I've got the .45 bug. What are my options?
- Thread starter Daedalus
- Start date
Brian Williams
New member
Taurus is bringing out the Tracker in 45 acp in June
Actually I would like a 1911 made by Remington rand some where around 1943-45
Actually I would like a 1911 made by Remington rand some where around 1943-45
jack_the_sailor
New member
Colt 91A1
ZekeLuvs1911
New member
If you are looking for a .45 ACP, never get something except a M1911A1 first. IMO, there is no second platform for the .45ACP than the tried and true GI pistol. It is the only design out there that is almost 100 yrs old and still going strong. John Browning was a genius and more so than Colt! No other pistol has passed the only true test which is time like the 1911. I know, I have 6 of them, and I'm not just the president of the club but I'm also a member. 
Do you mean an authentic M1911A1, with tiny sights, rough trigger, lousy magazines, and loose slide and barrel fit? Or do you mean one of the modern M1911A1 variants, that have been dramatially improved through the use of modern materials, better manufacturing tolerances, better sights, polished feed ramps, no lanyard loop, extended grip safeties, better barrel bushings, ambidextrous safeties, and even (gasp) double action triggers and double-stack magazines?
As long as you don't have to carry it or hit anything, they're pretty good, though expensive.
But you may be right - in my case, owning M1911A1's and some modern variants made me appreciate my SIG P220 just that much more.
John Browning's masterpiece was the M2 .50 cal machine gun, that saw action in every one of America's conflicts in the 20th century, and is still in use by all services today. The M1911A1 is fun, interesting, and common - but not perfect.
ZekeLuvs1911
New member
I have one of these pistols (Springfield Armoury Mil-Spec from 1988) and I shoot more accurately with it then the Beretta 92 FS, the HK USP .45, and the Browning HP. No, the M1911 is not perfect but it is as close to perfection as you can get.
I have had or do have a few .45's
Glock 21
H&K USP Expert
Kimber Compact CDP
Kimber Custom Stainless
Para-Ordnance 14.45 LDA
Smith & Wesson 4506
Wilson Protector Stainless
Out of all of those the Glock or the S&W are my least favorite. The S&W was just plain bad. The Glock was just way to big. There is no reason that the grip on that thing has to be that darn big. Seriously it actually really is like holding a 2x4 in your hand. Now don't get me wrong I think that Glocks are fine guns and would have no problem recommending them to someone but I think that the need to work on the ergonomics of the grip.
The H&K Expert was a great gun. I did decide to get rid of it though. It felt a little off balanced and top heavy to me. It was a good shooter though.
By far my favorite pistols are quality made 1911's. I shoot this style of pistol better than any other and it feels great in the hand. If my bank account could handle it I would own nothing but custom made 1911's. My Wilson is about as close as I will get for a while. It is a great gun. I love it.
In the price range you are considering. I would look at the 3 following manufacturers: Kimber, Springfield and Colt. From there it is just preference. If you like the 1911 style but are scared away from cocked and locked carry then check out Para-Ordnance. The have LDA's in single and double stack mags. LDA pistols are designed to be carried with the hammer down and one of the lightest double action triggers if not THE lightest on the market.
Also it is a pretty well known fact that the Sig P220 is a great gun. Maybe the best of the non Single Action pistols. I am just not a big SA/DA fan.
So to make a long story short ( to late
) Check out Kimber and then either Springfield or Colt.
Good Luck
Glock 21
H&K USP Expert
Kimber Compact CDP
Kimber Custom Stainless
Para-Ordnance 14.45 LDA
Smith & Wesson 4506
Wilson Protector Stainless
Out of all of those the Glock or the S&W are my least favorite. The S&W was just plain bad. The Glock was just way to big. There is no reason that the grip on that thing has to be that darn big. Seriously it actually really is like holding a 2x4 in your hand. Now don't get me wrong I think that Glocks are fine guns and would have no problem recommending them to someone but I think that the need to work on the ergonomics of the grip.
The H&K Expert was a great gun. I did decide to get rid of it though. It felt a little off balanced and top heavy to me. It was a good shooter though.
By far my favorite pistols are quality made 1911's. I shoot this style of pistol better than any other and it feels great in the hand. If my bank account could handle it I would own nothing but custom made 1911's. My Wilson is about as close as I will get for a while. It is a great gun. I love it.
In the price range you are considering. I would look at the 3 following manufacturers: Kimber, Springfield and Colt. From there it is just preference. If you like the 1911 style but are scared away from cocked and locked carry then check out Para-Ordnance. The have LDA's in single and double stack mags. LDA pistols are designed to be carried with the hammer down and one of the lightest double action triggers if not THE lightest on the market.
Also it is a pretty well known fact that the Sig P220 is a great gun. Maybe the best of the non Single Action pistols. I am just not a big SA/DA fan.
So to make a long story short ( to late
) Check out Kimber and then either Springfield or Colt. Good Luck
I have owned the following semi-auto handguns in .45 ACP at one time or another.
1) Kimber 1911
2) Colt 1911
3) Para Ordnance 1911
4) Sig P220
5) H&K USP45
6) Glock 21
7) Glock 30
8) S&W 4506
Of these, I did not like the Para at all.
I did not like the way the G30 fit my hand, and it is a compact which you said you didn't want.
I absolutely love the Kimber 1911 and the Sig P220 with a slight edge going to the Kimber.
The Colt was nice, but no Kimber, and full of sharp edges.
The 4506 was built like a tank which can be good or bad depending on your point of view.
The Glock 21 and H&K USP are both good guns with a slight edge going to the Glock.
So I would say that I would rate the .45s I have experienced in this order.
1) Kimber 1911
2) Sig P220
3) Glock 21
4) H&K USP45
5) Colt 1911
6) S&W 4506
7) Glock 30
8) Para Ordnance 1911
I don't know whether this helps or not, but it has been my experience.
Good luck with your decision...the .45 ACP is one hell of a cartridge.
1) Kimber 1911
2) Colt 1911
3) Para Ordnance 1911
4) Sig P220
5) H&K USP45
6) Glock 21
7) Glock 30
8) S&W 4506
Of these, I did not like the Para at all.
I did not like the way the G30 fit my hand, and it is a compact which you said you didn't want.
I absolutely love the Kimber 1911 and the Sig P220 with a slight edge going to the Kimber.
The Colt was nice, but no Kimber, and full of sharp edges.
The 4506 was built like a tank which can be good or bad depending on your point of view.
The Glock 21 and H&K USP are both good guns with a slight edge going to the Glock.
So I would say that I would rate the .45s I have experienced in this order.
1) Kimber 1911
2) Sig P220
3) Glock 21
4) H&K USP45
5) Colt 1911
6) S&W 4506
7) Glock 30
8) Para Ordnance 1911
I don't know whether this helps or not, but it has been my experience.
Good luck with your decision...the .45 ACP is one hell of a cartridge.
My choices would be Glock 21 - CZ97 - Ruger P90. I had been shooting a G21 in 45acp but recently sold it (hard to believe isn't it?). I purchased a NIB P90 but haven't shot it yet. If it shoots as good as the last P90 I owned I will be quite pleased. I have never owned a CZ97 but shot one belonging to another TFL member and it was very accurate but quite large and heavy.