Inexpensive .45 ACP for CC

Another vote for Stoeger. I picked it as my edc in 2012, partly due to cost or lack there of. Beretta is manufacturer that trust, period. Also, the ergos work better for me than any other gun that I had handled previously. To explain further, I must say that I have longer fingers than most pistols are built to accommodate. I always ride the slide catch on Sigs. I'm also one of the few that has no problem reaching the controls on G3 pattern rifles.

So, I feel right at home on Beretta pistols as I can easily reach and actuate the safety lever/de-cocker. Speaking of which, the Cougar and PX4 lines have a distinct advantage over the 92 series in that they can easily be made de-cocker only with no manual safety by the end user. Back to ergos we are talking about a wide grip which when combined with the rotating barrel design and relatively low velocity 45 acp round make a super SOFT shooting pistols. Recoil management becomes a forgotten skill like having a conversation on a pay phone without letting the receiver touch your face. The down side of that wide, comfy grip is that it is difficult to keep concealed at the 3-4 carry position. For this reason I shifted to appendix carry. It's not for everyone though, mind you hammer fired provide distinct safety advantages over striker fired guns in this carry position. Just some food for thought.

A bird in the hand beats a bird in the bush and if you currently have no carry gun, now is the time to get one. As has been stated, there are several models from various manufacturers in your price range.
 
PT145

Yes, the Gen 3 is the one that works the best.
It says Millennium on the left side of the slide.
The right side reads "PT145 PRO" like the picture.
Excellent size and weight for carry, IMO.

 
You should be able to pick up a used glock or m&p for $400. That would be my choice. It's your money, but I would save a little more.
 
In addition to the EAA Witness CZ clones, a company called Canik (which I believe is distributed by Tristar and might be known by that name instead) also makes CZ clones in various sizes. I have heard very good things about them. If they have a compact model in 45acp it should be in your price range. I believe they are generally a bit less expensive than the EAA.

I have two or three dozen handguns. They range from adequate to outstanding (if they are unreliable I get rid of them). Only a few cost more than $400. There are plenty of reliable and effective handguns in that price range.
 
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.
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It wasn't an assumption

It's what you said, and it's the title of the thread

I'm sorry you're "offended" when you asked for advice and got an answer.
I didn't realize you didn't really want advice.
 
My suggestion is do not assume that expensive means reliable or that inexpensive means unreliable.
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It's not an assumption, but rather based on years of experience.

Most all the miserable firearm failures I've seen have been the cheaper guns
An expensive gun CAN fail, but I go with the odds
 
I didn't realize you didn't really want advice.
Click to expand...

There is advice and there's good advice.
Your reply was neither.

So, following your "advice", what is the price line for "good enough" to
protect yourself or your family? $800, $1000? Anything less than your
"line" is less than satisfactory? You must love your family more than someone
who spends <$400, huh?

Give me a break.
 
My question is how you going to carry it mostly? I always carry IWB, a 45 ACP and most times its a Sig P220, super reliable, and accurate. The balance of the time I carry an XDs in 45 ACP. The XDs cost me $425 brand new, and like the Sig has been flawless. I carry it because it's small(er) and lighter than the Sig. A pre-owned can be had for less than $400.
 
RANT:
Snyper. The title of the thread says, "Inexpensive". It does not say, "cheap". I was also clear that I wanted something "reliable". If it is your opinion that a reliable pistol cannot be found for $400 then that's all that needs to be said. Then others can then agree or disagree. Right now $400 is what I have to spend. It has nothing to do with "cheap". It has everything to do with "budget" and a "few weeks" more won't get me over $400. My family has significantly higher priorities than me picking up another pistol.

We should also keep in mind that the odds of me ever needing to use the pistol in a critical situation are very close to zero. I'm just shy of sixty and I've never been in a situation where I would have pulled a pistol even if had one at the ready - and for a good number of years I have had one at the ready. I didn't say I'm new to CC. I said I'm looking for a CC weapon in .45 ACP and am looking for advice to narrow the field within my price range. I'm also older and wiser now, so I expect the odds that I'll never need the pistol while away from home have improved considerably. Since I do carry, I'm even more aware of my surroundings and have thought through more situations than ever before, which further lowers the odds that I'll ever need to draw a weapon. Even if there is a FTF, the odds are still in my favor that I would have the opportunity to recover, which I practice.

It's my right to carry, I'm licensed to carry, and I'm a whole lot better shot than the vast majority I see at the range with their Dan Wessons and such. But keeping reality in mind, if I wanted to put the money where it would most likely influence the safety of myself and my family then maybe I should just get new tires, wipers, and headlights for the car. And that's the last I'm going to rant about this topic.

ABOUT THE PISTOL SELECTION:
I do appreciate the input on the various pistols. I've looked at the various spec's and I'm leaning towards the PT145 Pro, the Thunder, and the CM45 as the first I'd like to seek and try out. (Although as I get the opportunity, I'll try out any of those suggested.) I would prefer to stick with a SA/DA trigger and that is simply because it's what I already have most of and I like to stick with weapons that operate in a similar manner. The PT145 Pro has more capacity than the Thunder, but the Thunder has better and more upgradable sights. Hmmmm. I'm just going to have to try them in my own hands to break that tie, but the Thunder is also longer and that is a strike against it. The CM45 is tiny. That outweighs the disadvantages of capacity, being striker fired, and sights. But it might be too tiny, even for my small hands. I'll just have to try one. Most of the time I'll carry IWB.

