Best (non- 1911) .45cal pistol?

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I own and shoot the Glock 30, H&K USP .45C, and Sig P220.

My pick: the Glock 30.
Completely reliable, highly accurate and precise, easy to shoot well, with a low bore axis and very little felt recoil, lightweight & compact for easy CCW while carrying 11 rounds, plus no switches or buttons to fiddle with when performing a firing stroke, and one consistent, easily-controlled trigger action. The only downside (for some) is the gripframe, which feels fat in smaller hands.

Second choice: H&K USP .45C.
Reliable, accurate & precise, lightweight and compact (it looks like the slide is wide, but it is measurably the same as the Glock 30 slide width), with a slimmer gripframe than the Glock 30, but with a capacity of only 9 rounds, fully loaded. The bore axis is higher than that on the Glock 30, so muzzle flip is more pronounced, though still easy to manage. Carrying "cocked & locked" is the only desired mode, as the DA trigger is awful.

Third choice: SigSauer P220.
Like all Sigs, unless you opt for "DA only" (in which case there are better gun choices), you're stuck with the traditional DA/SA transition. Though duffers and police administrators applaud the DA/SA and long "DAO" trigger, it's inferior to SA or consistent short actions like the Glock ("safe action") system. (Yeah, yeah, I know; lots of folks are fiercely loyal to their Sigs. They're well made guns, no question. I've had three myself. But the DA/SA transition is NOT conducive to FAST, CONSISTENT, "ALWAYS HIT WITH EVERY SHOT" gunhandling. If you have to use this system because of departmental regulations, then you're stuck. Otherwise, there are better choices.) Accuracy and precision are high. Loaded capacity is eight-nine rounds, depending upon which magazines you get. The gripframe is very comfortable, and the gun is compact, light, easy to carry, and has a thinner slide than either of the first two choices. The higher bore axis produces more muzzle flip than the Glock 30, but it's still easily managed.

Good luck in your choosing.

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"Potius sero quam nunquam."




[This message has been edited by SAWBONES (edited September 11, 2000).]
 
I would much prefer the Sig P220. It's the most accurate double action .45ACP out the box there is. The grip in not very wide so it's comfortable to hold. The only downside I can see is that it only holds 7 rounds, but if 7 rounds of .45ACP won't stop a bad guy I don't think 10 or 13 will either.
 
Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

I'm leaning towards the G30.

SAWBONES, just curious as to what would be better choices over the Sig in DAO? By the way, I'm jealous. HK/Glock/& a SIG, now that's the way to solve this dilemma!

Thanks again,
long shot!
 
Longshot, you have received some fine suggestions.

One I haven't seen here though is the SMITH AND WESSON 4506. I am very happy with the police-trade-in 4506 I recently purchased. It is very accurate, is stainless, and is all-steel, something I prefer in a .45. I have had some of the previously mentioned .45's but this is the only .45 auto to be totally stone-cold reliable with any ammo, be it hollowpoint or target SWC. Although it's heavy, it doesn't seem to be a problem for CCW because it's long and lean with a very thin grip. Best of all, I got all this for way under $400.

Regards,

Grapeshot
 
I own a sig 220, HK usp45 full size and the Department issued me a Glock 21. I prefer the 21. The glock has the lightest recoil and best trigger system. The HK is a good pistol and the sig is also very good. But the more I own and shoot glocks the more I feel like selling my other pistols.
PAT

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I intend to go into harms way.
 
Personally, my first choice would be a Glock G30. Great gun, although a little fat in the grip. Without a doubt, my second choice would be a Sig P220. Owned both, still regret getting rid of them!
 
Depends on what you are going to use it for, but my choices would be:
1. H&K P9S Target or Competition
2. Bren 10
3. SIG P220
4. Glock 30

Bren would be more for fun time at the range rather than a serious carry gun as would be the P9S Competition with its long barrel.

For the 'WOW' factor see if you can find a Korriphila (only 30 made per year) and one model retails for nearly $14,000. Another is the Sokolovsky, out of production and only 50 made, large but all the controls were inside the triggerguard. A real conversation piece.

[This message has been edited by Jeff OTMG (edited September 12, 2000).]
 
Long Shot,

I find it interesting that the Ruger pistols are not liked much on this board, especially a P90 decocker like my favorite non-1911. People say the trigger sucks, has too much takeup, drags, etc... They also say it is inaccurate, "couldn't hit the side of a barn", etc... Others say it is UGLY, looks like a 'mud fence', boxy, square, etc...

My personal opinion? I love it. My weapon is more accurate than I am, trigger is smooth with very little takeup (I did massage it a bit), and I personally LIKE the way it looks. I think Glocks are ugly as a mud fence, but then, that is MY opinion.

For what you are saying you are going to use it for, I would say take a look at a P97 or (GASP!) :eek: a P90. For what you pay for the other recommended guns, you could buy a P97 AND a P90.

