Best (non- 1911) .45cal pistol?
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Ron Ankeny
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H&K is good but I prefer the Sig 220 myself. Lots of IDPA shooters holding their own with the G-21 Glocks. Still, my vote goes to the Sig.
I have two non-1911A1 .45 ACPs: a Sig P-220 and an H&K USP Tactical. Both are truly excellent handguns.
The Sig is a splendid firearm: accurate, reliable, beautifully designed and manufactured. I simply cannot laud the P-220 too highly.
The H&K is new (less then a month old), so my evaluation is less certain. It, too, seems to be an outstanding semiautomatic. Just today, I fired a hundred rounds of 230 grain FMJ through it with zero jams, misfires or any other problems. Its accuracy is excellent -- perhaps (??) not quite as good as the P-220's; however, I am still getting used to the H&K and it may turn out to be even more accurate.
In sum, both the Sig P-220 and the H&K USP are superb .45 ACPs. You simply cannot go wrong with either. I would select the one that felt more comfortable and was more accurate for you.
The Sig is a splendid firearm: accurate, reliable, beautifully designed and manufactured. I simply cannot laud the P-220 too highly.
The H&K is new (less then a month old), so my evaluation is less certain. It, too, seems to be an outstanding semiautomatic. Just today, I fired a hundred rounds of 230 grain FMJ through it with zero jams, misfires or any other problems. Its accuracy is excellent -- perhaps (??) not quite as good as the P-220's; however, I am still getting used to the H&K and it may turn out to be even more accurate.
In sum, both the Sig P-220 and the H&K USP are superb .45 ACPs. You simply cannot go wrong with either. I would select the one that felt more comfortable and was more accurate for you.
juliet charley
New member
Dollar for dollar you cannot beat the Ruger P97--better ergonomics than the Glock .45s (admittedly subjective, but Glocks have BIG grips), as accurate (or moreso) than any SIG I have shot, and based on my experience, utterly reliable and will probably outlast all them.
Glock, Sig and HK all fit the bill to a tee. Try all three, get the one that fits you the best because chances are you will shoot that better than the others. If you like DAO and no safety, check out Glock or an HK variant. If you like DA/SA look at an HK variant or the Sig.
My preference: I wouldn't feel bad if I had a Glock or a Sig (or Ruger), but HK is my choice by a wide margin.
My preference: I wouldn't feel bad if I had a Glock or a Sig (or Ruger), but HK is my choice by a wide margin.
I went through the .45acp search about 6 months ago and went HK USP45f. The tactical isnt availible in Cali.
I tried Glock and Sig as well. I guess I am just not a fan ofthe Glock style striker. I have spent a lifetime using DA/SA guns and thats what I am most comroftable with.
HK makes an excelent, durable gun with easy to opperate controls and many saftey/decocker combinations for both right handers and left handers. It also has one of the only recoil reduction systems in any factory handgun. not only does it soften recoil, it also softens the battering your frame gets over time.
Sig makes a finely machined pistol wiht a very smooth trigger which feels nice and points well. Unfortunately it has only 7 round magazines as compared to the 10 rounds in the stack-and-a-half USP (grey-market 12 rounders are availible).
Depends what you want to use it for.
I like the better finish, easier controls, more durable construction, recoil reduction system and larger capacity of the HK fullsize. not that the Sig isnt a nice gun as well.
J.T
as usual, YMMV, FWIW, IMHO and all that...
I tried Glock and Sig as well. I guess I am just not a fan ofthe Glock style striker. I have spent a lifetime using DA/SA guns and thats what I am most comroftable with.
HK makes an excelent, durable gun with easy to opperate controls and many saftey/decocker combinations for both right handers and left handers. It also has one of the only recoil reduction systems in any factory handgun. not only does it soften recoil, it also softens the battering your frame gets over time.
Sig makes a finely machined pistol wiht a very smooth trigger which feels nice and points well. Unfortunately it has only 7 round magazines as compared to the 10 rounds in the stack-and-a-half USP (grey-market 12 rounders are availible).
Depends what you want to use it for.
I like the better finish, easier controls, more durable construction, recoil reduction system and larger capacity of the HK fullsize. not that the Sig isnt a nice gun as well.
J.T
as usual, YMMV, FWIW, IMHO and all that...
Long Shot,
The 2 non-1911 .45's I have are the HK USP and the Beretta Cougar 8045. Both are great pistols. The Beretta is better suited (IMO) for CCW due to it's smaller size. Both have good triggers and are very accurate and reliable. I would say that both are well worth the money spent.
