I am setting a limit to spend 1300 or less on a handgun. Problem is I really have no clue what I want. I know that I want it to be in .45 and that I want to be able to carry it concealed if I so desire. Can anyone assist me with coming up with a few choices to narrow it down? I have looked at the XD, but still not sure. It is so dang ugly. Haha. Thanks.
Help me decide please...
- Thread starter gun_king
- Start date
DiamondKal
Inactive
Im kinda having the same problem...would love to get a 50 cal. Desert Eagle but its so dang big,and also have been looking at 38 specials they look just about right to carry ,but not sure i want a revolver hmmm so many choices gl.
2cooltoolz
New member
If I had $1300 extra.....(dreamy fantasy music wells up in background)..
Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail (CBOB)
Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail (CBOB)
oldandslow
New member
gk, 8/2/09
Good news and bad. With your budget you will be able to pick up any one of a number of good quality .45's. The bad is that what any of us recommend may not be the right fit for you. The best way to decide on what fits your needs is to go to a range and rent a bunch of .45's and shoot them until one feels right. It is best to take somone else with you who is knowledgeable with pistols to help you.
At the range you need to try a number of different action types which will help narrow down your choices. Try some of the polymer, constant trigger pull options like the Glock 30, Springfield XD and the Smith/Wesson M&P. Try some single action 1911's (ie. Springfield, Colt, Kimber, etc.) which will let you feel what a great trigger should be. And try some Double/single action pistols (Sig 220 compact, SW second or third generations (ie- model # 457, 4513, 4516), etc. which represent a hybrid pull between the single action and constant trigger pull options.
So what do I like in a reliable, light and accurate .45 carry gun? I like the Sig P-245, essentially the same as the Sig P-220 compact. I also like the SW 4516. And don't forget that buying the pistol is only the first step. You need to make sure you have money left over to buy a good holster and belt, ammo for practice, and hopefully some formal training. Good luck in your quest.
best wishes- oldandslow
Good news and bad. With your budget you will be able to pick up any one of a number of good quality .45's. The bad is that what any of us recommend may not be the right fit for you. The best way to decide on what fits your needs is to go to a range and rent a bunch of .45's and shoot them until one feels right. It is best to take somone else with you who is knowledgeable with pistols to help you.
At the range you need to try a number of different action types which will help narrow down your choices. Try some of the polymer, constant trigger pull options like the Glock 30, Springfield XD and the Smith/Wesson M&P. Try some single action 1911's (ie. Springfield, Colt, Kimber, etc.) which will let you feel what a great trigger should be. And try some Double/single action pistols (Sig 220 compact, SW second or third generations (ie- model # 457, 4513, 4516), etc. which represent a hybrid pull between the single action and constant trigger pull options.
So what do I like in a reliable, light and accurate .45 carry gun? I like the Sig P-245, essentially the same as the Sig P-220 compact. I also like the SW 4516. And don't forget that buying the pistol is only the first step. You need to make sure you have money left over to buy a good holster and belt, ammo for practice, and hopefully some formal training. Good luck in your quest.
best wishes- oldandslow
Gunking Save some time here and start at your local gun shop or indoor range or two and see what they carry and have to rent. Around here you will be pushed to every gun made. I know you said 45cal but if a 40 or 9mm is there to rent and the gun is the same atleast in size fit and finish you can deside upfront if you like the feel of the different guns on the range and also how and where you will carry. Down side of most all 1911 types Single action that is are carry'n cocked and locked, nor some thing all are comfi with. You will find most want a double action or atleast a DA first shoot. Also most indoor ranges have indoor matches and you can sit in on some matches and see how different guns work in real world shooting. For 1300 bucks you might end up with a great play gun and a smaller version of the same for carry. Look at glock ,xd,and sig for there guns that offer a full size and compact in the same basic guns and that kind of money will buy 2 pistols. See what your areas leo's carry to get some feed back too.
Can I get one of them for UNDER 1300 though????Lost Sheep
New member
My thoughts on your gun.
Thanks for asking our advice.
However, asking someone else to pick a gun for you is like asking someone to pick a spouse for you. The best advice (that is, the most useful) is going to be in general principles rather than specific guns.
You have picked the caliber. That narrows the field. From your choice, I will infer that this is strictly for social work, not 'gators and snakes.
May I ask your reasons for ruling out revolvers? Aside from limited capacity, they are pretty good for concealed carry.
