Looking for a striker fired 45acp for games

[whatever]

I am looking to buy a full size 45acp striker fired handgun for a friendly game I have going with some friends. Magazine capacity is immaterial as some of the guys will be using 1911s and we try to keep a relatively level playing field. I'm not too concerned with cost as my 'fun money' fund is pretty well stocked at the moment.

I am pretty sure the choice will come down to a Glock 21/41 or a Sig p320 but I will give a fair shake to the m&p, xd/xdm as well. I won't get a chance to try the 320 but will be able to try the others.

Like I said earlier, mag capacity is immaterial as most strings of fire will be 5 shots or less. The glocks 13 vs the Sig/m&p's 10 is wholly irrellavent for this pistol.

My default choice is one if the glocks. I really don't like glocks...but I shoot them very well and I tend to be a bit faster with them (due to lots of training with them). I am willing to spend the time to get good with whatever I end up with though.

If any of you have experience with multiple guns listed above please chime in with your preference and reasoning - especially with the 320 vs the Glock 21/41. There just isn't a lot of info out there on the 320 45 vs the others.

 

[JTQ]

One man's opinion, Hilton Yam, picks the M&P over the G21

https://kitup.military.com/2013/02/hilton-yam-10-8-performance-glock.html

If we were comparing the Glock 21 to the M&P 45, then let’s just stop here and declare the M&P .45 the winner and move on.

 

[jjones45]

Ppq 45 should be considered as well, the $100 rebate is just a bonus for the walthers right now. You specifically want a striker fired 45? If not the fnx 45 should also be considered as its a whole lot of gun for the money and definitely a fun gun. With all that said I think the glock 41 is also one hell of a gun. I'm really thinking about adding one to partner up with my g30S. I shot a g41 a while back and was shooting it extremely well and figured I'll get one eventually. I have a p320c in 9mm and love it but I have no experience with the p320 platform in 45 acp, but I imagine it's good just like the 9/40/357's and all reports say likewise.

 

[Water-Man]

I can recommend the M&P 45 Midsized. I've had mine for four years now and it's been a great shooter.

 

[BigBore44]

My vote for a full size is the XD-45. Mine has the third safety. A thumb safety. And 13+1 capacity. It's slimmer than a Glock too. All comes down to preference.

 

[Bo]

I have several XD's with Powder River triggers, Since the striker is already cocked, it's the closest thing to single action I've found.

 

[Zendude]

The Ruger American in 45acp can be bought for $360 with free shipping. Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore.

 

[RecoilRob]

I've got a Taurus 24/7 in 45 that works well and seems to shoot accurately. If you can get a few shots with one you might like it.

 

[bassjam]

Any reason you're ruling out a 1911? For recreation shooting that'd be what I would want, it's hard to be that single action trigger.

 

[everydefense]

I'm not even a .45 guy, but I shot a (first gen) XD-45 years ago and was very impressed... strangely enough I shot even better with the 4" model than the 5" model...

The wife has a M&P compact in 9mm and it seems like a well-made gun... haven't shot one in .45, though.

 

[Cannibul]

1. 1911
2. Springfield XD
3. Ruger American
4. S&W Shield
5. CZ 97

There's lots to chose from.

 

[everydefense]

Any reason you're ruling out a 1911? For recreation shooting that'd be what I would want, it's hard to be that single action trigger.

If I had to guess, sounds like a friendly bet over whether a 1911 or a striker-fired design is more accurate, shooting the same round?

1. 1911
2. Springfield XD
3. Ruger American
4. S&W Shield
5. CZ 97

There's lots to chose from.

Uhh... #1 & 5 aren't striker-fired.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

The Sig 320 is a nice gun.

I handled a buddy's a few days ago and that would be my choice.

I don't have any experience with the M&P but you cannot really go wrong with Glock 21.

I don't really like the Springfield XD's that much for the competition shooting but it is a strong option all the same.

