Recommendations for 45 Caliber Handguns

LumenVR · Jul 25, 2020

I love the G21 gen 4 , it has rapidly become my favorite pistol.

Blaster229 · Jul 26, 2020

HK45 Compact.

kolohekanaka · Jul 27, 2020

OverTheTop said:
I've been considering buying a 45 caliber handgun, after having owned a 9mm, Walther PPQ, and was wondering if anyone had 45 guns they really like. I'm trying to do my due diligence and research the available options, before committing to a buy. Ideally I will try to rent/borrow all the handguns I'm considering, so I get a sense for how they shoot.

So far I've had the opportunity to try out a USP 45, which I was surprisingly a little disappointed with, as the gun did not run as smooth as I expecting. People online put the USP 45 at god tier levels of good, but the gun I shot had extremely harsh recoil and shot very low. This could be due to the particular pistol being a well used rental, but still not a great first impression given the reputation the USP has. I'll want to try it out at another range before writing it off.

I've also tried the FNX-45, which is my definite favorite so far. Very smooth shooting and accurate. If I were to make my decision based on just my experiences with USP and FNX, I would go with FNX.

That being said, I was curious if there are other guns anyone thinks I should look into and try out? I'm generally looking for 45's like the USP or FNX, modern double stack handguns, but I don't have a preference for hammer fired vs striker. I've heard good things about the P320 in 45 as well as the PPQ in 45, so those are on my list to try next.

https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/metro-arms-introduces-mac-3011-ssd-pistol/

14 + 1 capacity is why I bought mine.

cantstop · Jul 27, 2020

FWIW - Brownells has the Polymer80 PF45 (80% Glock 20, 21) frames in stock. Straightforward build if you want that kind of thing.

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...texture-frame-for-glock-20-21-prod124594.aspx

:beer:

Occam · Oct 2, 2020

This thread has been haunting me. Bad timing on the market to try to do something about it, of course. But! Found a 97B in stock at a very good price, and it arrives in 7 day Maryland jail nearly next week. Dozens of dealers had no inventory so I was tickled to find one at pre-COVID-ish pricing. Now ... extra mags? Fuggetaboutit, apparently. That’s going to take a lot more digging.

Still, that warning I got about acute, chronic CZ-itis was prophetic. Another one joins the family.

Bullfrog · Oct 3, 2020

Occam said:
This thread has been haunting me. Bad timing on the market to try to do something about it, of course. But! Found a 97B in stock at a very good price, and it arrives in 7 day Maryland jail nearly next week. Dozens of dealers had no inventory so I was tickled to find one at pre-COVID-ish pricing. Now ... extra mags? Fuggetaboutit, apparently. That’s going to take a lot more digging.

Still, that warning I got about acute, chronic CZ-itis was prophetic. Another one joins the family.

Hope you have big hands. BBP/MD Elite firearms had a 97BD in stock a while back so I went to check it out. Wanted to fall in love with it since I'm crazy about the CZ's I have, but it was too big for me to handle properly.

I wear size large glove, but I had to reach to get the tip of my finger on the trigger for the first shot (DA mode). When cocked it was much more reachable. Had to shift the pistol in my grip to even reach the mag release. Reluctantly passed on the purchase.

On the plus side for your mag search, they are 10 rounders so you should be able to order them from anyone who has then in stock.

This guy is a good source if he ever gets them in... I ordered some stuff from him prior to 2013. He used to be located in MD.
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/cz-fac...nfoglio-10-rd-45-acp-mgwit45lfafc-p-1093.html

Occam · Oct 3, 2020

Bullfrog said:
Hope you have big hands. BBP/MD Elite firearms had a 97BD in stock a while back so I went to check it out. Wanted to fall in love with it since I'm crazy about the CZ's I have, but it was too big for me to handle properly.

I wear size large glove, but I had to reach to get the tip of my finger on the trigger for the first shot (DA mode). When cocked it was much more reachable. Had to shift the pistol in my grip to even reach the mag release. Reluctantly passed on the purchase.

On the plus side for your mag search, they are 10 rounders so you should be able to order them from anyone who has then in stock.

This guy is a good source if he ever gets them in... I ordered some stuff from him prior to 2013. He used to be located in MD.
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/cz-fac...nfoglio-10-rd-45-acp-mgwit45lfafc-p-1093.html

Thanks for the mag source, will check it out.

On size: yeah, I have surgically transplanted orangutan hands so I’m all set! If it helps, for perspective, my Shadow 2 feels about like it could use a bigger grip than it has. I don’t expect Mrs. Occam is going to like the 97 unless it’s in cocked/locked mode. But then, that’s how she shoots her CZ75, so who knows! We’ll see in ten days or so.

