Opinions on .45's.... please chime in

[sprsonicgsr]

Hey guys,

this is my first post here, so anything you guys can do help is greatly appreciated.

i'm looking to buy a .45 and was wondering i you guys had a favorite or one that you would recommend.

so far, i've heard many good things about the glock g30, and am definetly leaning towards it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Clipper]

You can buy 2 Taurus PT-145s and some ammo for what most Glocks cost, and you'd have a better pistol, in my opinion...

 

[proctorman]

I've got a Ruger P90. It's big, ugly, and heavy, but it's extremely reliable (I've shot thousands of rounds through it without a problem) and cheap.

It seems to eat any ammo I feed it and overall it's been a great gun.

 

[torpid]

I can't say about the g30 (I seem to do well with the Glocks I have shot), but I can second Clipper's satisfaction with the Taurus PT-145 Mil Pro.

I really like it, and it's eaten everything I've fed it without a jam (and it's been shot quite a bit).

.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I've owned 1911-style .45s by Charles Daly and Kimber, currently own and carry a five-inch Springfield Armory "Loaded" model in black / parkerized. There are a LOT of 1911 makers, models, and varieties out there...check them out as you ponder the other good .45 options folks here will give you.

For what it's worth, while I didn't own the .45 P90, I owned a Ruger P95DC in 9mm (I think the .45 equivalent is the P97) and it was a tank...very solid, kinda chunky, but always delivered the goods flawlessly...sounds like their
.45s are at least as good!

 

[dleong]

If you get the opportunity, take a look at the CZ 97B. The "out-of-the-box" accuracy of this pistol is stunning, and it is fairly reasonably priced at just a little northward of $500.

 

[Oregongundude]

You should fire a bunch of them before you purchase one.

I perfer the Springfield XD .45 in either the 4 inch, or 5 inch barrel. Depending on what your going to do with it. It's my understanding there coming out with a XD .45 acp subcompact around the end of the year. I would test as many as you can before you purchase one. Normally, you can go to most public pistol ranges and test different models. In addition, I believe the XD .45 acp with 13+1 round capacity was voted the gun of the year.
I have the .45 acp tactical with the 5 inch barrel and I really like it. It's very accurate and easy for me to fire. I believe I paid about $599.00 for mine if I remember with night sights. Sorry about the marketing ad

 

[hexidismal]

It really depends on what your purpose for it is. Range/Compitition Gun ? House gun ? Carry gun ?

I love my Ruger P345. I've put 2000 rounds thru it, and with not a single failure, I trust it for concealed carry every day. If I wasnt looking for a carry 45 though, I'd probably go with something else.

The XDs are popular, but for here in New York they aren't particulalrly practical for carry. I say this because the XD is chunky enough to carry 13+1.. which is really nice for a 45 , but in new york we can still only carry 10 rounds .. any more than 10 is a serious no no if law enforcement ever wants to check your gun.

No way I'd go with a P90/P97 over my P345 though. The P345 is contoured really nicely, it's a true refined workhorse. Its tough, it feels good, and it looks especially good compared to other .45s in the price range. It was Guns and Ammos gun of the year in 2004, and with good reason.

 

[gudel]

There's nothing else, untouchable.

 

[knoxx45]

HK USP 45

First, welcome to THR. Always nice to meet some other people who are into shooting.

IMHO, the USP is a rock solid gun that is extremely well made, tough and absolutely reliable. It gives you many options. For instance, you can carry it cocked and locked, like a 1911, or you can decock it, like a SIG. I like the fact that it has a manual safety, and the mag release is one of the most comfortable and natural to use. Combine all this with 13 rounds of 45, and you have a great pistol.

 

[steelhead]

None of the other recommendations are bad if you are looking for a mid to full size .45. However, since you mentioned the Glock 30, I assume that you are looking at sub compact .45's.

If so, I strongly urge you to take a look at the Mil Pro PT145. I sold my SIG 245 because the Taurus held 4 more rounds, was just as accurate, and equally reliable. The 145 also seemed to be softer recoiling than the 245 (probably because of grip width). Para Ord P14 magazines will also fit in the 145 and function 100%. Kinda neat having 14+1 rounds of .45 in a very small package.

 

[Helstrm]

Boy this thread could go on forever, Every weapon mentioned here would be a great choice, I stay away from glocks but it has nothing to do with them being bad guns. In fact everyone I have shot has been 100% reliable but I hate the fact that they put the safety on the trigger. At least the XD has the grip safety. If this is your first firearm I would look away from the glock for this reason. I am a die hard 1911 man myself and since I got into them I have sold all of my other handguns except for my Tok because I want a 7.62 pistol

The question was already asked, WHat is this for Carry, Target, Home. If you like to tinker the 1911 gives you a lot of room to tune, customize and is a pleasure at the range. If you want a Hi-cap .45 The XD or 24/7 Pro are great guns.

 

[cookekdjr]

I've always loved the SIG p220...

 

[Baldy]

Hands Down..

