What's the best .45 ACP for $650 or less?
- Thread starter Troy26
- Start date
- Status
RaetherEnt
Member
I myself shoot a HK USP .45 and my wife has the HK USP .45 compact. We shoot about 400 rounds a week each, and have never had a FTF after owning them almost a year. We both got ours used, and in good shape for less than $600 each. Obviously, there are plently of other .45's out there that can be had in this price range. I have held a XD .45 and it has gotten me thinking...but, I will keep the HK's regardless.
I have yet found a Glock that fits in my hand comfortably, but obviously they are very reliable.
Everyone is going to have their own opinion based on what they own and shoot. I think the key for each individual is simply based on what feels good in your hand, has a reputation for reliability, and is within your means.
I have yet found a Glock that fits in my hand comfortably, but obviously they are very reliable.
Everyone is going to have their own opinion based on what they own and shoot. I think the key for each individual is simply based on what feels good in your hand, has a reputation for reliability, and is within your means.
Troy,
I haven't had a chance to shoot the PT-145 yet. It's supposed to be in this week but it still hasn't been delivered. It's been a while since I've shot a .45, but I qualified with them numerous times in my earlier days in the Navy.
When I first qualified, I had no experience at all....it took me a few hundred rounds to really get comfortable with one. The better I got at focusing on my front sight, the less attention I paid to the recoil, the better I became. For me anyway, once you've shot a .45......nothing else really compares. Every gun has it's purpose and I enjoy them all, but I seem to measure everything against a .45 now.
On all the info I've read the PT145 doesn't have a snappy recoil or a lot of muzzle flip (which sounds kind of odd since it's so light). I plan on using it mainly for CCW purposes......although I'd like to be proficient with it at medium range.......for me it's a close range "power" tool in which follow up shots should be a slam dunk. IMHO if I'm firing at any distance for CCW it probably wouldn't be considered self defense in the first place.....and with adrenaline factored in......plus the small barrel and large caliber......I'd probably be firing for affect. Luckily it has 10+1 capacity.
But please don't let anything I say sway you one way or another. I'd like to see you make a choice that works for you. Go out to the local range and play. Find something that works well as a tool for the use you have planned. If your looking for more accuracy and less recoil.....maybe you want to consider a larger framed 9mm and then work yourself into a small framed .45 for your next purchase. Just don't believe that you have to spend a lot of money for a dependable pistol.....that's not always the case.
Hope this helps, good luck partner.
Jerry
I haven't had a chance to shoot the PT-145 yet. It's supposed to be in this week but it still hasn't been delivered. It's been a while since I've shot a .45, but I qualified with them numerous times in my earlier days in the Navy.
When I first qualified, I had no experience at all....it took me a few hundred rounds to really get comfortable with one. The better I got at focusing on my front sight, the less attention I paid to the recoil, the better I became. For me anyway, once you've shot a .45......nothing else really compares. Every gun has it's purpose and I enjoy them all, but I seem to measure everything against a .45 now.
On all the info I've read the PT145 doesn't have a snappy recoil or a lot of muzzle flip (which sounds kind of odd since it's so light). I plan on using it mainly for CCW purposes......although I'd like to be proficient with it at medium range.......for me it's a close range "power" tool in which follow up shots should be a slam dunk. IMHO if I'm firing at any distance for CCW it probably wouldn't be considered self defense in the first place.....and with adrenaline factored in......plus the small barrel and large caliber......I'd probably be firing for affect. Luckily it has 10+1 capacity.
But please don't let anything I say sway you one way or another. I'd like to see you make a choice that works for you. Go out to the local range and play. Find something that works well as a tool for the use you have planned. If your looking for more accuracy and less recoil.....maybe you want to consider a larger framed 9mm and then work yourself into a small framed .45 for your next purchase. Just don't believe that you have to spend a lot of money for a dependable pistol.....that's not always the case.
Hope this helps, good luck partner.
Jerry
Taurus44
Member
$650 will get you an XD-45ACP AND a kick-ass trigger job, with maybe enough left over to buy an extra magazine 
I don't have the XD-45 (YET!), but I do have two other XDs (9mm sub-compact and a .40 service model) that I am completely enamoured with.
