good .45 semi-auto for home defense
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Good 45 Pistols
You will probably get a ton of advice on this one. I think it would be wise to stick with the dependable and accurate major brands.
In order of expense
Ruger, Springfield Armory, Glock, Kimber, Sig
Various models, all nice. retail 350-750$.
Personally I like 1911's for 45's. Have a colt 1991A1 and Has done pretty well. One of these days I will probably get a kimber custom or les baer but that will be a after some delusional period of spending.
(i have a soft spot for the compact Glock 45's as well )
Cheers,
Mith
You will probably get a ton of advice on this one. I think it would be wise to stick with the dependable and accurate major brands.
In order of expense
Ruger, Springfield Armory, Glock, Kimber, Sig
Various models, all nice. retail 350-750$.
Personally I like 1911's for 45's. Have a colt 1991A1 and Has done pretty well. One of these days I will probably get a kimber custom or les baer but that will be a after some delusional period of spending.
(i have a soft spot for the compact Glock 45's as well )Cheers,
Mith
Undoubtedly the finest
HD .45
For home defense, you don't need match accuracy or top notch trigger system. Most shooting in a HD scenario is close range anyway. Thus, I think a Ruger P97 or Glock 21 is a fine choice. They are extremely reliable, have good accuracy, and they are reasonably priced. You can use the money you saved on more practice ammo, magazines, and range time. Those would be my top choices for a pure home defense pistol.
For home defense, you don't need match accuracy or top notch trigger system. Most shooting in a HD scenario is close range anyway. Thus, I think a Ruger P97 or Glock 21 is a fine choice. They are extremely reliable, have good accuracy, and they are reasonably priced. You can use the money you saved on more practice ammo, magazines, and range time. Those would be my top choices for a pure home defense pistol.
David Scott
New member
The Ruger P97 is the value leader here; however, it lacks a rail for the necessary white light (whassup with that, Ruger?). Another economical .45 is the Taurus PT945 (again, no rail).
The SIG P220 is the Porsche of the bunch, but a rail is only provided on the new stainless model.
The Glock is also a high quality piece, and it has the rail.
Some 1911 clones are available with a light rail.
The SIG P220 is the Porsche of the bunch, but a rail is only provided on the new stainless model.
The Glock is also a high quality piece, and it has the rail.
Some 1911 clones are available with a light rail.
I personally like the Glock 30. Small enough for concealed carry but large enough to be comfortable to shoot and hold.
The G30 is extremely reliable and magazines are dirt cheap. You can normally get them for $20 bucks. You can also get an extended aftermarket barrel for the same velocity of its full size counterpart, the G21.
Accessory rails are a neat item to have but not necessary. I usually avoid them and have my 3 D cell maglight at ready. There may be a time when you have to investigate something suspicous going on in or around your house. Having your only source of illumination mounted on your weapon isn't always a good idea.
Good Shooting
RED
The G30 is extremely reliable and magazines are dirt cheap. You can normally get them for $20 bucks. You can also get an extended aftermarket barrel for the same velocity of its full size counterpart, the G21.
Accessory rails are a neat item to have but not necessary. I usually avoid them and have my 3 D cell maglight at ready. There may be a time when you have to investigate something suspicous going on in or around your house. Having your only source of illumination mounted on your weapon isn't always a good idea.
Good Shooting
RED
I bought a USP .45 full size for home defense. It has rails for a tact light if you'd like one, it's as accurate as you are, can't argue about reliability mine has 2800 rounds through it with ZERO malfunctions of any kind, ammo or mechanical. Not that you'd probably need all them but it has 10 rounds of .45ACP, not counting the one in the chamber if you so desire. Go out and shoot as many different guns as you can then decide for yourself.
Let me second that USP45
I have had mine now for two years with 3000+rnds through it and NO malfunctions of any kind. It has 10rnds (12 with greymarket hi-caps), rails for the utility light (which I love for home defense at night), a very durable finish, a polygonal barrel for easy cleaning, saftey on the frame (not the slide), decocker, and looks cool!
The downside? Its a little pricey. A new one will set you back 600-700$.
JT
I have had mine now for two years with 3000+rnds through it and NO malfunctions of any kind. It has 10rnds (12 with greymarket hi-caps), rails for the utility light (which I love for home defense at night), a very durable finish, a polygonal barrel for easy cleaning, saftey on the frame (not the slide), decocker, and looks cool!
The downside? Its a little pricey. A new one will set you back 600-700$.
JT
Two questions.
Who will be using it?
Who should not be using it?
If a relatively weak or untrained person (wife?) may need to use it, the fewer gadgets the better. Basically, the gun should be "pull trigger to shoot" and the person should be capable of doing that.
If there are children in the house, think safety. Some guns are easier to keep in a safe but reasonably ready condition than others. To some extent, this is the opposite of the situation above.
Jim
Who will be using it?
Who should not be using it?
If a relatively weak or untrained person (wife?) may need to use it, the fewer gadgets the better. Basically, the gun should be "pull trigger to shoot" and the person should be capable of doing that.
If there are children in the house, think safety. Some guns are easier to keep in a safe but reasonably ready condition than others. To some extent, this is the opposite of the situation above.
Jim
IMHO the "best" .45 for home defense is a good 1911 variant. Unfortunately, too many of the ones out there are not so good. From what I've seen, the likelihood of getting a reliable pistol would be with Les Baer first, followed closely by Wilson. Kimber is a notch down with Springfield and Colt below that. Para-Ordnance has sprinkled so many clunkers in their production I'd place them lower still. (I'm sure others will shuffle the order, based on THEIR personal experience.)
Late model Glock 21's are reliable (some early ones were problematic) and today's HK's seem to work very well. SIG P220's also seem to work well. The Rugers are OK, but don't point very well for me.
Late model Glock 21's are reliable (some early ones were problematic) and today's HK's seem to work very well. SIG P220's also seem to work well. The Rugers are OK, but don't point very well for me.
sundance43.5
New member
I agree with the Glock 30. There really is no better choice for a home defense pistol. I'm not a glockaholic/glockfreak either. I just think it's on of the best pistols for home defense.
Chris
Chris
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
FireStorm 
Is home defense semi-auto the same as night-stand semi-auto? If it is forget any Glock pistol's. Glock's are okay for WIDE-AWAKE home defense but not tucked away as you're countin' sheep.
You wake up in a stupper (you know the feeling, half awake, not fully alert) and you grab your Glock with a 51/2lb trigger. First round goes through the floor, the second through the mirror, and if you're still alive the third somewhere toward the intruder.
For a night-stand gun you want something you have to consciously manipulate (ie pump shotgun, "flick" off safety of 1911 or Beretta, long trigger of revolver or semi-auto).
As for myself? A P-220. My buddy has a USP 45 with a Tac-Lite. Just My Thoughts, J. Parker
You wake up in a stupper (you know the feeling, half awake, not fully alert) and you grab your Glock with a 51/2lb trigger. First round goes through the floor, the second through the mirror, and if you're still alive the third somewhere toward the intruder.
For a night-stand gun you want something you have to consciously manipulate (ie pump shotgun, "flick" off safety of 1911 or Beretta, long trigger of revolver or semi-auto).
As for myself? A P-220. My buddy has a USP 45 with a Tac-Lite. Just My Thoughts, J. Parker