Looking for a Handgun

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woodrow019

Inactive
So I just turned 21 and looking for my first handgun. Ive been doing my research through threads on here among many other places, and have narrowed what caliber I want to the 45acp but not any specific gun. Ive shot my fathers 40s&w Glock and my buddys Ruger 9mm and have been shooting guns since I was 12, so I'm not entirely new to shooting handguns or guns in general. What are your guys thoughts on some good and reliable handguns that shoot the 45acp based on your experiences and knowledge that aren't super expensive or super cheap. My budget is in the $500-$800 range but if convinced to go a little higher I have no problem in waiting a little longer and saving my money.

The primary use will be for recreation such target shooting and hunting.
 
Ammo prices being what they are why select the 45? When I bought my first 1911 I could get a box of 20 WWB for $9.99. Being that this is your first handgun, and you are on a budget, why not go with 9mm?

Anyway, Glock or M&P would be my first choices. I am in the market myself for a new training class and HD gun and looking very hard at the M&P.
 
I choose a 45 because I like the recoil of the 9mm but also like the "punch" of the 40 and heard the 45 has less recoil than the 40 and being a 45 has more of a "punch" than the 9mm, please correct me if I'm wrong. But bullet prices was one of the thoughts that went into consideration, but I have been hand loading for about a year and if I'm going to go out and shoot a bunch of ammo Ill just cook up a batch of cast bullets. If I do anything other that target shooting then ill buy a pack of bullets.

Thanks for post though! Until I go and buy a handgun all the info I receive will be taken into consideration.
 
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Hello woodrow019 and welcome to the forum.
For a .45 acp may I suggest you look at the Phillipine made 1911s, the Turkish 1911 or the EAA Witness. You may want to cruise the pawn shops and gun shows to maybe spot something on sale cheap. Good luck on your quest and tell us what you end up with.
 
1st Gun

if your looking at ammo cost go with the 9mm. A 45 acp is a good round. It also has a heavy recoil. the lighted the frame the more you feel the recoil. A 1911 will reduce the felt recoil guite a bit, not so much if it is a polymer frame. I like to shot my 9mm for pratice, to help maintain tigger and grip control, but I do carry a 1911 often, i also practice with it but I also reload. You have to fine a weapons platform that fits you and you are comfortable with.
 
If you are looking for a nice starter .45ACP for around $700, you can't beat a Ruger SR1911. List is $799, but most I've seen are right in the $700 range.

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Ammo cost isn't too much of a consideration....he already said he was reloading, sounds like he has done some homework. In .45 in that price range, I would choose something proven. In polymer a Glock, Springfield XD, or Smith M&P. Or shop around for a Hk USP or 45C (upper end of your price range). Steel, I would go with a Sig 220...proven design.
If you want a 1911, the STI Spartan is hard to beat for around $620 new. A STI trojan is poissible if you save a few more pennies. Or Springfield range officer, Remington R1, Kimber entry level (whatever they call that model), of a sig 1911 (I've been hearing good things about the Sig 1911 for the money)

You should go to a couple of gun stores and see how each of these models feel in your hand before deciding. If possible, rent a few and shoot them. Whatever you decide, keep us posted!
 
carprivershooter thanks for your input ammo prices aren't that big of an issue for me and do plan to buy something that feels comfortable. Its just when I go into the the store to actually buy a hand gun I don't want to go in blind. I would like to have some information to narrow down my search to good reliable guns in my price range and then from there buy the one that feels most comfortable.

Ill be sure to keep everyone posted on what I get, it won't be for the next couple of months because I'm still in school. Glad I stumbled upon this site!
 
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In that price range, you have a lot of options. Glock, M&P, XD, XDM, various 1911, CZ, maybe even a used Sig.

My biggest question: what will you use it for? If its for home defense or range-only, then size won't be a factor. For concealed carry, it will be.
 
BikeNGun1974 It will mainly be used for range shooting and hunting for the time being, but when I do get my concealed it will be used for that. Living in upstate NY its hard to get a concealed and a lengthy process. Home defense I wouldn't use a 45, I live in a smaller house compared to others with my mother and younger brother, my father being a police officer working the night shift. Also that responsibility only really falls upon me when I'm home, being away for college.
 
