Who needs a .45? I guess I do!

[ChuckB]

Well, I was just sailing along happily, enjoying shooting my 92FS, and a friend's P226, and knowing that I would never have to go above the 9mm. Well, said friend acquired a SigP220, a .45 DA/SA beauty. Sadly, I shot the thing. First .45 group ever- one ragged hole at 7 yards. Perhaps I'm not as good as I thought with my Beretta, or maybe I really, really do need to get a .45! But then the problem arises: a pistol like the P220, or a 1911-type. A quandry for sure. And, I'm sure none of you have opinions on this matter, eh?

Chuck

 

[Snaps]

The 1911s are nice, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say HK USP. /ducks incoming objects/ I really like the feel, good guns, I have yet to have any type of problem with mine what so ever. If you don't like that idea I'd say probably some type of 1911 type. S.A. maybe?

 

[SnWnMe]

Who needs a .45? I guess I do!

Every man woman and child in this country.

Get a 1911. You'll get what it's all about after you do.

 

[cheygriz]

For competitive target shooting, a tricked out 1911 is hard to beat.

For any other kind of shooting, I'd go with the Sig 220. I have both. The tricked out 1911 comes out of the gun safe about once every four or five years. The Sig 220 and the Glock 21 come out monthly.

If I could have only one .45, it would be the Glock 21. The Sig 220 would be a mighty close second choice though.

 

[10-Ring]

Everybody at some point realizes they need a .45 & now it's your turn! Go rent a bunch & buy the one that works best 4 U!

 

[dairycreek]

Sad, sad, sad!

ChuckB you are, indeed, in a sad, sad, position. Inevitably you will soon discover that the question "1911 or SIG 220?" has no real answer!!!! The only possible answer that will not leave you with feelings of guilt, worry, or recrimination, is "both"! Good shooting

 

[Black Snowman]

In the order I'd get one
HK Mk 23 Mod 0 (if I could swing the money)
CZ-97B (by far the best .45 for the dollar in my book)
SIG 220 (Almost as classic as a 1911)
Colt 1911 (Because they work)

 

[MHB]

Personally I would take a 1911 anyday, but if you like the 220 and you already know you can shoot it well, I would go with the sig

 

[Ala Dan]

Ho-Ho-Ho Greeting's From The Cold Deep South-

Well my friend, I'm glad to took a SIG P220A for a
test drive! Cuz, without spending upwards of
$2,000 bucks on a "tricked out" .45 caliber 1911,
you just fell in love with the world's best loved
.45 caliber DA/SA self-loader.

I've constantly relied on a WEST GERMAN SIG-SAUER
P220A in .45 caliber since July of 1988; both on
and off duty. Three words that most folk's
associate with the name SIG-SAUER or SIGARMS
are: 1) RELIABILITY, 2) ACCURACY, along with
3) CRAFTSMANSHIP.

The "Classic P-series" from SIG-SAUER/SIGARMS
is like owning a finely made Swiss watch; not
only are they beautifully crafted, but with a tiny
bit of TLC they will run forever!

In my way of thinking, YOUR safety is YOUR own
responsibility. With that said, I'd want the best
firearm available to get the job done. And IMHO
my friend, that is best left entrusted to the
world famous .45 caliber SIG P220A.

Learn to master the DA first shot, and successive
SA follow-up shot's; and all else will come natural.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[dbshabo]

I had the same experience as you Chuck. I've owned a 92FS Centurion for years and really like the pistol. I also got bitten by the .45 bug and agonized over the 1911 or Sig220 question. I drove myself crazy reading all the info on both that I could find. I went to gun shows and handled both. I finally found a range near me that rented both. I ended up buying a S&W1911. I found the 1911 to be more comfortable in my hand, it has less muzzle climb than the 220, and there is no comparison as far as the triggers are concerned.

The one thing that I have never liked on my 92FS is the trigger. Too much take up slack in DA and SA mode for my liking. The Sig220's trigger is pretty close to my Beretta trigger. I like the 1911 trigger much much better, short and clean.

If I had the $$ I'd buy a 220 also. It was very accurate. It is a bulky pistol but seemed to be balanced well. I don't know why they didn't make it a double stack, as I said it's already a bulky piece. I didn't read anything but good accounts of the gun. Sig quality and reliability are hard to argue with.

As Black Snowman said the CZ-97B is a quality .45. If you have large hands I think it's the best value out there also. It's built like a tank and the fit and finish are beautiful. It's a long reach to the trigger for me so I passed.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Shoot all you are considering if you can, it's a huge help.

Shabo

 

[berto]

The 1911 is the "Jeep" of handguns,get a Springy Mil Spec and leave it as is or you can customize it to no end with the multitude of aftermarket stuff.

The Sig P220 is reknown for being accurate and reliable out of the box,with out any tweaking...but the alum frame won't be as durable as a steel 1911....a great carry .45, in other words.

The CZ97 is the best buy IMO,but it's big in the grip girth and trigger reach.It shoots like an accurized 1911,has 10 round capacity and can be carried cocked and locked or DA first shot.If it's like the other CZ's,it should last forever.Mine has needed no tweaking and feeds HP's great.

 

[Jerry Morris]

ChuckB, FWIW, I have settled on three 45s. All are 1911 types. Two are custom Colt's 1991A1 and one is Kimbers Ultra Carry with the alloy frame.

For serious use, I am uncomfortable with anything else. I am willing to play with the others. I am just unwilling to bet my life on DA pistols. I gave up throwing away that first round with a double action and Glock type triggers are an abomination to my hand.

If you want to understand my position a little more, take two thousand round and one 1911 and your choice of Glock, or DA pistol out and spend the weekend doing some practical shooting with each. For me, nothing else comes close to the 1911 for typical defensive situations.

And I know how long a good 1911 will stay good. I have had many examples prove it out.

SIG makes a good product. Would not hurt me to own one. But, it won't ride the belt for serious use.

Jerry

 

[rich e]

You are in the same boat as most of us. You will find yourself liking more and more types of handguns through the years. Just pick up whichever you find the best deal on {1911 or Sig]. Sooner or later you will end up with both.Been there,done that. In 2-5 years you will need a serious fire safe to keep the family protected.
Rich