Suggestions for a .45 ACP Striker fired handgun

[Zaydok Allen]

I'd go with a XDm 4.5" or 3.8" inch version, depending on how large of a gun you are willing to conceal. I would think the 3.8" would be the best middle of the road option, having high capacity for home defense with a long magazine, concealability with the shorter mag, and good range shootability with the mid size frame, and a decent length barrel.

 

[Cee Zee]

I would think the 3.8" would be the best middle of the road option, having high capacity for home defense with a long magazine, concealability with the shorter mag, and good range shootability with the mid size frame, and a decent length barrel.

That's why I now carry a 3.8 XDm but mine is in .40S&W. After many years of being a dedicated .45 fan I switched because of the speed of the bullets and the capacity of the pistols. With 16+1 rounds and a couple of extra mags I rarely feel like I will be under gunned.

 

[burk]

I went with a Glock 30SF which I love but the M & P is a good piece. To me the Glocks big edge is the ability to run the 21 mags for back up and they fit right. The oversize mags on the Smiths fit like a Jr HS shop project hack job. But they are booth good relable guns.

 

[Armybrat]

You can get two nice striker-fired 45ACP pistols for under $800 together.

The small & slim Kahr CW45 (6+1):



And the Ruger SR45 (10+1) for HD & the range

 

[TwinReverb]

If you qualify for Glock Blue Label, at that price point it's worth the money.

You could, theoretically, concealed carry the G21 full size. But I'm going to suggest instead the G30 Subcompact (10 round magazine, optional 13) or G36 (single stack subcompact, 6 rounds). I've shot the G21 but not the other two, and the G21 was very usable.

I've also shot the Beretta PX4 Storm full size, which is also a good gun, as well as the Remington 1911R1. All these three guns I've shot in .45 ACP are good candidates, though to be fair, smaller is better for concealed carry. If you hadn't said concealed carry, I would've stopped at the G21.

 

[BLB68]

Bersa's Thunder 45 UC Pro may be worth looking into, too.

 

[Scarpia]

Taurus PT145 Mil Pro

I have to chime in here...I have both the PT145 and PT140 Mil Pro's both of the older generation. The '140 is in 40 S&W. Mine are terrific shooters with 10 round magazines. I was at my range recently and popped off 77 rounds from the PT145 and 60 from the PT140. All rounds went into a torso sized target at 50 feet. No failures to feed, fire or eject my 230 grain hand loads with HP38, IMR PB, HS-6, IMR 800-X or Reddot.

 

[DP03]

Another xdm 45 vote here. I have the compact 3.8" model, but for home, keep the xtension mag in, with 13+1. Switch mags and you have a very concealable 45.

I have a HD that I like as much or more than any, the CZ97. But that is a full sized metal gun, not a carry gun.

 

[mongoslow]

Ruger SR45, hard gun to beat

 

[jolly roger]

M&P 45 Compact or Glock 30s. Have both..both superb.

 

[kokapelli]

I shot PT145s with DAO (Gen1/2) and SA/DA (Gen3) trigger.

The difference is day and night for me. Once chambered, all shots are SA unless the round doesn't go off then the trigger becomes DA (Taurus calls it "Multi Strike" trigger).

While I am not a fan of Taurus DAO trigger pistols, exceptions are the PT145 SA/DA and TCP 738 with smoothest DAO trigger I have shot.

The 738 is NOT DAO, it has no second strike capability unless they have changed it since I got mine.

 

[LiveLife]

The 738 is NOT DAO, it has no second strike capability

Taurus, the maker of TCP 738 classifies the trigger as DAO - http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=682&category=Pistol&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

Model: 738 FS/SS
Caliber: .380 ACP
Action: DAO

 

[kokapelli]

Taurus, the maker of TCP 738 classifies the trigger as DAO - http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=682&category=Pistol&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

Ok now they do, but DAO would not require the racking of the slide for another strike which the 738 does.

 

[LiveLife]

So suggest to Taurus they need to change the trigger action specification to "DA that requires manual reset".

 

[WinThePennant]

Glock 30.

Some people will say that the G30 is perhaps Glock's finest pistol. Completely under rated, and can shoot 10mm with a barrel swap. In fact, I think it can shoot .40 and 357 Sig, too with proper barrel swaps.

 

[Shipwreck]

Glock 41 - I rented one before - shoots awesome. Like the long slide

 

[Water-Man]

M&P45 Midsized or, if you're willing to wait a little while longer, the Sig P320 .45.

 

[commygun]

Glock 30. Best of the Glock breed and a great all-arounder

 

[anothernewb]

I'd have to cast a vote for the xdm45 as well. my .02, it's the only striker fired one I personally have had any success with.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I know, I know, it's not .45 ACP (but a SIG P220 isn't striker-fired, either.), but my favorite, thus far, is a Glock 38 -- same general size as the Glock 19 and 23, but the softest shooting .45 I've ever owned. (I've had no problems finding ammo, and in bulk, its generally about the same price as .45 ACP. SD ammo is expensive, no matter what you get.)

I shoot mine better than my Glock 35 (.40) or my M&P Pro in .40... which surprised me when I found out.

The GAP Glocks can be found very inexpensively, and if you ever find that .45 GAP is no longer available, you can use a 19 or 23 slide (with only minor changes.) I think .45 GAP will be around for a while, even though only Glock supports it. If I find one cheap enough, I'll get a 37, too. (I paid $350 for my Glock 38, new in box!).

My only change was to install a Ghost trigger kit.

 

[ATN082268]

I appreciate all the replies. Thank you. It has given me a lot to think about.

 

[srawl]

Based on your criteria the choice is easy for me. M&P midsize. Handles recoil well, ergonomic, and concealable.