Pistol Advice

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Skidmarx

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OK, I got into shooting when I retired, and had time, and when I had a grandson old enough to take interest. Unfortunately, not the sharpest tack in the box.

I have grandson covered with .22's, but I haven't bought anything in about 3 months, and I'm twitchy.

I want a .45, I only have one, a 5" Colt Combat Commander. I have a beretta, several Springfields, and a Sig P226. Springfields are all 1911s, and shoot well. Now for the ask.....

Do I stick with what I got? Been thing about a Tanfoglio (EAA)? or a CZ

Thanks, any thoughts appreciated....I'd rather stay in the $750 to $1500 range. Again, Thanks!

Go ahead, rip on the idjit
 
^^^ What Vern said; just decide on usage, and what appeals to you in a particular gun. You might discover that some guns "speak to you" while you are examining them. Narrow it down for intended use and then check out the guns track record ( reliability, popularity, etc. ) in the real world. One that fits those criteria should start to look real appealing. Forgot to mention price range, but sometimes that gets forgotten when you find that "gotta have it" piece.
 
I’m sorry, but “yes” is the correct answer when it comes to CZ!
EEA ain’t bad either. But got to go with CZ.

Lefty
 
The 1911 market has so many options, SIG, Ruger, Tisas, Armscorp, and so on.
About the only one not presently on the bandwagon being Gaston Glock [:)]

And, you are not required to select a 1911, either. CZ, Glock, SIG, Taurus, Ruger, S&W (and many more) all have not-1911 pistols in .45acp to select from.

Why shoot a non-1911 in 45acp? Well, to be different is really enough. Llama, Star, Balister-Molina, for that matter the P-220 are just fun to shoot. The Savage pistols in 45acp are also interesting.

This is part and parcel of why this can be a complicated question to answer.

Let's say you found a Taurus PT-945 at the pawn shop and it was, say, $400--I'd tell you to pick that baby up. At worst, you'd have to sell it for, oh, $450. But, you'd have a handy, mid-size 45acp with some features to recommend it. Even if it's a Taurus.

Shoot, maybe a buddy drops by and wants to know if you are interested in his old S&W Model 25 (or a 625)--I'd tell you to say yest to that, assuming you can afford the asking price, etc. That big steel revolver in .45acp is fun to shoot (ok cleaning the cylinder chambers is a chore, but, that's common to all revolvers).
 
We're looking at a lot of variables here. You want a .45, great; do you want hammer fired or striker fired? All metal (aluminum or steel frame), or a polymer one? What manufacturers do you like (besides Springfield Armory)? What kind of trigger works best for you? SAO, DA/SA, or something like a Glock safety trigger? Full, compact, or subcompact size? Is this going to be a range gun, a home defense gun, a target gun, or something for concealed carry; or for a little bit of everything?

See what I mean...lots of variables!

Once you've narrowed down your choices then you need to go and see if you can actually check out some of the different guns you're interested in, just to get a sense for how they handle and balance in your hand.

.
 
Striker-fired polymer: Walther PPQ ($700)

CF047118-6678-460D-9ED8-D9D47222E087.jpeg
DA/SA polymer: H&K HK45 ($750)

E96B3715-E46B-4C44-9A43-62EC9A6D0915.jpeg
DA/SA Steel: CZ97B (or BD) ($700)
11CB6E8C-E31C-4A8A-8817-7306EB37BAF5.jpeg



I own all three. The Walther is the most comfortable in my hand and holds 12 rds. All three are great shooters. If I could have only one, it would probably be the Walther.
 
Last edited:
Nature Boy said:
Since you mentioned CZ and like the 45 Auto, how about a CZ97B?

I got one a few months ago and love it!

Paid $900 for it so it’s in your price range sweet spot

View attachment 1020076

View attachment 1020075
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Thats my jam right there. CZ97BD is what I'm lusting after right now. I have a good 1911, I've had other 45s in the past. Ruger's SR45 really fits me well (unfortunately unavailable now) but that CZ ticks all the right boxes for me. Alloy frame, hammer fired, good ergos, and tougher than a coffin nail. I need one in my life.......
 
Outside of 1911's, I don't really mess with handguns with hammers any more. In most cases, I prefer Glocks, but my carry gun is a shield 9 (S&W) because I don't care for the Glock 43 or 48. Different strokes for different folks. However, my favorite DA type handguns that DO have hammers (if I were to go back in that direction) are the HK variety- USP's and the like. I used the MK 23 in the military, as well as the USP's on occasion. And I qualified as a HK armorer.
 
I like 1911’s in 45 ACP, and there are some nice ones in your price range. In no particular order, I’d be looking at any of the following and would buy the one I liked best in the hand:

SA Mil Spec
SA TRP
Dan Wesson Vigil (commander or government size)
Colt Series 70
Colt XSE

For non 1911 pistols in 45, perhaps look into:

CZ 97
Sig 220
M&P
Glock 21
 
The Commander was introduced as a proposed replacement for the 1911 when Army hosted the 1954 Pistol Trials. Command had enough of the 1911 when they saw the Walther P38 and actually requested similar characteristics - 9mm, 4" barrel, light weight frame, DA/SA. Colt submitted an all new design, four or five of those prototypes still exist, and they look like a cross between a STG45 and AK. Another maker submitted., and S&W came in late when their new company president saw the potential. They introduced a new design based off the Walther and dubbed it the M39.

The Army closed the trials with no determination - as usual - giving the reason that they had 2.5 milllion 1911's and they would continue to use it for another 30 years and another arsenal rebuild of the fleet, It was eventually replaced by a Walther derivative - the Beretta. So, they got what they wanted. The Commander went on to be a mostly civilian carry gun, and the M39 was eventually selected by the Illinois State Police, which started the conversion of LEO guns to autos from revolvers. Smith pretty much owned the LEO market up into the early 90's.

When the CMP was finally gifted the last 250,000 surviving 1911's I researched into that and found they were going to be priced retail - which has proven true - and kept digging to find a reliable .45 for myself. That's when I discovered the history of the '54 Trials and looked into prices on Smiths. I picked up a 4566TSW before they started really climibing in price and enjoy it. Then, they were half price of a aging 1911. As a firearm, loaded, it's actually lighter than a issue 1911 despite the catcalls it's a "brick," and it shoots and functions quite well. They are not as cheap now, still in your budget range. If you look that direction keep in mind that magazines included will raise the price about $80 per magazine now.

I look at acquring another firearm at the age of 68 as also requiring the sale or disposal of one or two others - to prevent my grieving spouse loading them up to sell for a dime on the dollar after I'm gone. Prevention is far better than the cure in that respect.
 
A CZ 97B seems the natural place to start. If you like it enough that you want a 9mm CZ, the Shadow 2 is an excellent gun. It displaced my Wilson/Beretta Brigadier Tactical.
 
Cz 97b
Glock 41

Are both good choices in your price range.

Dan Wesson Valor
Guncrafter Industries No Name

Are both good choices above your price range.

Are there extended safeties and single action triggers available, for the Cz 97b?
 
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