Inexpensive .45 ACP for CC

S

SerenityNetworks

New member
I'm really overwhemed with the selections available. I have owned and shot several pistols, but relative to many here I wouldn't say that I have a great deal of experience. Still, of all the calibers 9mm and greater I have to say I like the .45 ACP the best. The recoil doesn't bother me and I can shoot very different models with equal accuracy. Plus, there is something about the caliber that I just "like". Maybe it's because it's the first large caliber I was exposed to as a kid; I don't really know.

So I'd like to get a .45 ACP CC weapon. I'd like to keep it under $400 if that is possible. I'm not a big guy, so smaller is better. I'm not looking for something fancy, just reliable. I'd appreciate any input that would let me focus my search to just a handful of models to check out.

Thanks in advance,
Andrew
 
Why do you want to bet your life on the cheapest gun you can find?

Save your money a few more weeks and buy the BEST you can get rather than the cheapest
 
Chris, thank you.

Snyper, I'm not sure why you make the assumption I'm looking for the cheapest or that $400 is not the best I can afford. Really, the comment is offensive.

I have a $125 Marlin 795 that will out shoot any out-of-the-box 10/22 costing nearly three times as much. I'm looking for the pistol equivalent of that 795. If there isn't a reliable pistol on the market for $400 then tell me so. But if that's the case then I'd say there is something very wrong with the industry.
 
I like my PT145. 10+1 of 45 ACP. Easy to carry. Easy to shoot well. I have no complaints at all. You can easily find them for $350 or less. Well worth the money.

 
If you can CC a full size I would go with a Ruger SR45. CDNN currently has them for $360 plus $15 shipping. If you can find a local shop to do the transfer for $25 you will come out right at $400. Also, $400 is plenty for a reliable gun. I have multiple guns that I paid less than that for that I would trust my life to any day.
 
I'd have a look at the Bersa Thunder line if I was on a budget.
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I'll second that. I've been very impressed by the Thunders, in both 9mm and .45
Decent triggers for guns at that price point. A little chunky, but they fit my hands well, and I shoot them well.
 
I'd have a look at the Bersa Thunder line if I was on a budget.
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Handle one first. The grip (double stack .45) is chunky, and not everyone's hands are big enough. (But, shouldn't you say that about any .45 auto?)
 
I have both the Thunder and Witness lines mentioned above. The Thunder is beefier due to the ambi controls. Can't go wrong with either. The Witness can be picked up around $340 in my area.
 
Why do you want to bet your life on the cheapest gun you can find?

Save your money a few more weeks and buy the BEST you can get rather than the cheapest
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There is little correlation between price tag and reliability. One should also assume that any gun be carried daily will suffer cosmetic wear and tear, and other abuse beyond what it would get sitting in a nightstand drawer, and will likely be confiscated at least for some period of time if ever used. The OP should get the most reliable gun he can afford, that he would like to shoot, which is probably why you are on here asking for suggestions and telling us what he is looking for. My suggestion is do not assume that expensive means reliable or that inexpensive means unreliable.
 
Comments about save a little more........

There's always something a little better for just a little more money. Once you hit $500 it's just a small step to $550.

Waiting to move up these "little bit" steps can actually cause you to lose the enjoyment of ownership as you passed up being able to use the product you could have bought while you were saving a "little bit more" and doing without.

There are LOTS of good quality, durable, reliable firearms out there that cost less than $400. Pick most any of them and you'll be happy.

I support the Stoeger 8045. The 8040 I have is well built, reliable, and accurate. I paid $360 for it.

All the Best,
D. White
 
Thanks everyone for your input. And my apologies for sounding pissy regarding the comment about betting my life of the cheapest gun I can find. I don't agree with the comment, but I didn't need to be pissy about it.

I already have a full size that I carry when able, so for this purchase I am looking for something small that I can carry more frequently. I'm not putting full size pistols on this list. Even though I have some very nice and lovely rifles, they are not safe queens. They get taken to the field, are used, and get scratched up. As was mentioned, a daily carry pistol is going to see some wear. So I'm not looking for anything pretty, just reliable. I have no issue with used, so thanks for the references on those a little more than $400 when new but under when used.

I once had a Kahr .40. I didn't like it at all even though before I sold it I probably put 500 rounds through it without any FTF, FTE, or malfunction whatsoever; so I should probably check out the .45.

I'm glad to hear about the Witness Compact being one to consider. I love the CZ clones I've shot. I'll check it out.

I've shot the PT111 and I liked it a lot, so I wondered about the PT145. I'm glad it's been suggested. Question: For the PT145 do I have to worry about being sure I get a newer model? I remember Taurus had some serious quality issues a few years back and before the new executive management.

I've never shot a Bersa or the Sig. Thanks for letting me know they should be in the final cut. The same is true for the M&P-C and Stoeger.

I've never cared for Glocks although I handle and shoot them just fine. I think it's probably the knee jerk I have about going with the flow and has nothing to do with Glocks themselves.

Cut to the chase:
So I have the following for my list to consider. I've roughly ranked them in order of interest. Are there any other models that really stand out that I should consider? Does anyone have a strong opinion on moving any of the models up or down in the rank?
  • EAA Witness Compact
  • Taurus PT145
  • Bersa Thunder
  • Sig P250 / 228
  • M&P-C
  • XDs
  • Stoeger
  • Glock 36 / 30
  • Kahr CW/CM45
 
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