Reliable .45 for SD

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BluedRevolver

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I want a reliable .45 for self defense. I had a Springfield 1911, but it had problems and I sold it. However, that doesn't mean ya'll couldn't convince me to get another one.

I want a good, reliable .45, preferably steel framed, tough, and long lasting. Any ideas?
 
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My RIA Officer fits that bill ... although you may wanna amend the title of the thread ... SF to me read either Sepcial Forces or San Francisco. 8)
 
I was thinking of getting a colt 80 series and sending it to a gunsmith to get a reliability tuning and maybe that'd be okay
 
G21, M&P 45, Ruger P90, S&W 3rd Gen (4506).........and a SA 1911. In my experience, Springfield has the best CS on the planet, but I digress...........
 
SIG P220 in 45 ACP.

No thumb safety to bump off when you want it on, or accidentally bump on when you want it off.

You put one in the chamber and hit the decocker. First round takes a long pull on the trigger. Little chance of a negligent discharge compared to a Glock type striker mechanism. Basically it is like a double action revolver. You can thumb cock it if you want. Try thumb cocking one of those M1911's with beavertail grip safeties. Hard to do.

SigP220.jpg
 
Springfield XD Compact in 45 is a great gun. Does not meet your frame requirements, but I love mine, and I have steel and alloy frame guns as well. It's a great shooter.

Just out of curiosity, what do you have against polymer framed guns?
 
B.R. Do you have a budget in mind at this point? I ask because there are $250 "reliability" packages and there are $2,500 RELIABILITY packages for the 1911.

If you want a no holds barred 1911 there are some great smiths out there who can deliver a life long friend but many have an extensive wait list (and a few excellent ones do not, yet).

If you're looking for a $800 Colt and $200 in work, it won't buy much beyond what you already had. Not to say it's unreliable, I just bought one myself, but not dead cold no matter what reliable. For that money buy the Sig or a used S&W and have it (the S&W) reconditioned.

But we really need to know your budget.
 
I know you mentioned you prefer all steel, but I would recommend a Ruger P345. It's a reasonably compact .45, accurate DA/SA with a decocker so it's safe with eight in the magazine and one in the chamber. Mine is very accurate and has been perfectly flawless. Price is in the mid or low 400s.
 
I am surprised no one has mentioned the CZ 97B/BD, i have been eyeing one over a RIA Tactical. Another question that should be asked is are you talking about night stand SD or CCW SD?
 
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If you want steel, I recommend a Colt 1911 or a CZ 97B. Both are accurate as hell, durable, and reliable. That said, my most trusted .45 is my XD45 Tactical, but that is a polymer. It sits right next to my bed loaded with 14 Gold Dot 230's.
 
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You want reliable, all steel and .45? You want a real mans gun!:D The following have proven over time to be 100% reliable and will feed and eject anything right out of the box:

Colt 1991A1 - Comes in 3 sizes. I have them in the early all steel black matte finish. While more expensive 1911 models may be ammo picky out of the box, this model is not.

S&W 645 - Miami Vice gun. Big, beautiful, reliable and stainless. Mega Tough. Can find them at very low prices.

Sig Sauer P220 - Comes in 3 sizes. Very accurate. One of the best pistols ever made.

NOTE: I have no experience with Beretta, CZ, Ruger or S&W 3rd Gen .45s.
 
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Sour Kraut said:
Springfield XD Compact in 45 is a great gun. Does not meet your frame requirements, but I love mine, and I have steel and alloy frame guns as well. It's a great shooter.

Just out of curiosity, what do you have against polymer framed guns?
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Nothing in particular, I have a Glock 19, I just like steel.
 
Skylerbone said:
B.R. Do you have a budget in mind at this point? I ask because there are $250 "reliability" packages and there are $2,500 RELIABILITY packages for the 1911.

If you want a no holds barred 1911 there are some great smiths out there who can deliver a life long friend but many have an extensive wait list (and a few excellent ones do not, yet).

If you're looking for a $800 Colt and $200 in work, it won't buy much beyond what you already had. Not to say it's unreliable, I just bought one myself, but not dead cold no matter what reliable. For that money buy the Sig or a used S&W and have it (the S&W) reconditioned.

But we really need to know your budget.
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budget is up to $1200. To me a pistol's not worth more than that.
 
XD 45
Glock 21
S&W M&P 45

Take your choice.All three very reliable and well worth your money.Hell,with a $1200 limit buy any 2 of the above and a boat load of ammo.
 
I've heard that the cz97b has problems feeding hollow points. Any truth to this?
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I believe early production models had some problems. I think the feedramp needed tweaking. Either way, there is no problem now. My 97BD shoots whatever I feed it.
 
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Smith & Wesson 4516 (compact 7+1), 4566 (medium-size 8+1) or 4506 (full size 8+1), all stainless steel and DA/SA. Sometimes they can be found with DAO and a very few with a frame-mounted decocker.
 
I've had very good experiences with poly guns, and I'm pretty sure the quality ones will last a long time. Hard to argue with the 13-round capacity of a Glock 21 or a Springfield XD or XDM...or the 15 round capacity of the FNP.
 
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