View Full Version : any suggestions on my 1st .45 purchase?
This will be my very 1st .45 handgun purchase and it will be for carry and home defense. Budget is limited so any advice or suggestions on the best bang for the buck out there (no pun intended) will be great, TIA!:)
Magic_Salad0892
05-12-10, 10:49
Glock 21, or H&K USP .45.
Might want to take a look at he S&W M&P in .45ACP.
I'll warn you though, if you're on a budget, actually shooting the damn thing is going to get really expensive, really quickly.
The M&P .45 price and quality is very good and its probably the easiest .45 to shoot that I know of. Order it from Grant with Apex parts installed and you are good to go. I also like the Glock and HK 45's but HK will about double your price and the Glocks are little less friendly to new shooters (muzzle flip) and come in less convenient sizes i.e big or small but no medium.
http://tinyurl.com/37mt6gt
I love my HK45. I have small hands and its super comfy and soft shooting. The M&P is loved by many and is much cheaper. I find the G21 and USP45 to be too big.
What is your budget and how big are your hands? .45 is scarce and expensive btw.
gtmtnbiker98
05-12-10, 11:26
I have to say this, if the budget is "limited" then you are definitely looking at the wrong caliber! Ammo for the .45 ACP is scarce and very expensive. Choose wisely.
For the money the M&P would be your best choice
Littlelebowski
05-12-10, 11:45
M&P .45. See a trend yet?
I agree. Budget and. 45 is like 2+2=5. Not being a smarta#$ about it but be patient and look through the older threads on the handgun and the ballistics forums. With all the info on here I switched from. 45 back to 9 and switched my carry platform over. 9s are SO much cheaper to run. Here's an example: Walmart prices for 9mm is $20 for 100 rounds (federal 115g fmj, 2 50 rd boxes) versus a 100 round box of 230 Winchester fmj .45 for $35. And I am convinced now with the proper ammo being key a 9mm round is as good as the other mainstay handgun self defense calibers. Not to mention higher capacity and faster follow up shots and with the ability to buy more ammo at the same price more practice. Another consideration might be FN's FNX9. Check with Grant (C4IGrant). He runs GandRtactical and he had mentioned that they were supposed to be getting those in. If I misquoted you Grant I apologize. If he does start selling them I guarantee you he will have the best prices anywhere. He already does on another platform he carries and I highly recommend, the M&P line. Not trying to talk you out of a .45 but just food for thought! Hope I helped man and good luck.
-Jax
For the money the M&P would be your best choice
I'm a die hard GLOCK man but might have to agree here. I don't care for any of the .45acp offerings from my beloved GLOCK. The G30 and SF are too blocky, the G36 is a freak of nature, and the G21 and SF are just to damn big overall.
I would suggest looking at the HK45 but the price is way up there.
I would REALLY suggest a 1911 Commander but anything I would suggest would far exceed the cost of the HK45. ;)
If you aren't in a hurry the XDm will soon be out in .45acp. They are pretty big too though.
SWATcop556
05-12-10, 12:46
If you're dead set on a .45 then the M&P is your best bet. I don't care for the Glock offerings in .45
As others have suggested the .45 is not a "budget" caliber to use. I very rarely shoot my beloved 1911's due to ammo costs.
Fire_Medic
05-12-10, 12:52
M&P45.
This would be a "clue" :D
another vote for an M&P45.
I've mostly had 1911s, but decided i needed a 'cheap' 45 too and something out of the 1911 platform so i could be a little more exploratory.
I got the M&P45 midsized and I love it. Got it with thumb safeties so it feels familiar to me. Great to shoot, easy to carry, good capacity. The only thing that didn't do anything for me was the trigger. But there are plenty of solutions for that. My solution was Ben at Boresight Solutions, and i also got the grip texturing done. I heart Boresight.
M&P45. I had two, liked them a lot. I decided I liked the Hk45 better, but it's not twice the gun for a 2x price tag it carries over the M&P45.
If money is no object, then I say HK45 or HK45c.
M&P .45. See a trend yet?
This^^^^^
Kielproof, what firemedic is talking is not so much the gun but the guy that recommends the M&P. Check out DocGKR's info on the terminal ballistics forum. A good one is
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=26028.
He has some great info on comparing the performance of handgun ammo.
This would be a "clue" :D
Has anybody mentioned the M&P 45 yet??:D
Ill "Buck" the trend... For you first 45, I would recomend a lightly used quality 1911A1... Something in the $400 range...
