Reliable .45 for SD

[Skylerbone]

With $1,200 I'd buy a Colt Combat Elite or a Dan Wesson Herritage. If you're looking for a shorter pistol then I'd be back to the Sig 220.

Those three epitomize classic good looks and performance in a working .45 ACP. If you really just want a solid truck gun snag a 4506 and throw on a bright new front night sight. No crying if it hits the gravel or, God forbid, an evidence tech has to "engrave" it for temporary storage.

I'd give a tie to the CZ if you want new but are still budget conscious.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I just took a $400 Rock Island 1911 to Gunsite 250 and it went > 1000 rounds in stressful drills without issue, and without cleaning.

I think there may be some randomness in the answer. Did you get lucky with the one you chose, or not? With my RIA I did; with the American Classic I most certainly did not. The only way to tell is to test it.

 

[Fullmag2682]

What did the Springer do wrong ? Heard they have excellent warranties. No experience, have two XD's one in 45 but no issues with guns or Springfield.

 

[BluedRevolver]

What did the Springer do wrong ? Heard they have excellent warranties. No experience, have two XD's one in 45 but no issues with guns or Springfield.

The Springer would have a failure to return to battery more times than I care to stake my life on.

 

[cane]

H&K USP, 12 round magazine, totally reliable.

 

[Strykervet]

I have a G21 and it does very well. No problems I can recall, had it for 12 or 13 years. Great pistol. Just don't get the ambi mag release, that is junk.

I've seen the FN pistols, and I'd really like to get one of those pistol/suppressor combos they have at Impact. The FN pistol looks nice, and holds 15 rounds. Wow. Bet it would be fun with the suppressor.

 

[LeonCarr]

Anything except a 1911

 

[BluedRevolver]

Anything except a 1911

why?

 

[Mr.Blue]

^^^^he's looking to bait someone.

 

[jbrown50]

Detonics Combatmaster .45

All stainless steel construction
Reverse cone barrel that requires no bushing
3-dot combat sights
Lowered ejection port
very reliable
Very accurate
Extremely compact
Easy to conceal
Will fit in a pants pocket although its quite heavy at 32 oz. unloaded

 

[LeonCarr]

Not looking to bait anyone or anything, just stating that the more modern .45 designs (Sig, Glock, Ruger etc) have been more reliable IME than the 1911.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have 2 1911 that didn't work and they weren't really a 1911 One was a Para pig and other was a Llama Neither one true 1911 . I have several Colts all worked from box . Most 1911 problems are mag related Not the pistol.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Smith & Wesson 4516 (compact 7+1), 4566 (medium-size 8+1) or 4506 (full size 8+1), all stainless steel and DA/SA.

I'll second this.

I have a 4506 and a 4516-1. They are boringly reliable (will even feed wadcutters/empty cases/.45 GAP ammo), very accurate and built to last several lifetimes. You literally can't get enough powder into a .45 ACP case to hurt them. I've tried. My HD load in the 4516-1 is a 240 gr. Sierra JHC that clocks 1,060 FPS (600 ft/lbs) from the 3-3/4" tube.

These guns turn up anywhere from heavily used to pristine, with prices ranging from $350-$800.

 

[BluedRevolver]

Detonics Combatmaster .45

All stainless steel construction
Reverse cone barrel that requires no bushing
3-dot combat sights
Lowered ejection port
very reliable
Very accurate
Extremely compact
Easy to conceal
Will fit in a pants pocket although its quite heavy at 32 oz. unloaded

This is the first I've heard of this pistol. I looked into it and it seems to basically a 1911. What advantage does it have other than no bushing to make it more reliable than the supposedly "finicky" 1911? (I'm not saying that the 1911 is finicky)

 

[LeonCarr]

I will say it...the 1911 is finicky. In my experience they are, and I am not trying to bait someone .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[BluedRevolver]

I will say it...the 1911 is finicky. In my experience they are, and I am not trying to bait someone .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

:O

*hunkers down for the inevitable flame war*

 

[230therapy]

There are so many to choose from!

Glock 21
Glock 30
SIG P220
SIG P220 Carry
SIG P220 Elite Stainless
SIG P220 Carry Elite Stainless
S&W M&P 45
S&W M&P 45 Compact
HK USP 45
HK USP 45 Compact
Springfield XD 45
Springfield XD 45 Compact
S&W Model 625
S&W Model 25
S&W 325 Night Guard
S&W Model 22
S&W Model 325 Thunder Ranch
Beretta Px4 Storm 45

I'd not get one of the new FNP 45's. I have been hearing of issues when the gun heats up.

If you want steel, then the S&W 22, 25, and 625 will work!

 

[Psa1m144]

Glock 21

 

[CZ57]

SA XDm .45 ACP!

 

[tahunua001]

it's not steel frame but the springfield armory XDM 45 is a more than decent gun.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Only one I've fully vetted was a Sig220. I've got about 11,000 rounds through it. Had three ftf that were likely user induced during an IPSC competition. That was within first 5000 rounds. I sent to glock to have it checked over just in case. Nothing was wrong with it and I paid to polish a few parts while there. I've now had 6,000 rounds of flawless performance.

If I carried, I'd likely try vetting Glock 21 and 30.

 

[BluedRevolver]

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[MachIVshooter]

Only one I've fully vetted was a Sig220. ............Had three ftf that were likely user .......... I sent to glock to have it checked over just in case

 

[jackpinesavages]

Caspian

 

[BluedRevolver]

It seems like other than the 1911 there's not many choices...