Thinking of a .45 but need opinions

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I have a P345 and like it alot. I also used to have a P90 and liked it a lot. I also like the XD45. So, I would choose either the Ruger or the XD.

Todd
 
I agree, for your stated budget either the P345 or the XD45 would be a good choice.

I would recommend if possible to find a local range that rents both and try them out.

I got a chance to fire the P345 at a public range and thought it better than the P97 I used to own.
 
I own or have owned the Glock and Ruger. Fired a friends Witness. That is just the order I would go by. The Glock is light, super tough, reliable, lots of rounds, one trigger action type, and very accurate. Only con is the grip is fat. It doesn't fit lots of folks hands. If not the have the new SF version.
Ruger is also tough, reliable, and accurate. Slim grip but a few less rounds. Not target grade triggers but plenty good enough. I would serve you well. Then their is the Witness.
Accurate, tough, reliable, lots of rounds. But also large and heavy.
I could not recomend a Taurus auto. They are very hit or miss in quality. Good ones are great. But if they do break service is a b&*&$. Hi points just to cluky for my tastes.
 
go for the XD

They are just as reliable as Glocks, about the same price plus with the added grip safety, chamber indicator, and striker indicator I can always be a bit more safe. It also is nice to know if it is cocked and locked so to speak.

Most shooters that have no experience with a glock will shoot better with the XD as it has a 1911 style grip and shoots better point of aim.

I love mine just my .02
 
novaDAK is right. My experience with .45's is limited to 1911's and my Ruger P90. The P90 has the smoothest and lightest double action trigger of any gun I have ever handled. The SA trigger is sweet also. It's a great gun for the value if you want a traditional DA/SA action.
 
There a lot of choices out there and many different opinions. Considering the $400 price range, the RIA suggested by wally might be a good option as would be the Ruger P90 or the discontinued Ruger P97 (which BTW is my everyday carry gun). In my area the RIA tactical runs a bit more nowadays and the Rugers can be gotten for less.

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Dynasty - do you live in Utah? If you do - Impact rents all of those guns so you can shoot them before you buy. I wouldn't waste my time with the Hi-Point - jut my opinion. Most gun stores with a range would probably let you shoot before you buy as well.

I really like the Ruger - my brother has it and it feels great. But then again, what feels great to me might feel lousy to you.


I really like the XD45 - that would be my next gun purchase.
 
I think that's the best advice yet. Rent them all and pick the one you like best :)

For me, it was a tossup between a P90 and a RIA a few years ago, and went with the Ruger because it was stainless and I loved my other Ruger 9mm.
I have since bought another 3 Ruger pistols since then...two 9mms and a .40 :)

I have other brands (some more expensive and fancy) but Ruger remains my #1 favorite brand. Price has nothing to do with it now for me :)
 
Ruger is your best option of those listed

The Ruger is by far the best gun in your price range, IMHO. It is a good, solid, reliable gun that lacks polish. Shoot it a lot and it should smooth out. You can get a gun that is a bit smoother out of the box, but it will cost you. If you can spend the extra money, go for the Glock. A 21 will be a bit lighter and smoother and have a better trigger.

Happy hunting!

Shooter429
 
If you are willing to go above 400, you can still stay well under 500 and get a variety of great guns in .45, especially if you consider used guns.

Here is a short list of guns that you can get for under 500, some of them you can even get new.

-Smith and Wesson M&P (won't find a better price on a new, QUALITY .45)
-Glock 21 (I don't like the grip angle, but still worth considering for many other reasons)
-Sig 220 (Not a bad thing to say about this gun, a 220 beat to hell is still better than the guns you mentioned)
-Smith and Wesson 4506 or other 45 series (rugged, reliable, accurate, but heavy)

Any of these would DEFINITELY be a better option than most of the guns you mentioned in terms of reliability, finish, accuracy, accessory options, etc. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good pistol (I generally think most anything over $600 is overrated and overpriced) but $400 is just a little low to get something you can really trust.
 
I have a Ruger P97 that I bought this year for $250 and it is quite a good gun. The Taurus Millennium Pro and 24/7 are also good guns in your price range. I own 2 RIA 45s, standard and compact, and would be good choices if you want a 1911 type. Don't get too worried about the brand and price snobs, there are good guns in your price range. The most important thing is to find something to suit you, try as many as you can.
 
Is this your first handgun? If so, you're going to find that a .45 is awfully hard to shoot on a limited budget.
 
