[Pathfinder]

The next pistol I am going to purchase is going to be chambered in this..

For the money, which is the best IYO and why?

Oh, and pics please. :P ;)

[cheekser]

hmm, perhaps i need a little elaboration on what you plna on using this pistol for. if mostly for punching paper, a SA Mil-spec full-size would be nice. or for carry, maybe a Bersa Thunder .45...

[akula]

Depends.

For the .45 ACP, I am a big believer in the 1911 platform. For a basic introduction to the 1911, the Springfield Armory GI model or the Mil-Spec are excellent starters. The Loaded model has many of the most commonly desired features for a very reasonable price.

IMO, Colt charges too much for what you get. Kimber is also a nice choice, as is the S&W 1911.

Here's a pic of my SA Lightweight Bi-Tone; the aluminum frame loaded model. I have added the clear anodized Alumagrips (a great addition).

For non-1911 options, Ruger makes one (P95?) that is rumored to be competent. H&K makes a nice (but pricey) USP, and SIG also has a nice .45.

[ladder51]

colt series 70

[Jay]

I carry a Kimber ProCDP. It already has most any mod out there, night sights, no barrel bushing to wear out, and for me.......flawless function. I've had the pistol a couple of years, and have not had any malfunctions of any kind, after probably 5000 rounds through it. 4" barrel, 7+1 single stack, and comes with rosewood grips, which I changed to hard rubber because I carry it. Paid $875 for it new, and no regrets.

http://personal.swayzee.com/jayb/ProCDP.jpg

[texasalien]

For the money (@$425), I like the Baby Eagle. Its accurate, dependable and very comfortable to shoot. For a pistol with a double-stack mag, the ergonomics are terrific. It's not a handsome pistol, in my opinion, and is a bit heavy for CCW, but for range work and home defense it performs very well. If I were looking for my first 45 all over again, I would consider the CZ 97.

My only complaint about the 1911 platform is with the subcompacts (3-3.5" barrels). I went through several before I found one that was reliable and my experience with the 1911 sub-compacts does not seem unusual, from what I have seen posted on other forums. I have not experienced significant problems with full-size 1911s, after the initial break-in.

[Rabbi]

My first recommendation would be a full size (5" bbl.) 1911. Colts, Springfields, Kimbers, Smith and Wessons, Wilson and all the other top shelf models will serve you well. The Rock Island Armory GI 1911 at $315.00 will also do the job just as well for one third to one half the money.

Or try a Glock, an H&K, a Sig, a CZ, a Taurus or a BUL.

Please, don't EVER try a Charles Daly ................ they suck.

With the .45 auto as with any handgun, you need to practice, practice, practice.

Rabbi

[Dennis Foote]

One of these!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/RugerP97.jpg

Ruger P97.

For the money, it's the best deal!!
Bar none!!
It's built like a tank.
it feeds on everything and anything.
I can't speak for every P97. But, mine has one of the smoothest OTB triggers I have ever experienced!!
The SA trigger can only be described as "hair"!!
I can't remember exactly. But I paid less than $400 for mine!! The figure of $375 comes to mind.
At that price, you can buy it and some ammo to shoot!!! :D

[Zircon]

Exactly what Jay said, picture and all. Kimber ProCDP is a very reliable, lightweight, easy to carry platform for launching those .45's.

[Gusgus]

Dang, I have to agree with Dennis. Now I'm freak'n scared. :D :D

FOR THE MONEY, the P97 is the best .45 ACP out there. I bought mine in 2000, and only paid $285 NIB. All stainless upper with a polymer lower and as Dennis pointed out, built like a tank. My only complaint, is that the grip is a bit narrow, and a little on the slippery side, but a slip on rubber sleeve will fix it right up. Unlike many 1911's, it isn't fickle about what you feed it, and it's a heck of a lot easier to take down. With the 100% stainless upper, and polymer lower, you could probably even clean it in your dish washer (I'm kidding) :D :D

Oh, and you're talking traditional single/double action with decocker, so you can carry it hammer down with one in the pipe. There is no safety per say, so you can't carry it cocked and locked.

[Win 73]

Dennis

How did you get a picture of my P97DC???

