SA Mil-SPEC VS. XD-9 VS. Ruger P345

I did some reasearch a few weeks back that showed that most standard guns like our XD-9 and Ruger P345 shoot better then the 1911 Mil-Spec he has (out of box of course).

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Are you speaking of accuracy or reliability?

AndrewTB said:

Reliablity I know ruger wins hands down . LOL

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Really... My experience with the P345 was not so positive.

None are without their problems and I have seen more than a few complaints on the p345. I have not seen a comparison as you have mentioned, but I have not looked either. I would dare say most would find the full size mil-spec more accurate than the others because of the single action trigger. I have for a fact seen more people talk about how accurate the Mil-spec is out of the box more so than the other two you mentioned. I just got a Mil-Spec and it shoots POA. I have a Glock 30 that I can shoot just as well since I put in a 3.5# connector. I am not big on bashing one platform because bottom line I believe it depends more on the shooter doing their part. Out of the 3 you list I would take the 1911.

The only think that turns me away from the p345 is the dissasembly, it has that wierd ruger way and i don't like. The 1911 isn't the easiest to break down but easy enough, but that is one of advantages that I love about the xd, and the glock to for that matter! If the dissassembly of the p345 was more user friendly i would have one!

Out of the guns you are talking about........no design wins the best of anything award. The 1911 is a solid design, but wouldnt call it the most accurate of the guns you bring up. The Ruger gets reviews showing its a 1" gun @ 25 yds to a 4" gun @ 15 yds....it depends on the shooter. The XD is a very accurate gun but not anymore than the others.
Certain guns love certain ammo and will tighten their groups to reflect that.....better shooters tighten groups also. Thats all you can say about any gun........
Shoot well.

I am thinking of buying a 345 soon. How is the recoil. I am used to metal frames 1911s. I did aget a chance to shoot a full sized Glock .45 in June, though. Hoe does the recoil compare to the Glock. The Glock's recoil was light, surprisingly...

Fun fact: JMB (and the US Army, to a degree) designed the M1911 pistol well before the advent of Kool-Aid.

Seraph, Do you know why the 1911 was impliminted (sp?) by the military?

possum said:

The only think that turns me away from the p345 is the dissasembly, it has that wierd ruger way and i don't like. The 1911 isn't the easiest to break down but easy enough, but that is one of advantages that I love about the xd, and the glock to for that matter! If the dissassembly of the p345 was more user friendly i would have one!

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Just what is so bad about the P345 takedown, it's keeping your from buying one

What weird Ruger way? If it takes a person more than 15 seconds to field strip, it's pure operator error.

AndrewTB said:

Ok so my brother seems to believe he has the BESTTTSTS gun in the house. Constantly boasting that his factory 1911 Mil-Spec is the best freaking thing in the world. Its gotten annoying so I did some reasearch a few weeks back that showed that most standard guns like our XD-9 and Ruger P345 shoot better then the 1911 Mil-Spec he has (out of box of course).


Im having trouble finding the page again so could anyone clear this up? He yells at me saying I think im a know it (Which I always state "I think" or "I read" never have I said I know).

Ive always been cautious on giving gun advice seeing how my experiance is very very very limited. So id like to get it cleared up and learn something at the same time. I love my Ruger P345 regardless of what the truth is. But I just want this put to rest!

I do know for sure that the Mil-spec with modifications can whoop these 2. But stock wise im not so sure.

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Dodge, Ford, Chevy.

All are good guns, all have their pro's and con's. The SA mil-spec is an entry-level, good quality 1911. The P345 is a quality TDA poly-framed .45. The XD is an XD.

My personal choice would be the Springer-I can't stand the loaded chamber indicator on the Ruger (I'd own one, were it not for that fugly thing ), and I do not like the take down system or Glock-inspired style of the XD. But all three are good guns that should serve you both well. Personal preference.

BTW-Dodge is the superior American Truck

possum said:

Seraph, Do you know why the 1911 was impliminted (sp?) by the military?

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Eh, the Army wanted a large caliber handgun. JMB, working for Colt, reworked an earlier autoloader design, which was submitted in competition against a bunch of other makes. In a nutshell, the design that would, with changes requested by the Army, be the 1911 emerged from a severe battery of torture tests as the clear winner. The Army selected JMB's Colt pistol, because it was found superior to the contenders, in terms of accuracy, reliability, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Like Mozart and music, most of JMB's designs emerged fully fledged in a matter of days, weeks, or, if it were a might more complicated, months.

The 1911 is one of the few that took YEARS. The military had a lot to do with that, what with not being able to decide on hammer or hammerless, grip safety or no grip safety, etc., but the rest of it was there was simply no hurry. Everyone involved took their time, did lots of testing, lots of back and forth between the military and Colt/Browning, lots of suggestions made, improvements made.

Imagine what you get when the world's greatest firearms genius works with you for a few years.

Later "improvements" gunwriters speak about, such as the Hi-Power's cam instead of link, or fixed barrel bushing, were simply JMB designing around his own patents, since they were still in effect!

Example...linkless barrel designs...as the surfaces between the cam and barrel lower lug wear, lockup surface area between barrel lugs and slide recesses decreases...with a modular design like the 1911 with a separate link, any wear is simply remedied with a new link, not an expensive new barrel. Ditto with a separate barrel bushing.

Also, the circular arc of the link causes barrel lug/slide recess contact area to increase slightly, as the parts recoil together...one of many subtle design points of the 1911.

And, predating the 1911 altogether, who do you think invented external extractor striker-fired pistols? One guess.

You mean to say every single element of a glock's design has its roots in JMB's designs? The glock is a grand-nephew of the 1911??!!

Yeah, ugly as sin but you've got to love it since it is family after all.

So, Springfield 1911, XD, or P345...
old school, glock derivative, 1911 derivative...what fits best, feels best, it's all good (as long as someone manufactures it right).

I own an XD-9 service model and a Springfield GI 1911 that I have upgraded.

I love the XD-9. The GI was OK before the upgrade, great after. Can't complain about either one.

The first time firing a handgun was the Ruger p345. (not counting the SA .44 revolver one day at the gravel pit lo 15 or so years ago where I couldn't hit the orange skeet about 20ft away). I had bought it to see if I could shoot it.

Piece of cake I thought. Wicked easy. I didn't have any recoil/accuracy to base my experience on except what I did this recent afternoon but I was really surprised that there was so little kick.

On my 4th magazine I got this group. The others were close but this one was the best. I Just stand there with both hands out front. 10yards.

It was using the range ammo Blazer aluminum 230 grain. I really like it.

Regarding breakdown I have found it a cinch. With my left hand (I'm a lefty) I hold the grip and pop out the magazing. With the right over the slide, I slide it back and then hold it in place with my left thumb applying pressure on top. Then with my right again I just pop out the pin. Slide it away and you're done!

The thing is great so far ( just a beginner so I hope to be getting them all in the red soon and regularly)

So accuracy out of the box is so far satisfactory for me, and I think that it is me that is keeping it from getting all bull's eyes. Breakdown like I said has not been difficult (at least to to point that I have gone down to bolt and spring at least)