I have several .45's, and find the both the Sig 220 and XD-45 very comfortable to shoot. Both are lighter than the 1911, and recoil flips up the muzzle a bit more, however because of the ergonomics of the gun, they have more of a "push" than a knock when they fire. I think both are very comfortable to fire.
Your selection of recoil spring strength also affects felt recoil, if a spring is way too low powered for the load you are shooting, the slide will slap into the frame pretty hard at the end of it's rearward movement, this can impart a pretty good whack, which you will feel, definately.
One of the .45's that I don't like shooting is the Taurus PT 945, it's OK for lighter loads, but it has a very lightweight frame and limp recoil spring. It slaps my hand pretty hard with anything above wadcutters. I would investigate a slightly stiffer recoil spring, but the ergonomics of the slide serrations are slippery as snot on a doorknob. I'd need grip tape or something to improve this before going to a stiffer recoil spring, or I might not be able to work the slide.
Anyway, I would not hesitate to recommend either an XD or Sig
Your selection of recoil spring strength also affects felt recoil, if a spring is way too low powered for the load you are shooting, the slide will slap into the frame pretty hard at the end of it's rearward movement, this can impart a pretty good whack, which you will feel, definately.
One of the .45's that I don't like shooting is the Taurus PT 945, it's OK for lighter loads, but it has a very lightweight frame and limp recoil spring. It slaps my hand pretty hard with anything above wadcutters. I would investigate a slightly stiffer recoil spring, but the ergonomics of the slide serrations are slippery as snot on a doorknob. I'd need grip tape or something to improve this before going to a stiffer recoil spring, or I might not be able to work the slide.
Anyway, I would not hesitate to recommend either an XD or Sig