I've got the .45 bug. What are my options?

D

Daedalus

New member
Went to the range this weekend with some friends. My buddy Rob has a Colt 1991 with come goodies and boy does it shoot. Now my CZ75b Mil is looking a little uninspiring. I think it may be time to advance to the .45 acp. For some reason I shoot the .45 much better than my 9mm. Is the .45 lower pressure and possibly softer recoiling???

So what options to I have? I'm not sure how much I want to spend, but I wouldn't like to spend more than $600-700.

I've considered a 1911 (or something similar).
The shop I frequent says they can get me a Sig220 for about $660.
I was thinking about sticking with CZ and getting the 97.
Beretta Cougar? Whats that all about?

I find my CZ kind of a pain to field strip. 1911s aren't much easier. I want something easy to maintain and disassemble.

Am I missing anything? Thanks.
 
Hmmmmm
I have a Ruger KP90, SS matte finish uppers, alloy frame, 45ACP, 8-round mags, can field strip in about 45 seconds, from dropping the mag to separate pieces/parts. $420 at my local gunshop last October.
 
Yes, the .45ACP operates at much lower pressure than the 9x19. I always felt the .45 has more of a push to it, rather than the sharper snap of the 9mm.

The 1911 is an addiction all by itself, but it can be a rewarding one.

The CZ97 is a fine, very accurate pistol.

The SIG P220 is hands down the best double-action .45 money can buy. It's reliable, accurate, easy to field strip, and has great ergonomics.
 
You want a Glock 21. The ease of disassembly and maintenance you mentioned is complimented by the G21's accuracy which is among the best of the Glocks and with the best .45s. Full capacity magazines hold 13 rounds and are available for as low as $60-70 various places on line, and you can get into IDPA or IPSC competitions with the standard 10 round magazines that come with the pistol. You should be able to pick up a used one for around $450-500. Good luck.
 
How about a Ruger P97? Like the P90 mentioned above, I can take it down in way less than a minute. It's pretty accurate and the recoil is relativly mild. I really like it!
kp97db.gif

Ruger KP97DC
 
45's

Now that you have been bitten by the 45 bug you're gonna want to get a HK USP 45. Now that is accuracy, dependability & custom ergonomics
 
DO NOT overlook the Glock 30!

After *much* research, and literally years of fearing the .45 ACP was just "too much gun" for me to handle, this gun restored my faith and thoroughly impressed me. I was absolutely paranoid about the grip being too big, but it truely is not. BUT you will have to shoot one to find out for yourself.

I have a brand new Glock 30 waiting for me at my local gun shop and I cannot wait to add it to my inventory. This gun has so much going for it, I cannot possibly say enough about it. In short, it carries and feels like a Glock 19...it shoots almost as accurately as a target pistol and is generally more accurate than it has any right to be...and it can hit 10 times with big .45 slugs! Further, this gun is "monkey work" to care for and clean and it is absolutely one of the most durable guns I know (as must Glocks are).

I'm telling you, don't take my word for it. Go right now and rent one. Prove it for yourself. No, you can't really "trick it out" like you can a 1911, but then again if something works well, why mess with it? All I intend to do with mine is add some Heine Slant Pro sights. Look into it man and good luck!

Cheers
Mntneer357
 
THe Glock 21 has a wider frame than the 9mm and .40 models. It might not fit your hand.

Also, the cheapest I've seen 13 round magazines is $100, but I haven't been to gun shows.

There's also the HK USP45. Good, solid gun, but retails for around $700.

If you're on a budget, the Ruger P90 would be hard to beat.
 
Maybe we can help narrow the field down. Are you looking for a fun target pistol or something smaller and more compact for concealed carry?
 
IMO, the only right 'wrapping' for a .45 is a 1911. Yes, there are other fine guns, and I hope to have some of them someday (like the SIG and H/K), but the 1911 is in a class by itself. For shootability, aesthetics, history and all those other intangible benefits, I find it to be the way to go.

Find me ONE industrial design that hasn't changed, because it still operates as well today as it did 90 years ago!

Cars? Nope.
Airplanes? Nope.
Record Players? Nope.

Well, you get the gist. The reason that there haven't been too many modifications on the 1911 design, and in fact, the reason why Browning's operating concepts have reached across 'newer' manufacturers and designs, is because it is, IMO, about the most perfectly designed gun there is.

