Comparison of Tactical .45's

[Reagans Rascals]

I'm an looking for realistic comparisons between the tactical .45's offered by SIG, FN, and HK.

I have the opportunity to purchase an FNP-45 Tactical for $900. However I have no experience with FN pistols. How does the quality of the FNP-45 Tactical fare when compared to a SIG P220 Combat or an H&K USP .45 Tactical? I neglect to try and compare to the MK23 because I just don't have $2400 to spend on a handgun.

I know FN Herstal has the majority of US military contracts for small arms. With that being said, is the FNP-45 Tactical a serious contender when put against a SIG or HK?

Any opinions on which you prefer over the others? I am looking for .45 caliber, threaded barrel, adjustable sites, and front rail.

[6933]

I only have experience with the HK USP Tac .45 and the HK USPc Tac. .45. Both have been shot in high round count classes without any issues. Make sure you fondle one before buying. It is on the large side. No doubt these are quality weapons. I could probably run them over and they would still function reliably. I like the position of the safety; easy to engage/disengage with my right hand and easy to use with weak hand.

[skyugo]

the FN feels like an airsoft gun with the grip of a power drill.
sig hasn't made a consistently reliable pistol since 2000 or so

HK makes the world's best 45's.

hope that helps

[gtmtnbiker98]

For $900, get the HK45 or better yet, get the HK45 Compact. That way, you don't have to question reliability and whether or not is it worth it. It is.

[GIJew766]

For $900, get the HK45 or better yet, get the HK45 Compact. That way, you don't have to question reliability and whether or not is it worth it. It is.

This

For $900, you'd be hard pressed to do much better than the HK45 or 45c. I like the grip of the full size a bit better, and love it a whole hell of a lot more than the grip on my USP45. Get a feel for all of them in your hand, as my opinion means didly squat if it don't feel good in your hands.



H

[skyugo]

For $900, get the HK45 or better yet, get the HK45 Compact. That way, you don't have to question reliability and whether or not is it worth it. It is.

i actually kind of dig the USP45c ergos. the full size USP's don't do much for me, but in the compact arena i think i'd be just as happy with the USP.... especially considering they're frequently available used for mere new glock prices :o

you can put the LEM trigger into the older usp's right? not to hijack the original thread.. though this seems to be turning rapidly into a 45 cal HK thread

[Reagans Rascals]

So I would assume I'd be better off letting the FNP-45 Tactical go?

[opmike]

Letting it go? Are you saying you already own one?

And, like it has already been stated, the HK45 is going to be the most well-regarded of the three handguns you listed in the OP.

[Reagans Rascals]

Letting it go as in not purchasing it

[RetiredCO]

I just have an FNP 45 and it is just as accurate as my HK 45 at 25 yards.
My best 5 round group hand held at 25 yards was 1 1/2" and did a 35 round group minus 1 flyer of under 4 1/2"s with the FNP 45.
I like the feel of the HK better but the basic FNP 45 is a very accurate pistol.

[skyugo]

unless you really you can't make an HK work for you i see no reason not to buy one. well, other than the 900 dollar price tag... ouch. :eek:

[GIJew766]

For the cost FN is asking, let it go. Buy yourself the HK45.




H

[kartoffel]

the FN feels like an airsoft gun with the grip of a power drill.
sig hasn't made a consistently reliable pistol since 2000 or so

HK makes the world's best 45's.

My sentiments too, more or less. If you're not a true operator with a hard-on for Teutonic uberpistols, I'd also consider a G21 or an M&P.

[Reagans Rascals]

There are currently no Glock or M&P pistols that come with factory threaded barrels. I would then have to look into getting a match grade threaded barrel from somewhere like Barsto, which ends up being another $280-$300. Plus gun smithing costs if it needs to be fitted. I would rather stay with true tactical .45's that really require nothing after purchase.

[maximus83]

Here's an M&P .45 with a threaded barrel from S&W, sku # 150923.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_780503_-1_757782_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

And while we're on the subject of the M&P, I'd suggest that the OP also consider the M&P mid- or full-sized models. Accuracy and reliability certainly are in the range of the H&K, and current prices from G&R tactical running just a bit over half the cost of an H&K, at about $480:

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=109307

For another roughly $110 on the M&P, you can throw in the DCAEK duty kit, which Grant installs for you, and that gives you a nice 4.5 to 5lb trigger pull that will blow away the LEM on the H&K's (IMO), and still your cost is under $600. Plus plenty of aftermarket sights options are available for the M&P.

OP, you should at least test-fire an M&P before you buy a .45.

[MadDog]

Out of the three pistols you originally mentioned, I only have experience with my FNP45-Tac. So far with close to 2,500 rounds through it I have had exactly "zero" malf's of any kind using about five or six different brands of ammo (both FMJ and JHP's). It has been very reliable and just as accurate as any 45 I have tried (maybe not quite as accurate as my Springfield TRP OP). My FNP is primarilly used for 3-gun matches as well as my night stand gun (with suppressor installed so I don't go deaf if I have to touch off a round inside the house).

My FNP is every bit as accurate and reliable as my M&P45 (not on your list but still worth a look).

MadDog :big_boss:

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3272/tirant023.jpg

[nobody knows]

Out of the three I would have to say the Hk 45 tac. But I would not overlook the M&P or a g21sf. My 2¢

[DocGKR]

M&P45 or HK45c, maybe G21sf...

[Cosmo M3]

HK45 or HK45C with factory threaded barrel

[S-1]

FWIW... NSW Devgru recently tested "tactical" .45's. The tested weapons came from SIG, Glock and H&K. The HK45c v3 won the contract.

I have wondered why others such as the M&P and FN weren't included in the testing.