Looking to get a new .45

L

Linegrind

New member
To start off I'm open to any and all ideas. I'd like to get myself a .45 but I haven't really settled on a 1911 yet so I've decided to itch my high cap .45 itch instead for now. I'm a northern boy and I do like to carry all of my guns now and again. Right now my rotation consists of my M&P9 and a Shield9. So I'm no stranger to both extremes of carry.

Right now I'm leaning towards an FN FNX because 15+1 intrigues me. The big grip likely won't bother me. I Carry my M&P9 with the large grip so I like them big. I've mostly handled striker fired weapons and some revolvers. So the FNX manual of arms also appeals to me because it's a new experience. I've read and watched several review and it looks like a fairly reliable gun. I do acknowledge that the after market support is lacking but the stock gun is what I'm after and I can live with 3 mags for now. If I were to carry it it'd be mostly a snowy winter carry or a hanging with the boys on the farm kinda gun. Most of the time I'll use it as a range gun while my Shield is on my hip. It's a little more unique and less common around here. So that also makes me want it. It's less generic.

The other option I'm considering is a G21. It's a more familiar manual of arms and has a vast aftermarket. I work in law enforcement so I can get it substantially cheaper than the FN but it's a very common firearm. Nothing special. Boring almost really. The holster market is flooded though and I can't argue with how reliable and reasonable it is. I will say that I've only handled a Gen3 and I thought the blocky grip was to small and needed more of a palm swell. So maybe the Gen4 would be the option for me.

I will say I'm not a fan of XD's. Every one I've held darn near hurt my hand with the undercut trigger guard and it rubs me funny. Just wasn't for me.

Anywho, I'm excited to hear some of your experiences on the matter.
 
The FNX-45 is a superb firearm. Because it's so light for its size, it almost feels like a toy when unloaded. Despite that, it shoots very well. The grip texture is aggressive but offers excellent purchase. The safety lever provides a lot of options, from cocked-and-locked to traditional DA/SA with decocker. It's been my experience that the FNX is utterly reliable and will eat anything you feed it.

Sure, you could get a Glock but come on...

fnx-45_large.png
 
When I picked up and checked out the FNX45 in a shop I honestly wasn't thrilled with it. The capacity is cool and all but you can really tell that they were just looking for any way possible to cram all those rounds into the gun.

My most recent .45 is the PPQ45. It carries 12 rounds, which of course has been done before, but what impressed me is that when I first picked it up it felt thin enough that my first thought was "how the heck did they fit 12 rounds in this thing?" It's highly ergonomic and very lightweight for its size. In hand it actually feels a tiny bit lighter than my Glock 17, but that may just be because it feels so good in my hand. On top of the ergonomics being wonderful, the trigger is absolutely magnificent. The PPQ really does seem to have the best trigger on any stock polymer gun on the market right now.

Just an idea. Good luck finding what you want!
 
Okay, keep in mind that you did say "any and all ideas", the .45 I most recently snagged was the Tanfoglio Elite Match, imported and branded by EAA as the "Witness Elite Match." As I already have the 9mm version of exactly this pistol (and I am incredibly satisfied and extremely happy with it), it was a no-brainer decision when a very good deal on a barely used .45cal presented itself.

On the downside -- it's very large and heavy AND though a "high cap", it only holds 10+1 and it ships with just one magazine. Furthermore, these pistols don't seem to appear in North America in great quantity. So in comparison to the two you listed -- it may not measure up for carry.

However! If we leave carry out of it and go for ALL the other happy buttons, this pistol brings a lot to the table for the money, and it all begins with a fantastic single action only trigger, great fit & feel in my (large) hands, terrific accuracy that easily seems above "basic combat accuracy" and a nice heavy platform to help bring the front sight back on target after a shot.

It's not easy to simply find one of these to pick up, handle and get a feel for. That's a real shame, I think they would be selling themselves. I like mine a lot.
 
