What's the Very Best .45 for Under $1000
- Thread starter Omaha-BeenGlockin
- Start date
Best for under $ 1000 - that's elementary. GLOCK 21. And you'll have $500 left over for ammo, tactical pistol class, or what ever suits your fancy.
Actually you could just go ahead and buy two of them for $ 1000. Keep one in your nightstand and keep the other one in your vehicle or on your belt.
You will run into one potential problem, however. If the pistol is loaded, and if you happen to pull the trigger, it WILL fire - EVERY TIME.
Dawg23
Actually you could just go ahead and buy two of them for $ 1000. Keep one in your nightstand and keep the other one in your vehicle or on your belt.
You will run into one potential problem, however. If the pistol is loaded, and if you happen to pull the trigger, it WILL fire - EVERY TIME.
Dawg23
Any from the following list (and I recommend that you try as many as you can prior to your next purchase) would be outstanding choices:
Glock 21, 30 (I own the G21, and it absolutely works for me.)
HK USP 45 (full-size or compact, but I like the full-size)
Sig P220 (my personal second choice)
CZ 97 (quite possibly the best "value" on the market)
Ruger P90 or P97 (outstanding bargain guns that deliver)
Kimber Classic Custom (You can get most of Kimber's VERY good 1911 line for less than $1,000.)
Springfield Armory "Loaded" 1911 (When I buy a 1911, this will be the one.)
Para-Ordnance P-14, P-13 (I don't like their LDA models, personally, but you might want to try one at the range if you can.)
I have no experience in handling or firing Rock Island's 1911's, but I hear pretty good things about them.
I (and most other TFL'ers) interpret "best" to mean "best for you". That's something you're going to have to find out for yourself, but several good suggestions have been offered. Just try as many as you can before you buy.
Glock 21, 30 (I own the G21, and it absolutely works for me.)
HK USP 45 (full-size or compact, but I like the full-size)
Sig P220 (my personal second choice)
CZ 97 (quite possibly the best "value" on the market)
Ruger P90 or P97 (outstanding bargain guns that deliver)
Kimber Classic Custom (You can get most of Kimber's VERY good 1911 line for less than $1,000.)
Springfield Armory "Loaded" 1911 (When I buy a 1911, this will be the one.)
Para-Ordnance P-14, P-13 (I don't like their LDA models, personally, but you might want to try one at the range if you can.)
I have no experience in handling or firing Rock Island's 1911's, but I hear pretty good things about them.
I (and most other TFL'ers) interpret "best" to mean "best for you". That's something you're going to have to find out for yourself, but several good suggestions have been offered. Just try as many as you can before you buy.
lonegunman
New member
$1000 is kind of an odd number to set as a limit.
Most stock guns can be had for considerably less, like $600.
Most custom guns will cost considerably more, like $1500.
Most stock guns can be had for considerably less, like $600.
Most custom guns will cost considerably more, like $1500.
Take your pick
For under $1000, these would be the top two contenders on my list.
Sig Sauer P220 ST (Stainless Steel Frame)
CZ 97B
I prefer my competition/target shooting .45's with steel frames (reduces recoil and improves balance for me).
An alloy 220 is fine if carrying is an issue, but for pure target shooting or competition MAKE MINE STEEL of some form (carbon or stainless).
I've already got the CZ 97B, so the Sig 220ST is high on my "to buy" list.
For under $1000, these would be the top two contenders on my list.
Sig Sauer P220 ST (Stainless Steel Frame)
CZ 97B
I prefer my competition/target shooting .45's with steel frames (reduces recoil and improves balance for me).
An alloy 220 is fine if carrying is an issue, but for pure target shooting or competition MAKE MINE STEEL of some form (carbon or stainless).
I've already got the CZ 97B, so the Sig 220ST is high on my "to buy" list.
ORIGINAL QUESTION
Best BFB = Ruger P90.
Best BFB #2 = CZ97
Best BFB #3 = Kimber Classic
Best BFB #4 = S&W 45xx
I have some personal choices, but they're personal.
My 1911 cost more.
I don't own any gun on my list.
I don't care about BFB, I care about keeping them forever.............
Best BFB = Ruger P90.
Best BFB #2 = CZ97
Best BFB #3 = Kimber Classic
Best BFB #4 = S&W 45xx
I have some personal choices, but they're personal.
My 1911 cost more.
I don't own any gun on my list.
I don't care about BFB, I care about keeping them forever.............
I have to stress again for some people that aren't reading the WHOLE post...The HK USP trigger is at least as good as the SIG trigger IN DATE CODE AB PISTOLS AND LATER. HK really smoothed out the trigger in both DA and SA for the '01 pistols (or, date code AB). My USP9 is a '00, or date code AA...so I have a direct comparison, and I have handled an AB in every model they make. Every AB-coded gun has the same great pull as my AB USP45.
Take up and reset is still a little long, but you can no longer call the USP trigger gritty.