My next .45 will be a CZ-97. I have both read and heard -very- good things about this pistol. If my recent experience with a CZ-75B is any indication, I suspect I'll fall in love with the 97 after one trip to the range. These are going for $430 in this area which appears to be quite a good deal.
Good luck with your decision.
Joe/Ga
[This message has been edited by Joe Klug (edited September 10, 2000).]
The 2 non-1911 .45's I have are the HK USP and the Beretta Cougar 8045. Both are great pistols. The Beretta is better suited (IMO) for CCW due to it's smaller size. Both have good triggers and are very accurate and reliable. I would say that both are well worth the money spent.
My next .45 will be a CZ-97. I have both read and heard -very- good things about this pistol. If my recent experience with a CZ-75B is any indication, I suspect I'll fall in love with the 97 after one trip to the range. These are going for $430 in this area which appears to be quite a good deal.
Good luck with your decision.
Joe/Ga
[This message has been edited by Joe Klug (edited September 10, 2000).]
CZ-97B. Bought one and the same damn story - felt in love with it as quick as it happened with my first CZ-75B.. It's just so damn good, you can't believe it...Compared CZ-97B
to HK USP 45 - no comparison at all, CZ wins
in every respect, particularly in value department, trigger pull and accuracy.
to HK USP 45 - no comparison at all, CZ wins
in every respect, particularly in value department, trigger pull and accuracy.
For longevity, proven reliability, accuracy, ergonomics and great reputation I would go with the P220. While some other pistols get their share of praise there is very little if any faulting the P220. It's track record speaks for itself.
In the end, get what fits your hand best and the one that you feel most comfortable with. Oh, and also the one that you can afford.
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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
In the end, get what fits your hand best and the one that you feel most comfortable with. Oh, and also the one that you can afford.
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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
I have never shot a H&K so I can't comment on it. The best buy in the brands you are looking at is the Ruger P90. It is the same size as a P220 but a little heavier. It is a lot lighter in the cost factor. Is the P90 any good? My P90 will shoot with my P220 all day long. I also own a Glock 30 and I like it a lot. S&W makes a sleeper called the CS45 and I am also partial to it. Regards, Richard.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Sig 220
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
I put my vote in for the Glock 30. However, if you would like an accessory rail for mounting a flashlight or a laser sight for home defense then you might want to get a Glock 21. OTOH, if you find the G30 or G21 has too fat of a grip for your hand and don't mind having only 6+1 instead of 10+1 or higher (with pre-ban G21 mags), then you might want to check out the Slimline G36. Its a single stack 45ACP that holds 6+1 which makes its grip slimmer than the G30 or G21.
If Glock is not your thing and you don't mind being limited to 8+1 then you might want to check out a Ruger KP-90, a single stack 45ACP, kinda big but the grip isn't that fat, very accurate for a gun in its price range and from what I have seen also very dependable although I'm not sure how it would stack up to the Glock's dependability. Also have heard great things about the Ruger P-97 but don't have any first hand knowledge.
Probably the best thing to do is find a range in your area that has a good stock of rental .45's and try a few out. I made the mistake of going to one and trying out the G30. About a month later I was purchasing one for myself.
45er
If Glock is not your thing and you don't mind being limited to 8+1 then you might want to check out a Ruger KP-90, a single stack 45ACP, kinda big but the grip isn't that fat, very accurate for a gun in its price range and from what I have seen also very dependable although I'm not sure how it would stack up to the Glock's dependability. Also have heard great things about the Ruger P-97 but don't have any first hand knowledge.
Probably the best thing to do is find a range in your area that has a good stock of rental .45's and try a few out. I made the mistake of going to one and trying out the G30. About a month later I was purchasing one for myself.
45er
Two .45s that I would look at would be the Beretta Cougar 8045 and the new Glock 36.
I have the Beretta in .40 and like it and believe its a good gun for the money.
Since I'm not a big Glock person I do own a 27 and like that one, so I would be interested to try the 36 myself. The dealer that I do business with just had several of those in stock and they didn't last the week.
So that must be saying something about them.
Personally I just purchased a Springfield V12 so I'm anxious to try that out but that is a 1911 style which I only have one of.
Anyway just my thoughts,Hope they help
Happy shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
I have the Beretta in .40 and like it and believe its a good gun for the money.
Since I'm not a big Glock person I do own a 27 and like that one, so I would be interested to try the 36 myself. The dealer that I do business with just had several of those in stock and they didn't last the week.
So that must be saying something about them.
Personally I just purchased a Springfield V12 so I'm anxious to try that out but that is a 1911 style which I only have one of.
Anyway just my thoughts,Hope they help
Happy shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
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