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

[Chumango]

I am considering a defensive/possibly carry gun. Since I am relatively new to hand guns, and could spend months reading the forums (I have already spent a lot of time), I thought I would ask this question to speed the process.

What is the most reliable .45 acp OUT OF THE BOX? I’m not interested in how good you can get a gun with enough trips to the gunsmith.

By reliable I mean, it goes bang when you pull the trigger. No feed or ejection problems.

For my purposes this is the most important factor. After narrowing the field I can then check other aspects such as ergonomics, accuracy, etc.

List your most reliable, and if you have enough good ones, your top few.

I am relatively new to handguns, and have only one data point. So I will start with the one I know.

S&W 457, 100% reliable so far, but I have only put about 400 rounds through it, of various FMJ, JHP, and hand loads.

Thanks for your input.

 

[49hudson]

Glock

 

[Sarge111]

In my experience...

whick takes in lotsa Colts, clones, clowns, S&W's etc-

SIG 220

 

[Hero]

I have had 100% reliability with the two SIG 220s that I own, 220 and 220ST. So a big vote for the P220 series from me.

Also, I own a HK USP45f that has been 100%, and have owned a USP tactical and 2 compact USP 45s that were all perfect. I have owned a total of 6 USPs total and was never able to muster a malfuntion out of a single one of them. So a big vote for the USP 45s from me also.

Also, I own a Glock 21. It does not fit me quite like the previous two do, but it has been 100% as well.

 

[HSMITH]

Smith & Wesson Model 25 or 625, bar none. Nothing else will even be close.

 

[greyhound]

Ruger P series usually get points for being solid as rocks, and some negatives for looks and feel.

I like my P97, its been reliable - I do get the occaisional FTE when I am up over 250 rounds in one session, but I think its a dirty extractor that causes that, and I can't think of a SD situation calling for 200+ rounds (good grief I hope not!).

 

[jem375]

compact or full size??????????

 

[PO2Hammer]

In my experience:
HK USP-never a stutter
Glock 21- problems with 10 rounds in a mag-wouldn't feed the first one, with 9 or less-100%
Kimber-wouldn't feed hollowpoints.

 

[TarpleyG]

I just bought a Kimber Custom TLE and haven't had a single hiccup in two range trips with Wilson and CMC mags using ball and JHP rounds. Others will claim otherwise. I think a lot of it is the shooter and some of it just dumb luck.

GT

 

[Ala Dan]

With all due respect to what HSMITH posted; I
have had ZERO problems with my West German
proofed SIG-SAUER .45 caliber P220A. The word
RELIABILITY is synonymous with the SIG P220!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Boats]

I second the S&W 625. No feeding issues. No ejection issues. Will likely go bang every time the trigger is pulled.

 

[Sean Smith]

Since this is in "General Discussion," a S&W .45 ACP revolver.

Otherwise, probably a SigSauer P220.

That said, my most reliable .45 ACP (or any other caliber, for that matter) was a Colt Government Model. NEVER malfunctioned for 1,000s of rounds. Sold it to fund a custom Delta Elite that has performed likewise.

 

[Range Ninja]

I've got a Sprinfield Mil-Spec with just over 2,000 rds. and no problems.

 

[Marko Kloos]

The most reliable handguns out of the box in .45ACP are probably the Glock 21, Glock 30, and SIG P220.

 

[tc300mag1]

Hk Usp
Ruger P-90

Never anyprobs with either

 

[RikWriter]

You won't go wrong with almost any major brand 45. I've owned 45s from every major manufacturer and it would be easier to tell you the ones I HAVE had problems with than the ones I have not.
Colt, Kimber, Springfield, Para Ordnance, SIG, Glock, HK, Smith, Ruger---you won't go wrong with any of them.

 

[gbelleh]

My HK USP has been flawless.
I would also be confident in a Sig 220 out of the box.
Based on my personal experience, 1911s can be fussy. I also had a brand new .45 Glock break apart in my hands during its first 100 rounds.

 

[DakotaSig]

SIG P220ST
over 4,000 rounds through mine and not a single problem.

 

[Intune]

Another vote for Sig 220.

 

[rick_reno]

Most reliable .45 acp

In 45 acp I've got Glock (21), Sig (220 and 245), Colt (Series 70, 1991, Commander), H&K (USPc) and Kimber (Series 1 Gold Match). The only that has never had a problem is the H&K. Next in line is the Sig P220. The most accurate is the Kimber GM, it's also very tight and will run good with precise loads. The H&K and the SIG will digest anything, I use the SIG to shoot rounds that won't chamber in the Kimber - so I can reclaim the brass.

 

[Tamara]

Easy:

S&W 625.

I have never had a feeding, extraction, or ejection issue with one of these fine .45 ACP handguns, and they've always gone *BANG!* whenever I pulled the trigger.

 

[Preacherman]

Pistol - SIG P220. Revolver - S&W 625. I rest my case.

 

[Black Majik]

Sig P220.

And although I might get a few flames for this, I'm gonna add the NRM Colt Government in there. The quality of Colts are great and my Government has been damn reliable! You can check also on the Colt forum in 1911forum.com if you dont believe me. Lots of research landed me a NRM Colt Government as my first gun. I'm glad I did

 

[Pylon]

Sig P220, or Glock

 

[Majic]

S&W 25/625
Ruger Blackhawk
Dan Wesson 460/7460