Look for a used S&W 3rd generation .45, 4506, 4566, 4586, etc., they can usually be had for less than $400. They are totally reliable and nicely accurate. They get run down a lot, mostly by people who have no experience with them.
 
Everyone that is saying there is nothing wrong with the Taurus, Ruger, Hi-Point, etc. aren't giving the whole story. While the guns they have work very well, there are generally more lemons at those price points than with the slightly higher price (400-600) range.

There are lemons at EVERY price point, but I would be more comfortable getting something with a better reputation for quality control like Sig, Glock, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, etc than a Taurus or Hi-Point.
 
I think I'd seriously look ar the SIG P-220 in .45 ACP, but buy a used U.S. police trade in (to stay within your price point), many of these are in prime condition internally. If you liked your friend's .45 because it was on 1911 frame, there are companies building this weapon in all grades, but it does require a lot of practice to be good (and safe) with it. Maybe a mil-spec grade weapon you could customize to your specific needs later if need be.

ironvic
 
The best 45 ACP handgun in my book is the CZ 97B. Particularly for the money. They are even becoming more readily available used. My #2 choice would be an HK USP, 3rd would be SIG P220 SAO, 4th would be the Glock. If the Glock works for you it's an excellent and reliable firearm at a reasonable price.

Over the lifetime of the gun (if it's at all decent) the cost of ammunition will come out to several times the cost of the gun, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to cut corners. Rent, borrow, or at least handle as many guns as you can before coming to a final decision and laying down your hard earned cash.

Then, once you've made your choice, invest in formal instruction. It will save you years of frustration and thousands of rounds of ammunition in practice. I waited 14 years from when I started shooting to take any formal training and it's the largest regret of my entire firearms experience. You will never spend better money than on training.
 
i still don't understand why people hate the hi-point so much, you have to look at it this way. it fires every time, maybe not the prettiest gun but nor is the glock in my eyes. for what your paying your get great accuracy out of the box, full no questions asked warranty, hell if you ever have to send it in for repair they send you back a couple extra mags for your time and trouble. now what other company that you know of does so, lit alone fixes the gun for FREE!!

now im not saying its the best gun but it is a great gun for what is needed. i carry my C-9 all day every day as my main carry with a S&W .38 as a BUG, i trust my life with it and there is reasoning for that.

i would also look into a 1911 like stated above, great firearm and there is a reason its been around this long.

also the ruger is a nice gun, i good friend has the p90 i believe it was and that was good, very conferable on the hands as well as not having too much of a kick.
 
I went through the process of choosing a new .45 last fall (up to $1200), and after handling and firing most of the .45 available, I bought the Ruger KP345DPR.

I'm normally a 1911 man, but for CC I prefer the first round double action rather than carrying cocked and locked. Yes, I know it is safe, but I've always been a bit uncomfortable with it.

The P345 is about the same size and weight as a Colt Light Weight Commander, an excellent gun that I carried for many years, but with the polymer frame and stainless slide it is much more corrosion resistant. I have the 'decock only' model, where the safety lever on the slide drops the hammer and returns to the ready position. This is just as safe as a revolver; a long pull on the trigger fires the first round, and then it functions the same as any regular semi-auto.

That initial double action pull is surprisingly smooth after the first 100 rounds or so. I can shoot very nearly as tight a group double action as in normal single action shooting. The P345's double action triggering is better than many of the big name double actions revolvers I have owned or shot. The transition from the first double action shot to the following single action is something you would be quite used to after a couple of boxes worth of range work.

The gun will feed anything that passes for 45ACP, even empty cases. Accuracy is actually slightly better than the LW Commanders I have owned.

Back in the 70's when I was customizing the available 1911's, I wrote out a list of features I wanted in my 'wish' gun. The P345 fits that list except it is not as accurate as a Gold Cup.

With concealed carry in mind, the gun has been steamlined. All controls and the sights are low profile and designed for a snag-free draw. I usually fire 230g +P ammo since I use this gun both for SD and in the field where shots could be longish and the target a bear or a hog with bad intent. This gun, probably due to the polymer frame, seems to suck up the recoil.

If in spite of all this, if you do not choose a Ruger P345, then go with the Witness!
 
summitgunbroker.com

SMITH & WESSON 4566 45ACP WITH NIGHT SIGHTS: $379
Smith & Wesson 45 Tactical: $415
SIG P220R: $535
 
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