Accurate but not-too-expensive .45

[StrykerByte.45]

This one is good for me. G30S, KKM barrel, Double Diamond comp.
Very light recoil, even my 110lbs daughter shoots Underwood .45sup without flinching. 45acp recoils like a .22
DPM Telescopic RSA
Ghost 3.5 connector and Zev Pin make the trigger smooth.
Its more accurate than I am, my eyes are not great. Finding the right sight is key for accuracy. I found that tall sights help my accuracy, the wml is actually purposed for my eyes so i can see the irons sharply. Farthest i have tried is 50yds and it is spot on when i can see right, at indoor ranges my eyes start playing tricks with me.

 

[mrray13]

SAR K2 owners: How is the trigger? I expect the DA is long and heavy, but is it smooth? Creep & stacking?

How about SA? Crisp and not too heavy?

Just pulled my EAA imported K2 out of the safe, the DA pull is long, very smooth, with minimal stacking just before it breaks. Maybe 10lbs? I don’t have a trigger pull gauge, but it’s no heavier than my 4506’s pull. The SA pull has a bit of take up, then a touch of creep before it breaks. About 3ish pounds would be my guess. It has a lot less take up, but just a bit more creep than the 4506, and it’s lighter as well. The K2’s SA pull is actually smooth enough that it’s easy to pull it straight through, vs staging it. The 4506 is far easier to stage with it’s longer take up. I think the two are equal DA, but the K2 gets the nod SA.

I compare those two as they are my only DA/SA .45s. The worst trigger in my lil .45 family belongs to the xDM 3.8 compact. It has the same take up as the K2 in SA, with a lot more creep before it breaks. It’s mushy.

Anyway, hope that helps.

My .45acp family…

 

[James K2020]

You're not going to find one single 45 acp to keep you satisfied forever.
Plan on getting one now and adding more later.

 

[Smaug]

You're not going to find one single 45 acp to keep you satisfied forever.
Plan on getting one now and adding more later.

I think you're right, though it should be noted that I already have a S&W 625 in 45 ACP. That is part of why I'm not too keen on the 1911 for this purchase. Even a nice 3 lb. 1911 trigger doesn't match the SA trigger on the 625, which breaks in ounces, not pounds. It's as accurate as can be, too.

 

[Smaug]

Just pulled my EAA imported K2 out of the safe, the DA pull is long, very smooth, with minimal stacking just before it breaks. Maybe 10lbs? I don’t have a trigger pull gauge, but it’s no heavier than my 4506’s pull. The SA pull has a bit of take up, then a touch of creep before it breaks. About 3ish pounds would be my guess. It has a lot less take up, but just a bit more creep than the 4506, and it’s lighter as well. The K2’s SA pull is actually smooth enough that it’s easy to pull it straight through, vs staging it. The 4506 is far easier to stage with it’s longer take up. I think the two are equal DA, but the K2 gets the nod SA.

I compare those two as they are my only DA/SA .45s. The worst trigger in my lil .45 family belongs to the xDM 3.8 compact. It has the same take up as the K2 in SA, with a lot more creep before it breaks. It’s mushy.

Anyway, hope that helps.

My .45acp family…

View attachment 1092809

Nice family and a very helpful post, too.

How would you compare the SA trigger on the K2 vs. the trigger on the Colt Competition? I'm guessing the Colt has less take-up, a more crisp break and about the same pull weight?

 

[mrray13]

Nice family and a very helpful post, too.

How would you compare the SA trigger on the K2 vs. the trigger on the Colt Competition? I'm guessing the Colt has less take-up, a more crisp break and about the same pull weight?

In all honesty, it’s not close. The Colt is just that much better. Take up is minimal, almost zero creep and definitely a crisper break. Feels a little lighter even. The sights are better as well, but again, all that is as it should be. The Colt was meant to punch paper holes, the K2 not as much. It is more than capable though, and far less $$.