Over at HKPro a few of us started noticing this, and we confirmed our suspicions as everyone with an AB-coded USP agreed that the pull is far smoother than it has ever been before. I don't know what (if anything) is technically different, I know HK didn't list any official changes for '01 but the difference is there and it's REAL obvious.
Take up and reset is still a little long, but you can no longer call the USP trigger gritty.
Over at HKPro a few of us started noticing this, and we confirmed our suspicions as everyone with an AB-coded USP agreed that the pull is far smoother than it has ever been before. I don't know what (if anything) is technically different, I know HK didn't list any official changes for '01 but the difference is there and it's REAL obvious.
Faster Blaster
New member
One more vote for the P220.
Finally...
...some sanity on this board
from C.R.Sam
I can't get over how great a nice old rattly US made gov't model C-series or 1927 is. 100% reliable and more accurate than any of us in here. Just use good old mil. spec. parts and it'll function every time (and yes with flying ashtrays as well). I just can't fathom the need for garbage on a handgun. The trick should be you hitting the X, not the gun.
oh, and yes those 220's are nice.
...just my thoughts
...some sanity on this board
from C.R.Sam
I can't get over how great a nice old rattly US made gov't model C-series or 1927 is. 100% reliable and more accurate than any of us in here. Just use good old mil. spec. parts and it'll function every time (and yes with flying ashtrays as well). I just can't fathom the need for garbage on a handgun. The trick should be you hitting the X, not the gun.
oh, and yes those 220's are nice.
...just my thoughts
Master Blaster
New member
If you are looking for a gun for target shooting you will want to reload. Forget about any gun with polygonal rifling, Glock and HK.
Standard rifling is more flexible for ammo choices, as you can use lead reloads.
Sig 220 st,
Kimber custom classic or custom classic target.
HK has a large grip and it does not fit my hand. You cant change the grip on an HK.
I bought a used 70 series gun with finish wear (not a collector) and no box. It was under $400 with a new bushing and a little smithing it shoots almost as good as my kimber, total cost $500.
1911 has lots of good aftermarket parts, and the best trigger possible bar none.
Standard rifling is more flexible for ammo choices, as you can use lead reloads.
Sig 220 st,
Kimber custom classic or custom classic target.
HK has a large grip and it does not fit my hand. You cant change the grip on an HK.
I bought a used 70 series gun with finish wear (not a collector) and no box. It was under $400 with a new bushing and a little smithing it shoots almost as good as my kimber, total cost $500.
1911 has lots of good aftermarket parts, and the best trigger possible bar none.
The HK USP .45 (I own one) is a good gun... but heck, it's not worth anywhere near $1000.
Mine has broken firing pins twice*. The Chamber was bored eliptically, and there is a lot of muzzle flip for a gun of its weight. Accuracy is good if you're shooting SA, particularly with the $100 drop in match trigger.
But, you're effectively limited to 10 rounds, and the creepy, "sproingy" double action pull is still an abomination--way worse than Sig.
Biggest problem with the gun is long, sloppy trigger reset. This leads to the "click no bang" phenomenon many of us have experienced with the USP in rapid fire. After firing you release the trigger until you hear the click and feel it reset. Pull again and--guess what--nothing happens. Makes for a very frustrating rapid fire sequence.
It is a flawed gun with a very nicely machined and fitted slide and barrel. The biggest plus is that it Never jams.
But I won't use it for defense any more because of the firing pin issue. Without a firing pin, your USP is just a brick.
*The second time HK replaced the whole gun because the front half of the firing pin, during recoil, wedged between the frame and slide on the rear, taking a chunk out of the polymer. The back half of the firing pin ejected out the back of the gun and hit me in the face. Lovely.
Mine has broken firing pins twice*. The Chamber was bored eliptically, and there is a lot of muzzle flip for a gun of its weight. Accuracy is good if you're shooting SA, particularly with the $100 drop in match trigger.
But, you're effectively limited to 10 rounds, and the creepy, "sproingy" double action pull is still an abomination--way worse than Sig.
Biggest problem with the gun is long, sloppy trigger reset. This leads to the "click no bang" phenomenon many of us have experienced with the USP in rapid fire. After firing you release the trigger until you hear the click and feel it reset. Pull again and--guess what--nothing happens. Makes for a very frustrating rapid fire sequence.
It is a flawed gun with a very nicely machined and fitted slide and barrel. The biggest plus is that it Never jams.
But I won't use it for defense any more because of the firing pin issue. Without a firing pin, your USP is just a brick.
*The second time HK replaced the whole gun because the front half of the firing pin, during recoil, wedged between the frame and slide on the rear, taking a chunk out of the polymer. The back half of the firing pin ejected out the back of the gun and hit me in the face. Lovely.
Johnny Quest
New member
The SIG P220 gets my vote. My old P220 has a bazillion rounds through it. The rails are getting a little worn.
The new P220ST (all-stainless) is my next gun. Only $700-$750. That's the same gun Race Bannon uses. It matches his stainless hair.
Johnny Quest
The new P220ST (all-stainless) is my next gun. Only $700-$750. That's the same gun Race Bannon uses. It matches his stainless hair.
Johnny Quest