The best NON-1911 .45 ACP $650 or less...?

[psychophipps]

A Ruger P97 rides on my belt most every day. More accurate than I can shoot, fairly light and it works every time.

Wheew!

For a moment there, I thought that I was going to have to be the first person to mention a Ruger as an option. With my first post, no less! Thanks for saving me, bakert...

I have been very impressed with my P97DC, thus far. It's reasonably accurate, reliable as the sun, consistently places the rounds the same regardless of the loads I'm using, and doesn't have uncomfortable recoil despite it's light weight.
Of course, it's also a bit on the 'beefy' side for size and looks like the handgun equivalent of a 1960s russian tractor (now, with plastic!). I call it 'my Ruger .45ACP AK-47'. It ain't pretty, but it's cheap and will fire every time as long as there's a round to feed into it from the magazine.
I have yet to fire the new KP345-series of pistols by Ruger but the gun mag guys have been all but wetting themselves with glee over them. Seem to get high marks in all categories and the more ergonomic grips that are standard are quite comfy to me.

Good luck with your purchase,
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

 

[camper]

The XD 45 ACP!!!!

 

[Plumber576]

From CDNN you can have a NIB USP .45 for around $650. You cannot beat that.

 

[doublebarrel]

Wheew!

For a moment there, I thought that I was going to have to be the first person to mention a Ruger as an option.

Hmm..., what did I say in post #5?...

 

[psychophipps]

Sorry!

I think it stuck out a bit more with, bakert, because it was the first post that had more than a passing reference like "And don't forget Ruger..."

My apologies, sir...
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

 

[Black Majik]

From CDNN you can have a NIB USP .45 for around $650. You cannot beat that.

+1 on this

Also the SA XD45 is a strong contender.

Best non-1911 though would be a single stack SIG P220 CPO. If you could live with 2 rds less, this would be a superb choice.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Ok, I know some of you may not agree with me on this, but I've basically decided against a 1911 for my first .45 ACP The main issue for me is I can't see myself plopping down a good little chunk of cash for an autoloader with less than a 10 rd. capacity.

That being said, what do you think my best options are at $650 or less? I've gotten alot of support for the XD on my other thread and it's a strong contender becasue I really enjoy my Sub-Compact 9mm, but I'd like to stay open to something different.

This will primarily be for home defense, but I want to be able to carry it concealed when I take a notion.

Stay 1911. Get a Para Ordnance P12.45

 

[doublebarrel]

Sorry!

I think it stuck out a bit more with, bakert, because it was the first post that had more than a passing reference like "And don't forget Ruger..."

My apologies, sir...
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

No problemo. I hope Ruger's working on a double stacker 45 of 12 to 13+1 capacity, DA/SA decock only(and not the CZ kinda half decocker). Right now, only HK USP and its varient like MK23, offer this configuration(kinda sad. Of all the 45ACP high caps out there...)

 

[CougarRed]

Before the XD-45 came out, I asked myself the same question: what is the best non-1911 .45

I read up on all the models. Lots of internet commandos like the Sig P220. Police armorers, however, were not enamored with it. Seems the trigger reset spring and other parts break relatively often with heavy use.

The HK USP got good marks, but it felt blocky to me.

IMO the best Glocks are 9mm so I didnt even consider the Glock 45s.

The CZ-97 felt a little too big.

I wound up with a Smith & Wesson 4566TSW. It is traditional DA/SA, with 8+1 capacity and a 4.25" barrel. Built of sturdy stainless steel, police armorers raved about its reliability and longevity. After an action job, the trigger is very good (9lbs DA, 4 lbs SA, quick reset). And the gun is surprisingly accurate. I put 3 full mags in a 4.5" circle at 25 yards last time out.

While I love my S&W 4566TSW, I also love my XD-9 and if I had to do it over again, would give serious thought to the XD-45 and its 13+1 rounds.

 

[BC]

non-1911

Imo the glock 30 is the way to go.