 

[shoreglide]

My experience with the SAR K2 trigger mirrors mrray13’s.
An inexpensive spring kit from Galloway Precision will lighten it up if you prefer. I may try that when I buy another, as the one I have now suits me perfectly for nightstand duty.

 

[Smaug]

Guys, I just dropped the hammer on a Springfield Armory XD45 Tactical:
https://www.thearmorylife.com/springfield-armory-xd-tactical-model-45-acp-review/

I found a new one on gunbroker for $540 with the Gear Up kit. (three extra mags, holster, mag carrier, mag loader, range bag) I'll probably order a couple 13 rounders just on principle. The trigger's good, with a nice long sight radius and I really like how Springfield Armory isn't trying to gouge us for magazines and such. (HK mags are $50-60 ea.) Not only that, but I grew up in IL, so it kind of felt like supporting The Home Team.

My only reservation was how ugly it is and that its sight radius is shorter than the HK USP Elite. (6 barrel") However, the USP Elite is not a nice-looking gun any more, with that super-long slide.

My ruling out process was this:

• My original thought, USP Elite, are $1100, and that's a lot of money for not having a great trigger.
• Beretta PX4 was a close 2nd. They REALLY feel good and the slick action is only rivaled by that of a 1911. Rotary barrel is neat too. I may get one of these yet, but I just don't think it's worth $610 to me, esp. since they'll only hold 9 rounds in a flush mag. (to be fair, it fit my hand better than any other 45 so far...) The $610 price would then require 3-4 more mags, a holster and mag carrier, which would bump the price up another couple hunge.
• I found a nice SAR K2 in stainless on gunbroker for $650. I just couldn't make myself buy a gun I've never handled. I think they will take the CZ world by storm if they can just get better distribution. Didn't want to do the bidding war on the other one that GB has up now.
• 1911s are on hold for now. I'm just not ready for another one after the Para GI experience. (which only feed plated round nose well) I may get a Colt or Springer come bonus season.
• Walther PPQ has that great trigger, but again (as with the German guns) just a bit too expensive for what it is. I'm not convinced I could shoot better with one than the XD 45 Tactical. (better trigger vs. sight radius) Mag availability isn't great; I couldn't find any spares on gunbroker.
• M&P 45 2.0 with the 4.6" barrel was tempting and a good-looking gun, but I felt like the grip was a bit TOO aggressive. I could see it tearing me up after awhile and scraping me up when holstered in action shooting.
• Sig P320 in .45 is only made in Compact, it seems
• Sig P220 is single stack and this was a close call. A nice used P220 would've done the job too, and not be as ugly, but 8 rounds vs. 10 or 13 shut this one down.
• Glock 41 is perfect on paper, but when I had a Glock 34 before, I just could not shoot the trigger well enough to take advantage of that longer sight radius. I tried a newer Glock trigger and it is still the same.

Thanks for all the advice, comments and patience. I know I over-analyzed it a bit. ;-)

 

[Spats McGee]

Guys, I just dropped the hammer on a Springfield Armory XD45 Tactical:
https://www.thearmorylife.com/springfield-armory-xd-tactical-model-45-acp-review/

I found a new one on gunbroker for $540 with the Gear Up kit. (three extra mags, holster, mag carrier, mag loader, range bag)....

Congratulations on shopping victoriously! You got a good deal with all of those extra goodies, IMHO. I've never owned an XD, but I've shot several examples of the XD line (XD, XDm, XDs), and every one that I shot performed well.

.... Not only that, but I grew up in IL, so it kind of felt like supporting The Home Team.

There's not a thing in the world wrong with supporting your home team.

As to your other comments, I have little or no experience with those pistols, but since when did that stop me from having an opinion?

....M&P 45 2.0 with the 4.6" barrel was tempting and a good-looking gun, but I felt like the grip was a bit TOO aggressive. I could see it tearing me up after awhile and scraping me up when holstered in action shooting.

