Looking for economical .45 pistol

G

gowest

Inactive
I currently own a H&K USP compact .40 for self defense. However, I am looking for a full size .45 gun for fun and target shooting. I don't have alot of cash for this. I have been looking at Llama's, EAA Witness', Tanfoglio, etc. Any suggestions on which is best?
 
Give the Ruger P97 a look. Been hearing and reading good things about it. Suppose to be the best deal going at that price. You should be able to find one for about $350 NIB. Also, the Charles Daly has been getting some great reviews, if you're interested in a 1911 style .45. Again, the price is very reasonable. Good Luck!
 
I`ll second the vote for the P-97. No,it`s not exactly full sized (4"barrel) but it`s a great gun and easy on the budget. Marcus
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Destructo6:
How about the CZ-97? It's full size and all steel. I think it costs around $500.[/quote]
I need to stay under $400.00 That's why I was looking at Llama's and others
 
Ruger P-97, definitely. Dollar for dollar, one of the best buys on the handgun market. Only real downsides are a somewhat-less-than-match-grade trigger, and the difficulty of using a gun that should be shipped with a limber & caisson for CCW. Rugged, reliable, and butt-ugly in a cool, functional sort of way. Just my opinion...

------------------
"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
How about an Argentine Colt 1927? I believe these can still be had for less than $400.

The Ballester Molina can probably be had for less than $300.
 
Search all your area pawnshops... You should be able to find a decent used Norinco 1911 in your price range - thats about the lowest I would go in the 1911 field.
You could also find plenty of other options...
Earlier yesterday I was looking a bunch of Glocks all under 400. One I think was a .45...
 
Not to change the subject too much, but you can get a new Super Blackhawk for about $400. Fun, versatile, and you don't have to chase brass. Your .40 should be able to fill all of your autopistol needs for a while.
 
THe Ruger P97 is the low cost solution for the .45ACP cartridge. You will buy into an American gunmaker that will service your pistol in a timely fashion in the rare event that this is needed. You will have access to magazines at $20.00 each from any qualified gun store in the country except maybye in Mass. You will own a pistol that will shoot ANY factory loaded round made to U.S. Industry. To wit the Ruger Manual makes it clear that +P is okay. You will have in your possession a weapon that is impervious to holster wear with the Stainless Steel slide and polymer frame.

The finish on the P97 is much better than the finish on the P90. Even so, you will need to keep it lubed while in storage. The investment cast slide has a tendency to rust if it is stored for long periods of time in a leather holster or if it is not periodically oiled.

I have owned 16 handguns in my life. I have been buying them for the past ten years and I have owned Berettas, Glocks and Sigs. I always keep a Ruger around due to their toughness and reliability. You will not have a gun with a high trade-in value but if you keep it for the long haul, the value will greatly exceed the price you pay for it.

Of particular interest to you might be that the P97 weighs only 27 ounces and is much thinner that previous Ruger Semi-autos-----even the P95 9mm if I am not mistaken.

As to the asthetics of the P97, the ugly you will experience is a "good ugly". ;)

------------------
"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
 
I just reciently bought a Witness carry comp, set me back $350 and I love it. Accurate and has functioned with everything I've fed it so far.
 
Forget SW. That's like dealing with the devil. Llamas are little more than pot metal. Search the archives and you'll find that negative experiences with Llamas far exceed positive comments.

If on a tight budget and you don't want to buy used and you want a DA/SA I don't think you can do no better than a Ruger P97.

------------------
So many pistols, so little money.
 
"Just say no" to Llama, the majority are junk. Ballester Molinas are nice, cheap and 1911 style, although if it ever breaks you might have problems with parts. I like mine, and it was around $200.
 
Here in So Cal, you can find Auto Ordnance 1911 clones for $388. Of course, with tax and fees, it'll probably go a little over $400. Parts are, I believe, interchangeable, so you can use Govt. model mags, after market accessories, etc. I don't have any experience with them, however. I like my custom Commander a lot!

[This message has been edited by Calif Hunter (edited May 11, 2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top