(rant on)

Another one of MY opinions is that most who denigrate Ruger P-series, have NEVER EVEN SHOT ONE. They are just pi$$ed at old Bill for what he did with the high-cap magazines, and don't like ANY Ruger stuff. I don't blame those who were upset with Ruger Sr., BACK IN THE EARLY '90's. I was upset with him too. But jeez... GET OVER IT!

S&W must have really jerked your skirt...

If you denigrate and boycott every company that makes you mad, then boy howdy, you better learn to make your own stuff, because pretty soon you won't be able to buy anything...

The oil companies have me pi$$ed off right now, but I still buy their product. Ruger firearms are some of the BEST. They are tougher than an old Dodge pickup, and I have seen first hand they can take much more abuse than other weapons.

Don't sell yourself short... Take a look at them before you go buy a $600-$2000 weapon. You might be surprised...

(rant off) :D




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.45 Super... Fat and FAST...

"No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson
 
My favorite non 1911 45 ACP handgun was a S&W 1955 Target Revolver. (Sold it to a friend in a fit of poverty.) Currently, my favorite non 1911 45 ACP handgun is a 1917 S&W revolver that's been "bobbed" all around.

Just a thought from outside the pack.

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Archie
 
I agree with Desert Dog. If you don't want to go into a 1911, the Ruger P90 or P97 is a great way to go. These guns are tough as a tank. I own a P94 in 9mm and out of all of the 9mm's I have owned or shot, including the mightly hailed Berettas and Glocks, I shoot this one the best. Not flaming Beretta or Glock, I just shoot this one a hell of alot better. I don't get what everyone complains about.
 
Desert Dog is right on in his evaluation of Ruger products and the P90 pistol in particular. I have an HK Tactical and other expensive .45s, but the Ruger P90 is the one I shoot the most; it never fails to feed, is combat accurate and easy to clean and maintain; etc. He's right about the trigger too. I suspect those who dislike it do so because it is different than what they are used to. As an economical, do everything, non 1911 there's much to like about the Ruger P90.

Oh yeah, I like the way the Ruger looks too.
 
Well gosh Desert Dog, I guess I could get over it, I mean, it was just treason, right? All he did was play a pivotal role in getting some of the most restrictive anti-gun legislation the country had ever seen passed, right? I mean, he only sold out the semiauto gunowners of this country so he could corner his market share, gosh I don't know what I was mad at 'ole Bill for in the first place :rolleyes:

I don't care how much blood money Ruger gives the NRA, I will NEVER own a Ruger. Or a S&W. And personaly, I don't see how anyone who knows the facts about what these two companies have done could put money in their pockets either.


[This message has been edited by BB (edited September 13, 2000).]
 
Go with the Glock 21 or 30. I have an early Sig P220 that my grandpa gave me for my 21st birthday 13 years ago. Both the original magazines wore out VERY fast and the gun started jamming all over the place. I also don't like the change between the first round trigger pull (double action) and the second round trigger pull. I bought an early Glock 21 about 7 or 8 years ago and it has never failed on me in about 4,000 to 5,000 rounds. I've also talked to others more knowledgable than me and they all highly regard the durability and reliability of the Glock magazines. This is very important. As the magazines go, so goes the gun. My dad bought a Beretta Cougar .45 about a year ago and has had no problems, but again, I don't like the double action/single action change between first and second shot. My dad also has a Glock 30 and has had no problems with it. Bottom line, I would stake my life on my Glock 21 over any other gun I own. It is the one gun I will never dispense with, no matter what. It alos has less recoil than any other .45 I have ever shot.
 
Nobody mentioned EAA Witness. Bought one about two months ago, have 600 rounds through it with no problems except it doesn't like semi-wadcutters. It's fed everything else just fine. It's accurate and fits my hand real nice, 10 round mag and best of all it was affordable. My next choice would probably be a Ruger P-97. Never shot one but love my P-95.
 
Hmmm. Won't buy Ruger products because of the hi-cap mag ban, but promote Glock even though they are working with the gov't on the "finger printing" of firearms. Gun makers are finding things they are willing to work with the gov't. Not trying to turn this into a pissing match, but I'm sure there is stuff going on that we don't hear about.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rob96:
Hmmm. Won't buy Ruger products because of the hi-cap mag ban, but promote Glock even though they are working with the gov't on the "finger printing" of firearms.[/quote]

I have no problem if Glock wants to fingerprint the barrels of their pistols, to keep in their records. Most companies have been keeping track of the serial numbers of their guns for almost a century as well. I DO have a problem with someone in the gun industry who lobbied Congress for the Brady Ban, stating that "no one needs a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds".

[This message has been edited by BB (edited September 13, 2000).]
 
Ruger

Not EAA Witness (just too many bad examples floating around; I know, I own one)

Metal guns

Plastic guns

All high-qualty examples are good; just pick the one you like the best.


(Some Ruger autos are stunningly accurate, more than most brands)

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
The 220. It doesn't have the rep for breaking firing pins like the USP. And as much as I love Glocks, I am hesitant to recommend any non-9mm Glock to anyone these days...
 
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