B
M&WHAT!?! Who makes this this?! The military or is it the police? :D
Has anybody mentioned the M&P 45 yet??:D
Ill "Buck" the trend... For you first 45, I would recomend a lightly used quality 1911A1... Something in the $400 range...
B
1911 is the last thing I would choose for a first .45 or first pistol. It's an enthusiasts pistol for those who can operate it safely and are willing and able to maintain it. Plus i have no idea where you get a quality used .45 for $400...
It depends on the size of your hands, and how long your fingers are...
I have not tried the HK45 or the M&P45, but for me the G21 SF and HK USP are excellent guns. I prefer the G21 SF.
OP do you have a range nearby where you able to rent some handguns and do a try b4 buy?
1911 is the last thing I would choose for a first .45 or first pistol. It's an enthusiasts pistol for those who can operate it safely and are willing and able to maintain it. Plus i have no idea where you get a quality used .45 for $400...
We all have our opinions, and honestly, if he hadn't said "carry" in his original criteria, I would have also recommend a quality 1911 as a first .45acp pistol.
A running 1911 is not quite as magical as some make it out, it's just that over a hypothetical 1,000,000 rounds it will have more stoppages than a Glock. Ok, perfect.
controlledpairs2
05-12-10, 13:58
i agree with most all here.
the glock is a fantastic pistol, reliable, good value, easy to shoot well, great capacity... but the grip is so large you almost have to have it reduced by someone - im a fan of ROBAR's work and that'll add $ to the base cost.
the m$p is great but if quality trigger feel is important to you then its hit or miss with a stock gun. you can buy aftermarket parts like the ones from APEX to fix that.
i would caution you against a 1911. while 1911's are the platform i love most, i have never had great experiences with any 1911 for under 1200 dollars. i wont own anything less than an ed brown-level of 1911 now.
just my 2 cents. good luck and shoot safe!
TheSmiter1
05-12-10, 14:36
I have to say this, if the budget is "limited" then you are definitely looking at the wrong caliber! Ammo for the .45 ACP is scarce and very expensive. Choose wisely.
I agree with this. If you're not going to be able to shoot it often, why get it? A big hole doesn't matter if it's not in the target. Even if you get a 9mm and don't shoot it often, at least you'll have more rounds and a more controllable weapon. I'd definitely want those things if I never shot (and I don't shoot a lot at the moment so a 9mm is much better for me, as I can already pull off decent failure drills and hammer pairs, and I'm only about 950 rounds in, plus another 1100 .22lr).
As far as which sidearm to get, in .45acp you're good to go with an M&P45 or an HK45, based on the words of wise men.
1911 is the last thing I would choose for a first .45 or first pistol. It's an enthusiasts pistol for those who can operate it safely and are willing and able to maintain it. Plus i have no idea where you get a quality used .45 for $400...
LINK (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=168903315)
I am well aware of the 1911s strengths and weaknesses, but for a first pistol I really think something like this would fit the bill nicely... My first pistol was a USGI Remington Rand 1911A1, and I turned out more or less ok...
Just my .02
B
a 1911 was my first one i owned and it isnt hard to operate. As far as ammo prices a box of 50 for me is around $7 so i shoot quite often because of this.
patrick
a 1911 was my first one i owned and it isnt hard to operate. As far as ammo prices a box of 50 for me is around $7 so i shoot quite often because of this.
patrick
A box of 50 rounds of .45ACP FMJ is more like $20 in the rest of the country...if you truly can get it for $0.14/round, consider yourself lucky.
I have to say this, if the budget is "limited" then you are definitely looking at the wrong caliber! Ammo for the .45 ACP is scarce and very expensive. Choose wisely.
+1.
This will be my very 1st .45 handgun purchase and it will be for carry and home defense. Budget is limited so any advice or suggestions on the best bang for the buck out there (no pun intended) will be great, TIA!:)
My advice for "best bang for the buck" would be to reconsider your desire for a .45 caliber pistol for carry and home defense.
I reload all my ammo thats why i can get it so cheap. i just cant believe that more people dont reload also. i got tired of paying 12-14bucks for a box of 50 a couple of years ago, so i just started making my own.
LINK (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=168903315)
I am well aware of the 1911s strengths and weaknesses, but for a first pistol I really think something like this would fit the bill nicely... My first pistol was a USGI Remington Rand 1911A1, and I turned out more or less ok...
Just my .02
B
That was exactly the same as the first handgun I had when I was 17, one of the Springers. I enjoyed the hell out of field stripping and detail stripping it.
