Help me choose a .45 ACP

[H6RBW]

I second the Ruger P345. Got mine new at Cheaper Than Dirt for $450.

[michael e]

I have a Ruger P-90, 2 RIA 1911s SA 1911, G21 G30 G36 and a Taures PT145. Out of these I would go with the Glock if it fits your hand. If you just want a range gun thats cheap the RIA are good ( only have about 500 rounds threw each so far) . The SA1911 was my 1st 45 and 1st 1911 so I have a soft spot for it but its higher than the other choices.

[Fisherman74]

I would vote for a sig 220 or an hk.

[olafpfj]

M&P 45c for me. Love it so far but my finger does get a little tired with the factory trigger at the range. Its not a range gun though so I'm not overly concerned about it

[Scott in Houston]

I'm real close to buying a Ruger SR1911. That seems like a great gun for the money and it's just darn pretty.

[Terlingueno]

Personally, I really like my Colt Compact(Officers ACP) for concealed carry so much so that I am looking for another. The seven round Colt magazines, flush fit with the devel follower have worked perfectly so far. I got my first one for $550 and there are more out there at the same price.

[Mike from Texas]

What would be the primary use of the weapon? Carry, night stand, car, etc???

[RPB]

I have an XD45 WITH thumb safety, I like it except- I textured/stippled my Glock 27 where my fingertips rest on the grip, and that needs to be done on the XD45; and other thing is front sight is harder to replace/dovetail too tight.

XD45 capacity 13+1 (loaded with Critical Defense low recoil/low flash); approx size of Glock 19

My Glock 26 I carry daily for years in a Tuck This 2, with a spare Glock 17 mag and Pearce Grip PG-39 +3 extension in the mag pouch and added the sticky back Velcro where holster goes under my CompTac kydex reinforced belt With Velcro. Also, the long mag helps hold the cant.

Grip circumference/Fingers go around the XD grip just a little tiny bit farther than they do on a Glock 26.

I held a borrowed plastic/stainless Taurus 45 recently, forgot the model, felt great in the hand; haven't fired my XD yet though.

(Yes, I own 3 expensive hybrid leather/horsehide/kydex holsters I wore before I got the Tuck This 2 ... personal preference)

[rp_photo]

What would be the primary use of the weapon? Carry, night stand, car, etc???

Carry would be secondary and the others more primary

The 3 guns I have now are all easily carryable, so I figure the next should be larger.

[Mike from Texas]

What would be the primary use of the weapon? Carry, night stand, car, etc???

Carry would be secondary and the others more primary

The 3 guns I have now are all easily carryable, so I figure the next should be larger.

That being said, I think you are on the right track with the G21SF. I have both the G21SF and the M&P 45 and while the M&P is a nice pistol, I had to spend an additional $100 on it to make the trigger acceptable to my standards. It came out of the box at 7#, 11oz. After spending $100, it's at 4#, 6oz and I'm still not happy with the anemic reset.

If you're not concerned with high capacity, then I'd look at a STI Spartan, RIA or Ruger 1911.

[gigag04]

Personally, I really like my Colt Compact(Officers ACP) for concealed carry so much so that I am looking for another. The seven round Colt magazines, flush fit with the devel follower have worked perfectly so far. I got my first one for $550 and there are more out there at the same price.

If I could find a CCO for $500 I'd buy it.

[Terlingueno]

Personally, I really like my Colt Compact(Officers ACP) for concealed carry so much so that I am looking for another. The seven round Colt magazines, flush fit with the devel follower have worked perfectly so far. I got my first one for $550 and there are more out there at the same price.

If I could find a CCO for $500 I'd buy it.

I was referring to the Colt Compact, not a CCO. It has become my daily carry.
My Compact Model-$550, money well spent

[Pug]

What would be the primary use of the weapon? Carry, night stand, car, etc???

Carry would be secondary and the others more primary

The 3 guns I have now are all easily carryable, so I figure the next should be larger.

That being said, I think you are on the right track with the G21SF. I have both the G21SF and the M&P 45 and while the M&P is a nice pistol, I had to spend an additional $100 on it to make the trigger acceptable to my standards. It came out of the box at 7#, 11oz. After spending $100, it's at 4#, 6oz and I'm still not happy with the anemic reset.

If you're not concerned with high capacity, then I'd look at a STI Spartan, RIA or Ruger 1911.

OK...that's a horse of a different color. I would agree, but with a little twist. The G21 would be my 1st suggestion, and then the Taurus PT-1911AR or ALR (unbeatable 1911 value for a mid-to-low end price). I own a Kimber, a Colt Combat Commander, and two Taurus PT-1911 and would rate the Taurus on par (if not better than) the Colt and only a step below the Kimber (primarily due to the Kimber custom trigger job that I had done on it).

[Zoomie72]

I am new around here, but I will chime in because I don't see my choice being thrown around.

HK USP Compact in .45

I choose the compact over the fullsize just because it fits better in my hand. I like that it is a true poly pistol that still has a traditional safety and is single/double action hammer fired. The steel of the barrel and slide is beyond belief in quality of machining and toughness. There are barrel makers who can't modify them because their tooling can't handle it! It can sit cocked and locked in my nightstand or you can carry hammer down and safety on, it is very versatile. It is a large pistol, double stack .45 and a chunky slide, but it fits my hand great, and I have ambi controls on it. A tlr3 light hangs on the rail perfectly. There are 8 and 10 round magazines from the factory, but they are expensive. Accessories are rare, but I have a light and a holster and I think that is about all I will ever need.

just an idea

[Salty1]

I would highly suggest a Sig P220, it is arguably the best non 1911 45 on the market. Although you won’t find a new one for the $600 budget you can certainly find a used one. You can find an older all German model for under that, which would be my personal preference anyhow. The Sig Forum tends to have them in their classifieds, like most forums the sellers are typically very honest and upfront regarding any issues; then again I have heard very few complaints regarding the 220 family of products. Comparing the 220 to the Glocks, M&P's, XD's is comparing apples to oranges, if there is a range with rental guns near you it would be a small investment to take some for a test run.