hey .45 aficionados

[musclehead]

I'm in the market for a big bore sidearm and I'd like some input. I know almost all manufacturers today warranty thier gear for life but I'm also thinking generationally and I'd like to leave my guns to my young'un. so for that reason I'm thinking along the lines of the higher end products like colt, springfield maybe sig/sauer.

I'm a once a month kinda guy. i'll probably only put 25-30 rounds through it 12 times a year. I'm not worried about wearing it out (just like my valk lol )

I had a talk with a gander mountain gun dude, the only high end .45 he doesn't like is kimber. says he'll oil his up and walk outside (in Florida) and in no time it has a haze of rust on it. he claims he has several, in fact he claims he has 5 gun safes (retired law enforcement officer) I'm way behind on the toy count 

[Thunderbolt]

I bought the Springfield Armory XDM-40.  I have not run a lot through it yet, but like it.  I like the 1911 style grip safety in addition to the trigger safety.  Grip safety is the reason I chose it over the Glock.
Springfield Armory XD(M)-40 - Video

[Serk]

+1 on the XD (Or XDm)... I carry a .40 and I've got a .45 by the bed...

That is, assuming when you say .45 you mean .45 and not 1911 .45, of course...

[the inspector]

Are you looking to buy....I may sell this;

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.aspx


Springfield Loaded Trophy Match 1911 45

"the inspector"

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

If you're talking 1911's, personally I'm a fan of ParaOrdnance. I really don't think anyone is making bad 1911's  and the Taurus 1911 sounds like a great gun for the money. I've got two Para's in 45ACP. One blued double action only and one SS single action only (classic 1911). The Para LDA is a great gun for defense since it can be kept hammer down, and on safe with a loaded chamber.

The single action is the classic 1911, only SS and holds 14 rounds in the mag. Both are heavy enough to anchor small boats but for recreational shooting, open carry and home/auto defense they are hard to beat. Concealed carry with a jacket and shoulder holster is not out of the question either.

http://www.paraord.com/

[Pete]

Take a look at the Smith and Wesson 1911 .45's. Nice guns an they work well.

For something less pricy check out the Taurus 1911 .45's.  Excellent buy for the money with nice features.

[flcjr]

Not sure if your just looking for a 1911. But for true big bore performance in a .45 caliber you might want to look at a smith&wesson 460 revolver you can shoot 45 colt,454 casulleand 460 smith in it

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've taken several deer with the .460 shot from a TC encore carbine. Heck of a caliber, even in a carbine it kills on one end and maims on the other with full-house loads. Big Medicine on deer though.

[Crazy Miles]

Just buy the Colt defender. I love mine. It works every time. Easy to conceal. Very accurate. Holds it's value. Hard to beat  http://www.impactguns.com/store/098289012166.html

[musclehead]

thanks for the info, I'm still in shopping mode. I promised the wife we would go to her high school reunion next year so that gives me time to look. this trip will eat up an untold amount of cash, whatever is left over goes to my gun fund.

I do like colt, that springfield looks SWEET! I have two taurus revolvers that perform great and I have had no issues with. and I have heard good things about para too.

the shooting range I go to has several handguns you can rent in a variety of calibers. I happened to notice a few in .45, I think I'll rent one or two. I think there is a place up in Tallahasee you can rent any firearm and try before you buy.

[Sludge]

Well, I will speak for what I have experience with. 

Others have mentioned the XD.  I too am a fan of the XD.  I just loaded the 12,000th round for mine.  Mine is the .40 S&W tactical (5 inch) model.  I've had not one malfunction with it.  Even had a broken ejector pin and it still ran 100% though it didnt throw the brass far.  I called Springfield and without charge they had another in my hands in 24 hours.  Springfield was very easy to deal with on the issue.  I have a Springfield 1911 full sized as well.  Good running gun too.  I had to replace the extractor after about 2000 rounds.  I put a Wilson Combat "Bullet Proof" ejector in and its been 100% ever since.

Also mentioned, is the Para Ordinance.  I love those too. Would love to own one. 

I have experience with the S&W 1911 and thats another good gun. 

I dont particularly like Kimbers.  I have seen alot of malfunctions out of those. Not to say that they cant run well, but I think they are a bit temperamental compared to other models I have seen.

Ive also got a bit of experience with the S&W 625.  It is a revolver that runs .45ACP in a full moonclip.  Pretty fast for a wheel gun.