I'm not claiming to have turned out OK though........:D
Pathfinder Ops
05-12-10, 16:34
I would say that all of the handguns mentioned thus far are certainly acceptable.
However here is my observation for what it's worth.
Once upon a time every grunt got a 1911 and learned to use it well and very quickly. Some of them weren't exactly deep thinkers or all that gun savvy and they did just fine.
I was one of them once and then at some point was teaching them those lessons.
1911's are a solid design that have withstood a long (100 year) history of usefulness.
And a new Springfield GI 1911A1 goes for $500. I think this an outstanding entry level handgun. As for quality? I have several and and have had Glocks, S&W's, H&K's whatever......
I always come back to 1911. I like them. They work for me and I know how to use them very well.
Yeah I know this is an argument that has been beat senseless on just about every forum.
That's just my opinion; which has been cultivated over 30+ years of handgun use both in the combative and non-combative arenas.
I carry one full time and have done so for longer than I prefer to note. Its my go to handgun for HD and whatever else.
Its not perfect but nothing is. Find something that fits your hand, wallet and user intention. For some that's a Glock or whatever other plastic dishwasher safe guns that have been mentioned.:D
PS- I have never owned a S&W M&P handgun but it seems discouraging to me that there is now a thread on this forum dedicated to complaints about them. That might be something we call a clue.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll180/oscar319/DutyGuns042.jpg
I have owned & fired a Springfield TRP, Ed Brown Special Forces Commander, Kimber SIS, Sig P220,XD45, HK45 & HK45 compact. I once rented a Glock 21. Of these pistols, the HK45 was the overall winner. Never tried the M&P.
The HK45 had the least recoil of the pistols listed and was completly reliable. The only gun that was more accurate was the TRP. I have heard that the HK USP Tactical is even slightly better than the HK45, so that would be on my list to check out also.
Ill "Buck" the trend... For you first 45, I would recomend a lightly used quality 1911A1... Something in the $400 range...
B
I second that... I purchased an m&p45, had problems feeding.... fixed it with a little work, Like the gun a lot but I do like a 1911 more than the M&P.
M&P is not a bad gun by any means.. but i would sugest a decent 1911 as an option.
RogerinTPA
05-12-10, 19:09
M&P45, Middy compact, in FDE of course.;)
Springfield TRP with Picatinny rail. Great gun, I carried it as my duty weapon.
MarshallDodge
05-12-10, 19:37
I think the 1911 is a great platform if you choose 45ACP as your caliber of choice but there are a couple things to ponder if you go with a 1911:
The 1911 is going to be easier to shoot. It will take less time for you to learn how to shoot it. Most 1911's come out of the box with a decent trigger and the grip and weight will help with recoil. This is the main reason I would recommend a 1911 for 45.
Most issues with the 1911 are because of poor magazines or an improperly setup extractor. Neither are rocket science but that is where most manufacturers seem to cut corners.
Don't go with a barrel length smaller than 5" unless you are ready to drop some serious cash on a properly setup gun. I see the most 1911 issues with the shorter guns.
Maintenance is higher than some of the poly guns on the market. I try to keep mine fairly clean, and replace the recoil, mainspring, and magazine springs about every 2000 rounds.
45 ammo is more expensive unless you are like me and decide to reload then it is 1/3 the cost of store bought 9mm and even less than 40.
1911's are heavy compared to the poly guns on the market but they are also slim and easy to conceal.
The 1911 has a thumb and grip safety that may require some time to get familiar with.
The Springfield mentioned is a decent choice. Get some good mags and ammo for it and run it hard. If it quits then call Springfield, they have excellent customer service.
If you go polymer then look at the compact version of the Smith and Wesson M&P 45. I have spent a little time with one and it would be my first choice in a polymer pistol. Perfect size for both carry and home defense.
You make some great points: There is a learning curve for the 1911 but I think it is one of the safest handguns out there because it incorporates a thumb safety and a grip safety. I always used Wilson Combat Mags and the gun worked great as long as you keep it clean.
motorsporting
05-12-10, 22:13
I only have .45s and I LOVE each of them. With that in mind, there is no .45 I would rather own, shoot, and depend on than a good 1911. Finding one that is "affordable" can be difficult. I own one plastic gun, and it's a near offspring to the 1911 - a Springfield XDc. I have NEVER had a problem with the XD in almost 1000 rounds. It would be on the top of my list.
whiterabbit05
05-12-10, 22:48
I'll be different and say FN45.