 

[FL-NC]

I enjoy the heck out of my Glock 21 SF. Kind of big and heavy for every day use/CC, so it gets carried in bear country- otherwise, its just a range toy.

 

[Zerodefect]

Glock 41

Dawson hasn't come out with an ICE magwell yet, but I hope they do soon.

 

[JDR]

With the $100.00 Walther rebate deal, I'll second the recommendation for the PPQ 45, the one I tried out shoots every bit as well as my Gen4 G21

 

[whatever]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was able to shoot all of the suggested striker 45s listed here except for the 320. The PPQ and the 41 stood out for me. I was able to fire the 41 a bit faster as the PPQ was a bit more jumpy.

I really only accomplished narrowing it down to the 41 and PPQ. But I think if I don't try the 320 it will keep nagging me in the back of my mind. I have a full size 320 in 9mm and it's a really good shooter.

BTW - that Ruger American is a diamond in the rough. It didn't quite fit my hand right, but it was a darn good shooter.

 

[262madmike]

I have my Glock21Sf great gun.I did shoot a friends Walther and it fit real well.

 

[Merle1]

if this is a one time thing, how about a Hi Point to save some bucks?

 

[JR24]

One man's opinion, Hilton Yam, picks the M&P over the G21

https://kitup.military.com/2013/02/hilton-yam-10-8-performance-glock.html

As someone who prefers the Glock trigger over the M&P Ill take a Gen 4 21 1000 times in 1000.

For your requirements you may like the Sig or SW, depending on your hand size and you say capacity isn't a consideration. I prefer the Glock 21 as it is close in size and carries 3 more rounds than its competitors.

If I can only get 10 in the doublestack, I'll just take 8 in a 1911 or Sig P220.

YMMV

 

[Derek Zeanah]

It seems like you've almost got this figured out, but another opinion: I'm a 1911 guy, but at the SHOT show a few years back I shot an XD-M (the long-slide version) and found that thing just couldn't miss. If I was buying a new polymer .45ACP, that's one I'd seriously consider. It was weird how easy to score hits it was with that thing.

 

[bannockburn]

whatever

Not on your short list but I would consider the Ruger American Compact (even though the full size model wasn't a good fit for you). Other than that probably the SIG P320 would get my vote. The Glocks, S&W M&P, and SA XDs just aren't a good fit for me.

 

[zaitcev]

It seems like you've almost got this figured out, but another opinion: I'm a 1911 guy, but at the SHOT show a few years back I shot an XD-M (the long-slide version) and found that thing just couldn't miss. If I was buying a new polymer .45ACP, that's one I'd seriously consider. It was weird how easy to score hits it was with that thing.

I have one of those long XD-M in .45 and while it's very accurate, it comes with some baggage that may or may not be an issue.

- Texture on the grip is the most aggressive I've ever seen. It uses a "moster truck mud tire" pattern with fairly sharp edges. I gather the idea was to cater to competition shooters who shoot in gloves. I am used to it now, but it sure made itself felt at first.
- Rounds rattle in magazines, always.
- The "house roof" slide pattern makes it very easy for the support hand to slip off when racking. You must get into a habit of driving it _down_ onto the slide and holding the beejizus out of the gun when charging it. The only other gun shaped like that is PPQ and the serrations on it are designed to ameliorate the issue. Also, PPQ's sides are still bulging out somewhat. Although if you have to clear on the timer, you've already lost, but still.
- The magazine release is recessed into a hole in the grips. This is actually awesome for me, because I tend to drop magazines inadvertently on .45 with releases sticking out (e.g. on M&P). But other people with shorter thumbs complain that they must change the grip in order to drop magazines, or else they cannot drive the stiff release.

Finally, the optics-ready version of XD-M only comes in 9mm.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I was trying to decide between Glock 21, M&P or Sig 320

went with Sig 320, no regrets

 

[tarosean]

I am looking to buy a full size 45acp striker fired handgun for a friendly game I have going with some friends

If you want the best tool for the job why are you limiting yourself??? there is a reason why heavy guns dominate professional competition.