Bountied · Oct 5, 2020

.450?

Virgil Co.C · Oct 5, 2020

1911, almost any brand.

Bountied · Oct 5, 2020

Virgil Co.C said:
1911, almost any brand.

And the cycle continues...

teratos · Oct 5, 2020

H&K USP Match. Love it. Barrel extends to the end of the compensator.

ForcedSig · Oct 5, 2020

It really depends what you want to do with it. If you are looking for a End of the World or Outdoor gun I'd go with the Glock. It is super reliable and easy to maintain and shoot. If you are looking for competition gun or a range gun my Springfield XDM 45 and my Springfield TRP Operator 1911 are both scary accurate and I would highly recommend both.

DaemonAssassin · Oct 6, 2020

teratos said:
H&K USP Match. Love it. Barrel extends to the end of the compensator.

I love my HK stuff. Especially the HK45 tactical v7....

Huckleberry · Oct 6, 2020

S&W Model 625 Jerry Miculek (OP just said 45 ACP so make a deal, spin the wheel)

First 1911

Ruger SR1911
Sig 1911 (Yes, 1911s may have external extractors)
SW1911 E
Colt Series 80 or 1991A1 "O" Series
Rock Island
MAC

DA/SA

Ruger P90
Sig 220 (You can get a SAO model)
CZ-97
FNX 45 (Spiritual DNA from the BHP)

Striker

G21 SF
M&P 45
Ruger American or late model SR45

Now, I'll return you to the regular scheduled MDS geehaw

Huckleberry · Oct 6, 2020

teratos said:
H&K USP Match. Love it. Barrel extends to the end of the compensator.

No offense, Doc but that big ol' "Match" looks ghey as hell.

Black Sharpies Matter

dwb1987 · Oct 9, 2020

Huckleberry said:
Ruger American or late model SR45

The SR45 (and the SR series) area way under appreciated handgun imo. While it does not have the aftermarket support that Glocks ect have, mine has been 100% reliable, decently accurate and the trigger is pretty good once you remove the mag safety and get some rounds through it. And for a 10rd mag in a .45 the grip is still slim.

I bought mine a year or 2 ago when they were getting discontinued and buds was blowing them out cheap, I think I paid something like $275. I thought I read recently Ruger brought the series back as an exclusive for a distributor.

Can't speak for the American series, but they look pretty nice.

calicojack · Oct 9, 2020

Huckleberry said:
S&W Model 625 Jerry Miculek (OP just said 45 ACP so make a deal, spin the wheel)

First 1911

Ruger SR1911
Sig 1911 (Yes, 1911s may have external extractors)
SW1911 E
Colt Series 80 or 1991A1 "O" Series
Rock Island
MAC

DA/SA

Ruger P90
Sig 220 (You can get a SAO model)
CZ-97
FNX 45 (Spiritual DNA from the BHP)

Striker

G21 SF
M&P 45
Ruger American or late model SR45

Now, I'll return you to the regular scheduled MDS geehaw

What, No love for a Springfield Armory 1911?

llkoolkeg · Oct 9, 2020

Huckleberry said:
S&W Model 625 Jerry Miculek (OP just said 45 ACP so make a deal, spin the wheel)

First 1911

Ruger SR1911
Sig 1911 (Yes, 1911s may have external extractors)
SW1911 E
Colt Series 80 or 1991A1 "O" Series
Rock Island
MAC

DA/SA

Ruger KP90
Sig 220 (You can get a SAO model)
CZ-97
FNX 45 (Spiritual DNA from the BHP)

Striker

Glock G21 SF
M&P 45
Ruger American or late model SR45

Now, I'll return you to the regular scheduled MDS geehaw

I have two of the ones you listed above and both have performed flawlessly.

Bullfrog · Oct 9, 2020

Huckleberry said:
No offense, Doc but that big ol' "Match" looks ghey as hell.

Black Sharpies Matter

Lol. The first thing I noticed when he posted that pic was the font used for the word 'Match'.

It looks like it should be on a billboard somewhere with '.com' after it.

Huckleberry · Oct 10, 2020

calicojack said:
What, No love for a Springfield Armory 1911?

I loved one back in 86 when SA just statrted to get the 1911A1 to market. In fact, I had a low 5 digit SN that I still regret selling.

I have not shot one since so I couldn't recommend SA. Same for Kimber, the last one I shot was produced in Oregon. Never shot a NY Kimber.

The others, I have either owned or shot so i went all IMHO on them.

Recommendations for 45 Caliber Handguns

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