Recommendation for .45 range gun

[Tenguns]

I'm trying to zero in on a new .45, strictly for the range and HD. 1911's are great, but this particular purchase will NOT be a 1911. I own a P220 which I LOVE, but I want something new to play with (imagine that). I lean a bit towards metal hammer-fired pistols, but a good gun is a good gun--all options considered. I don't want to spend much more than $700--all the better if it's less. Accuracy, reliability, and ergonomics are they key variables. I don't care about capacity. In fact, 10 rounds or less may be best for me because I want a reasonably lean grip. My hands are medium sized at best. I will list out my 3 top contenders and my concerns with them, which maybe you can help me overcome. Absolutely open to other recommendations as well.

CZ97 - Accurate, reliable, soft shooter--everything I want. However, I have not been able to find one locally to put in my hand to verify it's not too big. Internet commentary ranges wildly from guys with supposedly huge hands saying they can't reach the trigger properly, to folks with small hands being absolutely fine with it. I have bought guns without handling them first, but this one makes me nervous.

PPQ .45 - If I didn't already own a 9mm PPQ M1 (great gun), I'd probably buy it. But one PPQ with a paddle release and one with a button on otherwise nearly identical guns strikes me as an invitation for confusion in a defense situation.

Ruger SR45 (or maybe American?) Low price, feels ok in my hand, and I trust Ruger reliability. The accuracy is what concerns me here. Maybe I'm off base, but I feel like there would be more accurate shooters within my budget.

 

[adcoch1]

Find a CZ97b to verify that it fits your hand, and then buy it! Its fun to make 1911 guys( not the normal ones, but the "my gun cost $2500 an nothing is better" type) all pissed off when your $700 pistol out shoots, out looks, and out feels any of there guns. Plus it holds more in a standard mag. My brother has one, and it is the reason I sold my glock 21 to get one. But I feel your pain in trying to lay hands on one in person. They are a little tough to find.

 

[HGM22]

Agreed, get the CZ97 if it fits your hand. Assuming you've tried all the gun shops by you, have you seen if any gun shows are coming to town?

 

[vinnydee]

I love guns with hammers. I always go with HK if I want a polymer gun with a hammer. They are very accurate and really tame recoil. For a .45, a Ruger 1911 is a great value and very reliable. I also love Sigs. I once owned an X5 with a trigger pull of slightly more than 2 lbs. Strictly a range gun and SA only. You still can get a SAO Sig P226 but they are pricey.

For the range I just bought a Springfield 1911 but in 9mm. Feels like I am shooting .380's. If you want a .45 check out the Ruger .45LC/.ACP Redhawk. Revolvers make good range guns because you do not shoot up 12-17 rounds in a minute with them. I can go through a box of 50 in a few minutes because I am not a target shooter. I used to compete a lot so I shoot fast and empty mags fast too. Revolvers allow me to slow down the pace and are more relaxing plus never had one jam at me and make me crazy at the range because I have to buy new mags and test many different brands of ammo.

For the range I go with 9mm because it is cheaper to buy and does not beat up my hand. In my younger days I loved .44 magnums. I was somewhat of a recoil junkie back then but now it causes me problems with my hands.

 

[Shootshellz]

Whatsamattau? Buy a Glock 21 and never look back.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Take a look at the Beretta Px4 Storm. It is a little different than what most people carry and I mean that in a good way. It comes in a full size, compact and a few in between. It's a very solid pistol and it has a hammer too lol. The sub-compact doesn't come in 45 but you aren't looking for a small gun anyway.

 

[silicosys4]

I have small hands, and have problems with the Glock 21, and the CZ75.
The CZ75 especially I find problematic. While the grip size isn't bad, the reach to the trigger is extremely long. I measured the length from back strap to trigger as the longest of ANY auto I own in any caliber. This includes the Glock 21 and HK usp45.
The Glock 21 is just a brick. The grip is just too thick and long for me. I have not shot the SF frame, but I've heard it's much better. The Glock was darn accurate though.
Since we aren't talking 1911's here, I have to recommend you at least handle an HK, I find the usp45 to be manageable, and they have worked on ergonomics in more recent models.

My new favorite 45acp range gun is a s&w 625-3. Revolvers are tons of fun and I reload so moon clips are much more convenient than chasing and picking up brass.

 

[chris in va]

I have a 2010 97b. It is not stock.

What can I say, it has been quite a journey with this gun. The guy that let me fire his highly customized 97 back in 2002...should not have done that. It was superb. SAO conversion, breaking ice trigger etc. It has been my holy grail ever since and frankly out of the box, it was far from it. Super long DA pull, gritty trigger, non-ergonomic flat grips when compared to the amazing rubber grips on my 75bd and P01.