But seriously, I agree that the Ruger P97 is a great gun. And Dennis is right about that single action trigger pull. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to fire! The second shot I fired out of mine was unintentional. Notice I didn't say accidental. I pulled the trigger and it fired. I just didn't pull the trigger intentionally. Thankfully I was following good gun handling practice and still had the muzzle pointed down range. I had fired the first shot double action and was lining up for the second shot when BLAM. That's when I discovered how light the single action pull was.

[Ala Dan]

Boy, you opened up a can of worms with this question! :D

To be perfectly honest, there are a lot of excellent choices out there,
and it really depends on YOUR desires and expectations from a .45ACP?
Sticking with single-action 1911 style .45's, my vote has too go
to the Springfield WW-II G.I. model. Priced at only $389 for this most
excellent gun with a parkerized finish (or $429 for the stainless steel
version); its perhaps the best bargain available to the U.S. consumer.
Mine has served me well, and has proven that it is a quality firearm.
Sure, the frames are from Imbel, Brazil but the gun is assembled here
in the states. Sure, some of the small parts are MIM; but if they are
cast correctly, they present NO problems! That is how Springfield
Armory can market this pistol at these fabulous prices.

I will save the discussion of double-action .45's until another
time. :) :cowshoot:

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

[BigC]

I would not trust my life to any thing smaller than a .40. The .45ACP is a time proven man stopper. Any quality 1911 will provide you much joy.

However concider this...................
http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/userimages/160936_large.jpg

But I'm just that way. ;)

[jimfox]

I favor the 1911 platform for .45 ACP. Just my preference with no offense meant to Ruger, Sig, Glock, Smith & Wesson or other excellent handguns (semi-auto or revolver) chambered for the .45 ACP.

Although I don't like large revolvers for concealed carry, for almost all other uses one of the older Smiths or Colts in that chambering would find a welcome home with me. I also have a Ruger Blackhawk in that chambering that I like.

[t driver]

My first choice.

[Blammer]

Hungarian made FEG GKK45 = 8+1 NOT a single action, Visualize a BHP with a slide mounted decocker safety like a S&W semiautomatic :D :up: 5" barrel, slabsided grips like the BHP, Steel, no plastic ;)
Got it in 2000 and have run several thousand rounds through it, reloads included, and have yet to have it misbehave.

[Pathfinder]

This is the one that is the frontrunner so far..


Pistol (http://www.glock.com/g36.htm)

What do you think?

[Zircon]

This is the one that is the frontrunner so far..


Pistol (http://www.glock.com/g36.htm)

What do you think?

I think the numbers, .45 ACP, and 1911 go together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Block makes a nice pistol, but it ain't a "real" .45.

[Rabbi]

I like my Glock G-36 and carry it every day. Never one malfunction and the first pistol I've ever been able to hit with at fifty yards.

Thanks Rotty for turning me on to Glocks.

Rabbi

[BlondeCowgirl]

I too like the 45 and believe the 45ACP has proved itself more so than any other handgun round. The 1911 frames are simply too big for concealled carry purposes and is why I am a fan of the compacts. I am a recently retired LEO type and carry a S&W 457 with 165 JHP's. The compact 45's are not as forgiving come range time as their full sized counter parts, but I did score a 300 out of 300 on my last qualification (or sould I say my first qualification as required by HR-218). FYI: the target was a standard FBI Q and the performance of my little 45 turned some heads on qual-day.

[Popeye]

Another vote for the 1911, 3", 4", Commander or 5", here. Flat and easy to conceal in the shorter barrel lengths. Remember, the short barrels demand lighter bullets for reliable expansion.

[BlondeCowgirl]

That's very good advice about using lighter grain bullets in shorter barrel length 45's.

[MtJerry]

What do you consider a "short" barrrel for 45?

[Popeye]

3" or 4" is short. 180s for 4". 165s for 3".

[BlondeCowgirl]

Popeye, I will agree with you on those barrel lengths and bullet grains.

[combat effective]

I have a Springfield 1911. I will probably own a Ruger P97 or P97 at some point as well. One of those Jerry Miculek 625s would be great!!