My Shield 2.0 was the same way, but about 3 minutes with some very light sandpapering will solve that.

...I know I over-analyzed it a bit. ;-)

Welcome to Overthinkers Anonymous, Smaug. We're still working on the agenda for this meeting, but we've got the Long List narrowed to the Short List and should have it out to you in a few days.

 

[mrray13]

Congrats Smaug! Because of my wife there are three xDs in the family. The Slim is the only one with a decent trigger, but all have been 100% reliable and pretty accurate shooters. And until the 4506, the wife loved shooting the previously mentioned xDM 45.

Also, I believe there are aftermarket triggers available, so one can remedy that situation.

Again, congrats and happy shooting! Btw, get the SAR, you won’t regret it!

 

[Skylerbone]

I know I over-analyzed it a bit. ;-)

When it’s your money being spent and your needs being met, ain’t no such thing! Your thought process shared with us openly displays the sensible decisions that lead you to the finish line. Congratulations on the new pistol and here’s hoping it does all that you ask.

 

[fjblair]

I'm a 1911 guy, but I think the Springfield XD's are excellent. I have a 45 and a 9mm.

 

[Rodfac]

Well Smaug: My son has an XD in .45 ACP and loves it. With it, he's as good as he is with a 1911...and that's saying something. Hope it works out for you. Best Regards, Rod

 

[Smaug]

That would be my DREAM!

I’ve not gotten any reply from my FFL nor the seller on gumbroker. I hope they’re handling things between themselves…

 

[James K2020]

I also have the XD-45 4" model. No complaints. Keep thinking of getting the 9mm in Tactical 5" and they are on sale with the extra mags and bag.
PX4 is also on sale at LGS with additional factory rebate.
Hate when they do that at the same time.

 

[Smaug]

Picked ‘er up today. The more I hold it and look at it in my hand, the more handsome it becomes in my eye! ;-)

I’m reminded that although I “saved” $80 buying from a gunbroker seller, I spent $41 for shipping and fees, $50 for the FFL transfer and $12 for the background check. ($103 total) How shrewd of me!

I will say that when I asked a local shop what their price was, ($620) They couldn’t give me a date by which they’d have it. They said they had to place the hold and wait to see, and it would probably be 2-3 weeks. That didn’t really fill me with confidence.

The gun is little barrel-heavy, but it balances perfectly with a full magazine.

I can’t reach the magazine release with a normal grip; I have to rotate the gun in my hand to get it with the thumb. However, since this gun has an ambidextrous magazine release, it’s pretty quick and easy just to use the trigger finger. Also, I will never accidentally drop the mag in a “tactical situation.”

Time to head over to Springfield’s website and order up the range bag and extra mags.

Thanks again for sharing all your thoughts with me! It was a huge help!

 

[Smaug]

Time for a wee dram to celebrate:

 

[Spats McGee]

Congratulations, and may she serve you well!

By my math, it cost you ~$23 to have one in hand, rather than waiting an indefinite period of time to get it. I say: WORTH IT!

 

[Smaug]

Sidenote: these are the nicest factory magazines I’ve ever seen, even if they are “PRODUKT KARLOVAC”.

They appear to be stainless steel and very nicely finished:

 

[zaitcev]

Time for a wee dram to celebrate

This is not what a Springfield XD .45 magazine should look like. Did you get state-limited 10-rounders?

A few months ago I bought a Beretta 92X, and it came with 3 10-rounders in Texas.

 

[Smaug]

This is not what a Springfield XD .45 magazine should look like. Did you get state-limited 10-rounders?

A few months ago I bought a Beretta 92X, and it came with 3 10-rounders in Texas.

They are selling them now as all-state compliant. I’m hoping the Gear Up package includes 13 rounders when they see my zip code…

If not, I guess I’ll take it anyway, as I already sourced a couple on gunbroker.