The hottest out of the box 1911/.45 is the S&W right now. All these tupperware guns go bang but will leave you you cold. The big XD is fine, but if you need that many rounds you didn't plan out the fight right. I use a 1911/.45 for CC,HD, target practice. Buy a good holster, and you forget you got it on.

 

[Helstrm]

Agreed Baldy, I carry a 1911 with a 8rd mag and 2 7rd mags on y other side. That will at least get me to my trunk to get my rifle.

 

[kir_kenix]

i agree w/ hex...the p345 is an awsome gun! me and my dad took it out the other day and and we fired about 200 rounds or so through it. not a single failure. accuracy was pretty darn decent out of the box as well. i really like the ruger p944 i just bought, but shooting this gun really makes me kinda wish that i would have bought the p345. I guess i'll just have to save up for the next coupla months and get both.

 

[ewb45acp]

I'm partial to 1911s myself, but there are a lot of good quality .45acp autos out there. Glocks, XDs, Rugers, HKs, Sigs, and all of the 1911 varients... Decide what you want to do with it. Pick one that has the features you want/need. Handle and test fire as many as possible. Buy the one you like and shoot it alot.

 

[steelhead]

1911s are ok.... I guess.

 

[whatbrick]

... but I hate the fact that they put the safety on the trigger.

Nah, they didn't put it on the trigger, they left it in the head and in the hand where it should be.

My only experience with .45's have been 1911's (Springfield basic), Glock (21) and H&K USP fullsize. All have been reliable, though the H&K may not be the most fiscally feasible of the bunch (depending on where you shop). I put my Glock on top simply for the fact that it is a God-send to dissassemble and clean. Doing a detail strip on my USP the first time was a test in patience and dexterity.

Best thing to do is handle as many as you can, then shoot what feels the best (if possible). Whatever you can shoot the best with, with the most comfort is the one you want.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, I gott'a tell you there are many very good .45 ACP's out there in the
real world. Most of my experience's have come with a SIG-SAUER P220A,
a H&K USP-F, many 1911's of various makes and models, and a brand new
Springfield XD .45 ACP. To tell you the truth, I like 'em all. I do my best
work with the SIG; followed closely by several 1911's. I find 'em all real
easy too shoot well, with the Springer XD probably being the best of the
"polymer class" pistols. After all, the .45 ACP is my favorite caliber and
the round that I find myself CCW'ing every day~!

 

[Handgun Midas]

Ruger P345

Another vote for the P345

Mine will be my carry gun in about a month.
It's lightweight, with a slim grip, low mount sights, and a decocker safety.

It has the loaded chamber indicator, so, together with the decocker and hammer psoition, you can tell at a glance what state the gun is in, or even just by brushing your fingers over it.

Admittedly, I've found that if I let my P345 go without cleaning for over 400rds, FTLs and failure-to-slide-locks can start to crop up.

I prefer the 1911 over the P345, of course, but all angles considered for concealed carry, I feel the P345 is a better fit for me.

 

[MCgunner]

This is my favorite

 

[up_onus]

Springfiled Armory 1911!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why? FBI SWAT contract, thats why....read up on it...see why the FBI chose Springfield and you will understand...

 

[steelhead]

LAPD SWAT chose Kimber .
Marine Corps SOC DET 1 chose Kimber .

 

[Johnny Guest]

Again: What difference does it make which pistol I like?

**For the record, I prefer the COLT 1911-series, and I like the Real Commander best of them.**

And so what? The 1911 type is not for everyone. And there are a lot of different 1911s out there.

And a lot of people don't care that much for Glocks.

There are .45s by S&W, SiG, Taurus, Ruger - - I really don't know how many different brands. Like some of the above posters, I strongly urge you to try out as many different .45s as you may, just to get an idea what feels good to you.

If we could get together for a few days, I could teach you how to safely and efficiently manage a Colt Government Model. Or a Glock 20. Or any of several other brands. You might not develop any real AFFECTION for the particular sidearm, but WE could do it.

How? Because I'm a decent instructor, and pretty patient. All I require is that you have fairly normal hand/eye coordination, something approaching average strength, and a cooperative attitude. Not being your military superior, I could not properly ORDER you to follow instructions, but, given a pistol you want to learn, we could get it done. Even if you wanted to learn a pistol of which I was not particularly fond.

See, I realize that handguns are tools, and an open-minded person, as a HUMAN BEING, can adapt to the use of a wide variety of implements. I really like my Ford truck, and before that, I had two Isuzu Troopers. And I do a decent job of driving my wife's lil' convertible, and I used several different agency-issued cars before retirement. I've driven ALL of these safely, and they transported me in decent comfort.

Handguns are, or CAN BE, very personal artifacts. It is only natural to develop a liking for certain types. I've been in some dark and lonely places where I was comforted by Colt's automatics. And S&W revolvers. And a Browning 9mm and Remington shotguns. Almost anyone do well with any of these, given a few thousand rounds and a bit of familiarization.

Choose what you like and give it a try. Don't get all wrapped around the axle if it turns out you don't care for it. And don't let MY preference for the CLW indicate it is the ONLY proper sidearm.

Best regards,
Johnny