Any thoughts on my rationale for my top 3 picks (considering I have as yet not tried any of them)?

Thanks again,
Andrew
 
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The Bersa UC PRO is one of the Best in Bersa line up. I ve owned 2 of the 9mm Both are now with members of my family . Several members on my board bersachat.com have the 45 and love it.

Cheap doesn't mean bad or junk . Price is reflected on rate of exchange the importer has to pay Bersa.

I have 2 380 Thunders one is 2004 and hasn't gave me one bit of trouble I also have a limited run 380 Thunder. Importer had 10 made I got #6 of the 10
I don't shoot it much .

My #1 Daughter Bought a Bersa Thunder as her carry pistol. She didn't even tell me .Just brought it home one day. :D
 
Hmmm. Another vote of confidence in the Bersa. I'm definitely going to need to check it out. I just wish it were an inch shorter. It's almost 7" and that's getting a bit large for a guy of my size.
 
I have the Taurus pt111, it's the 9mm version. the .40 is t140 and .45, of course) being the pt145. my little 9mm has proved extremely reliable, I am between 6-700 rounds right now. the trigger it really heavy, but an extremely short travel with a nice hard reset. but when I say heavy, it's heavy enough to hurt and make blisters. I can't say the .45 is going to be the same deal or even has the same sa/da striker, but it probably does. overall, it's a good pistol and I carry it every day now. the sights are nice, the mags are decent and the size is perfect. I am also a big fan of the tangfolio's and the tristars, but I wouldn't want to carry one everyday, again.

my Taurus pt is very peppy with the 9mm, I imagine the ,45 will be a little more tough to control. but they are reliable, and I heart Taurus customer service and the lifetime warranty.
 
I agree with Snyper's comments, so far.

For Snyper, I'll generally not post in these threads. I'm not a gun-shop salesperson or personal shopper for any posters wanting suggestions. I have no particular interest in what a particular person wants regarding caliber, price, metal vs. polymer, any other factors.

It often seems, posters, not just the OP in this thread, will put some kind of low dollar limit on what they want or can spend.

I must also say, at least this thread isn't one of those which lists a few guns, which have been narrowed down by the prospective buyer. Yet somehow, the prospective buyer still can't decide. Just to be honest, I often think, unfairly I know, if the person can't decide what gun to buy, how are they going to decide when to draw or pull the trigger, but again, that's unfair.

Back on track, then the prospective buyer decides to purchase something which wasn't even on the original posted list anyway.

I would be more interested to know what a person bought & why, and perhaps what & why other guns didn't get chosen.

There are similar but worse threads I've read, but I'll save those comments for another day. (I can't say I've seen those threads on this forum so much, btw.)

Edited to add: I'll just list the .45ACP pistols I have, any of which I will carry. In no particular order, Glock 30gen4 and three 5" 1911-type guns. I had a few more but thinned out my inventory over the years.
 
Sig p250. DA only. The gun will make you a better shooter if you have the patience. Very modular and comfortable.

If you really want to stick to a da/sa, go to a shop or gun show and see what fits your hand the best, also how flat the side profile is important with cc. Glocks and sigs are comfy, ruger makes some great stuff too.
 
I just looked again at the spec's for the Sig P250. I must have been looking at the Compact instead of the Subcompact Nitron, which is smaller. I'll have to see about finding one to hold. I certainly like the modular concept. I like shooting DA, so I have no inherent issue with DAO. It's only that I don't have any and I prefer to keep the actions and controls on my pistols similar to one another. I'm not married to that concept; it's just a preference.

My biggest issues is size. I need to see not only how they fit my hand but how they fit IWB. Maybe I'm wrong, but once they start getting around 7" long and over 5.5" high then I think to myself I might as well carry a full size.

I got out to Cabela's yesterday evening and they had an XDS in the cabinet, but there were a lot of people in line before me and I couldn't hang around. I'll try again later.
 
One more recommendation for teh Bersa UC,,,

Mine is the 9mm version,,,
It really is a very nice pistol.

After shooting mine in 9mm,,,
A friend bought the .45 version,,,
I've fired it and was much impressed.

The fat grip helped tone the recoil down,,,
Overall the gun pleased me.

Just a recommendation to handle one.

Aarond

.
 
I love my CW45 I did a covert conversion on it so that it takes PM/CM sized mags, it's actually small enough to pocket carry in carpenter jeans.
 
That xds I'd also an amazing weapon, the p320 too. Ultimately, you have a lot of options... See what fits you best and is comfortable, try stick to decent brands and keep it as simple as possible! Good luck
 
I own two Glocks, one is a glock 30s and the other is a glock 21. I carry either one comfortably. Mainly I carry the 21 during the cold winter months and the 30s during the warm summer months. I know they are both over your budget but there is always the possibility of a used one cheaper.
 
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