Slowly and piece by piece it has started to become that gun I loved years ago. Nill grips, SAO conversion, extended mag release from an SP01, fiber front sight, CGW barrel bushing conversion.

Look, stock from the factory it's a 'rough diamond' if you will. It has potential to be great, but it does take time and effort. Don't expect it to be awesome as-is.

The Glock 21 is just a brick. The grip is just too thick and long for me. I have not shot the SF frame, but I've heard it's much better.

Nope, it's still a brick. I had one.

 

[justin22885]

i like the 1911, primarily because i can buy an 80% frame and give a middle finger to gun control advocates, outside of that there are only a couple 45acp pistols that i really like, and well, prefer to the 1911, that would be the CZ-97 people have mentioned here already.. great pistol, the other one is the EAA witness

the fullsize EAA witness is basically a slightly enlarged clone of the CZ75 capable of holding 10mm, 45acp, etc so for the most part its pretty close to the same things as a CZ-97 but there are a few things i like about it over the CZ97

these things i like about the witness over the CZ (which may mean squat to you) is the fact the EAA has an underbarrel rail, i like being able to put lights on things.. the other thing i like about it is its generally multi-caliber, spare slides and barrels are available to convert it to 45acp, 9mm, 10mm, 40S&W, 38 super, and a bunch of other calibers and the slides and barrels to do so are available and all work on the same frame.. the frame itself as ive been told be EAA is about the same width as the CZ75 9mm frame stretched in length for longer cartridges, essentially its dimensionally perfect for a double stack 38 super, one of my favorite cartridges

 

[Pilot]

I bought a new CZ-97B a few months ago. It is superb, out of the box. However, I do have large hands, with long fingers, so all CZ's fit me perfectly. You can get mods that make the trigger reach shorter. Get one, you will not be disappointed.

 

[PO2Hammer]

You can get a used HK USP 45 for well under $700. These guns are hell for stout, so no worries buying used, and they are super accurate. They're also the softest recoiling .45 out there, excluding the Mk23. If the grip fits your hand, they make a great range gun.
They also feed SWC's, if you're into that type of thing.

 

[Shootshellz]

Small hands? Glock 21 SF! HK? Fugggitabboutit.....

 

[RON in PA]

Smith and Wesson M&P 45.

 

[Fiv3r]

My next .45 is going to be an FNX45. Hammer fired, can be cocked and locked, extra long grip that holds 15 rounds. Still dunno if I'm going to get it before a compact 92fs with a rail (I can thank Shipwreck's recent thread for that).

The FNX is a robust gun that should be great for the range, HD, and something to take to the cabin as a do-it-pistol.

 

[drband]

CZ97b with the current production aluminum grips feels as good as a 1911 in hand. Mine has a very nice trigger that got even smoother after 500+ rounds. I stopped counting. [emoji41]
The DA trigger is a bit long for my medium sized hands, but the reach for the SA trigger is just fine. I replaced the red FO with green, which I see better. It's very accurate & soft shooting as others have mentioned. I believe it will allow you to shoot as accurately as you possibly can with any gun if you get used to the trigger--it's not a 1911 trigger, but it's very good.
For non-1911 45s the cz97 is right at the top of my list.

The other pistol I recommend is just over your price range new: S&W 625 45acp revolver. You might be able to find one used. I find the big N-frame makes shooting 45s like 22s with my handloads. It's crazy accurate and with the right grips and front sight it becomes addictive. I have the Miculek model, but the other 625s should be just fine.

 

[Chuck R.]

Another vote for the HK45:




Mine started out as a V3 (DA/SA with safety De-cock), then went to V9 (Safety no de-cock), then I turned it into a V3 Light LEM. I end upo shooting it more than I do my Les Baers. The capacity 10+1 is a little short for it's size, but the ergonomics and reliability more than make up for it IMHO.

Chuck

 

[bannockburn]

I would also look at the FNX45 as I have small hands and is fairly comfortable to use. The CZ97 is a bit large with it's grip frame and the trigger is something of a reach for me.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The HK45 has outstanding ergonomics; it doesn't feel as big as it is. The compact versions of the HK45 and USP .45 might also be suitable for your hands. Your budget will mean going used though. Some of us are hoping to see a VP45 that will probably be about the same size as the HK45 but not as expensive. I wouldn't worry too much about the paddle magazine release unless you're using both types for defensive purposes, and even then I haven't found it to be a problem.