I don't have the XD-45 (YET!), but I do have two other XDs (9mm sub-compact and a .40 service model) that I am completely enamoured with.
politicalpolls.us
Member
If I had that money, I'd go buy a used Sig 220 or buy a new Glock 21.
For a more compact weapon a Glock 30.
Unless you're obsessed with nostalgia going to reenact some military exercises from the early 20th century stay away from the 1911.
In that case, also buy a some clothing from the '40s, old style camo, an "I Like Ike" button, and a Willys Jeep.
For a more compact weapon a Glock 30.
Unless you're obsessed with nostalgia going to reenact some military exercises from the early 20th century stay away from the 1911.
In that case, also buy a some clothing from the '40s, old style camo, an "I Like Ike" button, and a Willys Jeep.I'm a CZ97B fan. All steel, full slide length, internal rail slide. Excellent lock up. Great trigger, screw in barrel bushing. Accurate right out of the box. Needs no tweaking to print tight groups. Very reliable, It's built like the CZ75 (which is one fine pistol), design is beefed up to handle .45acp. imho, the best value out there for the price. I might add it's not for small hands, and full frame size poses concealability issues in hot weather. Neither of which are concerns for me.
concise review available @ http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/CZ97B_Review.htm
I recently added one to my small hg collection. Been shooting all manner of handguns for over 30 yrs. I like the CZ best. Consistant, very tight groups, gun shoots better than I do.
Currently:
Beretta 96D .40
S&W J frame .38
Ruger Mk II .22
Ruger security six .357
CZ 75B 9mm
CZ97B .45 acp
Makarov 9x18
concise review available @ http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/CZ97B_Review.htm
I recently added one to my small hg collection. Been shooting all manner of handguns for over 30 yrs. I like the CZ best. Consistant, very tight groups, gun shoots better than I do.
Currently:
Beretta 96D .40
S&W J frame .38
Ruger Mk II .22
Ruger security six .357
CZ 75B 9mm
CZ97B .45 acp
Makarov 9x18
Dave Markowitz
Member
My choice as well.
OldNavy
Member
The answer depends on you....
There are a number of good serviceable choices mentioned in this thread, but the best choice depends on you. Everyone is different. The particular "feel" or characteristics of one pistol makes it attractive to one person and replusive to another.
I've had Colt 1911's (Mark IV - 70 series) and have carried/shot the GI .45 on occasion during my Navy years. I really wanted to like the 1911, but for some reason it just never was what I wanted.
I had a Glock 19 (9mm). It was a good shooter and reliable, but since I didn't have a holster specifically designed with the Glock trigger in mind, I eventually traded it off.
I have, however, become infatuated with the various Ruger "P"-series pistols. I have a KP95DC 9mm and a KP345PR .45 ACP, and regret selling my KP97DC .45 ACP. New or used, you would have very great difficulty finding better value for the money.
If you are not familiar with the Ruger P-series, you need to know that there are three basic variations (action) in each model number:
P##DC = Decocker: The pistol has a slide mounted lever which will decock the hammer when pressed and then return to the "up" position when released.
P##DAO = Double Action Only: The pistol can only be fired double action and cannot be manually cocked (think double action revolver operation).
P## (no suffix containing the letter "D") = Safety model. It looks and acts a lot like the decocker model except the "safety/decock" lever stays down when pressed. It must be manually returned to the "up" [fire] position. Just my opinion, but I think that the "safety" models should be avoided like the plague. Unlike a 1911, you cannot carry any Ruger P-series pistol cocked-and-locked, and there is no detent to retain the safety in the "fire" position. Depressing the safety always decocks the pistol. In a design such as this, the "safety" makes less sense than a safety on a double action only revolver.
There are a number of good serviceable choices mentioned in this thread, but the best choice depends on you. Everyone is different. The particular "feel" or characteristics of one pistol makes it attractive to one person and replusive to another.
I've had Colt 1911's (Mark IV - 70 series) and have carried/shot the GI .45 on occasion during my Navy years. I really wanted to like the 1911, but for some reason it just never was what I wanted.
I had a Glock 19 (9mm). It was a good shooter and reliable, but since I didn't have a holster specifically designed with the Glock trigger in mind, I eventually traded it off.
I have, however, become infatuated with the various Ruger "P"-series pistols. I have a KP95DC 9mm and a KP345PR .45 ACP, and regret selling my KP97DC .45 ACP. New or used, you would have very great difficulty finding better value for the money.
