted to a G-model in under 10mins..

Having had a Px4 40 for nearly 4yrs now with something around 11k out it without any hiccups, they are nice for the money, lighter in weight with the polymer frame and are very soft-recoil because of the balance factor which includes the ever straight "rotating barrel"..

Easy to field strip, same ease as my second recommendation, Sig P220 or the Sig P220 Carry

Either gun offers the same reliability out of the box but with the Sig you're gonna, most likely, find one with the Sig 3-dot night sights already on.. Very nice to have.

I have the full size P220 and I like its thinness over the smaller, in length only, Carry model which has a much thicker slide/heavier IIRC..

Not huge difference, but its all in what your sight picture and feel tell ya between the 2..

IF you can, I'd suggest getting one with the external extractor vs the internal, as my P220 has an internal and have had no problems, none, now with just over 2k on it, but there have been problems with some of the internal extractor models, both full size and Carry IIRC..

Or find a nice used German 220, then you have no problems period..


Luck,


Ls
 
meytind said:
If you're considering the USP45, look at the newer HK45 as well.
Click to expand...
In all honesty that is probably the best choice alongside the FN, which seems to check all my boxes. I know we suck and they hate us, but the HK45 feels better in my hand than any other double-stack .45 out there and is apparently tough as nails. It may be worth saving up the extra cash for.

The P220 is a great gun as well; I have trigger time on it and liked it. Has it been affected by the recent quality bugaboos at SIG Arms? The nice thing about them is that a decent-condition used one made prior to the troubles can be found relatively easy.
 
I had the HK45. It is a very nice gun but sold it because I could not justify its cost again the FN. I bought it used shot it sold it for what I paid. I just personally liked the FN better for about $300 less. :D
 
You have a RIA 1911 on your list. Why not get a basic Colt 1911 for slightly more than your budget? They can be had new for around $800, and used for less.
 
I shot this one the other day... there is nothing more fun than shooting one ragged hole at 7 yards with a plain jane 70 series....

DSCF1924.gif

DSCF1923.gif
 
Take a look at the S&W M&P 45 Compact and Full size (8+1 and 10+1 capacity, with some longer mags available). You can get a very good trigger on the M&P using Apex parts (no gunsmith required).

Also consider the XD 45 and XD 45 Compact. Don't forget the Glock 21 SF and the Glock 30 SF.

Note that the XD 45 Compact and the M&P 45 Compact are approximately as tall as a Glock 19, which makes both very concealable. The XD 45 Compact holds 10+1, while the M&P 45 Compact holds 8+1 in standard configuration. Both should accept longer magazines.

SIG P220 would be my first choice though. It is a very good gun and used guns are available for around $600 (check out CDNN). I have had both old and new SIG P220s--the three or four new models were just fine. If you have doubts, just find a used W. German P220 and call it good. The primary issue I have with the SIG P220 is that a gunsmith will need to do a trigger job on it. If you choose a new model, it will have a rail and night sights and beavertail are optional.

I'd rate the HK USP 45 Compact as another very good choice. A variety of variants are available, including setting up the safety as a safety only (recommended, rather than the double duty of decocking lever and safety).

The FN FNP-45 is huge and the grip is very blocky. Make sure to try the trigger. Also, some models allow for cocked-and-locked carry and others only have a decocking lever.

It breaks down into large and medium groups.

Large:

SIG P220, SIG P220 Carry, SIG P220 SAO (see CDNN)
HK USP
XD 45
FN FNP-45
M&P 45 Full Size
Glock 21 SF

Medium:

SIG P220 Compact (6+1 capacity, Glock 19 height)
S&W M&P 45 Compact
XD 45 Compact
Glock 30 SF

I threw the Glocks in there for completeness. The Glock 30 is interesting in that flush magazines hold 9+1 and longer magazines hold 10+1. It accepts Glock 21 magazines.

For the S&W, Glock, and XD pistols, I'd carry a flush magazine in the gun and two spare full sized magazines on the belt. I'd carry the compact magazines on the belt for more discrete carry. Use the longer magazines for home guard duty.
 
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I was on the hunt for Gold Cup when I was given the RIA Tactical for Christmas a few years ago. Terrific out of the box trigger, some teething problems that were solved early on. It would be great to have Gold Cup or Baer, but this one works. And Christmas is coming.:D
 
I can only speak for myself. The HK45C is an amazingly accurate gun in my hands. It is as reliable as any gun I know of. I have never had any problem with any HK including my HK45C or my USP.45 or USP.45C The USP has a larger grip and it doesn't fit my hand as comfortably as the 45c with it's interchangeable side panels. I haven't fired an HK45 but it's my understanding that they are just as amazing, only larger with two additional rounds in the magazine. Before you buy anything, you owe it to yourself to find a way to fire the HK45C. It costs a little more than your stated price but it will be worth every dime. You can also find them used. There have been some on the HKPro.com For Sale board lately, iirc.
Good Luck.
 
Glock 30 or 30SF if you want capacity in a compact pistol. Glock 36 if you want easy to carry and hide.
 
As an Arizona Ranger, we can't carry a duty pistol with a barrel length less than 4". So I carry a very large Glock 21SF, but if I had my druthers it would be a 30 or a 36. Off duty I carry a Glock 19 (9mm) just because I have it and because it's smaller. One day I said to another Ranger, "I'll be glad when I wear this 19 out because then I can get a 30/36 and be all 45ACP." He looked at me rather sadly for a moment, then said, "You won't live long enough to wear it out."

Having said all of that, my favorite 45ACP is the 1911. However, we are discouraged from 1911's because the magazines "only hold 7 or 8 rounds." Go figure, I mean how long does it take to drop a mag and slap in another?

Furncliff mentions the RIA Tactical. It's a very good shooter for the price.
 
Were I in your shoes, I'd be looking for:
1- An Armscor 1911 (I have A Citadel compact, if I remember right it was $425 or so)
2- An XD45 from Springfield
 
I just flat prefer the 1911 series of pistols over anything else for .45acp.
Check into a Springfield Loaded 1911-A1. It is a lot of pistol for the money. I have 2 Springers, and a Kimber Warrior, and a Colt Gold Cup NM, and an old Colt Super 38. Of all of them I use an SA Loaded in competition.

Jim
 
I really wanted to like the FN, but the grips, even with the flat backstrap, are too big and blocky. I found the same to be true of the Glock, but the XD and XDM are comfortable for me and my XD-45 was 100% reliable. I am looking at picking up the XDM as it feels quite nice. Surprised to see it didn't make you list. Nor did the S&W M&P.

I spotted a used Sig 45 at the local gunshop this week and lo and behold it had a manual safety. Just the thing for a 1911 fan - a 220 that can be carried cocked and locked.
 
You already know that the RIA is a great deal for the price. I own an RIA Tactical and am very happy with it.
 
Metro Arms American Classic ll. To me they have a slightly better finish than the RIA but both are dependable 1911s .

ACll can be had (when found) for less than $450. Some vids on youtube

Last word I got they only import 1000 a month so it just depends when/where you can find them.
 
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