If reloading then 45 is a great choice. Even if not reloading it's a great round, just a bit on the high side for cost.

I would suggest not getting a 1911 for your first handgun. Your price range does not put you in reach of what I would consider a trouble free 1911.

Already mentioned is CZ which is a good range gun and XD/XDm is also a good choice for a range gun. I just wouldn't pick either for HD duty. A German made Sig is great but wouldn't spend the money on a current made one. There are better options in that price range.

Of course, opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one. So, your better of going to a place where you can rent some of these guns that have been recommended and shoot them until you find one you like.
 
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Can you hunt with 45acp? If you're planning on hunting and ammo isn't as issue maybe you want to think about a 10mm?
I assume you're looking for an auto not a revolver. In your price range, I hear good things about the Glock 20.
Otherwise .357mag can be fun for a reloader.

Edit: If you're set on .45 and already comfortable with the glock grip/trigger I'd go with a glock 21/30. They're definitely reliable.
 
.45acp is fun to shoot, and only a little harder to learn on than a 9mm. Its a great round to carry WHILE hunting, but isn't all that useful FOR hunting. Assuming you're talking deer you'd be limited to bow hunting range and would have to carefully pick your shots.

Can you shoot cast bullets in a glock? I'm not a glock guy and I remember something about polygonal rifling not working with cast bullets. That may just be an internet myth but I would look into it before you buy a glock, intending to hand load cast bullets for it.

As far as gun recommendations, I am a big fan of the smith and wesson M&P for a polymer gun, and a big fan of the 1911 for a non-polymer. I have limited experience with the various 1911's on the market but I have handled the new ruger sr1911 and would definitely give it a try.
 
bigkrackers I see what your saying I should of been a little more specific on saying reliable. I know no gun is perfect but I would like something that I can put some lead through and not give me a major issue (such as breaking of internal parts or stress fractures or on the extreme level blowing up in my face). I know every gun needs to be cleaned and taken care of which very seldom do I let a gun sit dirty for a long time or even sit a long time with out taking it out looking it over for dust and giving it some loob if needed. I really like the 1911 but want some other options if I don't like it after holding and shooting it.
 
For hunting the 45 isn't going to be my main gun I'm shooting with the reason why I dont want a high velocity or big caliber revolver. It would be my side arm say if I need to finish off a deer from a bad shot (I know other calibers would do the same job) or if a critter decides to walk up on me and don't want to use a slug from my shotgun in NY or from my savage 270 on my roommates land in PA. Again the main use for the handgun I buy is mainly gonna be used for recreation FOR THE TIME BEING but will also double as a concealed when I get the permit for it, the reason why I decided to go with a semi rather than a revolver and the reason for the 45acp. Also for the cast bullets out of a glock thats a good question! I will have to look it up online and ask my local gun dealer, glad you said something I would of been real disappointed if I bought a block and found out I couldn't use my cast bullets.
 
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Para Ordnance P12.45. You can find them at great prices, they are extremely reliable, and hold enough rounds to load it on Monday and shoot it till Sunday (the old Henry rifle saying). They are accurate and concealable. I have six 1911 pistols and the P12.45 is one of my favorites.
 
Glock 22/23 .40 or SIG Sauer P229R .40...

From your post & details, I'd suggest a LE trade-in(high quality) Glock 22 or 23 in .40S&W or a SIG P229R.
New or CPO(certified pre-owned) semi-auto pistols like the P229R or a 23 are robust, long lasting and can be converted for .357sig/.22LR too.
A Glock 23 or a P229R can conceal well or be modified if you like custom features(barrels, sights, grips, surface treatments, etc).

Clyde
www.Gunsamerica.com www.jgsales.com www.sigsauer.com
 
I got a Rock Island 2011 Tactical for my first handgun in January. 800 trouble free rounds and I only paid $550. Just started reloading and that solved the pricey ammo problem.

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