Florida? A corrosion resistant finish is a good idea. Plastic does not corrode, Stainless is very resistant, and there are several good finishes, both factory and aftermarket. Do you have any preferences yourself? I like stainless steel rather than surface applied. While stainless will corrode, and tends to pit when it does, it takes a long time to do it, and minimal cleaning will keep it just fine. I like it because I can scrub as hard as I want without worrying about wearing out a pretty finish and stainless steel will never chip off as it goes all the way through.
$1300 budget. Set aside some of that money for accessories like a good holster (and a belt to go with it - a good belt is just as important as the holster). Other accessories, too, like training and a whole lot of practice ammo (a reloading setup, but that is another post).
Some manufacturers and some models have reputations for reliability or unreliability. But even a model that has a reputation for being unreliable can be blueprinted by a good gunsmith and made reliable. After all, there are even still some Edsels still on the road. I picked up a used, VERY good condition Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro in 45 ACP that points naturally (for me), feeds everything I have tried in it, is more than adequately accurate and meets all my criteria for a good CC gun. I don't like the way it takes down, though. It only cost me $300 about 2 years ago. The point I am trying to make is that price is not the most important factor in choosing a personal defense weapon. I still prefer my stainless Colt Officer's Model.
Depending on your skill level, finger strength and personal preferences, Double action only is probably the safest for social work if you are accurate with it. The trigger pull is heavy enough that unintentional discharge is unlikely and is the same pull every time. Single action only is classic, but carrying cocked and locked makes some people nervous. A good holster is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Gen. George Patton (when he was a junior officer) nearly unmanned himself with a Colt 1911 tucked into his waistband which had the safety accidentally unlocked. Normally carried in a holster, they are safe. Then there is the Glock-style so-called "safe action" where the striker or hammer is partially cocked at all times. Study up on the choices. There are dozens of variations. For example. The Beretta 92 and the Taurus 92 are virtually identical in all their operations except the Beretta has the safety on the slide and the Taurus has the safety on the frame. I have a very strong preference for frame-mounted safeties. Entirely personal and without objective merit. It is just where my thumb believes they should be, and I am not going to argue with my thumb over the point.
Your body type may limit your choices for carry mode. Inside the waistband, in a belly band, ankle holster, shoulder holster, outside the waistband or fanny pack will indicate the size of your weapon.
How many rounds you can carry in the gun and in spare ammo. Most social encounters do not require reloading the gun, so even a single stack magazine (which is easier to wrap small hands around) usually has enough shots and a couple of spare mags (similarly flat) should be plenty. But some people like double stacks despite their more difficult concealability.
The highlights.
Finish-color, shininess, corrosion resistance
Price? I think it is pretty much irrelevant
Action type/location of controls (how much time do you have for practice?)
Size you can carry and size that fits your hand
Round count
Think about these points without regard to price or availability of guns. Once you know your desires for the perfect gun, you can buy it, or, if it does not exist, see what trade-offs you may have to make, and evaluate those trade-offs for yourself, rationally and logically.
Good luck.
Lost Sheep
Thanks for asking our advice.
However, asking someone else to pick a gun for you is like asking someone to pick a spouse for you. The best advice (that is, the most useful) is going to be in general principles rather than specific guns.
You have picked the caliber. That narrows the field. From your choice, I will infer that this is strictly for social work, not 'gators and snakes.
May I ask your reasons for ruling out revolvers? Aside from limited capacity, they are pretty good for concealed carry.
Florida? A corrosion resistant finish is a good idea. Plastic does not corrode, Stainless is very resistant, and there are several good finishes, both factory and aftermarket. Do you have any preferences yourself? I like stainless steel rather than surface applied. While stainless will corrode, and tends to pit when it does, it takes a long time to do it, and minimal cleaning will keep it just fine. I like it because I can scrub as hard as I want without worrying about wearing out a pretty finish and stainless steel will never chip off as it goes all the way through.
$1300 budget. Set aside some of that money for accessories like a good holster (and a belt to go with it - a good belt is just as important as the holster). Other accessories, too, like training and a whole lot of practice ammo (a reloading setup, but that is another post).
Some manufacturers and some models have reputations for reliability or unreliability. But even a model that has a reputation for being unreliable can be blueprinted by a good gunsmith and made reliable. After all, there are even still some Edsels still on the road. I picked up a used, VERY good condition Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro in 45 ACP that points naturally (for me), feeds everything I have tried in it, is more than adequately accurate and meets all my criteria for a good CC gun. I don't like the way it takes down, though. It only cost me $300 about 2 years ago. The point I am trying to make is that price is not the most important factor in choosing a personal defense weapon. I still prefer my stainless Colt Officer's Model.