[rodeo1]

i too am retired LE, but i gotta tell you, i have never owned a finer .45 than my kimber. whoever told you that they don't make a good gun is probably someone that cannot afford one, definitly not someone who ever "really" owned one.

this is the finest out of the box gun i have ever fired, pricey ? sure, but in the gun world, what ain't ?

[X Ring]

My Kimber Full size TLE is my carry weapon.  I have a Series 1 that has been modified for bullseye competition.  The Kimbers are both .45s.  Both are sweet shooting.

Marty

[Jess from VA]

I have a pair of Series 70 Colts; Gold Cup and Ltwt Commander, both with significant work.  My box stock Kimber 4" bushingless bull bbl is every bit as accurate and reliable as the Colts.

For an occasional shooter, full size, all steel 1911, for reasonable $, I'd look closely at a Taurus or Springfield.

If you want a double action .45, look at the Springfield XD(M), Taurus 945, Sig P220.

[RoadKill]

Check out the pt1911 from Taurus. 

[MarkT]

If you're thinking of a 1911, read this article from a gunsmith who really knows 1911's:  http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2008/02/so-you-want-to-buy-1911-basic-primer.html

Another great blog site on 1911's:  http://www.sightm1911.com/

[Titan]

I don't know enough about the differences in guns to offer an opinion so this is more of a question.

My brother recently bought a Kahr PM45 because it's the lightest and smallest .45 available and easy to carry concealed. I almost bought one to replace my Kel-Tec .380 but have held off on that.

What's the expert's opinions on this one?

http://www.kahr.com/reviews2008/tactical-response.asp
Kahr PM45—The Lightest, Most Compact .45 ACP

[Psychotic Bovine]

My 2 cents:  I own a Kimber and would not purchase any other 1911 style .45 at this time.  My Stainless LE has been dead reliable with over 1,000 rounds through it.  The Para Ordnance is a fine pistol, as well, if you prefer high capacity.  My brother had a Colt Double Eagle in .45 and it had serious quality issues. It literally fell apart while shooting (the firing pin keeper kept falling out and jamming the gun).  Gun was new and barely had 100 rounds through it.  I know this is not the norm for colts, but every manufacturer has a lemon now and then.

[Jess from VA]

Titan, All of Kahr's pistols are top notch and reliable (after 200 rounds), though expensive.  They are  about the smallest carry pieces made.  They have a unique trigger, double action only, but made to be exactly like a double action revolver trigger.. a long steady pull without stacking (it is the only safety).  

I love the .45acp cartridge, but choose 9mm in my smallest carry autos, because it is easier to control for accuracy in small/lightweight packages, and you get an extra round in the mag.  And top defense rounds in 9mm are plenty good stoppers.

Also, I personally will not get a .45 shorter than a 4" bbl, or a 9mm under a 3.5" bbl.  It gives you more control (accuracy), a better sight radius and the bbl is the easy thing to conceal (it's weight, width and butt are the harder parts to conceal.  I also don't like stainless or shiny carry

This is my Kahr.    http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9-Black.asp

If I wanted a Kahr .45, I like this one (3.62bl). http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P45-Black.asp

[Chattanooga Mark]

Sig Sauer P220. Flawless for going on 16 years now.

Mark

[musclehead]

i too am retired LE, but i gotta tell you, i have never owned a finer .45 than my kimber. whoever told you that they don't make a good gun is probably someone that cannot afford one, definitly not someone who ever "really" owned one.

this is the finest out of the box gun i have ever fired, pricey ? sure, but in the gun world, what ain't ?

I always thought of the kimber as a high end weapon and should be a great gun. I have no experience myself to know tho

[lakehunter]

Well here is a different twist for you ...

I shoot with the local pistol club on a weekly basis, own and shoot 45 acp pistols from Colt ( custom shop model also ) and Springfield. On a whim I decided to try a CZ design just to be different from the 1911. Purchased a EAA Elite Match model in 45 acp, 5 inch bbl and 10 + 1 capacity, nice two tone finish and super factory grips and target sights. Absoultely the best shooter, best accuracy out of the box of all the pistols I have purchased. Deadly on 6 inch steel plates at 25 yards all day long, never a problem thru at least 1000 rounds. This is with factory ammo or my own favorite reloads.
Look into one if you want something different, and at under 600 bucks it is equal to 1911 styles with similar features costing 1500 to 2500 or more.

Good luck and happy shooting !!!

Lakehunter

[Slammer]

This is my 5th Glock. Shoot great and are easy to maintain.