Tanfoglio Elite Match is one I wasn't familiar with, definitely worth a look. Definitely less common and more unique. I'll add now because I neglected to earlier that I am a left handed shooter so really depending on how well I can manipulate a gun may be a deciding factor. I do like Sigs but I've never felt they were very left friendly. At least not the ones I have handled. I know my girlfriend really likes Sigs though if I were to decide I wasn't a fan. I think of the suggestions so far though the PPQ45 interests me the most. I was handling it's 9mm counterpart the other day and like it. Though I also handled a VP9 and preferred that to the PPQ. Me n the lady are going out renting a bundle of guns here soon so all the ideas I can find readily available the better before I set out. Thanks again everybody and keep the input coming.

Wish more of my buddies were as into guns as I am. Then maybe I'd know more people with stuff I can try for free.

The PPQ45 definitely peaks my interest. Hmmmm
 
I'm excited to build my own .45acp collection. First pistol to add for me will be a 1911 (Springfield Armory Mil-Spec). Besides a 1911, however, I'd check out HK weapons, especially if you liked the VP9. I have an HK USP compact .45acp on my wishlist. You may try the HK45 also, that one is fantastic (though I like the look of the USP better, personally).

Lee
 
Another vote for one of the HKs. The USP .45 is a fantastic shooter with 12+1. The grip is on the large size, but not as bad as the FN. The USP is the most affordable of the .45 cal HK's. Considering it's accuracy and reliability, it's a very good value IMO.

For something with ergonomics much like a 1911, try the HK45. 10+1 with a grip the same size as a 1911 with standard grip panels, same angle and trigger reach in SA.

I've owned and loved both of those guns, but now I shoot the HK45C. 8+1 in a nice mid size gun. Big enough for fun range practice, small enough to conceal.

All three of my .45 caliber HKs have been 100% reliable, they even feed SWC's with total reliability. Magazines are expensive, but they feed every time. You won't get a lemon.

Another feature I really like about HK's is that you can have the safety on at anytime, including racking the slide or field stripping. All the HK's can be ordered with the controls on the right side for southpaws. The HK45 and HK45C also have right side slide releases. Very lefty friendly.

My Glock 21 ran great with ball ammo, but SWC's and TC's would give the occasional FTFeed. They are good guns though, accurate and soft shooting.

I've never owned an FNX45, but you might want to research their reliability, from what I've read, they need ball ammo too.
 
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Sarsilimaz K2-45, 14+1, built like a tank and very ergonomic. Doesn't feel like it should hold that many rounds. I love mine, but being all metal, it can get heavy!

Worth a look whenever .45acp is mentioned.
 
As stated by Water-Man. Consider the Sig 320 in 45acp. I also had the urge for another 45 and so I chose the Sig 320 over the Glock 21 and M&P 45 that I was also considering.
 
Agree with the above comments about H&K's, particularly the full size HK45, and you're on the right track with a Gen4 Glock 21. I own both, I bought my HK45 LNIB with 4 mags for not much more than what the Glock 21 cost me new, and there is not a bad choice to be made between these 2 pistols!
 
The Walther PPQ 45 has been getting rave reviews and is definitely worth a look for anyone who wants a .45 that isn't a 1911.
 
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Linegrind wrote:
Me n the lady are going out renting a bundle of guns here soon so all the ideas I can find readily available the better before I set out.
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This is the best thing you can do. Holding a gun will tell you a lot. Actually shooting it will tell you so much more.

Hammerhead wrote:
Another vote for one of the HKs. The USP .45 is a fantastic shooter with 12+1.
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If a few less rounds are alright, the USP is another excellent pistol. I remember being impressed by how comfortable it was to shoot.

Magazines are expensive...
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If this is an issue, I'm pretty sure the FNX comes with three magazines and a better than average case.
 
Sig 227 eh? I have to say just looking at it I was a bit underwhelmed with the 14 rounders in it. But I'll still go check it out, ya just never know.

The PX4 was definitely a no go for me. I really like them up until I held one. Granted it was a .40 but I can't imagine a huge difference in feel compared to the .45.

The taurus doesn't really speak to me but no harm in adding it to my list of guns to handle and maybe rent.

A lot of support for the Walters and HKs. I wasn't overly sold on the HKs before. I do like the PPQ but I guess I'll have to really broaden my horizons. Luckily most the guns mentioned are easy to find for rentals.

Part of me is still leaning FNX for how unique and uncommon it is. Maybe handling it will change my mind though. I used to think I'd love the PX4 or a 686+ revolver too up until I handled them some more and realized they just weren't for me.
 
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