Thinking of a .45... Suggestions?

[R.A.D.]

Thinking of getting a .45, anyone have suggestions? This will be a great help, so thanks for the info right up front!

Personal preferences:

• high capacity is always better
• Glock or 1911 style, no preference
• polymer is preferred
• suppressor mount not needed
• no safe queens
• I dont want to take out a loan to afford this tool
• thumb safety is good, but not a deal breaker without one
• DA/SA? What's your best argument?

[JAKIII]

• Glock

*sigh*

[raxar]

Thinking of getting a .45, anyone have suggestions? This will be a great help, so thanks for the info right up front!

Personal preferences:

• high capacity is always better
• Glock or 1911 style, no preference
• polymer is preferred
• suppressor mount not needed
• no safe queens
• I dont want to take out a loan to afford this tool
• thumb safety is good, but not a deal breaker without one
• DA/SA? What's your best argument?

If you want a long barrel get an XD-45 tactical. If you want something in a 4" get the glock 21. Although the glock 30 ("compact" .45) is a very underappreciated gun.

[DucatiRon]

I really don't think you can beat a Rock Island Armory 1911 for the price and accuracy. Guys love them in IDPA.

[TooBigToFit]

I'm an HK fan, and I like my HK Mark 23. Very expensive though.

A cheaper alternative would be an HK USP, or perhaps an HK45/HK45C. The 45 and 45C will be more ergonomic, whereas the USP will hold more (12rds vs. 8-10rds in the 45C).

I really like the trigger options you get with the USP, and I believe you can get near the same modularity with the HK45 series (not as familiar with them). You can easily convert between all the trigger variants, which include...

DA/SA, with safety only, decocker only, or both, with levers on either side or ambi levers
DAO
LEM (law enforcement modification) trigger, a precocked DAO of sorts, which has the consistent trigger pull (light takeup, noticeable wall, short reset) of a striker fired gun like a Glock, with the safer reholstering and restrike capability of a hammer fired gun. There's various different variants of this with different weights and more.

If you're even slightly mechanically competent, you can buy a DA/SA (most common model is V1 DA/SA = safety + decocker on left side for a righty). Then, if you decide that DA/SA isn't for you, you can convert to LEM easily for a consistent, Glock style trigger pull.

HKs have a reputation for being expensive, but honestly, you can find them for pretty cheap. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/572760292

That guy's been selling colored HK45s and HK45Cs for $750, well below average pricing on a new gun. Again, I'm not sure if they're AS modular as the USP, but at the very least you can convert back and forth between DA/SA and LEM.

[DrillNFill]

I've been happy with my Auto-ordnance WWII-style 1911 with parkerized finish. It's a bit much for concealed carry but it's a fun range toy/ home defense pistol. All steel, soaks up a lot of recoil, usually see them new for under $500.

[Emptymag]

POLYMER?!!!

BLECH!!!




(gravel photo as proof of ownership)

[djeuch]

I'm an HK fan, and I like my HK Mark 23. Very expensive though.

A cheaper alternative would be an HK USP, or perhaps an HK45/HK45C. The 45 and 45C will be more ergonomic, whereas the USP will hold more (12rds vs. 8-10rds in the 45C).

I really like the trigger options you get with the USP, and I believe you can get near the same modularity with the HK45 series (not as familiar with them). You can easily convert between all the trigger variants, which include...

DA/SA, with safety only, decocker only, or both, with levers on either side or ambi levers
DAO
LEM (law enforcement modification) trigger, a precocked DAO of sorts, which has the consistent trigger pull (light takeup, noticeable wall, short reset) of a striker fired gun like a Glock, with the safer reholstering and restrike capability of a hammer fired gun. There's various different variants of this with different weights and more.

If you're even slightly mechanically competent, you can buy a DA/SA (most common model is V1 DA/SA = safety + decocker on left side for a righty). Then, if you decide that DA/SA isn't for you, you can convert to LEM easily for a consistent, Glock style trigger pull.

HKs have a reputation for being expensive, but honestly, you can find them for pretty cheap. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/572760292

That guy's been selling colored HK45s and HK45Cs for $750, well below average pricing on a new gun. Again, I'm not sure if they're AS modular as the USP, but at the very least you can convert back and forth between DA/SA and LEM.

I'm with TooBigToFit (rep given!)

I managed to get a good condition police trade USP 45 in Stainless for $600 w/3 12-round mags:

20151123_220941s.jpg

[TXDMERC73]

Ruger SR1911!

[philadelphia patriot]

CZ 97BD