Although the Walther P99 is a close second. :D

My 1911 'lovesong'
 
Thanks for all your replys!

First off, I forgot to mention. I hate Glocks. Its not because they are plastic, its not because of their triggers, etc. Its their grips. Fitting a Glock into my hand is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Seriously, running my hand over with a car would probably be more comfortable than holding a Glock. As much as I love the concept of the Glock, I'll be unable to shoot one till (and if) they change their grip.

This gun will be fullsized. Not intended for any carry use. I'm 6'4" so I've naturally got big hands. Bigger the gun is usually better.

I've shot a Ruger P89 and wasn't impressed. Didn't feel as solid as my CZ.
 
Given your criteria, I'd say the SIG 220 fits the non-1911 bill. I had a Beretta Cougar, and acuracy was ok but not outstanding. Very comfy to shoot, tho. The rotating barrel raises assembly from the chimp to trained chimp level, but nothing more. If you decide on a 1911, I'd go w/a basic Kimber Custom or something similar. Mine's reliable and very accurate.
 
I carried a USGI .45 in the Army and owned a Colt Gold Cup Mark IV Series 70 for many years. I bought a SIG P220 last year, and sold the GC. The P220 is lighter, more compact, more accurate, safer, easier to strip, and has an excellent trigger. And all the magazines work! I was going to send it to Teddy Jacobson for an action job, but lately I've been wondering why - it's great as-is.

If you want a "project" M1911A1 clones are great. I'm a C&R collector of real USGI M1911A1's, so I'm not averse to them. Personally, howver, I consider the Browning M2 .50 cal machine gun to be His masterpiece - in service for every one of America's conflicts in the 20th century, and still in use by all services today.

You can buy used P220's for $450-550 as they've been on the market for 25 years, if you want to go that route. Regardless of strongly held beliefs here, you should shoot anything you're thinking about buying and make sure it fits - there are lots of good pistols out there and feel is important.

220.gif
 
Regardless of strongly held beliefs here, you should shoot anything you're thinking about buying and make sure it fits - there are lots of good pistols out there and feel is important.
Click to expand...

Hear, hear! I'd even go a little further: feel is everything. I rented several .45 ACP chambered pistols a little while back, assuming I'd be going home with a 1911 variant. The Sig P220 just felt right in my hand. Try out as many as you can -- it sounds like your friend wouldn't object to your test-driving his Colt further, but see if you can do a "side-by-side" comparison. Guns are like shoes (a whole humorous thread in its own right just waiting to be written...): lots of good manufacturers, but personal fit is what makes you happy in the long run.

That said: sig sig sig sig sig sig sig sig sig sig sig!!! :D
 
Get this, or how about this. I think you should get this one. You won't be happy unless you get this.. As evident, you will get a lot of suggestions, everybody has their fav's. Just went thru this myself. Looked at a Sig P220, Taurus PT145, G21 and so forth. Owned a 1911 and shot others. Did not go out trying to comparing them to my CZ75B. Ended up going to the shop to get the Sig P220, and walked out with a Ruger P90T, and haven't regretted it one bit. You are just gonna have to go out and see what feels best to you.
 
Yes the .45 is a low pressure round and has a surprisingly soft recoil in a full-size gun. Jr. Johnny quest (8 years old) loves to shoot my P220ST in .45acp. He says that it "jumps" less than the "other" guns.

The SIG P220 is a great choice. It is VERY accurate right out of the box and it is VERY reliable. Many people have NEVER had a failure with their SIGs. When the .45 bug bit me, I bought a SIG.

The 1911 is a tried-and-true style and there are a bazillion different makes, models, and options. You can buy a good 1911 for $500-$600.
 
lendringser said; "The Sig P220 is hands down the best double action .45 that money can buy."
Click to expand...

And I would have to agree with him; as I've owned one since
1988. My current P220 is of 1995 production, with the "green"
recoil spring for the +P load's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
You can take down your Ruger in less than a minute? I can take down a glock - complete field strip - in approx. 3 seconds - maybe 5 seconds if very careful. So, about 12 to 20 times per minute. True patriots don't buy Rugers anyway.
 
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