Which .45ACP for home defense?

C

chaim

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Location
Columbia, MD
I am selling a few guns (and have had some others sold). While I am paring down the collection a bit, it is more about refining the collection to be exactly what I want and need. For home defense, I prefer .38spl in revolvers and .45ACP in autos due to the slightly lower decibel levels vs. other effective defensive calibers (i.e. if I have to shoot them indoors in a home defense shooting, I want to do as little hearing damage as possible), and also since they are less likely to over penetrate than higher velocity rounds (important since I live in a townhouse with neighbors sharing walls on two sides of me and I live in a suburban area with neighbors just a short distance from the other two directions). I prefer 10 or more rounds in a home defense auto, and I prefer full size for my home defense gun (better sight radius, the longer barrel will marginally cut down the noise, less muzzle flip). I am fine with steel, aluminum or polymer, while it will be primarily a home defense gun (favoring steel), I might carry it occasionally in the winter when the mood strikes.

I am usually a fan of DA/SA, striker and DAO for carry guns. For home defense, I see the utility of a safety: slowing me down just a tad while I fully wake up to avoid tragic mistakes, and if I don't know there is a home invader until they are already over top of me and they get my gun before I'm awake, the attacker can't put my gun into use by simply pulling the trigger (worst case their not knowing the gun may buy me some time to do something, and best case they may not figure it out at all). Still, a safety isn't a necessity. I am older (50s) and this will primarily be used for HD and range use, so I'd prefer a DA/SA with a hammer.

Right now, when I use an auto as my bedside gun, it is a my S&W 1911SC (yes, it is an alloy Commander sized gun, not a full sized steel 1911, but it is my only 1911 that has been 100% reliable, and right now, all my .45ACP pistols are 1911s). I'd prefer something with more rounds, so I'm looking to replace it in that role, and I don't want a double stack 1911 (I want a more modern design... i.e. one that is less finicky and more likely to be closer to 100% reliable with most defensive ammo).


The three main choices I'm considering are:
  • HK45 (full size)
  • USP in .45 (full size)
  • Beretta PX4 in .45
The honorable mentions:
  • SAR K2 .45
  • S&W M&P .45
I'm leaning towards the PX4 because it should be as good a gun as the HKs, especially compared to the HK45, but it is about $150 less than the HK45. I'll probably go with the HK45 over the USP due to the nearly $300 price difference. Though, the 12 round mags in the USP would be nice, and from what I hear, it should have the best trigger of them all. The SAR K2 is interesting, and generally cheaper than the others, but remember the part where I'm refining my collection (I'm moving away from guns that just meet what I need from the gun, towards guns that not only do that but are more what I really want). Not to mention, with the rebate currently on the PX4, I may be able to get that for less than the K2, and both will net out very close in price. Also, I like the rotating barrel of the PX4 (in addition to just being something a bit different, it cuts back on recoil which can be a huge positive on a defensive gun... faster follow up shots). The M&P is a dark horse but in the running, it is striker fired but I shoot the M&P line well and the one I used to own was always 100% reliable.
 
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chaim said:
Also, I like the rotating barrel of the PX4 (in addition to just being something a bit different, it cuts back on recoil which can be a huge positive on a defensive gun... faster follow up shots).
Click to expand...
I like the PX4, I have a Langdon edition of one in 9mm, but I'm not sure the recoil reduction would be significant for you to make any noticeable difference.

I suspect at the limits, the HK's would both be more durable than the PX4, but at the levels most of us use handguns, that point would be moot, and the PX4 should be plenty durable.

Here are a couple of videos on the .45 Auto PX4

Patrick E. Kelly

www.youtube.com

Beretta PX4 45ACP Review

Great gun to shoot and shoot pretty well, just make sure you feed it what it likes!
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

Mrgunsngear just put up a new video on the PX4 45 SD

www.youtube.com

Beretta PX4 Storm Special Duty: Should This Be The Military's Official Handgun?

We take the Beretta 45ACP PX4 Storm Special Duty to the range, go over it's features, discuss the Joint Combat Pistol trials of 2005 that it was submitted fo...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
Oh, a rail might be nice if I decide later to put on a weapons mounted light (I prefer a handheld light, you don't have to point the gun at something to light it up while you decide if it is a legitimate target or not, but I may always change my mind... almost did a few months ago), and a laser may be a nice addition to a home defense gun (I wear glasses and may not have time to grab them if someone breaks in at 0 dark 30).
 
In the accessories world, none of those three main choices are terribly common, but the USP .45 and HK45 probably have as much support as their counterparts in 9mm/.40 S&W, but most of the PX4 support is with the 9mm/40S&W guns and the PX4 in .45 auto has fewer options.
 
JTQ said:
I like the PX4, I have a Langdon edition of one in 9mm, but I'm not sure the recoil reduction would be significant for you to make any noticeable difference.
Click to expand...
There is no .45 Langdon edition, but if I go with the PX4, I plan to start with the stock trigger to see how I like it, but I am strongly considering eventually having the Langdon trigger job done.

As for the recoil reduction from the rotating barrel, I doubt it would be very noticeable in 9mm. However, many of the written and Youtube reviews I've seen of the .45 comment on how easy to shoot it is compared to other .45s of similar weight due to the design. Several compared it to similar sized 9mms.
 
Watch the Mrgunsandgear video. While Patrick E. Kelley comments favorably on the PX4 recoil, Mrgunsandgear is less impressed, and shows a comparison shot at the end with the PX4 vs G21.

I'm not sure the Langdon modifications, other than mainspring replacements, are available for the .45 version of the PX4. It is a different gun than the 9mm/.40S&W versions, which is probably why he doesn't offer a .45 Auto version.
 
JTQ said:
In the accessories world, none of those three main choices are terribly common, but the USP .45 and HK45 probably have as much support as their counterparts in 9mm/.40 S&W, but most of the PX4 support is with the 9mm/40S&W guns and the PX4 in .45 auto has fewer options.
Click to expand...
Other than maybe either a light or laser off the rail, I'd likely only add night sights (if needed) and buy a holster. More limited support can be a headache, but as long as a few major options exist, it isn't a deal breaker.
 
JTQ said:
Watch the Mrgunsandgear video. While Patrick E. Kelley comments favorably on the PX4 recoil, Mrgunsandgear is less impressed, and shows a comparison shot at the end with the PX4 vs G21.

I'm not sure the Langdon modifications, other than mainspring replacements, are available for the .45 version of the PX4. It is a different gun than the 9mm/.40S&W versions.
Click to expand...
They have the "trigger job in a bag" which is all I'd really want, and I'm sure they also do a trigger job with labor in house as well.
 
As far as holsters go, while the USP 9/40 and USP45 are different size guns, as are the HK P30 and HK45 and PX4 9/40 and PX4 .45, there are probably equal options for USP and P30/HK45 holsters, but there are more options for the PX4 9mm/40 than the PX4 45.

If your desire is to holster this gun, it would be worth your while to search for a holster you like and see if they offer it for the gun you want.

A common misunderstanding is that folks think the PX4 is like the 1911 in that they all have the same frame regardless of caliber. That is not the case. The PX4 is like the Glock and M&P, in that the 9mm/40 guns are in one size frame and the .45 Auto versions are in a bigger gun.
 
chaim

If you like a traditional DA/SA full size semi-auto maybe consider a SIG P220. Magazine holds 8 rounds (comes with one spare mag), has an accessory rail, and with SigLite night sights, comes in at around $1K.

I have a 9mm. P229, set up pretty much like the P220 is, as my designated HD gun and I have found it to be perfectly suited for that role.
BJPDCrp.jpg
 
bannockburn said:
chaim

If you like a traditional DA/SA full size semi-auto maybe consider a SIG P220. Magazine holds 8 rounds (comes with one spare mag), has an accessory rail, and with SigLite night sights, comes in at around $1K.

I have a 9mm. P229, set up pretty much like the P220 is, as my designated HD gun and I have found it to be perfectly suited for that role.
BJPDCrp.jpg
Click to expand...

I have sometimes set up my .40 P229 as my bedside gun, and I'll likely eventually pick up a P220 as a range toy, but I definitely want 10 or more rounds. Otherwise, I'd just continue to use my S&W 1911SC in that role.
 
I'd take a look also at the Grand Power P45, CZ 97B or 97BD with decocker, Tanfoglio (various models, steel or polymer), a used S&W SW99 .45.
 
The FNX tactical 45 acp holds 15 rounds and comes with 3 15 round magazines. If this is not your cup of tea just do a search for double stack 45 acp handguns. Staccato, and Para ordinance come to mind. Owning the FNX tactical it is a huge gun but very smooth shooting. This stays by my bed side . During the day the 686 is my EDC.
 
I have an HK45 and I had a PX4. Notice I said “had”. I love my 9mm PX4 but the .45 version was just “okay”. It didn’t blow my socks off. The ergonomics on the HK are fantastic with the customizable grip. It is doing duty as my downstairs quick access HD gun. For $150 price difference, I’d go with the HK all day long.

Upstairs I currently have a Sig P220 with 10-rd magazines. I just (literally - it’s in the backseat) picked up an FN FNX-45 Tactical. 15+1 and night sights enticed me. If it proves itself, it will go in the bedroom.

IMG_2316.jpeg

IMG_1444.jpeg

IMG_3617.jpeg
 
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Not convinced that there's anything wrong with the 1911... but it's always important to buy more guns. :)

Basically you want a full-sized DA/SA 45acp service pistol.

Hold (or if possible, shoot) them all and buy the one that fits you best?

My personal favs are the CZ and its clones.

TanfoglioTarget45

TanfoglioTarget45

 
Tallball said:
Not convinced that there's anything wrong with the 1911... but it's always important to buy more guns. :)

Basically you want a full-sized DA/SA 45acp service pistol.

Hold (or if possible, shoot) them all and buy the one that fits you best?

My personal favs are the CZ and its clones.

TanfoglioTarget45

TanfoglioTarget45

Click to expand...
Too late now, but I always wished CZ would have made a CZ 97B with an integral rail. 🙁

IMG_0943.jpeg
 
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