Depending on your skill level, finger strength and personal preferences, Double action only is probably the safest for social work if you are accurate with it. The trigger pull is heavy enough that unintentional discharge is unlikely and is the same pull every time. Single action only is classic, but carrying cocked and locked makes some people nervous. A good holster is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Gen. George Patton (when he was a junior officer) nearly unmanned himself with a Colt 1911 tucked into his waistband which had the safety accidentally unlocked. Normally carried in a holster, they are safe. Then there is the Glock-style so-called "safe action" where the striker or hammer is partially cocked at all times. Study up on the choices. There are dozens of variations. For example. The Beretta 92 and the Taurus 92 are virtually identical in all their operations except the Beretta has the safety on the slide and the Taurus has the safety on the frame. I have a very strong preference for frame-mounted safeties. Entirely personal and without objective merit. It is just where my thumb believes they should be, and I am not going to argue with my thumb over the point.
Your body type may limit your choices for carry mode. Inside the waistband, in a belly band, ankle holster, shoulder holster, outside the waistband or fanny pack will indicate the size of your weapon.
How many rounds you can carry in the gun and in spare ammo. Most social encounters do not require reloading the gun, so even a single stack magazine (which is easier to wrap small hands around) usually has enough shots and a couple of spare mags (similarly flat) should be plenty. But some people like double stacks despite their more difficult concealability.
The highlights.
Finish-color, shininess, corrosion resistance
Price? I think it is pretty much irrelevant
Action type/location of controls (how much time do you have for practice?)
Size you can carry and size that fits your hand
Round count
Think about these points without regard to price or availability of guns. Once you know your desires for the perfect gun, you can buy it, or, if it does not exist, see what trade-offs you may have to make, and evaluate those trade-offs for yourself, rationally and logically.
Good luck.
Lost Sheep
Last edited:
ChicagoTex
Moderator
I bought mine for $875 LNIB.
They actually only cost about $950 new, the tricky part is finding them. They're very popular and DW hasn't been able to keep up with demand for some time now.
Not to rub it in, but they really ARE worth finding. It's the nicest handgun I've ever owned and is absolutely sublime in all points.
A slightly used Sig P220 (maybe brand new with a little luck) and a Smith & Wesson 642.
A new Glock in any caliber and a Smith & Wesson 642.
An HK...Springfield etc.
Really, with that much money, you can get whatever you want within reason. Do you particulary want cocked and locked? TDA? DA only? The Sig DAK trigger is awesome for a carry gun. So is the HK LEM.
I have only once spent $1300 on one gun, and that was years ago for a Wilson Master Grade .45 built on a 70 Series Govt Model.
That was before there were stone cold reliable semi autos, out of the box, as we have available to us now. The 1911 is a fine gun. I could argue there are many others that are as good, or better, for alot less money.
A new Glock in any caliber and a Smith & Wesson 642.
An HK...Springfield etc.
Really, with that much money, you can get whatever you want within reason. Do you particulary want cocked and locked? TDA? DA only? The Sig DAK trigger is awesome for a carry gun. So is the HK LEM.
I have only once spent $1300 on one gun, and that was years ago for a Wilson Master Grade .45 built on a 70 Series Govt Model.
That was before there were stone cold reliable semi autos, out of the box, as we have available to us now. The 1911 is a fine gun. I could argue there are many others that are as good, or better, for alot less money.
Cruncher Block
New member
If I had $1300 to spend on a concealable .45, I'd probably get two Glock 30s or perhaps two M&Ps. Clean one, shoot the other one, rotate, repeat.
...but that's just me.
...but that's just me.
sp-train-77
New member
If I had $1300 to spend I would buy two used S&W Model 10s, preferrably from the 60's so they have a nice smooth double action, and at least 1,500 rounds of ammo (the Remington 158 grain +P "FBI load"). With sufficient practice (at least another 1,500 rounds) I guarantee you will be a competent pistolero. The Model 10 is an incredibly easy weapon to learn and with which to become competent.
Oh, I just heard someone from the back row say "what about ammo capacity?" Well, that's why you have two Model 10s. If you find yourself in a gunfight and run dry of ammo just grab your second revolver and keep shooting (aka the New York reload).
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin
Oh, I just heard someone from the back row say "what about ammo capacity?" Well, that's why you have two Model 10s. If you find yourself in a gunfight and run dry of ammo just grab your second revolver and keep shooting (aka the New York reload).
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin