Wanted: Very Reliable High Capacity .45

[Timradcliffe345]

What I am looking for is a highly reliable high capacity .45 pistol with a proven track record. Im indifferent to metal versus polymer frame. Preferably it should be able to handle +P loads. I welcome all suggestions that fit the criteria. Please share the pros and cons with each suggestion. Thank you everyone.

 

[gunmn74]

I have no personel experience with this gun but I know people that like
the Para guns.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_53/products_id/13634

 

[eldon519]

The Springfield XD .45 is a pretty solid choice. It holds 13 in the mag I believe, but still maintains a pretty small grip.

The Glock 21 is another classic, but I've read where several police agencies have had issues with them.

 

[Timradcliffe345]

The Glock 21 is another classic, but I've read where several police agencies have had issues with them.

Is this true? Can any "Glocksters" on THR share the their partake in this? Thanks.

 

[PPGMD]

Hk USP 45 fits the bill, a good 1911 like a Colt would also work.

 

[Hauptmann]

By "high capacity", I take it you mean something that holds more than 8rds which is the common single stack service pistol capacity. Proven track record?.....the two with probably the longest and best are the GLOCK 21 and the H&K USP. I prefer the H&K because the grip is not quite as fat making it more comfortable and it is a traditional double action/single action pistol. Some others that haven't been on the market quite as long are the S&W M&P, Springfield XD, and Taurus 24/7.

New high cap .45s on the horizon? The H&K 45 and FN P45 look very promising.

 

[jbensey]

high cap 45's

i can say that i've been around the block on the highcaps.they've got to be the glock 21, para p-14. for out of the box the glock is by far the best (in my words) that thing will eat any ammo you put in it from whad cutters to hollow points reloads to factory. its combat tuppaware know for 1911 style the para p-14 after a little tuning it's a great one! all the great feachers of the 1911 but in highcap an it will hold 14+1 . well hope this helps you out.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Check out a CZ97, as well. Very well made firearm.

 

[GunTech]

Springfield XD. I've owned and shot them all and found the XD the most comfortable and reliable. I like Glocks, but the 21 is too big for my hands.

I have a tactical model. 5 Inch barrel just like the 1911 and holds 13 rounds. Runs abut $525 NIB around here.

 

[Quiet]

From personal experience, the H&K USP-45, Glock Model 21SF and Glock Model 30 all fit your critiera.

 

[Euclidean]

XD45, Glock 21 come to mind

 

[10-Ring]

Rated from the factory to shoot +P and +P+, I'd go w/ the USP 45

 

[Jaeger]

I picked up a Taurus 24/7 Pro in 45ACP in the spring. I've been shooting it all summer and it has been perfectly reliable. I've got at least 1000 rounds through it now.
I actually ran it with several hundred rounds of extremely filthy reloads last week and it gobbled them up without a hitch. It was VERY dirty but kept on ticking.
Believe it or not it has replaced my beloved S&W1911SC as my primary carry gun. The grip width is the same as the SC. (SC has Crimson Trace grips) It is also more comfortable in my hand. It's just a little thicker in the slide but not enough to be noticable. The trigger is very good and the safety is right where it should be. Best of all it holds 12 rounds. And at about $400 new it won't break the bank.
I think they are highly underrated.

 

[18DAI]

HK USP 45. Look no further, it's all that.

 

[RH45]

As much as I prefer 1911 type handguns, if I was in the market for a trouble-free, hi-cap .45, my first choices would be a HK or Glock, and second choices, only because they haven't been around as long would be the S&W M&P, or the Springfield XD.
It really depends on what fits in YOUR hand the best.

 

[Mantis86]

Deffinately XD45 or Glock 21, Glock 21 I believe you can also get 25rd. mags for them.

 

[fletcher]

Hk USP 45 fits the bill,

Agreed. It's a big gun, but I found it to be 100% reliable during my ownership. It also takes +P.

 

[Hawk]

One of the STI double stacks might serve - the Eagle 5.0 fr'instance.

On the "pro" side, I haven't been able to coax a malf out of my 4" barrel version - and that hasn't been for lack of trying.

"cons" would include the price and my observation that it's not really a double stack - more like a "stack and a half". This allows the grip to be the same width as a standard single stack. I believe capacity is down a smidge from a Glock 21.

It's one of the few products that allow you to enter both sides of a "1911 vs polymer" thread. It may well be the only product that allows you to do so while simultaneously equating a high price with the polymer product - a marketing opportunity missed by Wilson with their KZ-45. (STI charges more, rather than less, for the polymer product).

The potential for confusing posts on internet fora notwithstanding, it does shoot quite well. If it's for carry, please note that any of the "2011s" may be specified without that "keg 'o beer" magwell pictured incongruously on most of the models designed as duty weapons.

 

[Rinspeed]

Another vote for the USP.

 

[wally]

My experience with a variety of guns that use the Para Ordnance double stack .45 magazine tubes (Para, Kimber BP, Daly/Bul M5, Armscor 1911-A2) suggests they are range guns only. Mags are the problem, too prone to having rounds bind at the single to double stack transition leading to feed failures. Clean mags and fresh springs helps reliabilty but don't get it where it needs to be to count on IMHO.

 

[Gordon]

The USP shoots .45 Super rounds OK for my friend who loves his. I don't care for the trigger myself. I have gotten my Para P-14 to be pretty much 100% even with high quick round counts, but replaced pretty muchevery thing with higher quality parts. The up side is it blows the doors off something like USPs in game practical accuracy. It will not take super ammo however(that I want to try.) Get the USP, I would if starting over.

 

[JLStorm]

USP 45 gets my vote as well. You can find guns with more capacity, but I have shot many 45's and the USP was the one that amazed me the most even though it has a 12 round capacity.

 

[gggman]

USP 45 is the cats meow. 12 rds, ultra reliable, mild recoil, and extremely accurate.

 

[PO2Hammer]

The Glock 21 is nice, the XD looks good, but the USP is the way to go for reliability in the long haul.

I had a few bobbles with my G-21, but as long as you didn't try to max out the magazines, it ran fine. Accuracy was pretty good.

My USP .45 has been perfect since round one, and even shoots my softball handloads very well. Excellent accuracy out to 50 yards with Blazer Brass 230's.

I know an ex deputy who loves his XD .45.

 

[james_bond]

Another vote for the XD in .45, I went for the 5" tactical model and at 13+1 it is a great value too. and it liked the Honady +P I fed it.