Slammer

[torch1972]

Look into a Sig XO black,picked one up new for 798.00, excellent fit and finish and has features of a more expensive 1911, 1500 rds(i know not much) but no failures and just as accurate as my Springfield TRP Operator. Not a light weight thou. Been also very happy with my S&W Pro sub compact(3" barrel,been flawless thru 1000rds)...

[musclehead]

reading these replies is almost as much fun as reading the old "what kind of oil should I use"  threads.

thanks for all the replies, still shopping.......

[Kylenav]

I had a budget and wanted a .45 to carry.  I loved all the "pricey ones" but couldn't justify the cost over the Glock.  It isn't flashy and doesn't have some of the features but it serves its purpose perfectly.  I guess I'm more of a results kinda guy, over 2K rounds through and it fires every time, no matter what.  It's compact and conceals perfectly.

The person on the other end isn't going to ask what it was, or notice it ain't shiny... It does what any gun is supposed to do, that's all I care about:)

Just my $.02

[designer]

Wow, what ownership loyality. 

bottom line is you get what you pay for.  I've owned everything from a kimber, sig, colt, sprinfield and even some off brand names that I'm ashamed to mention.  The 45acp is a stiff armed, tight wristed and trigger controlled animal that can't be tamed by all.  Most times when I see someone having problems shooting there 45 and blame the gun its really the llimped wristed individual that's shooting the guns fault. 
so here's my take and like everybody else its just my opinion.....

Kimber makes the swiss watches of 45's.  the action is polished and refined, and it should be for the price of the elites...

If Colt makes the workhorse that brings about thoughts of WWII and trench warfare, just the ideal of holding a colt with the rampant horse on the side makes me weak in the knees.

Springfield XD and XD(M) will make a better shooter out of anyone, the curve of the grip set the shooter up for success.  If you have problems with a 1911 move to the XD and enjoy.

No matter the name, if its mil spec it will work well, and if you have problems get a new mag.  Not the cheap stuff either, a chip McCormick or springfield.


Just my 2cents

[torch1972]

Kimber ,The Swiss watch of .45s,you jest right,maybe a Seiko, customer service good at best. Go to the 1911 forums and you will see they have their fair share of issues. Talking about brand loyalties...

[CISE]

I am happy with my Taurus PT 745.

Holds 6+1 .45ACP

Conceals well and shoots better than I do.

But firearms are like bikes - everyone has their preference. I went through several gun ranges trying compact .45s before deciding on this one.

[Sludge]

Kimber ,The Swiss watch of .45s,you jest right,maybe a Seiko, customer service good at best. Go to the 1911 forums and you will see they have their fair share of issues. Talking about brand loyalties...

LOL This Kimber brand loyalty kinda makes me think of some HD folks I have met. 

I know this may sound like heresy to some folks, but ...  Kimbers are ok, but they arent a freaking Swiss watch.  They CAN be when tuned properly, but right out of the box some are kinda temperamental in my experience.  As can be any 1911 with with tight tolerances.   The tighter the gun the more malfunction prone it can become.  This is compounded when in the hands of an inexperienced shooter. 

I will qualify that statement with the fact that while I LOVE the 1911 platform and think that John Browning was a freaking genius and is my hero.  Compared to the reliability of other modern firearms like the XD, Glock, etc...  the 1911 requires more experience on the shooters part to maintain and run it properly.  In right hands, its a thing of beauty and there is a reason it has survived for 100 years as an iconic platform and is the "gamers" gun for many gun games.

For the newly minted concealed carry or the average home defense gun that doesnt get the dust blown off of it very often...  for folks that dont shoot much... I dont think its the ideal gun. 

Actually at times this stuff gets kinda like a gun fashion show.  The Kimber is the gun all the cool kids have. 

[torch1972]

Wll said Sludge

[Ratdog]

I LOVE my MkIV Series 70 Govt. model.  I really like my MkIV Series 80 Officer's model, but prefer my Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II over the Officer's model.  For pure joy of shooting, the steel framed Govt. model can't be beat (of my trio).  The first rounds through my Kimber were some of the nastiest lookin' old rounds I could scrounge up from my "stash".  It ate all 60rds of 'em without missing a beat.   I'm skeptical of those who trash talk Kimbers... often, they're folks who've paid a LOT more money for their offerings by other "boutique" makers and seem to feel a need to talk down a gun that costs 1/3 of what they paid for theirs. 

Aside from being a HUGE 1911 fan... the XDm in .45 may become another one of my must haves.  I've always hated "Combat Tupperware"... but, the XDm is changing my mind about 'em. 