I'd say buy an RIA or Springfield Armory and a reloading press.
And get busy reading. www.m1911.org
.45 ACP is one of the easiest and most forgiving rounds to reload. Buy a Lee single stage loader with carbide dies and scavenge brass at the range.
Some of the most cheapest shooting you'll have.
The Dumb Gun Collector
05-13-10, 00:17
There really is no budget-minded .45 solution in my opinion. I think the Hk USP compact or HK45C is the best .45 handgun around right now. They are reliable with all reasonable ammo choices and are portable by mortals.
Thanks for all the replies guyz, appreciate it so much! But fortune favored me today and I closed a big deal, & the budget ow is unlimited:) I would get myself either a HK45 or USP tactical 45, the match trigger on the Tac 45 is just amazing, let's see!:)
I say Glock21 or a good 1911. Of the .45s I have shot those have been my favorites.
Thanks for all the replies guyz, appreciate it so much! But fortune favored me today and I closed a big deal, & the budget ow is unlimited:) I would get myself either a HK45 or USP tactical 45, the match trigger on the Tac 45 is just amazing, let's see!:)
Well now it's a Wilson CQB. ;) You want an amazing trigger right?
gtmtnbiker98
05-13-10, 06:40
Thanks for all the replies guyz, appreciate it so much! But fortune favored me today and I closed a big deal, & the budget ow is unlimited:) I would get myself either a HK45 or USP tactical 45, the match trigger on the Tac 45 is just amazing, let's see!:)Now, you are getting somewhere, but please consider your training costs associated with .45 ACP. It is typically "double" the costs associated with 9mm. Just food for thought.
Now that the ammo price concerns have been noted and you are looking at the HK line, be sure to check out the HK45 Compact. I own both the HK45 and the HK45c and simply LOVE THEM. The HK45 is the absolute best, current production, .45 ACP on the market (insert personal bias and opinion). If you ever decide to carry the weapon, the HK45c is a "do it all" weapon, easily concealed and large enough for heavy range use. Best of luck!
Thanks for all the replies guyz, appreciate it so much! But fortune favored me today and I closed a big deal, & the budget ow is unlimited:) I would get myself either a HK45 or USP tactical 45, the match trigger on the Tac 45 is just amazing, let's see!:)
Congrats. I'm curious to see what you get and how you like it. Keep us posted.
I would say with unlimited funds, a HK45 due to ergos, Mag release is alot nicer and the grip is smaller on the HK45 compared to the USP Tac.
Thanks for all the replies guyz, appreciate it so much! But fortune favored me today and I closed a big deal, & the budget ow is unlimited:) I would get myself either a HK45 or USP tactical 45, the match trigger on the Tac 45 is just amazing, let's see!:)
I take it you have man sized hands then? If so, go for the USPT.
I went with the USP Tac 45:)
I went with the USP Tac 45:)
Good choice. Probably the best "combat" 45 out there.
I went with the USP Tac 45:)
Wait to you feel that match trigger in single action. Excellent choice.
Here are some of my recommendations:
If On A Budget:
-Glock 21 SF RTF2
-Springfield Armory Milspec
-Colt 1991
-SIG-Sauer 1911
If Funds Are Less Constrained:
-Glock 21 SF RTF2
-Nighthawk Custom Talon
-Wilson CQB
_HK HK45/45C
-Colt XSE
Best, Jon
ill be different than everybody and suggest, go to indoor range with gun rentals on hand, and spend a few days shooting all different types of .45s and go from there :D
My vote would be a Glock. I will admit I dont have much experience with other 45s except my favorite...The 1911:D
I own 2 M&P's (.45 &9mm) and 3HK's (p-2000, USP, P-7) so, I understand the lure of the HK pistols... You made a excellant choice, I would seriously consider buying a reloading press as well, .45acp is stupid easy to load, and very accurate rounds can be easily made for less(alot less) than what you pay at the store..Just a thought...I load all my ammo (12 calibers) With ammo shortages the last couple of years, it's realy paid for itself..
The budget now can open up more ammo for you. I still say a G21SF, then M&P45. The HK45 looks and feels great, I just can't get used to the mag release.
I went with the USP Tac 45:)
Excellent choice. I own a USP45f and absolutely adore it. Suggesting which gun one should/shouldn't buy, is like telling them which car to drive, or which socks to choose. Everyone has different opinions, wants, needs, desires. For me, the HK USP is the perfect .45ACP pistol, but it may not be for anyone else...Enjoy your new ride! Congrats!
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