 

[Braden]

Please don't over look the Taurus PT-145 & PT-745 Millennium Pros. Great guns for less than $400.00. I have a PT-145. It's 10+1 .45acp capacity, shoot to point of aim, great accuracy and easy handling makes it a great buy. Mine has fired over 3000 rounds without even a hiccup. It is my constant pocket companion and is my BUG to all my 1911's.

The Taurus PT-145 is the only gun I've ever sold that I don't want back. I bought one, tried it for about three weeks and then sold it for a loss to buy my first Glock. That was THE most inaccurate gun I had ever shot. Bigmike, I'm glad it's working out for you, but having owned a PT-145 I can NOT recommend it to anyone.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Cougar Red My Friend-

This "internet commando" has NEVER had a problem with a SIG P220A
in .45 ACP, and I carried one daily as my duty weapon from July '88
too May of '97; then frequently carried one daily as a CCW~!

 

[kennyboy]

Glock 20 if you like full size or 30 if you want compact...Glocks are GOOOOOOD!

The Glock 20 is not a .45. The Glock 21 is a .45 and hold 13 rounds in the mag. This is the model that I recommend. You can get one for $464 + $60 for night sights at www.gtdist.com. Also, Glocks have plenty of accessories and are used worldwide by the best military/law enforcement units.
The Glock 30 is a subcompact model as well as the 36. One hold 10 rounds, the other 6.

 

[CougarRed]

Hey Cougar Red My Friend-

This "internet commando" has NEVER had a problem with SIG P220A
in .45 ACP, and I carried one daily as my duty weapon from July '88
too May or '97; then frequently carried one daily as a CCW~!

Ala Dan

The P220 seems to have a loyal following. I am glad your gun has been enjoyable. I hope it stays reliable.

I considered it, but chose something else based on what I read over at the Tactical Forums re: police armorer experiences. In addition, when I had my P226 in for an action job with Teddy Jacobson, he showed me the reset spring design. He talked to me about his experience in fixing Sig reset springs when they break. Apparently, the P239 is a different design from the P220/P226/P229 and is not prone to this issue like the others.

Anyway, to each his own.

Red

 

[LynnMassGuy]

S&W 4506

 

[f155mph]

SIG SIG SIG P220 you can't go wrong with it. James at ordnanceoutsellers got some cpo.

 

[brickboy240]

Pre-owned Sig 220...do doubt about it! I have one and love it.

Close second - the Springfield XD45ACP.

- Brickboy240

 

[Missouri Mule]

Since you are narrowing the field with your $650 limit, I'd say you'd be best served by a Glock 21 ....better yet a used G21.

Otherwise Para Ordnance, Kimber and Wilson's make sopme good "HIGH CAPACITY" 1911 platform pistols.

 

[foghornl]

OK, not 1911 platform...

I have a KP-90 Ruger, manual safety model. Matte finish Stainless Steel uppers. It is well....big & blocky compared to 1911's, but does hold 8+1.

Somewhere around here, I've got a comparison photo of KP-90 vs 1911...

Ahhh here it is. Springfield Champion model 1911 on top, KP-90 Ruger on bottom.

 

[bgold]

If I absolutely could not use a 1911, I would look at either the XD-45, or my non-1911 favorite, the Sig 220.

 

[mapwd]

Springfield XD-45ACP!!!!

 

[Lou22]

Braden:

Sorry to hear about your Taurus PT145.

I got one and love it! 10+1 capacity in 45acp, plenty accurate for SD, and about as small and light as you can go for concealed carry. I got mine new for less than $300. I carry Double Tap 185gr, for one heck of a powerful SD package (616 ft lbs out of a 5 inch barrel).

Lou

 

[cdnva]

Hello, I'm new here. I found a new HK USP .45 ACP for $689+ shipping. Is that a good price? I'm seriously dead set on getting one for my first purchase

 

[BamBam-31]

Easy. Sig 220 ST. Do a search, you'll be impressed. Shoot one, you'll be even more impressed. Might cost a little more than $650 NIB, but it'll be worth every penny.

 

[Merkin.Muffley]

The only 45acp I've had that has always fed, fired and ejected is the HK USP compact. I've had problems with Sig 220 and a Sig 245. I have a G21 but haven't shot it yet (it's sat around for about 10 years).