[torch1972]

Hmm,if your refering to my Kimber inputs, i wasn't bashing them, they are good and I'll give you that even thou I have had 2 and they were early models with alot of issues, they have improved but they are not the last word in 1911s...

[Piper]

If I were to purchase a weapon thinking that I would pass it down when the time came, I would look for something with an machined steel frame, not combat tupperware. Now, I have a Glock 36 and a PX4 .45 as carry pieces and I intend on wearing them out.
I also have a Luger and a Mauser C-96. Both made in the 1930's as near as I can tell. Sadly non-matching numbers were the only way I could afford them. Once I replaced the springs they both still shoot great. The C-96 draws a lot of attention at the range. But will give a bit of hammer slap if you are not careful. My nephews covet both of them greatly.

As Hans Solo said: "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

[X Ring]

If I were to purchase a weapon thinking that I would pass it down when the time came, I would look for something with an machined steel frame, not combat tupperware. Now, I have a Glock 36 and a PX4 .45 as carry pieces and I intend on wearing them out.
I also have a Luger and a Mauser C-96. Both made in the 1930's as near as I can tell. Sadly non-matching numbers were the only way I could afford them. Once I replaced the springs they both still shoot great. The C-96 draws a lot of attention at the range. But will give a bit of hammer slap if you are not careful. My nephews covet both of them greatly.

As Hans Solo said: "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Good luck on trying to wear that Glock out.  Chuck Taylor has one of the original Glock 17s with over half a million rounds through it.  Iirc, he has had to replace magazine followers and springs, the original sights and a couple of other small parts.

Reading his article on it back in the early 90s led me to buy my first Model 22.

Marty

[fudgie]

Bersa. Very affordable and good rep.  Love my .40 & .380 +

[Ratdog]

Hmm,if your refering to my Kimber inputs, i wasn't bashing them, they are good and I'll give you that even thou I have had 2 and they were early models with alot of issues, they have improved but they are not the last word in 1911s...

No, I wasn't.  I was talking in generalities with the comments I read about Kimbers.  Of course there are going to be issues with any brand name and their offerings.  That's a given.  However... with many forums I've haunted... you see a LOT of 1911 snobs out there who just routinely trash talk Kimbers... and dismiss anyone who isn't raving about their favorite brand name (Les Baer, Wilson Combat... or some other $2,000.00+ offering).  Many of these folks appear to be trying to simply justify the amount of money they've chosen to spend on a pistol by trash talking ones that do NOT carry as big of a price tag on them.  Some of these folks have a LOT of discretionary income to "play" with and seem to forget that a LOT of regular working stiffs have to be more aware of how much they can spend on a gun. 

[Bama Red]

I've never owned but one brand of 1911, so I'm in no position to trash talk anyone else's weapon. For my last five years on the job, I was allowed to carry any gun I wanted as long as I could qualify with it and the caliber was .38 or greater. I immediately turned in the Glock, went home and strapped on my Rock Island Armory Officer's Model 1911 and never looked back. I've still got it and sever other non-1911's in .45ACP, but the Rock is what I reach for every morning. Been carrying it fourteen years now and don't see any reason to stop. Matter of fact, I'll be picking up a full size Rock most any day now to go into rotation with the Officer's Model.

[torch1972]

Agree with you Ratdog too about snobishness of those who own high end 1911's,anything else to them is junk which is BS.....

[PAVALKER]

Don't have any significant .45 experience just yet (not counting Mil experience) but I recently added a .45cal to my collection and have yet to fire it.... a Ruger KP90.   Of course that required that I get some .45 ammo as well.... so I went to www.georgia-arms.com and got quite a few rounds of .45 to play with.  They have pretty reasonable prices (no tax outside GA)  and free shipping if you get enough. IF you know of a better/less expensive place... share the info.  Can't have a gun without something to put thru it.... unless you want to just smack  someone with it I guess....      



It goes with my other KP Rugers.... KP89 (my first one), KP89DC, KP90, KP93DC, KP94DC (all 9mm less the KP90) and one on the way a NIB KP944DC (.40 cal).  I dressed the existing ones up in new grips for this photo shoot... my first one is in the center.  I kinda got hooked on these KPs from the first one,  they have the same feel, fit and finish and all take the same mags (less the .45 and .40 of course) so all the mags I had already will work.  I think for this Ruger KP (Stainless/Alloy series) I just need a KP85 and a KP91.... I'm not interested in the plastic or fiberglass framed P series at this point.