45 dilemma

[tocohillsguy]

Thus far I've been able to resist the 45 Caliber, polymer guns, and the 1911 platform. If I was to buy only one 45, what would you choose:

A) 4506 - Hey you like the 1006. Stick with the 3rd gen platform and real metal.
B) 1911 - Classic...everyone should have one.
C) S&W M&P45 - Get over it. Polymer is here to stay.
D) XDm 45 - Hey, some like it better than the S&W M&P 45.
E) HK45 - Ergonomic, and some claim the recoil has been tamed.

Not sure I would carry any of these. I tend to prefer compacts for carry, and I'm not sure I can handle the 45 in a light weight compact. For those that choose the 1911, which brand do you favor? Colt, S&W, or Kimber.

Thanks for playing.

 

[paragon1]

Don't forget the FNP-45...

 

[kcode]

For carry, don't overlook a 4513 or a CS45.

 

[Chuck Jones]

1911 .

/c

 

[MgoBlue]

1911 or Sig P220 -- these are the classics of the .45 ACP round!

You asked for more specifics on the 1911s. I personally own Colt and S&W Officers models and they both handle the .45 just fine. Great to carry, too!

 

[sctman800]

I vote for the 4506, just bought one, great gun. I have had a 645 and a 4513 for some time and they are all very similar with the 4513 being the compact. They all can be carried with the right holster and clothing choice. Most important I have found all of them to be about as reliable as a revolver. Jim.

 

[sniper47]

Consider the 4566. Not a true compact, but easier to carry than the full size 4506 or 645.

 

[clang444]

If I could only have one - I would go with a 625 Revolver.

 

[BUFF]

All of your proposed choices can be excellent guns. Individual examples of each can also be clinkers, stinkers and clunkers, too.

Find the one that fits your hand the best. There is not a lot you can do to change the way a semiauto fits your hand. You can make them bigger but rarely smaller.

Find one that has an operating system you like. Some don't feel safe with cocked-and-locked, some don't like the sqrunchy trigger feeling of a striker fired gun, some don't like slide-mounted safeties, some don't like magazine disconnectors

I have a lot of S&W semiautos, but if I could only have one, it would likely be a Colt 1911, probably a Series 70 Colt Government Model with a few upgrades. If the Colts weren't an option, it would be my S&W Model 945, one of the early ones, 5 inch barrel, stainless steel, 'fish scale' slide serrations. I like how the 1911 system works and the 945 is a S&W 45XX re-engineered to work like a 1911. It also drools cool and style.

I have had and still have 1911's from numerous makers in different styles. I have had excellent luck with Colt's. I carry a stainless Lightweight Commander to work every day for the last 8 or 10 years. S&W's 1911 variants have been pretty good for me, an early (s/n under 200) with fixed sights, or a later SW1911 with a Bomar-style adjustable rear sight has just about anything I would want in a match or field pistol.

The second and third generation S&W .45's include some excellent choices, 4505 and 4506 are smooth, full-size fighting pistols with smaller, lighter variants of the bigger parent models if reduced size becomes a desired feature for handiness. The traditional steel frame third generation .45's are genrally the most reliable pistols ever made. All of mine feed empty cartridge cases like crazy and just about never break.

If you are into plastic, I am impressed with my M&P45 full size, thumb safety, no mag disconnect.

I'd look at Sig-Sauers,too.

But HANDLE the guns. Shoot them if you can, before you decide and spend your money.

There has never been a better time to get into handgunning. We have a bigger range of gun makers, models and conscepts available than anyone ever had to pick from in the past.

 

[webley green]

You may want to consider the older Sig 220 or the newer Glock 21 both are fine .45s. If you have a chance to shoot either of them, you may end up with one or both. WG

 

[TSQUARED]

I own and shoot the S&W 645, 945PC and M&P45 (my most recent acquisition). In addition I have several 1911's. Your choice depends a lot on intended use. If you intend to use for self defense then I would opt for the M&P45 as I prefer a pistol without external safeties or hammers for than intended use. I used the 945PC several years for the bullseye pistol 45 stage but have not shot bullseye for the last 3 years. I have used the 1911's for IDPA and USPSA but will probably switch over to the M&P45.

 

[tocohillsguy]

Thank you to all that have responded so far. A few observations. First, I'm sure the Sig is a nice pistol. Interesting, but I didn't know it was considered a classic for 45 acp. Regardless, I doubt I will ever own one. I'm left handed and I find the manual of arms of the Sig line to be among the worst I've ever experienced for left handers.

As for the intended use. I'm not entirely sure. I've never carried any semi bigger than a 3913 or HK P7. I see some people packing the 1911 variants, and I can appreciate they are relatively thin. They can also get reasonably light with aluminium/alloy frames and short barrels. That being said I'm not sure I would like shooting a 45 out of a compact platform. I don't even like the +p's out of the compact 9mm's. Of course I'm not always consistent in my approach, because I often carry a 442 and will sometimes carry a 357 steel snub, which can kick like a mule. Sometimes I down load it to 38 or 38+p. However, I realize my accuracy with a snub (particularly a 357) isn't as good as with my 3913 or P7. Not sure I would want to carry a 45, if I can't shoot it as well as I do my 3913 or P7. I'm also a little leary of the "cocked and locked" approach for concealed carry.

So, if I had to guess it would be at least initially for range work, with a possible (but not necessary) occassional migration to concealed carry if I thought I could make it work for that purpose.

 

[mr.elite]

I'm a lefty and you cant beat 1911.

 

[40cal]

Remington 1911 R1

The third gen. S&W .45s are rock solid, great shooters, IMO.
But for a classic 1911 don forget to check out the NEW Remington 1911 R1. (this is not remington-rand) Their Remi has the classic GI style, single stack grip that can be conceal easier. Im a lefty and cant use most of the add-on oversize levers & extensions of other clone pistols. I cant stand the ambidextrous saftey ears either. For range & home use I just work the small righty saftey with my off hand. Yes it is a 80 series, plain jane 1911(IDK) but it has American roots & history. Its not as light as some, but that helps smooth out the .45 round. A good basic 1911 from a USA company at a resonable price.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

4506, a great gun for the price and a good club if you run out of ammo. No doubt .

 

[4864]

4506, 4566 or 4563TSW.

 

[ColbyBruce]

A S&W #457 would only be slightly larger than your #3913, a few ounces heavier, controls would be the same.

 

[Dan Cash]

1911 in standard configuration. You will find it extremely compact as it is. Kimber with the internal extractor is probably the best of the "stock" pistols but have not bought a new 1911 in several years. FWIW, i own 8 or 9 of the critters.

 

[robctwo]

I have owned the S&W1911PD Commander with CT grips for a few years. Light frame, accurate, reliable, very nice trigger out of the box. Not as good to me for 300-500 round range sessions where a 5" all steel frame helps tame recoil.

 

[jyo]

My choice would be the HK USP Compact in .45 ACP---neat smaller gun that shoots like a full-size pistol---plus usual HK quality and reliablity. Thats my 2 cents.