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

[LawofThirds]

If you're sporting large hands, you could look at the CZ-97. DA/SA with either cocked and locked capability or a decocker, 10 round capacity, and great accuracy/reliability.

 

[roguesam]

CZ97

CZ gets my vote for consideration. Always goes bang, with very good accuracy. I went with it for addtl. capacity & the size of my mitts. Sold my Kimber Classic (with Clackamas rollstamp). Already considering a basic 1911, hence finding this thread.

 

[SpeedAKL]

After thinking about it, the HK45 looks like a frontrunner here. It's expensive, but I have only heard good things about it from nearly every performance standpoint and it felt more "natural" in many hand than any other double-stack .45 out there. I still want to shoot it alongside the FN and a couple others just to see if the trigger is tolerable but it looks like a can't-lose gun.

 

[JQP]

Opinions are free on the internet, so treat them accordingly.

My .02 is that I could never be able to rationally justify an HK .45ACP over its Glock counterpart, when I could get 2 Glocks for the price of one HK, along with inexpensive accessories, magazines, etc.

I also happen to think HK went off the rails in marketing its wares more to Airsoft and Xbox/Playstation and trying to build such a tacticool reputation.

I could be wrong, have been so before, and will be again!

Hickok45 (guy's a damn good shot) and the Glock 21: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD58uhNu1v0&feature=channel

 

[floydster]

Witness Elite Match, you'll never do better.

 

[PO2Hammer]

My latest and greatest .45acp is a used Sig P220 SSS, stainless frame, no beavertail, fancy aluminum grips, night sights, trigger job?
$750 on Gunbroker. Sold the grips for $75, selling the night sights for $50, gets my price down to $625. Helluva pistol for that price.
The P220 has my favorite grip, really locks in to my hand better than anything else, slim like a 1911, but a better shape for me.
Accuracy has been outstanding, as good as my old USP .45, which would be another .45acp I highly recommend.
The Glock 21 is a good pistol, just harder to wring accuracy out of it. Mine shot like a match pistol with Federal Eagle 230 ball, but not so good with my plated handloads, which the Sig and the USP shoot to match accuracy.

 

[buck460XVR]

Colt 1991. One of the best "bang for your buck" guns out there and highly underrated. 5''Blued government model can still be found for under $700 and stainless under $800. Not only does it fit all your criteria, it's a Colt.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q99-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx#

 

[Holo]

American classic II 1911 gets my vote. Good trigger out of the box and has a great fit and finish. Also i just love the 1911 platform and how customizable it is.

I shot the USP45 a few weeks ago and still prefered the 1911.

 

[MikePaiN]

I've got to give a nod to the Sig P220. They rock solid reliable, full size with out being glunky, Novak sells high quality mags for the P220 at ~$22 each and they can be converted to .22lr or too save money bought as a .22 and converted to .45.
Here's mine in .22lr, the .45 X-Change kit is on order.

 

[Cherokee]

Nothing beats 1911 for 45 ACP. However, I do have a Taurus 24/7 OSS 5.2" bl that shoots great, not a target gun, but it works. I tried the FNP45 and found the grip to be to much like a block for my hands.

 

[teninfro]

I strongly recommend the XD45. I've shot most of what's on your list, and the XD stood out among them all. Also, reliability has been 100% for mine.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I also ended up with an XD45 (Tactical) when I went looking for a .45. It's a workman-like gun that is stupid simple, a great fit in my hands and reliable ... once I found the right ammo for it.

I ran into some issues with a failure to go into battery shooting ammo that was on the large end of the .45 ACP diameter spec. Once I figured out what was going on, it was a non-issue. Until then, however, I was hesitant to use the gun for anything but a range gun. I've only run across one other person, that I've talked to, that had the same problem so it doesn't seem to be a prevalent issue.

My criteria were a little different than the OP's, however. So, YMMV.

 

[doc2rn]

If you have big meaty hands like me you will love an FNP 45 I have the 9 and I love everything about it, especially the choice of backstraps!

 

[GunTech]

Size was an eye-opener for me and the XD. 1911 and XD tactical for comparison.

 

[Prion]

Sig P220 but all the guns mentioned will serve you well.

 

[PabloJ]

I would look for second-hand S&W 457 in very good condition.

 

[WRGADog]

Two you should consider: Springfield XDm and Beretta PX 4 Storm.

 

[exdetsgt]

Todd: The XD looks significantly larger than the 1911, especially the huge mag well. Looks to be about the same size as a Glock 21 (45ACP). Or is it?

 

[ricebasher302]

I love my FNP! It definately meets your criteria. Big and beautiful!

 

[Dokkalfar]

Funny you should mention needing a new .45.. Found this via woot, nice and cheap lol:


http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/48342-55.html

 

[Viper]

I have 9 45's and although most are compact, they all come in a standard or service size. Of these, the four I would recommend are the P220, HK45, M&P, and XD45. For me the M&P and HK are the most comfortable to shoot and therefore the most accurate, but all have been 100%, and I wouldn't hesitate to suggest any of them.

 

[BlayGlock]

Stay away from Para. Horrible QC and Customer Service is dismal. I would vote the P220 compact.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I have none of the guns that you are considering, but since you had a RIA, I'd vote for the RIA Tactical 1911A1.

 

[Radjxf]

HK45C. IMO this is the finest DA/SA or LEM .45 one can buy. IF you can find one used. Way too pricey NIB.

The only thing that comes close in my mind is a good German (pre-Cohen) Sig P220....

 

[benderx4]

I have loved my HK USP45. Can't go wrong there.

The new FN 45 Tactical looks promising as well.