Poll: Most Reliable .45 acp Out of the Box?

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Well...

My Old Colt has been very reliable out of the box, BUT...
Think a SIG P220/245 would do very nice.
The revolvers mentioned above would too if you can hadle the overall size of them.
Glocks have a good rep, but I had a G30 that was very picky in ammo choice.
My cousin likes his three versions of the USP which he said he has never had a jam with the series.
'Spose, if IT had to work out of the box(no time for testing) and I could not have my Colt, I'd grab a SIG(If I somehow had a choice!). If the SIG GSR works well in reviews THAT might be my preference!!
Jercamp45
 
It looks like so far the front runners are the SIG P220 and the HK USP. At my next opportunity I will check both of them.

I had also considered a revolver (no feed problems), in which case the S&W 625 and the Taurus Tracker would be the candidates. In fact, a friend purchased the Tracker last week, and we plan on going to the range and I will see how I like it. The only drawback is the long trigger pull. It would also work better for the wife, easier to operate than an auto, and the ported barrel would help with control.
 
I've run hundreds of rounds through a Glock 21C in a single session without a single failure of any type. That is the only .45 with which I have any recent experience, and I'm sure there are other good choices out there, but based on that experience my next autoloader will be a Glock 30 for CCW.
 
I think for easy of carry bar none, HK USP in 45ACP. It goes bang! No modifications needed. I have to say if it were going to be a wheelgun a 625 would be the answer!
 
If you want a revolver, I'd just skip right over 45ACP and move to .357 Magnum. If you want an auto, much as I favor a 1911, the Glock is ready to go out of the box every time.
 
Can't argue with an M25/M625 S&W.

Interesting to see how FEW votes there are for 1911s . . . Jeff Cooper would not be pleased. :neener:

I DO have a Les Baer 1911 that I bought slightly used . . . I had a few failures to lock the slide back on the last shot with one particular magazine, but other than that, it's been 100%, though I only have a few thousand rounds through it so far.
 
Smith & Wesson: Model of 1917, 25, 625 or the new 325PD:cool:

Colt: Model of 1917:cool:

Ruger: Blackhawk .45 Colt/.45 ACP Convertable:cool:

No feeding or extraction issues to worry about with any of these fine firearms.:cool: As long as the ammunition is of decent quality any of these .45 ACP revolvers will do the job.:D
 
Only problems I have had with both of my .45ACP's

American Ammo (Also known as A-merc) stove-piped in both my KP-90 Ruger & Springy Champion 1911.

One fail-to-feed with Rem "UMC" brand on round 99 of 100 in KP-90.

Both have gone over 1,500 rounds each with only those issues noted.
 
Among semi-auto pistols, I'd probably put my money on the 220 as well with the G21 and G30 also being right there.

I think as far as reliability goes, only FMJ should be considered when it comes to 1911s. I've owned at least four, maybe five 1911s (from Colt, Springfield and Springfield) that never ever had one single failure from the very first shot. I've probably owned another 15 beyond those four or five that had less than ten failures out of the first 1,000 shots and without looking back at past reviews I've done, I'd imagine a large percentage of those failures were 200 Gr +P Gold Dots or other non standard pressure 230 Gr HPs. And I've owned one that was truly a problem child. It was a early 90s 1991A1 that was bought used so for all I know, it was a serious problem before I bought it.
 
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Based on my ownership and use:
a) Flawlessly reliable
> S&W 625
> Sig P220
b) Outstanding reliability
> Glock 36
> Springfield TRP (flawless after break-in)
c) Excellent reliability
> Springfield Loaded (outstanding after break-in)
> Kimber I Custom/Classic
d) Good Reliability
> H&K USP Tactical

My H&K USP Tactical is the ONLY .45 ACP I own that I would nor consider “bet your life on it†reliable.
 
most reliable 45

Basically, if you're going to buy a NIB gun from a major manufacturer, that's a classic example of a crap shoot. You won't know if your gun is a keeper until you go through breaking it in. All manufacturers, without exception, have "lemons" from the factory on their mass produced guns. You have no guarantee that all the parts are 100%, nor that a skilled gunsmith put the gun together. So if you're not up to the task of gunsmithing, nor want to soup the gun up, (as I assume you're not, by the "out of the box" statement) go to a gunshop that will take care of you if the gun isn't 100%. Beware, some manufacturers can take many many months to get your gun back to you if it needs work and you have to send it to them. Either way, take the gun to the range right when you get it and make sure it is 100%.

The only way to buy the "most reliable" .45 is to have someone sell you one of their .45s that has a lot of ammo through it with no malfunctions. And most people don't sell those guns, they sell the finicky ones.
Just make sure to take your gun apart and clean it before you use it. I've know some people to complain that their gun jams, and then I find out they've never cleaned and oiled it yet. Guns often have stuff on them to keep them from rusting that needs to be removed for reliable operation straight from the factory. And a little lube can go a long way towards reliablity.

If you're considering a 1911-A1, (which is a good choice) get a full-size barrel. I've never had any problems with my SA Mil-spec, and it conceals well in a good IWB.

I've heard nightmares from the micro compact 1911 owners, though.

Revolvers are the usual sure bet for reliability, but I'd rather have a .357 mag than a .45 acp revolver, for the most part. I'd say a 1911-A1 with a .357 mag as a backup gun (BUG) is a safe bet. Just shoot a thousand or so rounds through the 1911 before you bet your life on it. Don't use cheap mags, either. With Chip McCormick PowerMags, I know mine will go pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop, every time. I've never had any ammo feed issues, but then again I use S&B FMJ, Corbon Powerball, and Winchester JHP/FMJ ammo in my 1911-A1.. quality ammunition. I also keep my feed ramp clean. If your gun isn't a lemon, reliability is in attention to the details.. like keeping your wrist stiff, mags, and ammo choice.

Good luck, and have fun gun shopping!
 
I have had three perfectly reliable 45 ACP pistols.

All three were NIB and have performed flawlessly over the years that I have had them. They are SIG 220, SIG 220ST, and a Glock 30. FWIW. Good shooting;)
 
The Charles Daly guns seem reasonably priced for a 1911. That 9mm HP also seemed reasonable, if the quality and reliability are high. I'll have to look into these.
 
I've shot an awful lot of 1911s. I have nothing against the Daly guns, but if I were a bettin' man (which I ain't) I wouldn't bet on 100 Dalys having the same first 100 rounds out of the box reliability as the SIG 220 or a Glock 21.
 
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