If you are not familiar with the Ruger P-series, you need to know that there are three basic variations (action) in each model number:
P##DC = Decocker: The pistol has a slide mounted lever which will decock the hammer when pressed and then return to the "up" position when released.
P##DAO = Double Action Only: The pistol can only be fired double action and cannot be manually cocked (think double action revolver operation).
P## (no suffix containing the letter "D") = Safety model. It looks and acts a lot like the decocker model except the "safety/decock" lever stays down when pressed. It must be manually returned to the "up" [fire] position. Just my opinion, but I think that the "safety" models should be avoided like the plague. Unlike a 1911, you cannot carry any Ruger P-series pistol cocked-and-locked, and there is no detent to retain the safety in the "fire" position. Depressing the safety always decocks the pistol. In a design such as this, the "safety" makes less sense than a safety on a double action only revolver.
I agree with "Old Navy"/fellow Pensacola Sailor. Although I'm looking at a Taurus Milpro for CCW, my Ruger P95 (9mm) is an outstanding pistol. The P series Rugers don't look pretty to everyone.....but I love em......and they just plain get the job done all the time.
Jerry
Jerry
TimboKhan
Member
For my money, if you can find yourself a Ruger P-90, you will be darn glad you did. Well under 650.00 and as reliable as can be. Yes, they are ugly to some although I have always though they looked cool, and there is no denying that they are big guns, but I wouldn't trade mine off for anything. In fact, mine will most likely be the last .45 I ever specifically purchase. I won't discount finding a bargain on something I can't pass up, but as far as specifically going out .45 shopping, I am done. If you happen to purchase one of these, I strongly suggest also purchasing a set of Hogue wrap-around grips for it as well. For me at least, putting those grips on made the gun fit in my hand like a glove. I also can recommend the Taurus 24/7 in .45. I have one in 9mm and I have been VERY impressed with it. Both of these guns, new, run somewhere in the neighborhood of 400.00 or less, and while I actually haven't seen a 24/7 used yet to compare, I have seen P-90s as low as 250.00 or so, although it is more likely that you will pay somewhere around 300.00.
It's hard to beet the price and quality of a EAA Witness.
this is polymer frame version even has light rail. There are compact and full size versions and also in steel. I dodnot know your hand size but for a double stack they are narrow and fit most hands. they all retail around 489.00
but you can find them for less online.
POLY
STEEL
this is polymer frame version even has light rail. There are compact and full size versions and also in steel. I dodnot know your hand size but for a double stack they are narrow and fit most hands. they all retail around 489.00
but you can find them for less online.
POLY
STEEL
sfhogman
Member
I have to go along with Shooter7; I couldn't have said it better. You really owe it to yourself to check out a CZ97B.
Jeff
Jeff
bobb_topgun
Member
You really should consider the CZ 97B .45 ACP?
MSRP is $663. Street prices for new are anywhere from around $475-$550.
Just may be worth a look.
Here's a link to the CZ-USA 97B info:
http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=43
Attached is a great pic of a CZ 97B:
MSRP is $663. Street prices for new are anywhere from around $475-$550.
Just may be worth a look.
Here's a link to the CZ-USA 97B info:
http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=43
Attached is a great pic of a CZ 97B:
Attachments
Last edited:
The Sig P220 or P245 or various 1911's by Springfield Armory, Kimber or others are outstanding guns, but I add that the Kahr P45 is a great .45 ACP....which will be joined by Kahr's upcoming TP45 and PM45 (which Justin Moon told me during SHOT Show may or may not be produced.....yeah right....who ya fooling there buddy. )
The Beretta Cougar 8045F and MiniCougar 8045F are also outstand, albeit discontinued, pistols....one day Beretta will be introducing their Px4 Storm in .45 ACP....alas, who knows when that day will be.
)
The Beretta Cougar 8045F and MiniCougar 8045F are also outstand, albeit discontinued, pistols....one day Beretta will be introducing their Px4 Storm in .45 ACP....alas, who knows when that day will be.
Big Gay Al
Member
I agree with panzermk2. I just picked an EAA Witness full size, steel frame Wonder finish .45ACP for less than $400.00. I've also ordered the 10mm conversion kit for it too. It feels great in the hand, and points rather naturally.panzermk2 said:
- Status