 

[sigarms228]

Since you already have and and like your PPQ 9MM then a PPQ 45 makes a lot of sense. Hickok45 just did s review on it and he loves it. As far as button magazine release IMO that is not that big for me personally. I don't carry and extra magazine with me anyhow.

Otherwise the HK45 is a terrific pistol and IMO well worth the investment especially if you place a very high priority on reliability and durability. Extremely accurate too. beware however magazines for the HK45 are very expensive if you think you will need many extras.

 

[Old Dog]

FNX-45 with the straight backstrap would fit your criteria ... good SA trigger, hammer fired, frame-mounted safety/de-cocker, good sights and accurate as heck. Usually found retail between $600 - $679. Did I mention accurate? Oh, and 15+1 capacity, my.

 

[stchman]

My next .45 is going to be an FNX45. Hammer fired, can be cocked and locked, extra long grip that holds 15 rounds. Still dunno if I'm going to get it before a compact 92fs with a rail (I can thank Shipwreck's recent thread for that).

The FNX is a robust gun that should be great for the range, HD, and something to take to the cabin as a do-it-pistol.

IIRC, the FNX45 has a decocker so it can't be carried cocked and locked. There might be ways to convert the decocker to a safety, but why do something that stupid.

 

[Old Dog]

Really, stchman? Didn't read my post, did you? You know, the last one before yours ...

My FNX-45 must be broken ... It can be carried cocked and locked. Or ... de-cocked and locked ... or de-cocked and unlocked.

Research, my friend ...

 

[horsemen61]

Glock 41

 

[stchman]

Really, stchman? Didn't read my post, did you? You know, the last one before yours ...

My FNX-45 must be broken ... It can be carried cocked and locked. Or ... de-cocked and locked ... or de-cocked and unlocked.

Research, my friend ...

I have at least FIVE pistols(Beretta 92, two P90s, two P95s) with a safety/de-cocker. When I pull the hammer back then flip the safety on, it de-cocks the pistol.

None of these pistols can be carried "cocked and locked" as the de-cocker drops the hammer.

So how on earth does your FNX have the ability to be carried cocked and locked, would not engaging the safety drop the hammer? Does the FNX have an up safety and down de-cocker style lever?

I did read your post and it mentioned nothing about carrying cocked and locked. You certainly seem to be getting upset.

FNX-45 with the straight backstrap would fit your criteria ... good SA trigger, hammer fired, frame-mounted safety/de-cocker, good sights and accurate as heck. Usually found retail between $600 - $679. Did I mention accurate? Oh, and 15+1 capacity, my.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I'm trying to zero in on a new .45, strictly for the range and HD. 1911's are great, but this particular purchase will NOT be a 1911. I own a P220 which I LOVE, but I want something new to play with (imagine that). I lean a bit towards metal hammer-fired pistols, but a good gun is a good gun--all options considered. I don't want to spend much more than $700--all the better if it's less. Accuracy, reliability, and ergonomics are they key variables. I don't care about capacity. In fact, 10 rounds or less may be best for me because I want a reasonably lean grip. My hands are medium sized at best. I will list out my 3 top contenders and my concerns with them, which maybe you can help me overcome. Absolutely open to other recommendations as well.

CZ97 - Accurate, reliable, soft shooter--everything I want. However, I have not been able to find one locally to put in my hand to verify it's not too big. Internet commentary ranges wildly from guys with supposedly huge hands saying they can't reach the trigger properly, to folks with small hands being absolutely fine with it. I have bought guns without handling them first, but this one makes me nervous.

PPQ .45 - If I didn't already own a 9mm PPQ M1 (great gun), I'd probably buy it. But one PPQ with a paddle release and one with a button on otherwise nearly identical guns strikes me as an invitation for confusion in a defense situation.

Ruger SR45 (or maybe American?) Low price, feels ok in my hand, and I trust Ruger reliability. The accuracy is what concerns me here. Maybe I'm off base, but I feel like there would be more accurate shooters within my budget.

I was facing the same dilemma. I wanted another 45acp gun. I only had one (Colt 1911) and the rest of my guns were 9mm. I considered the
(1) CZ97 - They had one at the LGS but I did not want another DA/SA.
(2) PPQ - I eliminated this for the same reason as the OP, I have a PPQ 9mm M1 and wanted something different
(3) SR45 - This was not one of my considerations.
(4) FNX - Loved the way it shot. Did not like the cheese grader grip or the price tag.
(5) Glock 21 - A brick

I narrowed it down to an M&P 45 or Sig 320 FS 45acp. I ended up getting the Sig 320 which I like a lot. I suggest looking at one before you decide, you can get one for $520ish